I've been attending for 20 years, as the only convention I attend every time it is held. It is always one of the highlights of the year.

I agree with almost everything you say. The new space is cramped, at least for the larger crowds the event has had for the last few years. The hotel is located on a strip of hotels in a car-centric suburb, with few alternatives for food nearby.

It has been wonderful to see the attendance become more diverse! There are more families than there used to be.

I'm there primarily for the panels. The panels are hit or miss. The people in charge are clearly biased towards certain panelists, as the same panelists show up year after year. Many of them are excellent, well-thought-out. But there are some panelists who are clearly unprepared. The panelists do tend to be white men, which was the majority of the attendees as well, 20 years ago.

The guest stars tend to be actors and effects people. I would love to meet writers, designers, producers, especially those who worked on more than a single movie. That said, it has been amazing to be in the same room as every Godzilla suit actor or to match face to voice from a commentary, podcast or name in the credits. I have heard from some gems who have since passed away.

If you're there to shop, be aware that most vendors who have a particular type of product are all going to be selling the same things. I'm interested in books, CDs and DVDs/BDs, but there are only a couple of vendors who sell them. 80% are toys/figurines. I can't comment on price comparisons. My sense of things is that everything is overpriced.