I find it odd that people are acting as if Swancons and similar cons are in crisis. They are doing about as well at attracting new fans as they always have, and could probably do a lot better just by doing exactly what they have done all along and publicising it better.

Of course, the numbers of attendees at both media sf gate shows and anime cons are far larger - but that doesn't mean swancon is necessarily doing anything wrong.

I don't think Swancons etc need to change fundamentally. They do need to incorporate new ideas, promote themselves better, and evaluate the different kinds of activities offered - but mostly this just constitutes doing what they have always done better and more up to date, rather than radically changing the nature of the event (as I believe it would have to to attract a big percentage of the anime con audience). Of course, there will be disagreements between the conservatives and the innovators, but there always have been.