how to start an anime convention

by Prof. Akeem Beahan 6 min read
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Steps Download Article

  1. Plan out the agenda of your club. What is it about? ...
  2. Decide your demographics. Do you want to keep it local or global? ...
  3. Choose a name and tagline. ...
  4. Recruit members. ...
  5. Carry out a small survey about the series or genres of anime most popular in your peer group and organise a promotional activity.
  6. Organize your members. ...
  7. Arrange regular meetings. ...

Full Answer

How do I prepare for an anime convention?

You should also be sure to arrive early for events that you know are going to be popular, such as a meet and greet with an anime celebrity. Lining up early will ensure you use your time at the convention well and increase your chances of getting into popular events. Split up if you have different interests than your companions.

What are an anime conventions?

Anime conventions are places to connect with likeminded people who happen to enjoy the same things, be it anime, manga, video games, and a wide variety of cultural touchstones. Since anime conventions are a big part of nerd culture, it stands to reason that new con-goers are looking for new tips and tricks to surviving their con experience.

Where to go for anime conventions in 2021?

Another Anime Convention 2021: October 22-24, 2021: Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center Westford, MA: MEX Berlin 2021: October 22-24, 2021: Messe Berlin Berlin, Germany: Anime Weekend Atlanta 2021: October 28-31, 2021: Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center / Cobb Galleria Centre Atlanta, GA: DerpyCon 2021: October 29-31, 2021

How can I save money at an anime convention?

Or, you may see if you have friends you can stay with for a few nights during the convention to cut costs. You should check with the anime convention to see if they have reserved hotel rooms for attendees close to the convention center. Some larger anime cons offer discounted rates to attendees.

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How much does it cost to start a convention?

Most are $5,000 or more, with many big name guests commanding upwards of $50,000-$100,000 appearance fees. Fortunately, many times, autograph sales will count towards the initial guarantee with the guest retaining any sales over the contracted amount.

How much does an anime convention cost?

The cost to attend the convention For most large anime conventions, expect the ticket price to be between $80-$100. Smaller events will typically charge somewhere around $40-$60.

How do you throw an anime convention?

To apply, you must:Be a first year event.Be an anime convention primarily.Have a board of at least three organizers.Not have signed a location contract yet.Provide us your expected convention budget.Provide us your expected guest list.

Do anime conventions make money?

In 2014, Anime Expo brought $55 million to Los Angeles, mainly in commerce, tourism, and dining sectors, making it one of the events with strongest economic impact on the city.

Where is the next anime con 2022?

the Los Angeles Convention CenterAnime Expo 2022 Bringing fans and industry together for an annual celebration of Japanese pop culture. Join us for Anime Expo 2022 on July 1-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center!

Why are anime conventions so expensive?

As anime conventions get bigger, they do get more money from ticket sales. Unfortunately this also means that their expenses also go through the roof. The show itself takes up more space. Liability insurance, production insurance, union members to rig lights, staging and electricity.

Do you have to cosplay at an anime convention?

Here's some advice about cosplaying at an anime convention. Do I need to wear a costume to the convention? Not at all. You can definitely enjoy a convention without dressing up.

Do you have to cosplay at anime Expo?

At Anime Expo (“AX”), we celebrate the creativity of cosplayers and encourage everyone to cosplay whomever they wish–regardless of size, gender, age, religion, shape, color, or even species.

How much does it cost to host a Comic Con?

Comic-Con also reported spending $562,000 on sponsorships, $244,000 on bank fees, $127,000 on hospitality, $73,000 on parking and $56,000 on guest rooms. It also spent $390,000 on rooms and meals for employees. “These are typical nonprofit costs,” Glanzer wrote in his statement.

What do anime conventions sell?

Of course at anime conventions such as the popular A-Kon you can expect lots of vendors of anime videos, manga, related toys and merchandise, and costuming supplies as cosplay is very popular at anime cons. You may also find people selling Japanese candy and other items related to Japanese culture.

