Metrocon | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Status | Active |
Genre | Anime, Video Gaming [1] [2] |
Venue | Tampa Convention Center |
Location(s) | Tampa, Florida |
Country | United States |
Inaugurated | 2003 |
Attendance | 12,153 in 2021 [3] |
Organized by | Team Dynamite Productions |
Website | http://www.metroconventions.com/ |
Metrocon is an annual three-day anime convention held during July/August at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It is Florida's largest anime convention and organized by Team Dynamite Productions. [4] [5] The convention evolved from meetups of AnimeMetro.com members. [6]
The convention typically offers an artist alley, autograph sessions, contests, dances/raves, LAN gaming, main events (such as the Anime Human chess Match, Costume and Cosplay Contests, Fantasy Masquerade, Fire Show, and Professional Wrestling), panels, tabletop game rooms, vendors room, video game rooms, and video rooms screening anime. [7] [8] [9] [10] Metrocon also hosts a blood drive. [2] The convention brings $3.5 million to the area's economy. [11]
Metrocon was first held in 2003 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and after growth moved to the Tampa Convention Center in 2005. [12] The convention had issues in 2008 with rowdy attendees from the Red Bull Flugtag event also occurring at the Tampa Convention Center. [13] In 2009, the founder and CEO of Metrocon was arrested in Florida for violating Florida Statute 794.05 (unlawful sexual activity with certain minors) eight days before the convention. The conventions Director of Operations characterized the arrest as "an attack on the convention". The CEO stepped down from his position, with the Director of Operations and Head of Security taking over operations. [14] [15]
The convention added a fourth day when unique attendance hit over 10,000, with the first occurring in 2015. [2] [5] [12] Game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoff finals was held during Metrocon 2015 at the Amalie Arena. [16] [17] Metrocon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [18] [19]
Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
---|---|---|---|
July 18–20, 2003 | Crowne Plaza Hotel Tampa, Florida | 1,600 | Greg Ayres, Luci Christian, Vic Mignogna, Chris Patton, Gerry Poulos, Monica Rial, Don Rush, and Shadowfax. [20] |
July 9–11, 2004 | Crowne Plaza Hotel [21] Tampa, Florida | 2,400 | Greg Ayres, Katie Bair, Luci Christian, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Don Rush, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, and David L. Williams. [22] |
June 24–26, 2005 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 3,600 | Greg Ayres, Johnny Yong Bosch, Luci Christian, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Cynthia Martinez, Vic Mignogna, Chris Patton, Monica Rial, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David L. Williams. [23] |
June 2–4, 2006 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 4,000 | Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Luci Christian, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Kyle Jones, Cynthia Martinez, Marc Matney, Scott McNeil, Chris Patton, PikaBelleChu, PLID, Monkey Punch, Random Encounter, Christopher Sabat, seek, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, David L. Williams, and YURAsama. [24] |
July 6–8, 2007 | Tampa Convention Center [25] Tampa, Florida | 5,400 | Greg Ayres, Laura Bailey, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Luci Christian, Ashley Clark, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Yaya Han, Kyle Jones, Cynthia Martinez, Scott McNeil, Vic Mignogna, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David L. Williams. [26] |
July 18–20, 2008 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Greg Cipes, Cipes and the People, Ashley Clark, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Yaya Han, DJ Heavygrinder, The Heroes Alliance, Scott McNeil, Random Encounter, Select Start, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, and David L. Williams. [27] | |
June 19–21, 2009 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Abney Park, ArcAttack, Ashley Clark, Brian Drummond, Yaya Han, Mark Hildreth, Scott McNeil, Kirby Morrow, Outland Armour, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Brad Swaile, and David L. Williams. [28] | |
July 23–25, 2010 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 6,665 | Robert Axelrod, Ashley Clark, Richard Ian Cox, Yaya Han, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Scott McNeil, Kirby Morrow, Outland Armour, Aaron Pabon, Pikabellechu, Random Encounter, Anna Rosato, RJ Schafer, Shadowfax, Spike Spencer, David Standworth, and TealPirate. [29] |
