SVCC Sets Record as Biggest Comic Con in Northern California

STEVE WOZNIAK’S SILICON VALLEY COMIC CON SETS RECORD

AS  BIGGEST COMIC CON IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Inaugural Expo That Blends Pop Culture and Technology Welcomed Nearly 60,000 Attendees

And Becomes Largest Event to Take Place at San Jose Convention Center

Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC), Steve Wozniak’s wildly successful expo that celebrates the Age of the Geek, took over downtown San Jose the weekend of March 18 - 20, welcoming nearly 60,000 guests over the course of the three-day show. The event paired science and fiction featuring celebrity appearances, science/tech discussions, panels with award-winning authors, displays with comicbook artists, cosplay contests and more.

“We couldn’t be happier with the turnout at our first Silicon Valley Comic Con—from passionate fans to engaging exhibits and talks,” said founder Steve Wozniak. “Version 2.0 in 2017 will be even better!”

In front of thousands of cheering fans, Stan Lee and Christopher Lloyd watch on as Steve Wozniak cuts the ribbon to open the open the inaugural Silicon Valley Comic Con alongside San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Vice Mayor Rose Herrera. Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo, Silicon Valley Comic Con took place at the San Jose Convention Center the weekend of March 18-20. Pictured from left: Janet Wozniak, Trip Hunter (SVCC CEO), Rose Herrera (San Jose Vice Mayor), Rick White, Steve Wozniak, Sam Liccardo (San Jose Mayor), Marvel creator Stan Lee and actor Christopher Lloyd Photo Credit: Namu Williams, American Photographic

The cast of “Back to the Future” reunited for the first time in North America at the first Silicon Valley Comic Con, Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo that took place at the San Jose Convention Center the weekend of March 18-20. Pictured from left: moderator Jose Sanchez (host of Electric Playground), Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson and Christopher Lloyd Photo Credit: Namu Williams, American Photographic

Steve Wozniak and Stan Lee came together on stage to close out the first annual Silicon Valley Comic Con, Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo that took place March 18-20 at the San Jose Convention Center Photo Credit: Teodor Bjerrang

Steve Wozniak and Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey shared the stage for a Founders Fireside discussion moderated by Re/code executive editor Kara Swisher, discussing the future of virtual reality and more in front of thousands of fans at the first Silicon Valley Comic Con, Steve Wozniak’s pop culture and technology expo that took place March 18-20 at the San Jose Convention Center Photo Credit: Teodor Bjerrang

Getting into the spirit of the event, Steve Wozniak “Obi Woz Kenobi” opened the first Silicon Valley Comic Con with a welcome address featuring Stormtroopers and the unveil of his Madame Tussauds wax figure. Silicon Valley Comic Con took place March 18-20 at the San Jose Convention Center Photo Credit: Teodor Bjerrang

Marquee events included the first North American reunion of the cast of  “Back to the Future,” “An Evening with William Shatner,” which included a spontaneous discussion with Steve Wozniak (a.k.a. Woz) about science and philosophy, and a fireside chat between the Woz and the founder and creator of Oculus Rift, Palmer Luckey. Additional packed events included “Let’s Go to Mars!” which featured “The Martian” author Andy Weir, NASA’s Chris McKay and “MythBuster’s” Adam Savage, [X] Labs head Astro Teller and medical researcher turned author Danielle Teller with “Superbabies vs A.I.,” “Rockstars of the Internet” brought out social media superstars  Alx James, Brizzy Voices and Mamrie Hart and fan Q&As were held with Stan Lee, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Renner and the teams behind “Deadpool,” “Big Bang Theory,” “Halt and Catch Fire” and “Con Man.”

Fan-favorite Hollywood celebrities joined the inaugural SVCC, including Stan Lee, William Shatner, Michael J. Fox, Nathan Fillion, Christopher Lloyd, Jeremy Renner, Lea Thompson, Alan Tudyk, Adam Savage, Peter Mayhew, Nichelle Nichols, Bonnie Wright,  Jon Heder, Ray Park, and Vic Mignogna.

Several companies leveraged SVCC as the launching pad for new products and companies including Loot Crate, which debuted its premium Loot Crate DX subscription line, Legion M, which launched its crowdfunding studio that lets fans own a piece of Hollywood and Yaksee, a mobile broadcasting platform.

The sold-out show floor featured hundreds of exhibitors and attractions including a VR Zone curated by SVVR, an indie-filled App Alley, rare collectibles from the Stan Lee Museum and Rancho Obi Wan, wax figures from Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, photo opps with the “Back to the Future” DeLorean Time Machine, Artists Alley, ScreenUsed memorabilia auction and more.

To view a full list of SVCC panels and guests, visit www.svcomiccon.com. Information surrounding SVCC 2017 will be announced in the coming weeks. To inquire about sponsorship and exhibiting in 2017, contact media@svcomiccon.com.

ABOUT SILICON VALLEY COMIC CON

Silicon Valley Comic Con celebrates the Age of the Geek by bringing together America’s two greatest superheroes: pop culture and technology. Featuring top celebrities, comics, independent artists, cosplay, video game creators, consumer electronics, music and apps, Silicon Valley Comic Con is where entertainment and electronic worlds intersect. The inaugural Silicon Valley Comic Con took place at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA the weekend of March 18-20, 2016.