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Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 canceled due to coronavirus concerns

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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 has been canceled due to coronavirus concerns.

Comic-con organizers posted on social media on Wednesday that the 2020 festivities will not take place this summer. However, next year's festivities are still scheduled to take place between July 30 and August 1 of 2021.

Those with tickets or purchased booth/table space for the 2020 convention will have their purchases transferred to the 2021 convention, organizers say.

Below is a statement released by organizers of Tampa Bay comic-con on social media:

"Nerdy brethren! We come to you with unfortunate news. Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the City of Tampa does not feel comfortable featuring Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 (and we share their sentiment). For that reason, Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 has been cancelled. The next Tampa Bay Comic Convention will be July 30-August 1, 2021!

Of course, those that pre-ordered tickets or purchased booth/table space for TBCC 2020 will have their purchase transferred to TBCC 2021. Since 2010, we have been hosting Tampa Bay Comic Convention. From our earliest days gathering a few hundred nerdy locals, to the tens of thousands the convention now attracts, it has been a wonderful adventure. What started as a fun side-project for a few comic book collectors from Central Florida, has grown into a full-fledged business—with actual full-time employees! Keeping TBCC alive and our employees employed through the massive 24-month gap from TBCC 2019 to TBCC 2021 will be very, very challenging. We are greatly appreciative and thankful for your ticket and booth/table transfers, as those funds are truly all there is keeping TBCC alive for the next 12 months; without them, there would be no TBCC 2021 (or beyond).

We sincerely apologize to those that were looking forward to attending TBCC 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will allow us to once again freely gather with friends and family. Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year for the world."

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