Kiwi Talkz #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