One of the most popular events in the City of San Diego is Comic-Con. Held at the San Diego Convention Center, a 2.6 million square foot waterfront property, Comic-Con brings in about 135,ooo people along with $149 million in revenue. While Comic-Con is always a memorable event for San Diego, it does create safety hazards. With 2019 being the 30th anniversary of the event, the San Diego Convention Center had to strengthen their security regulations with regard to parking.
In accordance with the Port of San Diego and the City, the strip of road in front of the Convention Center will be restricted to the general public. More specifically, Harbor Drive between First Avenue and Park Boulevard will be shut off to all traffic including cars, bicycles, scooters, and shared mobility devices. In order to have access to the Convention Center, or any areas in close proximity between July 17 and July 21, attendees must have a valid 2019 Comic-Con badge or confirmed registration. In order to combat the mass traffic inflow, the surrounding parks, piers, restaurants, shops, and water ferries will be accessible to the general public throughout those days.
Clifford Rippetoe, the CEO and President of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, illustrated the magnitude of Comic-Con. He explicates the pride San Diego holds in hosting such a unique event and how large of an event it truly is. Moreover, he ensures how important safety is for an event like Comic-Con. Their number one priority is making sure the guests have a safe and enjoyable experience on the waterfront property, hence their multiple partnerships within the City of San Diego. While the restrictions seems heavy, it will ensure that all the guests remain safe during their Comic-Con experience.
Photo by Josh Esh
