Please Help. Which convention should I go to?

[Bleach13]

Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year. Im looking at Connecticon, Anime Boston, and Anime Next. I was hoping some of you guys could tell me which one you think would be the best to go to. I'd like the one that has the best dealers(I'm looking for megahouse anime figs). So for those of you who have experienced and been to some, how do they compare?

[lostnomad84]

I have not been to any of the con's you mention above (although from what I've read on here, Anime Boston seems to be a great con!), but I reconmend start with a smaller-sized con. Something like Otakon or Anime Expo would be a horrible idea, since the cons are both 30,000 in size. Conventions that are big tend to make someone easily lost and it is always better to meet people in smaller enviroments.

It also depends what you want to do at a con. From the con's you mentioned above, here (http://www.anime-cons.com/events/info.shtml/880) is some info on Anime Boston for this year and here (http://www.anime-cons.com/events/info.shtml/898) is last years info for Anime Next (since anime-cons.com doesn't have a page for 2007 yet with Anime Next).

As for me, I started with Fanime back in 2001 when it was less than half the size it is now (10,000-9,000 people). My experience was a blast, but I attended it with a couple of friends and mainly went to the dealer's room and just watched videos. I regret not opening up and trying to meet people, but I really have not met people at cons. It wasn't until I attended my university's anime club that I really started to meet anime fans and it basically has gotten to the point where I am Fanime's staff (where I have also met some more people). Don't forget about internet gatherings. AX 2005 was the first and only AOD gathering I've attended and it was a blast and I am looking very forward to the next one!

Overall, make the experience at the con what you want it to be. If you want to attend something, do it. The more you do, the better the experience!

[Helschadenfreude]

I say go to Expo just because I'll be there and its my first time. :D I only been to Acen once for all three days, and another time just on Sunday...

/images/graemlins/sweat200.gif Probably not a good idea to get advice from me the hermit though....

[XenoCrisis0153]

You know I'm gonna say AnimeBoston for obvious reasons (points to sig). We're a decent-sized con (expecting 6 to 8 thousand people) and we're in an even bigger space than we were last year. We've received many compliments on the professionalism of our staff and the quality of the events we showcase. Pre-registration is over, but $50 for three-days worth of entertainment is still a bargain.

[aleczman]

[ QUOTE ]
Bleach13 said:
Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year.

[/ QUOTE ]
Come to this (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=7&Number=1315172) one! /images/graemlins/devil.gif

/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[monkeebiz]

Wait....the dealers room is your top priority and you don't even have Otakon on your list of possibilities? Biggest and best dealers' room on the East Coast, gotta be. I recommend the dealers room and the whole con highly. Really, if you can only go to ONE, go to the biggest and best.

I've been to AnimeNext 3 times and really enjoy their video programming, but the dealers room seems so small after Otakon. I know it's not really small, but it just suffers so much by comparison.

I haven't been to Connecticon or AnimeBoston (tho I am trying out AB this year).

Happy travels! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[BULLDOG1]

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monkeebiz said:
Wait....the dealers room is your top priority and you don't even have Otakon on your list of possibilities? Biggest and best dealers' room on the East Coast, gotta be.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll expand on this.......

I went to Otakon in 2004.....Otakon, AX and AB last year....as well as Sakura-con this year......and Otakon 2005's Dealer's room was IMO, the best of all (selection, size, etc.).

IOWs, I spent more at Otakon 2005 than all 4 other cons combined. /images/graemlins/sweat200.gif

A.J.

[BoogiepopLain]

I believe that the sheer size of the Otakon dealer's room is big enough to fit multiple Boing 747's.

I.E. FUCKING MASSIVE

I spent $600 there last year.....

[guyver83]

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Boogiepop Lain said:
I believe that the sheer size of the Otakon dealer's room is big enough to fit multiple Boing 747's.

I.E. FUCKING MASSIVE

I spent $600 there last year.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah and I spent 250.. ALONE .. WITH YOU... damn i'm too easy

[Justin Richardson]

[ QUOTE ]
Bleach13 said:
Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year. Im looking at Connecticon, Anime Boston, and Anime Next. I was hoping some of you guys could tell me which one you think would be the best to go to. I'd like the one that has the best dealers(I'm looking for megahouse anime figs). So for those of you who have experienced and been to some, how do they compare?

[/ QUOTE ]

In my opinion, it really comes down to what type of anime con do you want? Every con has their own focus. Wanna get blitzed beyond belief and hang out with the guests? Go to Reactor. Want Industry Panels galore? Expo and Otakon. Want a good social event? Look at many of the smaller cons.

Connecticon seems to have a heavy webcomic guest focus in my opinion so if you dig that, rawk on. (hense my lovely 1 week off of work...Expo then there) Personally I have heard wonderful things about Boston but it is growing a pretty quick rate. (so if you hate crowds...well it might not be your cup of tea) Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

Never been to Next or really heard that much about it for me to say anything. Srry.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bleach13 said:
Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year. Im looking at Connecticon, Anime Boston, and Anime Next. I was hoping some of you guys could tell me which one you think would be the best to go to. I'd like the one that has the best dealers(I'm looking for megahouse anime figs). So for those of you who have experienced and been to some, how do they compare?

