Star of SyFy's Destination Truth is First Entertainment Guest Announced for Annual Midwest Pop Culture Convention

Norwalk, CT, January 11, 2012: Organizers of the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) have today announced that Josh Gates will appear at the annual pop culture convention where he will be the focus of a high profile panel and will also do a signing. Known as the "face of SyFy", Gates is well-recognized as the host of the hit travel-adventure series, Destination Truth, a huge sensation which has garnered considerable attention and publicity, including an interview for Gates on The Today Show. Gates' reputation as a pre-eminent Monster Hunter was firmly established when, on the season premiere of season two of Destination Truth, he and his team uncovered a series of footprints high in the Himalayas in search of evidence of the Yeti. Josh also hosts SyFy's Ghost Hunters Halloween Live and other special events for the channel throughout the year and he has written Destination Truth: Memoirs of a Monster Hunter which was published by Gallery Books in October, 2011.

The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo will take place April 13 � 15, 2012 in the North Building at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

Convention officials note that one of their main programming objectives is to provide a diverse range of panels by featuring guests from many walks of life with varied backgrounds, interests and accomplishments. "We look for guests who contribute to the growth and evolution of pop culture in its many forms," notes Lance Fensterman, Group Vice President for ReedPOP and Show Manager for C2E2. "Josh Gates is a great example of someone from the entertainment world who also has a huge following in the pop culture arena. We are pleased and grateful that he has agreed to come to our show and I know our fans will be very eager to meet him."

C2E2 programming officials have also announced (12/14/11) that comic legend Joe Kubert will be a "Spotlight" Guest at this year's convention. It will be Mr. Kubert's first appearance at C2E2. More guest announcements will be made in the coming months. For further information about C2E2 and for purchasing tickets please visit www.c2e2.com.

ABOUT JOSH GATES:

World adventurer (and international monster hunter) Josh Gates has careened through nearly 100 countries, investigating frightening myths, chilling cryptozoological legends, and terrifying paranormal phenomena. Known as "the face of Syfy," Josh is the host of the hit travel-adventure series, Destination Truth. In addition, Josh hosts Ghost Hunters Halloween Live and other special events for the channel throughout the year.

His travels have taken him to some of the most remote and treacherous locations on earth, from a terrifying night alone in King Tut's tomb to the radioactive shadow of Chernobyl. An avid scuba diver, Josh has participated in sub-sea archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean, and as a photographer, he's traveled from sweltering African villages to the icy heights of the Himalayas. In addition, he has scaled "the roof of Africa" on Mt. Kilimanjaro, climbed on Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas, and sailed to the shores of Antarctica at the bottom of the world.

In recognition of his adventures and work around the globe, Josh was recently inducted into the prestigious Explorers Club in New York. Josh holds degrees in archaeology and drama from Tufts University and is available for appearances and speaking engagements around the world.

ABOUT REEDPOP: ReedPOP is a boutique group within Reed Exhibitions which is exclusively devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows, and partnering with premium brands in the pop culture arena. ReedPOP is dedicated to producing celebrations of popular culture throughout the world that transcend ordinary events by providing unique access and dynamic personal experiences for consumers and fans. The ReedPOP portfolio includes: New York Comic Con (NYCC), Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) East & West, Star Wars Celebration V, New York Anime Festival (NYAF), and UFC Fan Expo. The staff at ReedPOP is a fan based group of professionals producing shows for other fans, thus making them uniquely qualified to service those with whom they share a common passion. ReedPOP is focused on bringing its expertise and knowledge to world communities in North America, South America, Asia and Europe.