Is Anime Expo nonprofit?

Each year, Anime Expo brings together fans and industry from Japan, the US, and all over the world for the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America. Anime Expo features the best in Japanese entertainment, music, fashion, and video games. Anime Expo is organized by SPJA, a 501c3 non-profit ...

What should I bring to an anime convention?

How to Pack for Cosplay ConventionCosplay shoes/boots.Makeup.Cosplay wigs (spare wig)Super glue.Safety pins.Hair pins.

What do they sell at anime conventions?

Other popular attractions are screenings of various anime series and movies, the dealers' room where vendors sell everything from DVDs and comics to artbooks and posters, and an "artists' alley", a space set aside for attendees who are artists to sell their work such as paintings, sketches, sculptures, or other crafts.

How much does anime Boston cost?

Registration RatesMembership Type (Adult)Youth Membership (6-12) + School/Educational GroupsWeekend Memberships Door$105.00$75.00Friday Memberships Online$55.00$30.00Friday Memberships Door$65.00$40.00Saturday Memberships Online$65.00$40.004 more rows

Will there be an Anime Expo 2021?

Bringing fans and industry together for an annual celebration of Japanese pop culture. Join us for AX 2021 on July 2-5 in Downtown Los Angeles for our 30th Anniversary!

What's the biggest anime convention in the US?

Anime Expo4 Anime Expo, Los Angeles The history of this expo goes all the way back to 1992 when it was first officially inaugurated and held in San Jose. Back then, it drew fewer than 2,000 fans, but now it often hosts more than 100,000 people, making it the biggest anime convention in the United States.

How much does it cost to attend an anime convention?

Smaller anime conventions usually cost around $30 for a pre-registered badge. Larger conventions can cost $50-$60 for a badge.

How to dress for a cosplay convention?

1. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you are not cosplaying, you should make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes and walking shoes, as you will likely be on your feet most of the day. The convention may be hot once you are inside the venue, so you may want to dress in layers to stay comfortable.

What to do if your cosplay gets damaged?

This way, if your cosplay gets damaged, you can fix it easily and quickly. Loose cash to spend on food and souvenirs. You may want to set a budget so you do not spend too much money on clothing, posters, DVDs, books, and other merchandise at the con. A camera and extra batteries or a plug in charger.

What to put in a convention survival kit?

You should include several key items in your convention survival kit, including: A sewing kit, duct tape, and markers to make emergency repairs on your cosplay.

Do you have to preregister for anime con?

You should always try to pre-register for anime cons, as it will cost you less to attend and you will get to wait in a shorter line to pick up your badge. If you decide to pre-register, you should make sure you are able to attend as most anime con badges are non-refundable and non-transferable.

What is anime convention?

Anime conventions are places to connect with likeminded people who happen to enjoy the same things, be it anime, manga, video games, and a wide variety of cultural touchstones.

What to remember for a con?

Outside of hydration, this is the most important thing to remember for your con experience. Cons are nothing more than a gathering of people for a similar cause. However, everybody has different motives and not all of them are good. What should be number one in your mind is staying safe while at and around the con.

1. Learn what to expect

The first thing to do when attending a convention is to learn what to expect. Some conventions are different than others depending on the size of the convention!

2. Plan what to spend money on

Sometimes conventions can be cheap, and sometimes they can be expensive. Conventions that have a free ConSuite or ConSweet (TM) offer free snacks and sodas through the weekend so that you can recharge and save money. If you have to buy beverages from the hotel then expect prices to be higher than elsewhere.

3. Make your costumes well in advance

Costumes are optional! However it can be really fun to dress up as your favorite anime villain and terrorize the convention. Note that most conventions have policies against destructive behavior - actual villain behavior is not allowed.

4. Eat healthy and hydrate

It's super easy to get so caught up in convention events that you forget to eat and drink plenty of water. So remember to drink water and snack throughout the day so that you don't collapse. This is especially important if you go to the convention dance or if you have a heavy costume.

