Anime Central

Anime Central (Abbreviated ACen) is an anime convention that is held yearly in Rosemont, Illinois, United States. It is one of the fastest growing anime conventions in the U.S. and has ranked as the 4th largest North American anime convention since 2009. The convention is like many other anime conventions; it runs 24 hours a day and lasts 3 days. The Anime Central staff brings in guests from America and Japan that have worked in the anime and manga industry. There are also thousands of cosplayers that walk around showing off their costumes.

History
In April 1996 the Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS) was incorporated by a group of individuals from a Chicago based anime club. After two years of planning the first ACen was held in April 1998 at the Holiday Inn International O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois. Its attendance was a little over 1,000 people.

In its more recent years the convention has moved to May and is held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare also in Rosemont, Illinois. The attendance for the convention typically rises around 1,100 people a year.

Event history
http://www.animecons.com/events/info.shtml/1777