Trying to write a report on an event like Wizard World, with unique characters at every turn, is a daunting task. More than just a Comic Con, it is a world in itself. As one attendee, Jason Fleigel, stated, “Wizard World is the place to go when you just want to be yourself…to not worry about stigmas and perceptions, but instead to immerse yourself in whatever your hobby is.”

The Chairman of Wizard Entertainment, Gareb Shamus, explained that Wizard World took over ownership of the Chicago Comic Con in 1997 and it quickly became the biggest comic convention in the Midwest (later expanding to Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Texas). Wizard has roughly 75 talented individuals who produce three monthly magazines, two websites, four conventions and numerous special publications including Toy Wishes.

One of the 250 exhibitors was Robert A. Kraus, founder of RAK Graphics, who displayed his popular superfreek superhero spoof series. Kraus, one of the first independent comic book publishers, has done conventions since the 80s, doing about 30 shows a year. Eager fans looked for their favorite superfreek or for new ones, of which Kraus said, “I get tons of requests….wrestlers and sports will be next (to be spoofed)”. The constant traffic at the booth indicates new ones cannot come soon enough. I am waiting for the Distribution Specialist series, featuring Lou, me and the rest of the Arch News Agency.

The most unique celebrity guest might have been wrestler, actor and instructor Al Snow, who enjoys the shows because they are part of the whole picture for him. He said, “Without wrestling, I couldn’t do these shows or instruct, but without these shows I couldn’t wrestle (and so on).” Snow is currently planning to open a new wrestling school and take over the world with his own evil army. It’s this type of humor that has earned Snow his tremendous following.

Terri Runnels is making her return to the convention circuit after a several-year absence. Runnels has worked for CNN, Ted Turner and the WWF/E, as well as owning SoccerTots-Gainesville, which she is selling. Runnels stated, “It’s a wonderful program, but I just don’t find joy in running a company day-to-day.” Runnels does have fun at the conventions, enthusiastically greeting her fans and promoting her latest project, Make the World Write. “This show (Wizard World) is not quite my specific audience, but so many great people have stopped by…it’s so much fun,” Runnels exclaimed. Runnels also planned on picking up some items at the show for her 14-year-old daughter, Dakota.

Other celebrities appeared as promotion for their employers, like Beth “Venom” Horn of NBC’s American Gladiators. While waiting for filming of AG to begin in November, Horn “has been traveling all over the place, having a blast promoting the show.” The success of Gladiators has Horn very excited: “They are doing a comic book, a tour and I’ll have my own action figure.” Despite her hectic schedule, Horn filmed a movie, Fancy Pants, to be released in 2009.

The enormity of this convention is really mind-boggling. I spent 3 days at Wizard World, but I feel like I have only scratched the surface of many stories from the dealers, celebrities and fans. I suppose that means I must return next year.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

Hello Readers and Happy Memorial Day!

On this day when we remember those who have served and are serving, I would also like you to take action against leukemia. You can do so by logging onto www.globaltravelerusa.com/auction. There are some wonderful flights, hotels and travel packages from which to choose to bid. All proceeds go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The bidding ends at 11:59.99999 pm EST on May 30th!

I would also like to introduce you to a new charity, Pencils for Kids. I serve as one of the board members of this organization which was established by Loretta Jitner, an advertising executive in Los Angeles. Loretta has always been a world traveler, frequently traveling to Thailand, Myanmar, Bali and other destinations. Loretta has never been afraid to pack up and go, with her backpack in hand, engaging and meeting people wherever she travels. In Myanmar, she was struck by the lack of school and educational supplies available to the children. Lack of these supplies often meant that these children could not attend school.

Travelers return and they tell their tales of meeting people and places and so did Loretta. But to her, these children would not remain “just stories” over a cocktail party. Loretta had to do something, she had to act, and she did. She reached out to industry leaders, friends and family and she launched Pencils for Kids as a not-for-profit organization.

Due to the near impossibilities of working with the military junta in Myanmar, it was decided to start efforts with Bali. This decision was made prior to the recent devastating cyclone to hit Myanmar.

I am proud to say that Loretta and her team will make their first trip to Bali to distribute our first load of school supplies this summer on June 28th. This will be a full three week journey and will also involve meeting with local schools, teachers and their administrators.

Here comes your part, please log onto www.pencilsforkidsinc.com and donate whatever you can so that Loretta and her team can reach their fundraising goal for this trip. You can also learn about the organization and its goals. I think the mission sums up our goals:

Pencils for Kids is dedicated to helping children around the world to attend school and, in doing so, build the foundation for a better future. We partner with other like-minded individuals, organizations and corporate sponsors to fulfill this mission. We believe that, working together, we can transform the world, one child at a time.

