Over 100,000 people attend Anime Expo each year. Learning how to start a convention will help you unite fans in your local area.
Anime convention attendance has increased over the years. It’s fair to assume that other conventions are getting more popular as well. People used to consider genres like sci-fi, comics, and horror to be more niche, but nonetheless, people are embracing them on a larger scale.
Being part of a fandom is lonely if you don’t have others to share it with. You shouldn’t have to attend the biggest anime conventions just to connect with other fans.
Here’s what you should know about how to start a comic or anime/manga convention:
Research and Attend Cons
First, do your research and make sure there isn’t an existing con just like yours. Attach a specific theme to your con such as a game, fandom, or another point of interest.
Maintain an authentic connection to the particular community your con is for. For instance, forging authentic friendships in the gaming community will help you launch your con and spread the word about it. Plus, it feels good to have friends!
How To Start a Convention: Funding
Let’s get something straight: Running a convention is a labor of love. Please come to terms with the fact that your convention might not make you money at first. Either way, you’ll need money to run your event.
Launch a Kickstarter campaign to help you fund at least a portion of your convention. Then send prizes to people when they meet certain donation goals. Get creative with your fundraisers so they also result in good PR.
Managing Your Event
Pick a good location for your con. You won’t be able to book a big expo hall like the largest anime conventions do, but you could get a hotel contract. Hotel contracts offer more flexibility than other kinds of venue contracts do.
Warning: Messing up any management-related details could flush your convention down the toilet. Play it safe by hiring a professional to take care of your event management. The aforementioned link will direct you to solid experts in that field.
Booking Notable Figures and Celebrities
Famous people will attract more people to your con. For example, if you’re throwing another anime convention instead of going to a larger one, book celebrities or other notable figures in the otaku community to speak there.
Take local public figures into consideration. Don’t forget to make sure each guest panel has a moderator to keep the panel flowing.
Share Your Passion With The Whole Community
Anime Boston is the biggest anime convention in the New England region. Still, a small con can also rise to the top within its locality. Knowing how to start a convention lets you indulge in your interest while making a contribution to your community.
Invest effort into marketing and promoting your con. It will determine how many people show up. Also, cover all the legalities (permits, event insurance, etc.) because it’ll bite you in the butt if you don’t!
Make your next occasion super memorable—read more of our articles about celebrations and parties. All of your guests will appreciate it.
