View source for STAPLE!

{{Short description|Annual convention in Texas, United States}}
{{Unreliable sources|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox Convention
| name       = STAPLE!
| image      = 
| caption    = 
| status     = Active
| genre      = [[Alternative comics]]
| venue      = various venues in Austin
| founders = Chris Nicholas
| location   = Austin, Texas
| country    = United States
| first      = 2005
| last       = 
| organizer  = Chris Nicholas/Austin Books
| attendance = 
| website    = http://www.staple-austin.org/
}}
'''STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo''' is an annual [[Convention (meeting)|convention]] in [[Austin, Texas]], [[United States]], for [[alternative comics]], [[minicomic]]s, [[webcomic]]s, [[zine]]s, [[Underground comix|underground comics]], and [[graphic arts]]. Chris Nicholas founded the conference as a gathering place for professional artists and amateur creators,<ref>Thomas, David. [https://austinot.com/staple-comic-convention "Staple! Holds the Austin Indie Comic Book Scene Together,"] ''The Austinot'' (FEBRUARY 19, 2014).</ref> "a showcase for the folks who publish comics and zines and possible literary masterworks out of their own apartments."<ref>Wayne Alan Brenner, [http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-03-04/books_feature.html "Collating the Underexposed"], ''Austin Chronicle'' (March 4, 2005).</ref>

The show is sponsored by [[Austin Books]], an [[Eisner Award|Eisner]]-nominated comic book store and the site of the largest gathering of artists for the worldwide [[24-hour comic|24-Hour Comics Day]] held in 2005.<ref>Nat Gertler, ''24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005'' ({{ISBN|0-9753958-6-6}}).</ref>

Additional sponsors include Rogues Gallery: Comics + Games, ECPrinting.com, Dragon's Lair: Comics & Fantasy, [[KOOP (FM)]], Motorblade Postering Services, CKP communication agency of record, and Bumperactive.com.

== History ==
The 2020 show, scheduled for October, was cancelled due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Uncle Staple. [https://twitter.com/staple/status/1274379467801202689 "Hey, everyone, sorry for the radio silence..."] STAPLE! Twitter account (June 20, 2020).</ref>

==Event dates and locations==
* March 5, 2005: [[BPOE]] #201
* March 4, 2006: Red Oak Ballroom
* March 3, 2007: Red Oak Ballroom
* March 1, 2008: Monarch Event Center
* March 7, 2009: Monarch Event Center
* March 6, 2010: Monarch Event Center
* March 5–6, 2011: Marchesa Hall and Theatre
* March 3–4, 2012: Marchesa Hall and Theater
* March 2–3, 2013: Marchesa Hall and Theater
* March 1–2, 2014: Marchesa Hall and Theater
* March 7–8, 2015: Marchesa Hall and Theater
* March 5–6, 2016: Marchesa Hall and Theater
* September 9–10, 2017: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
* September 8–9, 2018: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
* October 12–13, 2019: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
* {{strikethrough|October 2020}}: Cancelled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]
* {{strikethrough|2021}}: Venue not reopened as of Aug 2021, and organizer busy <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/stapleaustin|title=Staple! Independent Media Expo |work=Facebook}}</ref>
* April 13-14, 2024: Mabee Ballroom, [[St. Edward's University]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Indie media expo draws together Austin comics, zines, games, and more|first=Lex |last=Stewart |date=Mar 22, 2024|work=Culture Map Austin|url=https://austin.culturemap.com/news/arts/staple-austin-comic-convention-2024/}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Alternative Press Expo]]
* [[MoCCA Festival]]
* [[Small Press Expo]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.staple-austin.org}}

{{Comic festivals and alternative comics conventions}}
{{Texas SF Conventions}}

[[Category:Comics conventions in the United States]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 2005]]
[[Category:Conventions in Texas]]