Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Hodges.
Hi Mark, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Back in 2006, I was sitting at a trade show in Pittsburgh, and I had the idea of running a large comic book convention in West Michigan. I sat at the show and sketched out a crazy idea encompassing the DeVos Place and other facilities around the convention center, featuring celebrities, a huge vending hall, film festival, anime room, tons of educational programming, a cosplay contest, and a bunch of after-hours programming such as banquets, dances, and concerts.
At this point in my life, I was working two fairly lousy jobs, selling movie posters at conventions on weekends (hence why I was in Pittsburgh), and living in a station wagon. By the time I was done sketching out this pipe dream, I read it carefully and said to myself, “Mark, this is the stupidest idea you have ever had!” I mean, how was I going to finance a monstrosity like this? I threw the paper away in Pittsburgh and chuckled about the idea, but it never left my head.
I sketched out crazy plans at a marketing research job I had in between calls for a couple years. I went back to college to improve my life, and while sitting in the cafeteria waiting for a class, I noticed a table tent advertising a business plan contest with the business college, and I decided to compile my notes and enter it. I discovered the contest on a Friday morning, and the deadline was the next Monday at 5 pm. The question was this: could I put together a 30-page business plan (while at the same time teaching myself how to actually write one), work two shifts at the phone center, and get my homework done in the equivalent of three days? I figured what the heck,
I entered the contest, and much to my surprise, I was a top seven finalist (I am guessing they only had seven entries), so I was able to give a presentation on my idea in front of a few judges. I didn’t win or even place (I am pretty convinced I placed last), but it forced me to organize my notes into a cohesive albeit primitively written business plan.
Fast forward a few years. I had made numerous pitches for what I wanted to do to virtually anybody who would listen to me, developed an elevator pitch, and further defined what I would like to do with the Grand Rapids Comic-Con. Upon convincing from my wife, we decided to put on our first much scaled-down version of the Grand Rapids Comic-Con at the HSB Building (basically an elementary school) on October of 2013. Over 10,000 people showed up for a one-day $5 event, and at that point, my better half and I knew life has changed.
Now we are celebrating our tenth anniversary putting on this silly event. We moved from the HSB Building to the DeltaPlex Arena and finally, the DeVos Place, have started a second smaller and very successful show and are currently looking at starting a third. And to think all of this began with being bored at a show out of state.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”–Lao Tzu
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”–Yoda in Star Wars: Episode V–The Empire Strikes Back
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been more than a fair share of challenges over the years, that is for sure!
We have had to move the event several times over the years due to the extensive growth. Literally, none of the shows have stuck to “plan A” so we have to change celebrities, events, and even themes within a short period of time. We have had extensive financial challenges because of the limited socio-economic situation of my wife and I–there is no Van Andel money in this, no Pew Money, no Secchia money, no Meijer money, and no DeVos money. We have even had buildings close.
I think the worst yet strange enough best was back in 2015 when I had a group in my staff that was, to say the least, toxic individuals. They bailed out on us six weeks before the 2015 show–our first at the DeVos Place–and we had to reorganize our staffing fast. That was when we changed from a more of a “fanboy” approach to our staffing to a more professional model, and we somehow got through that show. After that, everything went very well, and our staffing has been wonderful ever since.
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.”–Friedrich Nietzsche
“Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.”–Roger Crawford
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about West Michigan Convention Ventures LLC?
West Michigan Convention Ventures produces the Grand Rapids Comic-Con, a comic book and popular arts convention held bi-annually in western Michigan. Our two show have well over 40-45,000 turnstile attendees each year.
The Grand Rapids Comic-Con features Hollywood celebrities, voice actors, YouTube personalities, comic book writers and artists, New York Times bestselling authors, and a lot more in a fun, family-friendly setting. Also featured includes a huge vending hall, dozens of hours of educational programming, film festival, costume contests, and tons of fun.
You can find out more about our event at www.grcomiccon.com.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have a wonderful staff who I would go to war with at any time. They are the bedrock that make this thing go round, and I thank God for them each and every day.
My wife may not agree with this, but she is an absolute rock. There is no way that the Grand Rapids Comic-Con would have ever launched without her support. Plus, she is a fantastic vending coordinator!!
Most of all, a loving God who has always been there when things get tough.
“Surround yourself with good people, surround yourself with positivity and people who are going to challenge you to make you better.”–Ali Krieger
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”–Proverbs 13:20
Pricing:
- Friday $22/adv, $27/door
- Saturday $29/adv, $34/door
- Sunday $22/adv, $27/door
- Three day $55/adv, $65/door
- Children 5-12 $5/day, under 5 free!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.grcomiccon.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/grcomiccon
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/grandrapidscomiccon
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/grcomiccon
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/grcomiccon
