2016 Conventions: Tentative List

Hey guys!

As the new year starts rolling in, I also start rolling out to unexplored conventions (even though I say unexplored, most of these conventions are some that I’m either a regular at or some I’ve gone to at least once before). While I had planned to tone down my con adventures, I found that it was pretty impossible to do so.

Luckily, my first convention seems to be listed for May, which gives me some time to save up for the dealer’s hall…probably, haha

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ACEN [May 20-22, 2016 in Rosemont, Illinois]

The biggest of my local conventions, I’ve been attending since I was a wee-Otaku. I have yet to preregister but I will soon (the prices are going up after January 1st)! At this point the only thing I’m debating is whether to get a room or not 

Fanime [May 27-30, 2016 in San Jose, California]

I heard about this convention late this year. A certain someone told me about it and everyone seems to recommend it so I thought I’d check it out. Right now I’m not sure if my brother is going to go (we usually go to conventions together) but if not then that’s fine. I plan to meet up with the lovely Pantastic Panda and *crosses fingers and prays at the Lyndere Shrine* Lyn.

They just opened registration a few days ago and I paid for my ticket ASAP! I’m also hoping to room with the same person who I roomed with for Yaoi-con 2015 since he said he goes to Fanime too 🙂

Anime Expo [July 1st-4th, 2016 in Los Angeles, California]

It was my first time attending last year and I seriously want to make this a yearly convention. Unfortunately, in terms of costs AX is one of the more expensive conventions. I really want to get the Premium Badges so I don’t get turned away from panels (like I did this year) but those cost +$300 and I’m not sure what’s going on in terms of their sale. They were up for Black Friday but they’ve been taken down and I’m not sure if that means the price is going up.

Luckily for me, I have some money favors saved up from Christmas and my birthday.

OtaKon [August 12-14, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland]

While not a favorite convention in terms of panels or guests, OtaKon currently holds the #1 spot for Best Dealer’s Hall and it’s for this reason that my brother and I are attempting to go again! Like last time (2 years ago), we’re planning to drive out there 😀

Good thing we’re on break in August

Yaoi-con [September 16-18, 2016 in Burlingame, California]

And possibly the last convention of the year, Yaoi-con (my beloved) will find me there once more. I know Digital Manga is having a Kickstarter right now where they’re offering Yaoi-con badges so I might end up getting badges this way (that’s what I did for 2015). Just need to sit down and see if it’s financially worth it, haha

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As you can see I’ve only actually pre-registered for one convention and two of them are tentative (AX and OtaKon), but even so these are my plans. I’d also like to attend some other local smaller conventions in the hopes that I can be in the Artist Alley (of course, nothing is set in stone until I actually make stuff to sell! Anyone have any suggests haha)

Some local conventions that I’m looking at are Con Alt Delete (if they have one next year, there haven’t been any changes to their site), Uchi-con (a student run and FREE convention at the University of Chicago, it’s one day only though), and Ramencon (which is in Indiana but still close to where I’m at, would be after Yaoi-con).

Other than that, I haven’t really heard of other conventions happening later in the year but that may change as the year goes on.

And this is why I’m always broke every year…ha…haha…anywho! Is anyone else going to conventions? If so, are you ready for them? Which are they? Do you plan to cosplay? I’ve yet to decide if I will or won’t, though I’m most likely not going to