June 17–19, 2011 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 7,477 | Max Brooks, Ashley Clark, Kara Edwards, Crispin Freeman, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Scott McNeil, Outland Armour, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Brad Swaile, TealPirate, and Terrance Zdunich. [30] |
June 15–17, 2012 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 8,033 | Amelie Belcher, Ashley Clark, Richard Epcar, Crispin Freeman, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Scott McNeil, PikaBelleChu, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Takayoshi Tanimoto, and TealPirate. [31] |
July 26–28, 2013 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 9,951 | Dante Basco, Amelie Belcher, Ashley Clark, D.C. Douglas, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Phil LaMarr, Scott McNeil, PikaBelleChu, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, TealPirate, and Janet Varney. [32] |
July 11–13, 2014 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 11,776 [33] | Troy Baker, Dante Basco, Amelie Belcher, Richard Epcar, Brittney Karbowski, KellyJane, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Scott McNeil, Nolan North, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Ellyn Stern, TealPirate, and Hynden Walch. [34] |
June 11–14, 2015 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Laura Bailey, Amelie Belcher, Robbie Daymond, KellyJane, Carrie Keranen, Laugh Out Loud, Russell Lissau, Scott McNeil, Erica Mendez, Nolan North, PikaBelleChu, Stephanie Sheh, David Stanworth, TealPirate, and Travis Willingham. [35] | |
July 21–24, 2016 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Zach Aguilar, Amelie Belcher, Steve Bennett, Richard Ian Cox, Robbie Daymond, Haiden Hazard, KellyJane, Max Mittelman, Kirby Morrow, PikaBelleChu, Laura Post, David Stanworth, Brooke Stephenson, Eric Stuart, TealPirate, and Cristina Vee. [36] | |
August 3–6, 2017 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 11,604 | Steve Blum, Ray Chase, Robbie Daymond, Caleb Hyles, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Scott McNeil, Vic Mignogna, Max Mittelman, PikaBelleChu, Paul St. Peter, and Cristina Vee. [37] |
July 19–22, 2018 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Caleb Hyles, Jamie Marchi, Jason Marsden, Scott McNeil, Noise Complaint, Micah Solusod, David Stanworth, J. Michael Tatum, Jeannie Tirado, and Apphia Yu (Ayu Sakata). [38] | |
July 11–14, 2019 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 13,135 | 3000 Brigade, Luci Christian, Kara Edwards, Geekapella, Jessie James Grelle, Caleb Hyles, David Matranga, Nerds Know, NoFlutter, Noise Complaint, Monica Rial, and Alexis Tipton. [39] |
July 23–25, 2021 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 12,153 | Justin Briner, Chalk Twins, Ricco Fajardo, Caleb Hyles, David Matranga, Nerds Know, Emily Neves, NoFlutter, Noise Complaint, Anairis Quiñones, and Christopher Wehkamp. [3] |
July 15–17, 2022 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Felecia Angelle, Azazus, Tia Ballard, Chalk Twins, Clifford Chapin, Luci Christian, Ricco Fajardo, Caleb Hyles, Kaiju Big Battel, Kristen McGuire, Nerds Know, Noise Complaint, Megan Shipman, and Natalie Van Sistine. [40] | |
July 14–16, 2023 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Kevin Bolk, Ricco Fajardo, Bridget Hoffman, Natalie Hoover, Caleb Hyles, Brittany Lauda, Erica Lindbeck, Brandon McInnis, Nano, Tony Oliver, J. Michael Tatum, Chris Tergliafera, Kirk Thornton, Kaoru Wada, and Jonathan Young. [41] |
In 2006, Metrocon held a second convention known as Metrocon: Amano's World, which featured the works Yoshitaka Amano, who is best known for his Final Fantasy character designs and Vampire Hunter D illustrations. [42]
Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests |
---|---|---|---|
October 14–15, 2006 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Yoshitaka Amano, Steve Bennett, Lauren Goodnight, Random Encounter, and Doug Smith. [43] |
Otakon is an annual three-day anime convention held during July/August. It stands for Otaku Convention. From 1999 to 2016, it took place at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland's Inner Harbor district; in 2017, it moved to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The convention focuses on East Asian popular culture and its fandom. The name is a portmanteau derived from convention and the Japanese word otaku.
