Bethesda, MD, July 15, 2003 — SPX announced today that cartoonist and web-publisher Steve Conley will assume the duties of Executive Director beginning with the 2004 season. “Because the Executive Director position with SPX is a volunteer position, although not a hard and fast rule, SPX seeks to have a new Executive Director every three years,” says Michael Zarlenga, former Executive Director. “I served for three years and it was a tremendous time commitment.”
“We generally try to choose a new Executive Director from within since that person is already familiar with many aspects of the show,” says current Executive Director, Greg McElhatton. “Knowing my three-year term was coming to a close after this year’s show, we started our search early. When Steve volunteered, everyone knew we could not find a better candidate.”
“It’s a terrific opportunity and responsibility,” said Conley. “This is simply a wonderful show with a great history and reputation and I’m looking forward to helping it maintain its integrity as it grows.” Conley continued, “Greg has done a spectacular job these last three years putting together a wonderful tenth anniversary show and Mike was an incredible Executive Director. It will be a tall order to walk in their shoes.”
This year, the tenth anniversary of the original SPX marks the show’s expansion from two to three days – September 5-7, 2003. Among the guests for this year’s show: Jessica Abel, Bob Fingerman, James Kochalka, Roger Langridge, Carla Speed McNeil, Terry Moore, Top Shelf Productions, Fantagraphics Books, Alternative Comics, Highwater Books, SLG, and AdHouse Books. Admission tickets are sold at the door the day of the show.
Steve Conley is a cartoonist and self-publisher. He has written and illustrated the web- and print-series Astounding Space Thrills since 1998. Along with cartoonist Rick Veitch, Conley created the online convention COMICON.com. In addition to COMICON.com, Conley owns and manages a number of other comics-related web sites including iCOMICS, BLOOP.tv and the daily comics news site, The Pulse. In 2003, Conley developed Astounding Space Thrills as “Convention Comics” giving away copies to attendees of the country’s seven largest comic book shows. As he has for the previous nine, he’ll have a table at this year’s SPX.
About SPX
In its tenth year, SPX is the premier showcase for independent comic books, artists, creators, and publishers. SPX is run by The EXPO, a non-profit organization with its primary purpose of promoting comics, animation, cartooning, and related popular art forms through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics, animation, and cartooning to art and culture. The EXPO seeks to accomplish its purpose by providing a forum for people interested in exhibiting and admiring comics, animation, cartooning, and related art forms through conventions and professional activities and by awarding the Ignatz Awards annually to recognize outstanding talent and ability among creators.
Anyone seeking information about attending SPX on September 5th to 7th 2003 can go to SPX’s website http://www.spxpo.com. Exhibitor tables have sold out for 2003, however, watch the website for information on how to exhibit in 2004.
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