#72 - Bill Geradts Interview (Armageddon Expo, Celebrity Guests, Business, Venues etc.)

The Armageddon Expo is NZ's biggest Multi-Genre Entertainment/Comic Book Convention and has been running for over 20 years. Bill Geradts is the founder of the expo.

SOCIAL MEDIA

WEBSITE - https://www.armageddonexpo.com/

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/Armageddonexpo

TWITTER - @Armageddonexpo

INSTAGRAM - @Armageddonexpo

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro

00:25 - How Armageddon Expo Was Created

01:50 - Bill Is Surprised By How Big Armageddon Became/Contemplating Retirement

04:34 - Why There Aren’t More Conventions/Armageddon Isn’t A Corporate Company

07:29 - Regional Shows Vs Auckland Shows/Negative Comments

09:07 - How Bill Decides Guest List

10:20 - How Covid Changed How Armageddon Was Planned/Positives From Covid

13:45 - Things To Consider For Guests At Armageddon 2021

14:44 - Accomodation For Celebrities Guests

15:33 - Corporate Companies Prevented Proper Showings This Year

16:34 - Cons Of Singular Events/Armageddons Expo Advantage Of Diversity

20:01 - Armageddon Foot Traffic Annually

20:55 - How Long It Takes To Organise Auckland Armageddon Expo

22:20 - Bill’s Daily Schedule/Holidays

24:02 - Bill Is Inspired By Other Conventions Overseas/Comic Con

25:25 - Bill Cuts Off Trolls On Social Media/Fans Don’t Appreciate Jeopardising Business

27:02 - Dunedin Armageddon Expo Didn’t Make Money/Bad Press In Dunedin

28:34 - Armageddon Expo Wouldn’t Have Survived Without Wage Subsidy

29:35 - Armageddon Barely Breaks Even

30:29 - Balancing Business Vs Accomodating Fans

30:58 - Guests Bill Hasn’t Managed To Get Yet For The Expo

31:36 - Getting NZ Based Guests Is Difficult/Peter Jackson/Agents Are Difficult

33:40 - Cost Of Bringing Guests Over

35:07 - Certain Agents Are Difficult

36:51 - NZ Is Not Unique For Actors

37:28 - Armageddon Expo Is Limited By Small Venues In NZ

39:35 - Bill Could Get More Celebrities If Venues Were Bigger/Exploring VR

41:20 - Corporates Entirely Revolve Around America

42:04 - On Investors Buying Armageddon

42:40 - 2020 Has Been A Stressful Year For Bill

44:01 - No One Else Could Start A Convention Like Armageddon

44:56 - Armageddon Expo Usually Runs Very Well/Last Minute Problems

46:49 - Sponsors

47:53 - Bill Delegates A Lot Of Work

49:53 - How Bill Stays Up With Whats Going On

53:50 - Blocking Out Negativity/2021

55:08 - Where To Follow Armageddon Expo On Social Media