Ai-Kon

Ai-Kon is an annual three day anime convention held on a weekend during the months of July in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in Canada. Ai-Kon was first held at the University of Manitoba in 2001 and is currently held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The convention's name is a blend of the words ai (Japanese for love) and convention and is derived from its slogan "For the love of anime".

Programming
Like most anime conventions, Ai-Kon provides a wide variety of programming including cosplay events, guest and fan panels and workshops, video game tournaments, vendors, artist alley and auction, anime screenings and dances.

History
Ai-Kon was first held in July 2001 at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was run by the University of Manitoba Anime Club (UMAnime). In 2002 the event went on hiatus for one year, and in July 2003 a second Ai-Kon was held at the university. Since 2004 the convention has been organized by an independent volunteer committee and has been held annually in Winnipeg each summer.