Estimate of 30,000-40,000 attendees according to the Convention & Visitor's Bureau

schreinereiner

I've been looking for estimates from sources who would be in a position to know how big Pax South may be for a while. Here's the article by the Rivard Report including an estimate supposedly by the Convention & Visitor's Bureau of 30,000-40,000 attendees.

For a first year event this would be pretty impressive.

orthancstone

Dammit, that article...is it January yet?! I want it to be January now.

Traith

It's awesome to see the enthusiasm and excitement of the new PAX from both sides. I'm really glad that I get to be a part of it... so ready for January.

Josh5890

Bring it on!

schreinereiner

I figured they probably would provide that number based on the space the organizers have blocked.

Maximum capacity according to this site http://www.eventective.com/USA/Texas/San+Antonio/49556/The-Henry-B-Gonzalez-Convention-Center.html is around 60,000. And that's without the expansion currently underway on the east side of the complex. So there should be room to grow if things go well.

Purichan

That's a scary big number! Better bring those comfy shoes for all that standing in line hehehe. Got to say though, I've always wanted to go to a 'big' con, I've only been to what might be considered medium sized so I'm looking forward to seeing all things on an even bigger scale.

Ezra355

I was actually pretty scared that this one would be sort of a small con since this is going to be the first South and this is my first con so im really glad that its going to be big.

ericdavidsmith

All signs point to this being an epic weekend, ladies and gents.

Midan

30,000 to 40,000? Wow! I live in a town of 3,000.... that means that in roughly the same space as our main street there will be more then 10 times the entire population of my town. This is going to be intense! I knew it would be a big con but I guess I never realized how big....

Traith

Your small town will thank you for bringing them PAX-pox

Midan

uh oh... PAX pox?

Beker

Midan wrote: »

uh oh... PAX pox?

aka con-crud. aka, the sickness that often comes after being in a crowded space and touching the same things as thousands of people from across the globe who have all kinds of little bugs you aren't immune to. Basically, wash your hands often, and make use of sanitizing gel that will probably be around.

Midan

Oh! I'm already on top of that! I got my multivitamins going and extra vitamin c and fiber, probably even get my flue shot! I handle money all day everyday so I decided to get prepared this winter!

YoungFrey

Beker wrote: »

Midan wrote: »

uh oh... PAX pox?

aka con-crud. aka, the sickness that often comes after being in a crowded space and touching the same things as thousands of people from across the globe who have all kinds of little bugs you aren't immune to. Basically, wash your hands often, and make use of sanitizing gel that will probably be around.

More specifically. Don't touch your face. Wash your hands before you eat. Don't lay down on the beanbags in the handheld lounge, no matter how tired you are. And feel free to not shake hands when you meet folks, that isn't (too) rude at PAX since the disease is such a known factor.

orthancstone

Always implement best practices

dchoy

Please no ebola...

jj4th

Pax South had no chance of being small Between San Antonio and Austin, the gaming community in South Texas is quite rich. I'm just glad we left some tickets for the rest of the PAX community!

Trailsong

Given that the CVB told Alamo City Comic Con the first year that they'd be lucky to crack 10K and they blew the roof off with the better part of 40K, I'd consider this estimate low; the CVB doesn't understand the power of geek culture in the least. (ACCC this year drew the better part of 70K+ over the 3 and a half days.) I fully expect the 30K-40K estimate to be small by a lot, especially with the power of the PAX brand behind it. Any clue as to whether they shoved it in only one part of the convention center or whether they opened up more of the floor space? And any clue as to whether more tix will go on sale for 3day or Saturday?

orthancstone

Trailsong wrote: »

And any clue as to whether more tix will go on sale for 3day or Saturday?

Not likely unless they have to force cancel some orders, and even then the resale would be quick.

Qumaden

I went to an event with like 1100 people and downtown made me want to lie down in traffic. Not looking forward to that part of PAX.

Trailsong

Downtown parking will be absolutely insane. And it will be compounded by anything else going on anywhere.

Parking at the Henry B (local nickname for the convention center) is a madhouse to begin with. Now add in that some of the parking has been eliminated by a massive expansion to the center (adding what looks to be double the capacity to it-- something to capture more convention business like Pax, Wizard World, Alamo City Comic Con, and so much more downtown). And the mall parking right across the street. If there's any event at the AlamoDome, that'll kill even more parking. Now add in at the Henry B during the con, the Retail Jewelers Association Annual Buying Show (estimate 700-100, plus heavy security), and it's going to be even more messy. Not as messy as having the city's largest bridal show the last day of Alamo City Comic Con-- there were people in absolute tears for lack of parking during the combination of shows.

If you have anti-anxiety meds, stock up now.

Wickersham

Trailsong wrote: »

Downtown parking will be absolutely insane.

I'm not as pessimistic as all that. If Seattle and Boston can handle PAXes, then San Antonio can too. We're two and a half times the size of those cities, and we host Fiesta every year for God's sake. We'll be fine.

Trailsong

Wickersham wrote: »

I'm not as pessimistic as all that. If Seattle and Boston can handle PAXes, then San Antonio can too. We're two and a half times the size of those cities, and we host Fiesta every year for God's sake. We'll be fine.

I'm not being pessimistic; I'm going by experience with downtown events. Believe me, I'd rather be proven wrong than right.

flashe

So looks like driving and parking would be a less than ideal to do, if you are not staying at a local hotel. Unless you like that type of pain....to each their own

Aggress

flashe wrote: »

So looks like driving and parking would be a less than ideal to do, if you are not staying at a local hotel. Unless you like that type of pain....to each their own

WELL, a nice USB stick of music and taking two hours to go 5 miles doesn't seem so bad! I am driving from Houston and I don't intend to use my car at all while I am there. I would say because of the Riverwalk and specific one-way streets it will be hellish as said above.

jj4th

40,000 people sounds no worse than the average event at the Alamodome. Downtown can handle it. We had nearly 300,000 come down for the fireworks show at HemisFair park during the 4th of July. And the river parade supposedly brings 250,000.

MasterRokku

I don't think there will be as much traffic generated by PAXers as those other events have generated. While I'm sure several SA locals will attend PAX most attendees will be from out of town. They'll more than likely be at hotels and opt to walk or use shuttles to get to the event. With a bridal show or any other event like that the traffic is primarily local. Just my thoughts on the matter. I'm staying as close as I possibly can, so I'll certainly be walking everywhere.

Midan

Question does anyone know if the hotels have a shuttle service to the convention center? If they do I bet that will cut a lot of traffic too. Honestly if it is like the couple of things I have attended at down town Austin (not convention related) the biggest problem for drivers that holds up traffic is driving through areas congested with people walking. So if there is a lot of foot traffic going to the convention center I bet the cars will be slower too.

gunadic

Midan wrote: »

Question does anyone know if the hotels have a shuttle service to the convention center? If they do I bet that will cut a lot of traffic too. Honestly if it is like the couple of things I have attended at down town Austin (not convention related) the biggest problem for drivers that holds up traffic is driving through areas congested with people walking. So if there is a lot of foot traffic going to the convention center I bet the cars will be slower too.

Traffic is always pretty slow in downtown SA. That said, the convention center is right next to the expressway, so for people coming in from not downtown, it shouldn't be an issue. Unlike Pax East, the center is right in the mix of things as well (downtown SA is surprisingly compact) so shuttles might not really be needed.

Midas

San Antonio can handle Fiesta... it can handle PAX.

kornpopps

true... san antonio can handle fiesta its the weather that cant handle san antonio. but then again half the city shuts down for fiesta