Just went to Zenkaikon over the weekend, it has been years since I was at a Con and I forgot how great they are.  I had so much fun I am looking into going to Otakon this July.  Anyone have good cons near them that they go to?

Mike

I'm in San Diego so we have Comic Con, though I only went once and not for long >.<

There's also Anime Expo 2 hours away.  I've been to it twice and had fun.  It'd be a lot more fun if I went with other people though lol

Some day I would like to get to Comic Con in San Diego, but now they have comic con spin offs in NY and Seattle, which would be easier for me to get too.  I also would like to go to Dragon Con in Atlanta, Gen Con in Indianapoilis, and Origins in Columbus OH.  I booked a suite for the family to go to Otakon in July last night, now I have to get my pre-reg in before June 4th.

Mike

I go to Anime Expo each year, and Anime Los Angeles, a really fun little con held in January. (I even have volunteered and worked as staff for ALA, as I have so much fun there!)  I've been to Comic-Con (it's HUGE!) but cannot usually attend as it falls during a time of the year when my work will not allow me much time off.

Here is a good site to find out about upcoming anime conventions all around the country, and even some listed that are outside the US!

http://www.animecons.com/

My siblings and I go to New York Con and Big Apple Con every year.  Last year at Big Apple Con we got to have drinks with Mark Millar, it was amazing!

We also go to the Steampunk World's Fair.

     I plan to attend the NY comic con this year, I really regret not going last year since you could buy tickets to have diner with Jim Butcher ( dresden files author ).  I really hope they have it again this year, I think the ticket price went to charity and was only $25, but they only had 200.  My wife goes to the steampunk worlds fair, but I do not think she is going this year since we are saving up for Otakon.

Mike

I haven't been to a con in a long time, but always had a lot of fun at the Pittsburgh Comicon and Heroes Con in Charlotte.  I think some of the mid-size cons are better than the huge ones because you can still actually get a chance to talk to the artists and writers.  I'm going to try to make it to C2E2 in Chicago next year, and definitely want to make it to San Diego sometime, but I almost think that might be TOO big.

I've got a pretty large collection of convention sketches.  Not only are they nice to look at, but there are stories behind each one, which is pretty cool.  

I got to go to AnimeBoston this year, which is such fantastic fun.

Unfortunately, that's about the only con I can make it to each year ;-;

I love the feeling of being somewhere with thousands of other people that you KNOW you have something in common with.  And they don't think you're strange :D

Usually, when I talk about anime, the people around me roll their eyes or just ignore me, or humour me but don't really get what I'm talking about, because they don't watch anime.  But at a con, when I start talking about anime, people CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION WITH ME.  I think that just about sums up what makes a con so amazing, and attracts thousands of people every year.

I would love to meet up with other PBSers at Otakon. Despite growing up in Baltimore, last year was the first year I attended, and I had a fantastic time! One of my 8th graders who graduated this year is a huge anime fan, so a group of his teachers pitched in to buy him a ticket as a graduation present. I volunteered to take him and keep an eye on him, but he's 15, so we can use the check-in system. A lunch or dinner gathering would be great :) PM me or post here if you're interested.

I will be at Otakon this year, a PBS meetup sound good.  I will need to see our schedule before I can settle on a time though.  I will keep an eye on this thread.

Mike

I missed AnimeCentral in Chicago IL but I'm hoping to go to Youmacon in Detroit Michigan here in October

I usualy go to Anime Boston, and keep meaning to put money away to go to Y-con.  So far, it hasn't happened, but I will make it...someday.

I always go to Wondercon in San Francisco.  Great fun !

I think Wondercon is in Anaheim this year?  I am considering, but have never been to this con.  Kathleen's words of encouragement have me thinking maybe I should try it while it's closer to my neck of the woods!

My first con was A-Kon last summer in Dallas, TX. I went to Izumicon in Midwest City, OK (outside of OKC) last month. And I plan on going back to A-kon this next June.

I had more fun in Dallas considering it's a larger convention, but I really enjoy supporting my local Oklahoma con too. I have yet been to Tokyo in Tulsa, so I might give that one try next summer.

I also plan on cosplaying too next year at all three cons, if possible :)

cosplay is definatly the way to go, some cons have so many dressed up you stand out when you are not.

Mike

I already have my Express Pass for AB 2012; my fourth year in a row. I can't get enough.

I agree with aziraphale, it's hard to converse with people when they have no interest in the topic- that's why cons are crutial to the life of an anime-maniac! <3

I live in Las Vegas so I go to AnimeVegas every year, sadly, I am going to be moving to Alabama soon so if anyone knows of any really good conventions there. Let me know :D

C2E2 (Chicago Comics & Entertainment Exhibition) is coming up in downtown Chicago April 13-15: http://www.c2e2.com/. I'll be going, as I do a comics trivia panel at it. It's only a few years old, but it's gotten to be a good show with a good range of comics stuff. The other option in town is WizardWorld in August, which is more media-oriented.