Metrocon

Metrocon
Status Active
Genre Anime, Video Gaming[1][2]
Venue Tampa Convention Center
Location(s) Tampa, Florida
Country United States
Inaugurated 2003
Attendance 11,776 in 2014[3]
Organized by Team Dynamite Productions
Website
http://www.metroconventions.com/

Metrocon is an annual four-day anime convention held during June/July at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It is Florida's largest anime convention and organized by Team Dynamite Productions.[4][5] The convention evolved from meetups of AnimeMetro.com members.[6]

Programming

The convention typically offers an artist alley, autograph sessions, contests, dances/raves, LAN gaming, main events (such as the Anime Human chess Match, Costume and Cosplay Contests, Fantasy Masquerade, Fire Show, and Professional Wrestling), panels, tabletop game rooms, vendors room, video game rooms, and video rooms screening anime.[7][8][9][10] Metrocon also hosts an blood drive.[2] The convention brings $3.5 million to the area's economy.[11]

History

Metrocon was first held in 2003 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and after growth moved to the Tampa Convention Center in 2005.[12] The convention had issues in 2008 with rowdy attendees from the Red Bull Flugtag event also occurring at the Tampa Convention Center.[13] In 2009, the founder and CEO of Metrocon was arrested in Florida for violating Florida Statute 794.05 (unlawful sexual activity with certain minors) eight days before the convention. The conventions Director of Operations characterized the arrest as "an attack on the convention". The CEO stepped down from his position, with the Director of Operations and Head of Security taking over operations.[14][15]

The convention added a fourth day when unique attendance hit over 10,000, with the first occurring in 2015.[2][5][12] Game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoff finals was held during Metrocon 2015 at the Amalie Arena.[16][17]

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, Don Rush, and Shadowfax.[18]
July 9–11, 2004 Crowne Plaza Hotel[19]
Tampa, Florida		2,400 Greg Ayres, Katie Bair, Luci Christian, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Vic Mignogna, Monica Rial, Don Rush, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, and David L. Williams.[20]
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, Monica Rial, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David L. Williams.[21]
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, PikaBelleChu, PLID, Monkey Punch, Random Encounter, Chris Sabat, seek, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, David L. Williams, and YURAsama.[22]
July 6–8, 2007 Tampa Convention Center[23]
Tampa, Florida		5,400 Greg Ayres, Laura Bailey, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Luci Christian, Ashley Clark, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Yaya Han, Kyle Jones, Cynthia Martinez, Scott McNeil, Vic Mignogna, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, John Swasey, and David L. Williams.[24]
July 18–20, 2008 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		 Greg Ayres, Steve Bennett, Johnny Yong Bosch, Greg Cipes, Cipes and the People, Ashley Clark, Eyeshine, Lauren Goodnight, Yaya Han, DJ Heavygrinder, The Heroes Alliance, Scott McNeil, Random Encounter, Select Start, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, and David L. Williams.[25]
June 19–21, 2009 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		 Abney Park, ArcAttack, Ashley Clark, Brian Drummond, Yaya Han, Mark Hildreth, Scott McNeil, Kirby Morrow, Outland Armour, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Brad Swaile, and David L. Williams.[26]
July 23–25, 2010 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		6,665 Robert Axelrod, Ashley Clark, Richard Ian Cox, Yaya Han, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Scott McNeil, Kirby Morrow, Outland Armour, Aaron Pabon, Pikabellechu, Random Encounter, Anna Rosato, RJ Schafer, Shadowfax, Spike Spencer, David Standworth, and TealPirate.[27]
June 17–19, 2011 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		7,477 Max Brooks, Ashley Clark, Kara Edwards, Crispin Freeman, Yaya Han, Kyle Hebert, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Scott McNeil, Outland Armour, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Shadowfax, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Brad Swaile, TealPirate, and Terrance Zdunich.[28]
June 15–17, 2012 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		8,033 Amelie Belcher, Ashley Clark, Richard Epcar, Crispin Freeman, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Scott McNeil, PikaBelleChu, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Takayoshi Tanimoto, and TealPirate.[29]
July 26–28, 2013 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		9,951 Dante Basco, Amelie Belcher, Ashley Clark, D.C. Douglas, DJ Hellroy, KellyJane, Phil LaMarr, Scott McNeil, PikaBelleChu, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, TealPirate, and Janet Varney.[30]
July 11–13, 2014 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		11,776[3] Troy Baker, Dante Basco, Amelie Belcher, Richard Epcar, Brittney Karbowski, KellyJane, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Scott McNeil, Nolan North, PikaBelleChu, Random Encounter, Doug Smith, David Stanworth, Ellyn Stern, TealPirate, and Hynden Walch.[31]
June 11–14, 2015 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		 Laura Bailey, Amelie Belcher, Robbie Daymond, KellyJane, Carrie Keranen, Laugh Out Loud, Russell Lissau, Scott McNeil, Erica Mendez, Nolan North, PikaBelleChu, Stephanie Sheh, David Stanworth, TealPirate, and Travis Willingham.[32]
July 21-24, 2016 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		 Zach Aguilar, Amelie Belcher, Steve Bennett, Richard Ian Cox, Robbie Daymond, Haiden Hazard, KellyJane, Max Mittelman, Kirby Morrow, PikaBelleChu, Laura Post, David Stanworth, Brooke Stephenson, Eric Stuart, TealPirate, and Cristina Vee.[33]

