Dallas Convention Outperforms Economy

Dallas, TX (PRWEB) February 19, 2009

Thirty dollars will barely cover dinner and movie, but invested wisely it can provide three full days of entertainment at the Dallas convention "All-Con".

All-Con provides content incorporating the interests of science fiction, fantasy, anime, costuming, gaming, robotics, roller derby, and art communities. The three day fan convention is March 13-15, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Addison, Texas, just north of Dallas.

Celebrities attending include Aaron Douglas ("Chief Tyrol" from Sci-Fi's Battlestar Galactica), Peter Mayhew ("Chewbacca" from Star Wars), Ken Lally ("The German" from NBC's television show Heroes and "Albert Wesker" from Resident Evil 5), Candace Kita (Masked Rider, Son of the Beach, Running with Scissors), and Burton Gilliam (Paper Moon, Fletch, Blazing Saddles, Back to the Future III). Ginny McQueen is attending as a Cosplay guest of honor.

Many components upon which fan conventions are built will be available. Artist Alley is filled with illustrators and coloring artists, both traditional and digital, along with clubs and podcasters. Console gaming offers open play and tournaments. Tabletop gamers will find themselves welcome at Dungeons and Dragons and Attacktix venues. An art gallery houses prints and originals from artists across the U.S. In the vendor room goods from comic books to resin film prop replicas to hand fashioned hats and commissioned costumes are all available. Indoor laser tag is offered every few hours. All events are intertwined with hourly discussion panels and workshops and are included in the single price of admission.

Featured events for the weekend incorporate Peter Mayhew's "Ask Chewbacca" questions and answers session which is free and open to the public (http://www.AskChewbacca.info), the Dallas Personal Robotics Group's RoboRama open practice, and the Assassination City Women's Roller Derby team dinner with fans. Imperial Gladiators is a sporting type event during which Star Wars costumers, mainly stormtroopers, compete to complete objectives while being restricted by the limitations of their own costumes as the public cheers them on.

Attendees who want to get into the action have several arenas in which they can join competitions. Ms. Star Wars is a non-costumed pageant in which fans of the saga and expanded universe can vie for the annual title. The Maid Competition focuses on the uniform (Cosplay and Crossplay welcomed) and table preparation. Hobbyists enjoy entering the weekend-long plastic model and diorama competition. Costumers have their choice of any of three events: Cosplay, the costume contest, or Super Hero Sunday.

Fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show look forward to Los Bastardos' full shadow cast of the film on Friday night. American tribal dance by the Brazen Bellies, traditional burlesque performances by the Lollie Bombs and Lady Divina, and a live concert by URIZEN make up the Saturday evening entertainment.

Advance tickets and event details are available online from http://www.All-Con.org, or from Titan Comics in Dallas 214-350-4420. Celebrities charge a small amount for autographs to cover costs of travel and to appear.

All media contacts, advertising requests, event sponsors, exhibitor inquiries, and general questions should be sent to: info @ All-Con.org where they will be routed to the correct department and responded to within 24 hours.

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Global Economy Shaky but HR Consulting Firm People First HR Services Thinks Canada Will Remain Steadfast

Winnipeg, MB (PRWEB) January 25, 2012

With a looming recession swirling over the euro-zone, the global economy continues to seem shaky. But despite the stress to markets being seen around the globe, countries like Canada are experiencing a slight rebound. And according to recent surveys published by Manitoba HR consulting and career management firm People First HR Services, and national firm Manpower Canada, there seems to be an upward trend in employment and recruitment metrics throughout the country. Canada, it seems, will remain steady in 2012.

?The survey results clearly show that employers have recognized the need to attract and retain top talent, particularly those organizations who suffered staffing and set-backs through the recession,? says Colleen Coates of People First HR Services. This is especially the case for executive and management positions, according to the 2011/2012 Compensation Survey for Manitoba. ?We are seeing salary increases across most employee groups trending back to normal pre-recession levels,? says Colleen. A quick look at the Government of Canada?s employment outlook website indicates an overall good employment climate in Manitoba.

But apart from Manitoba, wider Canadian employment prospects are looking up as well. According to a study done by Manpower Canada, the first quarter of 2012 will see a slight improvement in country-wide employment rates. Approximately 16% of Canadian employers are looking to increase their payrolls in Q1 2012 while 71% expect to maintain their current staffing levels. The mining, financial services and wholesale & retail trade sectors all anticipate upbeat and positive hiring climates in the beginning of the New Year.

And despite a cut in 17,000 jobs between August and November 2011, there are still, on net, 152,000 more people employed in Canada than before the recession, lowering our overall unemployment rate to 7.4%. Partly due to this, Canada will retain a top position among world economies in 2012, flying in the face of 2011?s volatility. If one looks around the world, however, they might see a different picture. Debt remains high all over as growth expectations continue on a downward trend, spurred by the euro-zone crisis. And according to a UN Report high unemployment (and a deficit of 64 million jobs worldwide) is partially responsible for reinforcing the weakening of the world economy. The fight to close in on unemployment, says the UN, will last well beyond 2015.

Companies like People First HR Services are at the forefront of this battle, however, offering organizations recruiting, career management and HR consulting services. They work with businesses to address their employment, human resource and management needs by recruiting top talent. But continued growth requires more than the recruitment of top talent. And People First HR thinks the key to continued growth is through helping employees realize their full potential. They feel the best way to do this is by creating and strengthen a highly-engaged workforce ? something they do very well.

A highly-engaged workforce is, no doubt, an important factor in the success of any company. Take into consideration a slowing global economy, high unemployment and limited growth, and this becomes even more important. The global odds seem to be stacked against us. And even if a company is in the majority 71% not looking to hire in 2012, maintaining a motivated and effective workforce may be the difference between a positive economic future or declining growth and employment levels. To learn more about HR consulting or career management visit People First HR Services at http://www.PeopleFirstHR.com.

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