METROCON is an annual anime convention based in Tampa, Florida. It was first presented in 2003 out of a Crowne Plaza Hotel nearby to the Florida State Fairgrounds, and beginning in 2005 moved to the Tampa Convention Center after two years of rapid growth.
Features[]
Metrocon hosts a variety of events and experiences for fans of anime, manga, video games, fantasy, science fiction, and more. The convention's typical features include a vendor's room, "artist alley", special guests, autograph sessions, main events (such as the Anime Human Chess Match, Fantasy Masquerade, and Costume and Cosplay Contests), dances/raves, contests, panels, video game rooms, video rooms screening anime, tabletop game rooms, LAN gaming, and cosplay.
History[]
Change of Ownership[]
On January 4th, 2010 Metrocon announced a change in ownership, from Metrocon LLC run by Roy Harms, to Team Dynamite Productions LLC operated by Nick Fazio and Alex Craddock. This change followed previous owner Roy Harms pleading nolo contendre in court to a second degree felony, and being listed as a state sex offender.
Amano's World[]
On the weekend of October 14-15, 2006, a second anime convention was held by AnimeMetro, known as METROCON: Amano's World. The guest of honor was Yoshitaka Amano, who is best known for his Final Fantasy character designs and Vampire Hunter D illustrations. Amano's work was visible everywhere, from the banner at the entrance to the convention to every weekend pass ticket. Amano often made sketches of those with VIP passes to his panel and continued to sign fans' artbooks and pictures over an hour past when he was scheduled to finish.
Event history[]
| 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, and Don Rush.[1] |
| July 9–11, 2004 | Crowne Plaza Hotel Tampa, Florida | 2,400 | Greg Ayres, Katie Bair, Luci Christian, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Vic Mignogna, Chris Patton, Monica Rial, Don Rush, Doug Smith, and David Williams.[2] |
| 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, Monkey Punch (who could not attend due to a family emergency), Monica Rial, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David Williams.[3] |
| 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, PLID, Monkey Punch, Chris Sabat, seek, Doug Smith, John Swasey, David Williams, and YURAsama.[4] |
| October 14–15, 2006 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | Yoshitaka Amano, Steve Bennett, Lauren Goodnight, and Doug Smith.[5] | |
| July 6–8, 2007 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 5,400 | Greg Ayres, Laura Bailey, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Luci Christian, Ashley Clark, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Ya Ya Han, Kyle Jones, Cynthia Martinez, Scott McNeil, Vic Mignogna, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David Williams.[6] |
| July 18–20, 2008 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida | 5600 | Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Greg Cipes, Cipes and the People, Ashley Clark, DJ HeavyGrinder, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Ya Ya Han, The Heroes Alliance, Scott McNeil, Select Start, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, and David Williams.[7] |
| June 19–21, 2009 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida[8] | 5400 | Mark Hildreth, Scott McNeil, Kirby Morrow, Brad Swaile, Brian Drummond, David Williams, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Ya Ya Han, TealPirate, KellyJane, Illich Guardiola (who could not attend due to a death in the family), Ashley Clark, and Greg Ayres (who could not attend due to health concerns). |
| July 23-25, 2010 | Tampa Convention Center Tampa, Florida[9] | 6665 | Scott McNeil, Spike Spencer, Richard Ian Cox, Kirby Morrow, Robert Axelrod, David Standworth, Yaya Han, Shadowfax, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, TealPirate, Outland Armour, Ashley Clark, Aaron Pabon, Ana's Ikimaru, Pikabellechu, and Random Encounter. |
References[]
- ↑ "Metrocon 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon: Amano's World Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2008-10-26.
- ↑ "Metrocon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-07-25.
External links[]
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