GI Joe Drops in on New Orleans

June 30, 2006 -- -- New Orleans routinely rolls out the red carpet for conventions, but 3,000 action figures parachuting out of the sky is something else altogether.

As the annual GI Joe convention rolls into the Big Easy, so come the Real American Hero's faithful following.

The tourism industry here is supported by conventions of all sorts, from the massive American Library Association Convention that brought in 17,000 librarians last week to this weekend's GI Joe convention, which expects about 2,000 fans and collectors.

"It's a good time to be here. The city needs the help," said Sgt.Slaughter, a former military drill sergeant and professional wrestler who himself is idolatrized as an action figure. He is the keynote speaker and a major draw for many of the avid collectors and fans who have come from all over the country.

Among the serious collectors is Ray Patrick, who is decked out in military gear and asks to be called General Hawk.

"When I told people I was coming down here, they were like, 'Oh you're coming down for the rescue effort?' I said, 'No, try the GI Joe Convention.' Dude, trust me, if the Sarge was sitting next to me, you'd be impressed."

The convention business contributed to the $9.6 billion the tourism industry brought to the city last year. Earlier this week, the Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated the reopening of the Morial Convention Center after $60 million was spent on repairs and renovations after Hurricane Katrina. In the wake of the storm, the Convention Center became ground zero for thousands of stranded residents.

The city was forced to cancel 87 conventions and lost an estimated $2 billion in the months since Hurricane Katrina.

Steven Perry, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the Convention Center the "single most important manufacturing plant in the city." He said the convention business has several events booked and is hoping to be back to its pre-Katrina schedule by this fall, its busiest season.

"I think it's more important now than ever to bring this show to New Orleans," said Brian Savage, who plans the GI Joe Convention with Hasbro, the company that manufactures the action figures. "It's not that we're going to provide any long-term jobs, but it's all incremental. These people being ambassadors will go back out and say, 'Hey, it's OK there.'"

The plight of New Orleans is not the primary concern of attendees, though. For them, it's all about the collections. Shrink-wrapped figurines and rare finds abound in the large hall where merchants have set up. Enthusiasts have lined up outside, waiting for the doors to open.

"This is kind of like walking into a candy store," said Scott McCullar, who came from Illinois. "My wife puts up with it. I have a studio for my collection."

Brett Barton closed his shop in Raleigh, N.C., and brought the store's collection to New Orleans.

"I took off work to come here and work, but I'm not really working because I'd be here regardless," Barton said. "Any person that comes through these doors, staying here in the hotel is going to spend $500. The majority of the people who come through that door are going to spend over $1,000."

Brian Savage said he likes the event's social aspects.

"It's really a social event, a giant group hug for collectors everywhere," he said. "It's the interpersonal relationship that I have with others in my hobby that makes it fun for me."

In the wise words of Sergeant Slaughter himself, "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle ... GI Joe.