Truly out of this world! Tech company gives 10,000 Comic Con visitors a real blockbuster experience

More than 10,000 avid sci-fi and fantasy fans attended Comic Con 2024 with a Southampton-based tech company giving them a blockbuster experience.

Aura Technology put in place all the technical wizardry for the Portsmouth Comic Con International Festival of Comics, held over the weekend at Portsmouth Guildhall.

The support ranged from bolstering the Wi-Fi, using the aptly named Starlink, to making sure all the comms and tech were in place for visitors and stall holders.

Nick Coles, Events Director and Support Services Manager at Portsmouth Guildhall Trust, said: “We are cash free, so all traders need good Wi-Fi for their card readers.

“We also rely on live social media so we can promote the event across both days.

“The marquee [home to 80 traders] has very poor internet connectivity, so boosted Wi-Fi is crucial.

“Aura has been responsible for our tech support for over six years, and they are always reliable.

“Their fantastic knowledge of our needs and of the technology available means this is one less worry for the event team.

“With an event like Comic Con, glitch-free internet connectivity is vital.”

This year’s Comic Con brought visitors the best in comics, film, TV and pop culture entertainment.

It featured writers and illustrators in the industry, alongside stars of the screen and the world of cosplay.

The event included discussion panels, displays, exhibitions, gaming, VR, steampunk and a range of merchandise and collectables.

David Graham, Aura Technology’s Account Manager for Portsmouth Guildhall Trust, said: “The Guildhall Trust is always fantastically ambitious with its events, and never more so than with Comic Con.

“There were a lot of people coming through the door and a lot of sellers who needed decent Wi-Fi to enable people to use their card readers.

“It’s also an international event, with people Facetiming and calling each other across the world.

“We knew Starlink was the right service – it’s reliable and super quick.”

To get the best of Hampshire Biz News straight to your inbox every week, sign up for our newsletter!