Tokyo, OK explained

Tokyo, OK
Status:Active
Genre:Anime, Gaming, Japanese popular culture[1] [2]
Venue:Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills
Location:Tulsa, Oklahoma
Country:United States
First:2008
Organizer:Oklahoma Society for Culture Appreciation[3]
Attendance:2,640 in 2010
Website:https://www.oklahomaculture.org/

Tokyo, OK (Formerly Tokyo In Tulsa) is an annual three-day anime convention held during July at the Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The convention is family friendly, and along with being an anime convention is Oklahoma's largest game event.[4] [5]

Programming

The convention typically offers anime video rooms, artists’ alley, collectible cards games, concerts, cosplay ball, costume competitions, LARP, panel discussions, rave, tabletop gaming, vendors, and video gaming (console, PC, arcade).[2] [6] [7] [8] In 2015, the convention had 50,000 sq ft of gaming space.[9] In 2017 and 2021, the convention had more than 300 hours of programming.[3] [10]

History

Tokyo In Tulsa began as a Halloween block party held in October 2005 for the Darkstone Anime Store in Tulsa. Attendance was estimated at 500 people. After the store closed in 2006 the event continued.[6] [7] Cassandra Hodges was scheduled to appear as a friend of the convention prior to her death in 2011.[11]

In 2019, Tokyo In Tulsa moved to the Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. This move was due to construction at the Cox Business Center, and the facilities costs.[12] The convention was spread out across five total venues, including a Hilton Garden Inn, XTreme Racing & Entertainment, the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center, and a former Hobby Lobby.[13] Shuttles were run by the convention between the venues. The vendor room was moved two weeks before the convention, and had serious issues including a lack of lighting.[14] Tokyo in Tulsa 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15] [16]

Tokyo in Tulsa was renamed Tokyo, OK in January 2021.[17] Tokyo, OK 2021 was moved from July to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the convention moved to the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[18] [19] [20] Space from the Aloft Tulsa Downtown and Holiday Inn City Center was also utilized.[3] [21] The convention in 2022 continued to be at the Hyatt Regency, but also used space at 17West, Aloft, Courtyard, and Hyatt Place.[22] Locations in 2023 included the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown, 17West, and Cox Business Convention Center. Tokyo, OK moved to the Marriott Tulsa Hotel Southern Hills and also used the Ruffin Event Center in 2024.[23] [24]

Event History

Dates Location Attendance Guests

Community support

Tokyo, OK was recognized by the Tulsa Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tulsa Hotel & Lodging Association in 2009 for its efforts in attracting tourism to the city of Tulsa.[25] Fundraisers ranging from challenges, a photo suite, and a silent auction were held plus a portion of the conventions 2013 revenue went to the charity Bikers Against Child Abuse.[2] [4] In 2014, the Charity Ball, held pre-convention, along with other at convention donations benefited the Greenwood Cultural Center's Kids Korner.[26] The 2021 ball benefited the Youth Services of Tulsa.[3] Toyko, OK's charities in 2023 included the Oklahoma Life Skills Association and Tulsa Special Kids Care.[27] [28]

External links

36.0597°N -95.9617°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Harlow. Brittany. Tokyo in Tulsa kicks off in Downtown Tulsa. 21 July 2014. KRMG. July 11, 2014.
  2. News: Tulsa World . Tokyo in Tulsa event this weekend lets anime fans get their cosplay on . Smith . Michael. 2013-08-31.
  3. News: Tramel . Jimmie . Tokyo, OK returns 'home' to downtown Tulsa . Tulsa World . October 11, 2021 . en.
  4. News: KJRH . Convention celebrates Japanese culture, games at 2013 Tokyo in Tulsa at the Cox Business Center . 2013-08-03 . 2013-08-24.
  5. News: Tulsa People . Tokyo comes to Tulsa . Hoppa . Jen . 2013-08-31.
  6. News: Tulsa World . Anime will be in spotlight during 'Tokyo in Tulsa' . 2011-07-12 . Ashley Wright . Jason . 2013-08-31.
  7. News: Tulsa People . Character building . Greenwood . Britt . 2013-08-31.
  8. News: Hicks. Chris. Tokyo in Tulsa calls out to Sapulpa Sci-fi Anime fans. https://archive.today/20140726082348/http://www.sapulpaheraldonline.com/articles/2014/07/16/news/doc53c69e3a49a9d680980416.txt. dead. July 26, 2014. 21 July 2014. Sapulpa Daily Herald. July 16, 2014.
  9. News: Dupree. Will. Tokyo in Tulsa event brings around 9K gamers, anime fans to downtown. 2 August 2015. KJRH. July 17, 2015.
  10. News: Partain. Lauren. Tokyo in Tulsa convention kicks off this weekend. 27 September 2017. KTUL. July 14, 2017.
  11. News: Anime News Network . Memorial Fund, Service for Voice Actress Cassandra Hodges . 2011-07-04 . 2013-08-24.
  12. News: Tramel . Jimmie . Broken Arrow to be new home for Tokyo in Tulsa convention . 4 October 2019 . Tulsa World . March 14, 2019 . en.
  13. News: Tramel . Jimmie . Tokyo in Tulsa -- Oklahoma's largest anime, Japanese and pop culture event -- is all over Broken Arrow this weekend . 4 October 2019 . Tulsa World . July 10, 2019 . en.
  14. News: Jenson . Amy . Tokyo in Tulsa vendor says she was kicked out for Twitter post . 4 October 2019 . KTUL . 14 July 2019.
  15. Web site: IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING TOKYO, OK 2020 . Facebook . 31 May 2020 . en.
  16. Web site: Tokyo in Tulsa 2020 Information . AnimeCons.com . 2020-05-31.
  17. Web site: Tokyo, OK name change . Facebook . 8 June 2021 . en.
  18. Web site: IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING TOKYO, OK 2021 . Facebook . 8 June 2021 . en.
  19. Web site: Primary location for the October 2021 . Facebook . 8 June 2021 . en.
  20. Web site: Tokyo in Tulsa July 2021 Information . AnimeCons.com . 2020-09-13.
  21. News: Owen . Kristi Roe . Everything You Need to Know About Tokyo, OK for Next Year . 10 January 2022 . TulsaKids Magazine . 21 October 2021.
  22. News: Tramel . Jimmie . All dressed up, somewhere to go: Cosplayers return downtown for Tokyo, OK convention . 9 August 2022 . Tulsa World . July 26, 2022 . en.
  23. News: Tramel . Jimmie . Tokyo, OK returns to single-location roots with move to south Tulsa . 23 July 2024 . Tulsa World . 10 July 2024 . en.
  24. News: Martin . Scott . New event space opens in south Tulsa . 23 July 2024 . Fox23 . 9 January 2024 . en.
  25. News: Tulsa World . Groups honor city's 2009 'Heroes' at luncheon . 2009-05-24 . Hollingshead . Nancy . 2013-08-31.
  26. News: Sherrow. Rita. Tokyo in Tulsa has something for everyone this weekend. 21 July 2014. Tulsa World. July 9, 2014.
  27. News: Tokyo, OK brings anime and pop culture fans to downtown Tulsa . 15 August 2023 . FOX23 . 15 July 2023 . en.
  28. News: Gray . Ethan . Part II: Review: Tokyo, OK panels, events, and contests . 15 August 2023 . The TCC Connection . Tulsa Community College Student Newspaper . 10 August 2023 . en.

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