Thanks for being a part of this special project!

-Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO

There are a lot of exciting opportunities for Global Traveler blog readers happening right now! I suggest taking part in three of the options and joining in on the celebration as our May issue will see Global Traveler’s ABC audited circulation reach 100,0oo+ for the first time ever!

Opportunity 1 - Participate in our online auction to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! I know I have talked about this before, but since the auction kickoff on February 1st, the bidding action has been heating up and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on all the action. More great items to bid on are still getting added and some prizes bids are well over $1000. Act now because there is less than 2 months left until the auction ends on Friday, May 30, 2008 at 11:59.999 p.m. This is an opportunity to get your hands on some premium hotel and airline trips at a steal and to help a worthwhile charitable cause. To participate, visit www.globaltravelerusa.com/auction. The auction this year has become particularly meaningful as one of my close friends was recently diagnosed with lymphoma - I urge you to help this cause.

Opportunity #2 - Global Traveler has teamed up with Conrad Hotels & Resorts to create “The Luxury of Being Yourself” contest. To enter, submit a short (100 word) essay telling us what the luxury of being yourself means to you when you are staying a hotel or resort. The grand prize is a weekend stay for two at the Conrad Miami including two spa treatments and dinner for two. To enter for your chance at the grand prize today, submit your essay at www.globaltravelerusa.com/conrad.

Opportunity #3 - For those of you who are not subscribers, this offer is for you! Global Traveler has entered into a partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards. We are currently offering members of the Priority Club Rewards program discounted subscription rates and PCR points when they subscribe for a 1-, 2- or 3- year term. Double the benefits at www.globaltravelerusa.com/priorityclub.

- Kimberly Krol, circulation and public relations executive

This past weekend, my family and I departed on our first family trip in probably 10 years. The trip included my brother and his wife, my parents and myself on a 6 AM Northwest flight to Memphis. The morning went smoothly and quietly, for me at least, as I slept the way down. (FYI - Bar Blanc in the West Village is a great venue for a date night).

We hit the ground running and then collectively slowed down quickly as no one else in the airport, or the city for that matter, was moving too fast! We were not on a time table, so we embraced the slower pace (a difficult task for my family who can’t sit at a dinner table for more than 45 minutes). Now, I could go on and on about the differences between NYC and southern Memphis, but the main point of the trip was to attend an event that unites the whole country - a baseball game!

It was the last exhibition game of spring training for the NY Mets. They were playing the Chicago White Sox in Memphis for a charity game to raise money for the National Civil Rights Museum. Prior to the game, the players visited the National Civil Rights Museum, which was formerly the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King was assassinated nearly 40 years ago.

It was a star studded event with actress Ruby Dee and hall of famer Frank Robinson in attendance. Martin Luther King III threw out the first pitch! It was a memorable ceremony to be a part of and it was interesting to see the timeline they gave of baseball players breaking through civil rights barriers. History was kept alive that day and the game was a great way to further understand American history.

The only downfall was the weather, which was rainy and cold, but, of course, the Mets, decked out in a 1950s style uniform, prevailed. The history, southern hospitality and Memphis style BBQ ribs at Ralph’s Palace on Beale Street were well worth a trip down South!

-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

It’s back to business as normal for all Global Traveler staffers after a visit to New York and a successful awards luncheon on Wednesday!

Over 300 travel industry elite turned out for our luncheon at the Jumeirah Essex House and enjoyed the festivities as over 40 awards were presented. The delicious lunch consisted of tomato and mozzarella salad, filet of beef, and a chocolate passionfruit dome dessert. The chocolate centerpieces adorned with a white chocolate GT logo were also a big hit! But the true highlight was Ivana Trump, guest of honor on behalf of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ms. Trump was gracious, generous and a real treat. The luncheon went off without a hitch and the day was wonderful. Check out our upcoming March issue for the complete recap and photos of the event. (You can also read about the award-winners in our December issue.)

The time away in New York was also a great opportunity for the staff to get together and regroup. Everyone got a chance to meet the newest staffers, Morissa and Courtney. All the different departments of the magazine were able to meet and discuss - look for some exciting changes coming to the magazine and the Web site in the upcoming months. And, once again, we all had a chance to laugh, catch up and create stories that we will all be talking about for weeks to come.

But all good things come to an end, and we are all back in our respective offices in Yardley, New York, Boston, Florida, Chicago and LA hard at work again.

Check out Monday’s blog, the first written by the newest addition to the GT team - Courtney Centeno. Courtney joins us as a recent graduate from Mt. Holyoke and is working with Alex Young in New York as an account executive. Welcome Courtney!

– Kimberly Krol, circulation and public relations executive