[/ QUOTE ]

In my opinion, it really comes down to what type of anime con do you want? Every con has their own focus. Wanna get blitzed beyond belief and hang out with the guests? Go to Reactor. Want Industry Panels galore? Expo and Otakon. Want a good social event? Look at many of the smaller cons.

Connecticon seems to have a heavy webcomic guest focus in my opinion so if you dig that, rawk on. (hense my lovely 1 week off of work...Expo then there) Personally I have heard wonderful things about Boston but it is growing a pretty quick rate. (so if you hate crowds...well it might not be your cup of tea) Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

Never been to Next or really heard that much about it for me to say anything. Srry.

[/ QUOTE ]

wanna pimp on baltimore girls.. come to otakon /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Justin Richardson]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
wanna pimp on baltimore girls.. come to otakon /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Its called - I'm pimping Lord Richard in AnimeIowa the same weekend. ^_^; Mebbe next year if things work out.

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

*considers new sig*

A.J.

[guyver83]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

*considers new sig*

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

what.. SCREW orbitz ask aj?

[Justin Richardson]

[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

*considers new sig*

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

what.. SCREW orbitz ask aj?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well $300 isn't exactly cheap per say....but it allows me to see some of the East coasters and freak out Chris.

/me considers recoloring his hair

[BULLDOG1]

[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

*considers new sig*

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

what.. SCREW orbitz ask aj?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well $300 isn't exactly cheap per say....

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering that it's:

a) out of OMA

b) for Memorial Day weekend

c) specific time requirements (Fri morning arrival....Sun evening departure)

d) booked not too far in advance (17 days)

e) all on mainline jets......IOWs, no turboprops or RJs

....I think $300 is a fair fare. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

I hope you enjoy your tour of NW's hubs (both MSP and DTW on the outbound). /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

A.J.

[Justin Richardson]

[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
[ QUOTE ]
guyver83 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bulldog said:
[ QUOTE ]
Justin Richardson said:
Speaking of Boston..since I am a lazy bum and since I can't find reasonably priced transport at this time. (tho if anyone can change that...let me know via PM)

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

*considers new sig*

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

what.. SCREW orbitz ask aj?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well $300 isn't exactly cheap per say....

[/ QUOTE ]

Considering that it's:

a) out of OMA

b) for Memorial Day weekend

c) specific time requirements (Fri morning arrival....Sun evening departure)

d) booked not too far in advance (17 days)

e) all on mainline jets......IOWs, no turboprops or RJs

....I think $300 is a fair fare. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

I hope you enjoy your tour of NW's hubs (both MSP and DTW on the outbound). /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

A.J.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bulldog: The offical Travel Agent of the Justin Richardson World Tour /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[PatrickD]

[ QUOTE ]
Bleach13 said:
Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year. Im looking at Connecticon, Anime Boston, and Anime Next. I was hoping some of you guys could tell me which one you think would be the best to go to. I'd like the one that has the best dealers(I'm looking for megahouse anime figs). So for those of you who have experienced and been to some, how do they compare?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've noticed that a few other people are quick to throw in other suggestions and seem to miss your criteria...the best dealers' room out of those three conventions.

People may say I'm biased, but I'll give you the links and let you make your own decision:

Connecticon dealers' list:
http://www.connecticon.org/index.php?menu=Registration~Exhibitors

Anime Boston dealers' list:
http://www.animeboston.com/dealers/map.shtml

AnimeNext dealers' list:
http://www.animenext.org/animeconvention.php?navi=9

Check over the lists and you can decide which convention you think has the best selection.

I'll see you in Boston! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[Bleach13]

[ QUOTE ]
PatrickD said:
[ QUOTE ]
Bleach13 said:
Ok I've never been to an anime convention and I'd like to go to one this year. Im looking at Connecticon, Anime Boston, and Anime Next. I was hoping some of you guys could tell me which one you think would be the best to go to. I'd like the one that has the best dealers(I'm looking for megahouse anime figs). So for those of you who have experienced and been to some, how do they compare?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've noticed that a few other people are quick to throw in other suggestions and seem to miss your criteria...the best dealers' room out of those three conventions.

People may say I'm biased, but I'll give you the links and let you make your own decision:

Connecticon dealers' list:
http://www.connecticon.org/index.php?menu=Registration~Exhibitors

Anime Boston dealers' list:
http://www.animeboston.com/dealers/map.shtml

AnimeNext dealers' list:
http://www.animenext.org/animeconvention.php?navi=9

Check over the lists and you can decide which convention you think has the best selection.

I'll see you in Boston! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/images/graemlins/blush000.gif Wow, um ya Boston seems to be the standout. Thank you guys for putting in your thoughts. Now I gotta do some planning. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif