Hey all, complete FAnime newb here and this year I've decided to expand my horizons and do a nation-wide con-tour of sorts, and the opportunity to meet [international] guests composes about 50% of the reason I go to cons, the other 50% of course being a combination of all of the awesome encounters with fans of similar interests and the friends I've made over the years. I know it's probably crunch time for staffers considering con is a month away so I'm not going to press for guest announcements and such. However, I was fairly curious as to what kinds of guests have attended FAnime in previous years?
I'm smack in the Midwest and I'm faced with the tough decision of going to Animazement that weekend which already has a substantial Japanese guest list or coming to FAnime which doesn't yet have guest announcements but it'll mark my first visit to SJC/SFO area which I'd be excited about (and I've always heard that California cons get awesome Japanese guests so I'm curiously optimistic). Anyway I salute those who toil to bring a con together as I know what that is like, so all I'll humbly ask for is a historical guest list from previous years to give me an idea. I've yet to buy a ticket, reserve a room etc. so just thought I'd prod a little :)
Here's a pretty useful website that has what you're looking for.
http://www.animecons.com/events/info.shtml/2795/FanimeCon_2012
They also have lists of other cons too, so worth a search if you're looking at other cons in the nation as well.
The archive of previous years' guests is the accessible through the links near the bottom of the page. :)
One thing I've noticed over the years is that certain conventions seem to have solid relationships with different animation studios, so if you like said animation studio, going to that convention would be a smart thing to do as there's a high chance that there will be guests from that studio.
Fanime appears to be on good terms with GAINAX and Hiroyuki Yamaga is a staple at Fanime. Last year he was unable to attend Fanime due to personal reasons, but instead Fanime had Fumio Iida, which, IMO, was very nifty. I wouldn't be surprised if either Yamaga or someone else from GAINAX attends this year.
Mamoru Yokota is also a regular at Fanime. He was here both in 2010 & 2011. Here's to hoping he comes back in 2012. Same thing with FLOW. They put on a good show.
I've gone to several different cons on the West Coast. Fanime is still my favorite.
Cool, thanks for the info. I've noticed the sponsorship trend, as well as the fact that most cons esp. in their guest relations department function just like a business..they need to build a rapport with the studios, music labels, and guests that they invite.
[Mod Snip]
Anyway hopefully this topic has not sounded condescending, but although I've set aside a budget and money is not the major issue I can't be in more than one place at once XP And I still would need to plan for badges and hotel etc. no matter what cons I decide to attend and a lot tend to overlap which is more the fault of booking convention center space than anything else...
Quote from: Producer-san on April 21, 2012, 10:39:04 AMAnyway hopefully this topic has not sounded condescending, but although I've set aside a budget and money is not the major issue I can't be in more than one place at once XP And I still would need to plan for badges and hotel etc. no matter what cons I decide to attend and a lot tend to overlap which is more the fault of booking convention center space than anything else...
The relationship between an event (not just conventions!) and guests is very unique, but it holds true in most forms of business. You are absolutely right that there needs to be a positive connection made and a relationship continually growing.
*Mod Hat On* Please refrain from talking negatively about other events. I know that your post might not have seemed like a negative one, but it definitely was close if not negative.
yes, FLOW really made the event more lively. i can't believe i got to see them in person n they left their signs as a memoir. my fave possession.
Quote from: cutiebunny on April 20, 2012, 05:46:42 PM
One thing I've noticed over the years is that certain conventions seem to have solid relationships with different animation studios, so if you like said animation studio, going to that convention would be a smart thing to do as there's a high chance that there will be guests from that studio.
Fanime appears to be on good terms with GAINAX and Hiroyuki Yamaga is a staple at Fanime. Last year he was unable to attend Fanime due to personal reasons, but instead Fanime had Fumio Iida, which, IMO, was very nifty. I wouldn't be surprised if either Yamaga or someone else from GAINAX attends this year.
Mamoru Yokota is also a regular at Fanime. He was here both in 2010 & 2011. Here's to hoping he comes back in 2012. Same thing with FLOW. They put on a good show.
I've gone to several different cons on the West Coast. Fanime is still my favorite.