5. Be safe

If you're younger, bring a responsible adult with you to the convention. Make sure that someone is reachable in case of emergency by programming the emergency contact in your phone or having it written on a card in your wallet. Also make sure that you can be reached in case a family member is looking for you.

6. Expect the unexpected

Sometimes guests cancel at the last minute (flight cancellations are happening more and more frequently last minute). Or sometimes panels won't happen that you expected. Try not to plan your entire convention experience around just one event, in case something happens to that event.

7. Bring friends with you

Conventions are definitely social events! Dressing up in costume and hanging out with friends who like the same series is a huge part of the experience. If you love anime, video games, comic books, Disney movies, or anything else, enjoying it with others is more fun.

Anime Convention Survival Guide

Convention season is here and if it's your first time, here are a few tips you will need to know before conquering your first con.

How Your Sleep Position Affects Your Health?

You changed into your pajamas, turn off the lights, and get yourself ready to sleep. How do you prefer to sleep, on the back, on your side, or on your tummy? Although there’s no scientific result that sleeping position affects your back, here are some interesting facts that have been discovered.

How to organize cosplay?

How to organize your cosplays. Put all your stuff for one particular cosplay into one large bag. You don’t want to put your cosplay pants in the main compartment of the suitcase and then your gloves in a different bag . No way!

What to wear to a convention?

Footwear. Cosplay shoes and boots. Casual shoes (for sightseeing or walking around the convention as a normie) Sandals (if you want to grab an ice or chill in the hotel lobby, it’s much easier to just slip on sandals than to put on your socks and tie your shoes.

How many suitcases should I bring to a convention?

If you want to fit everything in your convention packing list, you’ll want to only bring 1 suitcase and a backpack. Especially if you’re not driving to the convention. Regardless of which transportation method you use, I highly recommend only bringing 1 backpack and 1 suitcase. In terms of size for the suitcase, ...

What to do with cosplay props?

Cosplay props and armor can be very fragile, so the best thing to do is wrap them with towels, bubble wrap or with clothing. That way, it’ll be able to withstand the bumpy roads during the trip to the convention. Ideally, you want to carry these items with you on the bus or in front of you in the car.

What to expect at anime conventions?

Anime conventions. Of course at anime conventions such as the popular A-Kon you can expect lots of vendors of anime videos, manga, related toys and merchandise, and costuming supplies as cosplay is very popular at anime cons. You may also find people selling Japanese candy and other items related to Japanese culture.

What are the rules for vending at conventions?

At some media and anime conventions, only officially licensed photographs, art and merchandise can be sold: no fan art, no fanzines, nothing potentially violating a trademark or copyright. There may also be strict rules about sharing table/booth space with other vendors and requiring advance permission from the dealers’ room staff first. So don’t get in trouble by committing avoidable mistakes and errors in judgement.

What is a fantasy convention?

Fantasy and “faerie” conventions, such as FaerieCon, typically feature vendors selling merchandise specifically related to fantasy art, costuming, jewelry, general spirituality and Celtic crafts. These are not conventions for general science fiction merchandise, gaming and toys, or collectibles.

What is fairiecon show?

Fairiecon is a show that focuses on fantasy, spirituality and folk-inspired music and art. The vendors hall here is much different than from a science fiction or gaming convention! This can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a successful convention dealer.

Do you have to pay union labor charges for a large convention hall?

Events held in large convention halls may also require you to pay for Union labor charges, just to plug your lights into the electrical hook-ups or to load in your merchandise! Some small shows may offer dealers or artists free tables, because the draw of having vendors is expected to help their attendance numbers.

Can you be a vendor at a small convention?

Small conventions generally have open dealer registration; that is, anyone can sign up to be a vendor until space is full. Larger conventions may use a “jury selection” process so that only a certain number of vendors of any given type of merchandise will be given space.

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