Amano's World

In 2006, Metrocon held a second convention known as Metrocon: Amano's World, which featured the works Yoshitaka Amano, who is best known for his Final Fantasy character designs and Vampire Hunter D illustrations.[34]

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 14–15, 2006 Tampa Convention Center
Tampa, Florida		 Yoshitaka Amano, Steve Bennett, Lauren Goodnight, Random Encounter, and Doug Smith.[35]

References

  1. ↑ Cascio, Josh (July 11, 2014). "Metrocon comes to Tampa Convention Center". FOX 13/WTVT-TV. Archived from the original on June 22, 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Allman, John W. (June 11, 2015). "Thousands of cosplayers expected in downtown Tampa for Metrocon". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Just another summer weekend in Tampa … or was it Metrocon?". The Observer News. June 17, 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "Anime fans geared up for Tampa Metrocon". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  5. 1 2 "Metrocon a sight to behold at Tampa Convention Center". Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Characters flock to METROCON event". Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  7. ↑ "Anime, zombie fans to geek out at Metrocon 2011 in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  8. ↑ "Anime fans can get into character at Metrocon". Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved 2012-09-14.
  9. ↑ Allman, John W (July 10, 2014). "Metrocon merges anime and video games in downtown Tampa". Tampa Bay Online. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  10. ↑ G-Rodiles, Salvador (August 2, 2012). "A look at Metrocon 2012". Japanator. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Cascio, Josh (July 22, 2016). "MetroCon invades Tampa". FOX 13/WTVT-TV. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Costumes and characters descend on Tampa". FOX 13/WTVT-TV. Archived from the original on November 4, 2014. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  13. ↑ "The fallout from Flugtag". Creative Loafing Tampa Baby. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  14. ↑ "Metrocon Posts Statement After Founder's Arrest". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  15. ↑ Cerrato, Andres (June 16, 2009). "CEO of Metrocon arrested for allegations from jailbait". Japanator. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  16. ↑ Lewis, Bobby (June 12, 2015). "Comic convention, hockey fans share downtown Tampa". WTSP. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  17. ↑ Kwak, Sarah (June 12, 2015). "Mental game now key as Stanley Cup Final becomes best of three". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 21 June 2015.
  18. ↑ "Metrocon 2003 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  19. ↑ "Anime cartoon fans join forces at Metrocon convention". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  20. ↑ "Metrocon 2004 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  21. ↑ "Metrocon 2005 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  22. ↑ "Metrocon 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  23. ↑ "Where fantasy, fans converge". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  24. ↑ "Metrocon 2007 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  25. ↑ "Metrocon 2008 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  26. ↑ "Metrocon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  27. ↑ "Metrocon 2010 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  28. ↑ "Metrocon 2011 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  29. ↑ "Metrocon 2012 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-03-17.
  30. ↑ "Metrocon 2013 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  31. ↑ "Metrocon 2014 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  32. ↑ "Metrocon 2015 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  33. ↑ "Metrocon 2016 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  34. ↑ "Metrocon: Amano's World". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  35. ↑ "Metrocon: Amano's World Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2007-12-22.

Coordinates: 27°56′30.12″N 82°27′24.12″W / 27.9417000°N 82.4567000°W / 27.9417000; -82.4567000

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