Metrocon Explained
Metrocon |
Status: | Active |
Genre: | Anime, Video Gaming[1] [2] |
Venue: | Tampa Convention Center |
Location: | Tampa, Florida |
Country: | United States |
First: | 2003 |
Organizer: | Team Dynamite Productions |
Attendance: | 12,153 in 2021 |
Website: | http://www.metroconventions.com/ |
Metrocon is an annual three-day anime convention held during July/August at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It is Florida's largest anime convention and organized by Team Dynamite Productions.[3] [4] The convention evolved from meetups of AnimeMetro.com members.[5]
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.[6] [7] [8] [9] Metrocon also hosts a blood drive.[2] The convention brings $3.5 million to the area's economy.[10]
History
Metrocon was first held in 2003 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and after growth moved to the Tampa Convention Center in 2005.[11] The convention had issues in 2008 with rowdy attendees from the Red Bull Flugtag event also occurring at the Tampa Convention Center.[12] 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.[13] [14]
The convention added a fourth day when unique attendance hit over 10,000, with the first occurring in 2015.[2] Game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoff finals was held during Metrocon 2015 at the Amalie Arena.[15] [16] Metrocon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] [18]
Event history
Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests | |
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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.[19]
Event history
Dates | Location | Atten. | Guests | |
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External links
27.9417°N -82.4567°W
Notes and References
- News: Cascio . Josh . July 11, 2014 . Metrocon comes to Tampa Convention Center . https://web.archive.org/web/20150622041507/http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/26001265/2014/07/11/metrocon-comes-to-tampa-convention-center . June 22, 2015 . 21 July 2014 . FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
- News: Allman . John W. . June 11, 2015 . Thousands of cosplayers expected in downtown Tampa for Metrocon . 21 June 2015 . The Tampa Tribune.
- Web site: Anime fans geared up for Tampa Metrocon . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100727011610/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/anime-fans-geared-up-for-tampa-metrocon/1111135 . July 27, 2010 . 2012-05-28 . Tampa Bay Times.
- Web site: Metrocon a sight to behold at Tampa Convention Center . 2013-08-24 . Tampa Tribune.
- Web site: Characters flock to METROCON event . 2012-05-28 . Tampa Bay Online.
- Web site: Anime, zombie fans to geek out at Metrocon 2011 in Tampa . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110619055537/http://www.tampabay.com/features/events/anime-zombie-fans-to-geek-out-at-metrocon-2011-in-tampa/1175312 . June 19, 2011 . 2012-05-28 . Tampa Bay Times.
- Web site: Anime fans can get into character at Metrocon . 2012-09-14 . Tampa Bay Online.
- News: Allman . John W . July 10, 2014 . Metrocon merges anime and video games in downtown Tampa . 21 July 2014 . Tampa Bay Online.
- News: G-Rodiles . Salvador . August 2, 2012 . A look at Metrocon 2012 . 4 November 2014 . Japanator.
- News: Cascio . Josh . July 22, 2016 . MetroCon invades Tampa . 5 September 2016 . FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
- Web site: Costumes and characters descend on Tampa . https://web.archive.org/web/20141104045928/http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/22940699/2013/07/26/metrocon-tampa . November 4, 2014 . 2013-08-24 . FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
- Web site: The fallout from Flugtag . 2012-05-28 . Creative Loafing Tampa Baby.
- Web site: Metrocon Posts Statement After Founder's Arrest . 2012-05-28 . Anime News Network.
- News: Cerrato . Andres . June 16, 2009 . CEO of Metrocon arrested for allegations from jailbait . 4 November 2014 . Japanator.
- News: Lewis . Bobby . June 12, 2015 . Comic convention, hockey fans share downtown Tampa . 21 June 2015 . WTSP.
- Kwak . Sarah . June 12, 2015 . Mental game now key as Stanley Cup Final becomes best of three . Sports Illustrated . 21 June 2015.
- Web site: COVID-19 UPDATE: METROCON 2020 is canceled: see you in 2021! . 31 May 2020 . Metrocon.
- Web site: Metrocon 2020 Information . 2020-05-31 . AnimeCons.com.
- Web site: Metrocon: Amano's World . 2012-05-28 . Anime News Network.