Today I'll be talking about some of the conventions I've attended over the years, my ideas of each and some ideas on how to improve them.
UPCon (now the con formerly known as UPCon)
UPCon was the first of my Anime Conventions. Up to this year it was always hosted in the conference centre at the University of Pretoria. Run by GGC (with Tukskrygspel being a front to gain access to a free venue), this has been one of my more favourite cons. Probably because it was my first dip into the Geek. UPCon hosts several tournaments, including YuGiOh, Magic the Gathering, Warhammer, and Heroclix (All of which I have played at some point or other). There is usually also boardgame demos in one of the halls.
On the Anime side of things, there is the famous Cos-play competition, the anime screening, and AMV competition. Past UPCons have also seen console gaming, fan-art, and a drawing wall.
Shopping is always great, with not too many of the same stores. Stores include Sin-Bin, Outer Limits, Blox Universe, Plushie Haven and a few others. The Kitchen is usually fast with service and the food great. If you don't feel like having kitchen food, you could take a walk to Hatfield where there are a vareity of restaraunts. The Piazza on campus is also usually open.
Whilst the Con has always been fun, I've gotten the feeling it is slowly dying. The dissappearance of AWX at this years con was a notable mistake. Some of the competitions have disappeared and the screening shows episodes that are rarely watched anymore. Lastly some of the areas are way too small (warhammer, heroclix, boardgaming) and make a person feel as though they are being shunned.
KinCon
Kin-Con is a new con run by Morgue-chan. I must say, she went through all the right steps to launch the con successfully. This Con is mainly Anime orientated, with Cosplay being its main pulling factor. As a Con marketed as a con for geeks, I was surprised by what I found. Most stalls were cos-play orientated or art-orientated. The only mainstream stores that I could spot were AWX and Blox Universe. No stores selling boardgames, comics or geek paraphernalia.
The Heroclix was bunched into a corner, the boardgames hidden away somewhere, a few card games going on here and there.
I enjoyed the fact that the parking was not too far from the entrance, there was enough space to walk and browse in the hall and a kitchen that wasn't overly busy. This could become a great con if more anime stores and events were brought in and it marketed as an Anime Con. That or they would need to be a little more inclusive of other geeky hobbies.
ICon
Another Con I thoroughly enjoy each year. Usually all the stores one would need at a con, and very inclusive. I struggle to decide what to do on a day, with role-playing, boardgaming, magic, Heroclix, anime, and shopping all vying for my attention.
The only down side is the small venue. Browsing the stores is always a nightmare, with no space to move or struggling to get past those standing at stores. The kitchen service are is way too small causing long queues. This year's con also saw AWX being missing and an too many gaming stores bunched up.
Geekfest
Another new con hosted by Dark Carnival. Despite my original doubts about the convention it turned out amazing. A massive attendance, with enough space to walk and chill. The stores were varied (with only the anime side being neglected), a nice beer garden was set up, and enough events to keep you occupied all day.
But as with all events there are down sides. Being an outdoor convention, weather will always affect turnout. The venue has a lack of shade (which my pink face will atest to), and the beer garden ran out of beer at one stage.
Now you know a little more about our local cons, hope to see you at the next one :)
