Well, 2020 was a lot, huh?
When it became clear that there was a chance that a physical Thought Bubble could not happening in 2020 we were… a little worried. As a not-for-profit organisation things are always a little tight, however holding the convention each year, with exhibitors and tickets, means we can keep going year on year, and suddenly, those things were gone. Weighing up the options we had was extremely difficult, a huge unknown; and we were so nervous making the announcement back in June that we were going to postpone and hold a digital convention. But, you all stood by us, you supported us and our decision, and you are the reason it all worked. If we hadn’t had your support we would be in a very different position right now, we would not be planning our 2021 convention, that is for certain.
So, here is our hugest thank you to every single one of you, anything you did to support us, big or small, meant everything to us and is the reason we will be returning in 2021.
There are a lot of other people that we want to give special thanks to this year too:
Our exhibitors, new and old, every year you blow us away with your support, your creativity and all around awesome auras.
Our sponsors who stuck with us through a strange year, comiXology, Leeds Arts University, Travelling Man, Jonathan Cape, and Artgecko Sketchbooks.
Special thanks too, to 2000AD, Leeds Specialist Autism Services, Vice Press, Awesome Merchandise, Mondo, Diamond Comics, Image Comics, Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen, Serial Box and Leeds Libraries. Your support means so much.
Also a huge thank you to Arts Council England for continuing to support us, and so many other creative organisations around the country. To all of the team at San Diego Comic Con International - Especially Laura and Gary! Every single guest and host who donated their time and energy to making videos for us. Everyone who took the time to hold a Fringe event for us, it was really special to have our community behind us, even at a digital distance. Big thanks to Nathan and Joe at Brudenell Social Club for helping us record some of our panels. To Chris Madden (our digital therapist), Geraldine at Leeds Arts Health & Wellbeing Network, Fiona, Laura, Emma and Richard who helped us proof and subtitle every single video we hosted this year. Eternal thank to our Friends of Thought Bubble members, you’re amazing. To Black Lives Matter Leeds for your guidance, especially Marvina.
Harry and Sam of Hanglands, our incredible PR support, we couldn’t have done it without you. To each Red Shirt volunteer for your enthusiasm and constant positive energy, to Kate for the amazing editing work (and for bleeping those bleeps), Andy for the now famous blips, Bis for the guidance and support.
And to everyone else behind the scenes; our friends, our partners, our family, our pets, who held us together when we were crumbling under the pressure this year. Thank you so much.
We’re so proud of the huge community of incredible people that surrounds Thought Bubble, every one of you are incredibly special to us. Team Thought Bubble wishes you all a wonderful new year.
See ya 2020, hello prosperous, positive 2021.
Love, Lisa, Martha, Amy, Chloe, Steve, Nabil, Pete and Mikey.