ComicsDC: PR: Announcing Virtual SPX 2021

For Immediate Release

Contact: Warren Bernard

Bethesda, Maryland – May 7, 2021

Dear SPXers,

First, a sincere thank you from all of us. So many of you reached out to us over the last few weeks with words of encouragement and well-wishes as we attempted to navigate the treacherous waters surrounding the fate of an in-person SPX 2021. Many of you did even more than that. You offered to come to our aid, to help us organize, to raise funds, to kick ass (ok, maybe that part was implied) -- whatever would be necessary to keep the show alive. We are so grateful for your support. And today...we have news.

Today we can officially announce that SPX 2021 will be held virtually. Although we would have loved to gather talented creators, fantastic comics, and enthusiastic fans under one roof, we've decided that a virtual show is the best choice for the health and safety of our community. SPX 2021 will feature a full slate of programming along with a livestream of the Ignatz Awards ceremony. We will also be announcing special guests who will take part in the virtual panels and workshops. Stay tuned this summer for all the details.

Along with this announcement, we are relieved to share that we have come to manageable terms with the Marriott, regarding the cancellation penalty for our in-person event. Under the terms of the agreement, we will incur higher costs for our shows in 2022 and 2023, in lieu of what would have been a catastrophic cancellation penalty.

To address these additional expenses, SPX will pause funding for our charitable initiatives until 2024, at the earliest. It is painful to temporarily suspend our Graphic Novel Gift Program and our creator support of the National Book Festival but we are grateful to have come to an arrangement that gives us confidence SPX will continue for many years to come.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the SPX community in waiting for this decision, and look forward to bringing SPX 2021 to your laptop or mobile phone, wherever you may be!!

Thanks SO Much,

The SPX Executive Committee

Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.

The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show. The SPX Collection at the United States Library of Congress is dedicated to preserving the works of the SPX community for future generations.