News

February 21, 2001

CBLDF Cancels Making Waves Cruise

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund regretfully announces that it is canceling the 2001 Making Waves Cruise. This decision follows a thorough investigation by a specially appointed committee of the CBLDF Board of Directors.

"This certainly wasn't an easy decision to make," said CBLDF Board Member Frank Mangiaracina, who chaired the committee. "Despite our marketing efforts and the obvious interest in the cruise, cabin enrollment was still at a point where the Fund would lose money on the event. I'm sure the overall state of the economy played a part -- fans were cautious about spending the time and money to go on this cruise. And rather than delay this decision, we felt that it would be best to act sooner rather than later and let our guests and sponsors know right away."

While interest and inquiries in the 2001 cruise were high, actual cabin sales were significantly lower than they were this close to the launch of the 2000 cruise. Another contributing factor was the cancellation of Big Easy Con in New Orleans, the original launch point of the event and a major promotional partner. The expense involved in the CBLDF's two current cases also played an important part in the decision.

"Making Waves requires an enormous commitment of funds," explained CBLDF President Denis Kitchen. "Ideally, if a lot of cabins are sold, these expenses are more than matched by revenue coming in after the event. When we did the cruise last year, the Fund was between cases and had paid off all of its outstanding legal bills. That's unfortunately not the case this year. And given the costs of the CBLDF's current cases, we felt that it wouldn't be prudent to devote that much money to a fundraising venture without an assurance of success, particularly when there's an immediate need for that money in carrying out the Fund's mission."

Anyone who has already booked passage on Making Waves 2001 can receive a complete refund of their deposit if desired. They may also elect to retain their booked cabins and will pay a reduced rate to go on the same cruise, but without the comics components of Making Waves. Interested persons should contact The Cruise Authority at 1- 800-707-1634 for complete refund and cost reduction details.

"The first Making Waves was without a doubt a very positive industry event," said Kitchen. "I think everyone who attended had a great time and came away recharged and with a renewed dedication to comics. Financially, it was not a huge success for the Fund. We would love to be able to do a similar cruise in the future, but I think we would need to partner with other organizations willing to more substantially underwrite the event."

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

For additional information, call 413-268-7776 or e-mail the CBLDF staff.

271 Madison Avenue, Suite 1400
New York, NY 10016
800-99-CBLDF
info@cbldf.org

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