Anime Central (ACen) is an annual three-day anime convention held during May at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare & Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention is organized by the Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS).
FanimeCon is an annual four-day anime convention held during May at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California, over Memorial Day weekend.
Sakura-Con is an annual three-day anime convention held during March or April at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. The convention, which is traditionally held over Easter weekend, is the largest anime convention in the Northwest. It is organized by the volunteer Asia-Northwest Cultural Education Association (ANCEA).
Tekko is an annual four-day anime convention held during July at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The convention has been held in various locations around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and is run by a non-profit organization, the Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society (PJCS). Tekkoshocon's name was a blend of the Japanese word tekkosho, meaning steel mill, and adapting the suffix "-con", which is a common nomenclature archetype among such conventions.
ColossalCon, formerly called Cleveland Colossal Convention, is an annual four-day anime convention held during May/June at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio.
The New York Comic Con is an annual New York City fan convention dedicated to Western comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, cosplay, toys, movies, and television. It was first held in 2006. With an attendance of 200,000 in 2022, it is North America's most attended fan convention.
Katsucon is an annual three-day anime convention held during February at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. It is traditionally held in February over Presidents Day weekend and was previously held in various locations around Virginia and Washington, D.C. The basis of the convention's name is not clear, as "katsu" in the Japanese language has various meanings, including pork.
AnimeIowa is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center in Coralville, Iowa. The staff are all volunteers and the convention is run by the non-profit Mindbridge Foundation.
Kumoricon is an annual three-day anime convention held during October or November at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. The name of the convention comes from the Japanese word Kumori (曇り), meaning cloudy. Kumoricon is run by a volunteer staff and was previously held in Vancouver, Washington at the Hilton Vancouver Washington/Red Lion Vancouver at the Quay.
Anime Festival Orlando (AFO) is an annual three-day anime convention held during June at the Rosen Plaza in Orlando, Florida.
IKKiCON is an annual three-day anime convention held during January at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock, Texas.
OMGcon is a three-day anime convention held during June at the Owensboro Convention Center in Owensboro, Kentucky. The convention was previously held in Paducah, Kentucky. The name of the convention comes from the common abbreviation of Oh My God. OMGcon is run by volunteers.
AnimeNEXT (AN) is an annual three-day anime convention held at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison, New Jersey. The convention was previously held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey, and the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Tokyo, OK is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at Marriott Tulsa Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The convention is family friendly, and along with being an anime convention is Oklahoma's largest game event.
Bak-Anime is an annual two-day anime convention held at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, California by the staff of SacAnime. The convention is the sister conventions to the Bakersfield Comic Con, Sacramento Comic, Toy and Anime Show (Sac-Con), and SacAnime.
Matsuricon is a three-day anime convention held during August in Columbus, Ohio, at the Hyatt Regency Columbus and Greater Columbus Convention Center. The convention is family friendly.
Japan Expo USA was a three-day anime convention held in August at the San Mateo Event Center in San Mateo, California, United States. The convention is organized by SEFA Entertainment, based in San Francisco, California. It is the American subsidiary of the JTS Group, the organizing group of Japan Expo in Paris, France.
Anime Midwest is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The convention is held in the same location as Anime Central.
Arkansas Anime Festival (AF2) is an annual three-day anime convention held in June/July at the Four Points by Sheraton Bentonville in Bentonville, Arkansas. It is the largest anime convention in the state of Arkansas and is family friendly.