Should there be a con in SC?

Should there be a con in SC?
We are debating starting a new anime con in SC. Are there enough fans there to support one? I know you guys have Animazement and AWA close by, in addition to MTAC, and things like ConCarolinas. Are you con'ed out at that point, or would something local be nice? Thanks, ConResearch I hope this post doesn't offend anyone's sensibilities

Something local would be fantastic! Just IN the state of SC would suit me just fine. And as for being con'd out, NEVER! I'm attending 6 this year. Mostly for business ventures but I enjoy the atmosphere, people, and events as well.

Absolutley. I'm sure that there are alot of Anime fans not only in this state, but in nearing states as well that would be willing to come to a Con here.

I'm willing to attend, but if possible pick a central location. I'm the upper part of the state, and really wouldn't feel like driving to the lower part, but meeting in the middle would be acceptable. If I didn't already attend Animazement, I wouldn't have a problem with a long drive, but since I do one already adding another well...

Well, there's one problem with that whole cetral thing for this state... what's in the center? lol, all I ever hear about is this area, Columbia and the coast. I would say Columbia would be a good spot. It's close to Charlotte to bring those people in, close to Georgia to bring those people in, not that far of a drive from Charleston really, nor from us in the foothills. but yeah, SC seriously needs a good Anime Con. I'd be all up for being on the committee for that.

Andromeda : Well, there's one problem with that whole cetral thing for this state... what's in the center? lol, all I ever hear about is this area, Columbia and the coast. I would say Columbia would be a good spot. It's close to Charlotte to bring those people in, close to Georgia to bring those people in, not that far of a drive from Charleston really, nor from us in the foothills. but yeah, SC seriously needs a good Anime Con. I'd be all up for being on the committee for that. that's good enough for me and generally what I'd say!

While we haven't made a site visit to Columbia, it or Greenville were our initial thoughts as to location. Greenville because one of our principals has visited there. Columbia for the geographic position. Is anyone here in Columbia who would be able to recommend a site? Searching on the web shows very few facilities and most don't seem to have the space. thanks

I don't know much about Greenville, but in Spartanburg we have the Marriott. I've never been in it, so I'm not exactly sure how big it is, but from the pictures online it looks viable. If the location suits your needs, then perhaps you can call them to get further information. I'm not sure if they would accept a large number of children walking around in that expensive looking place, but it sure is pretty. As for Columbia, they have the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. I don't think it's a hotel itself, but I'm sure there plenty hotels around it. I think you'd mainly need to worry about parking.

Convention Centers usually have lots of hotels around it. Going the convention center route, you could talk to one of the hotels to get them to be like the offical con hotel, thus providing an overwhelming amount of advertising and funds in one weekend and giving the con goers a price break in return. Unfortunately I'm only familier with Spartanburg and there's only the Marriot downtown that would be a nice size. But they did build that new one by the mall, between it and Spartan 16. I'm a whiz at internet research, so I'll see if I can't dig around to find something in Columbia, hotel wise. The more looking the better!

Well, since I'm the only one in Columbia (well and chineserose, but i think she's temporary?), I can try to do some research for it. I don't know much about the hotels here, but I am friends with the head of RoundCon and can find out from him if he knows anything. Roundcon is a small con so he doesn't have to worry about a big hotel but he might be able to tell me what the biggest hotel is and all that. Sean's a really nice guy, I'm sure he'll be willing to help, especially since he promotes anime at his gaming convention anyway.

Convention Centers usually have lots of hotels around it. Going the convention center route, you could talk to one of the hotels to get them to be like the offical con hotel, thus providing an overwhelming amount of advertising and funds in one weekend and giving the con goers a price break in return. The negative with convention centers is that they have more restrictive labor requirements, often have excessive security requirements, concession issues, and most importantly are most costly to use because of mandatory building rent and the required rental of all of the tables and chairs, etc. Unless the city council forces the issues a smaller con will have a hard time meeting financial obligations (especially while building an attendance base). Regretably we have to consider the almighty dollar of cost.

I don't know much about Greenville, but in Spartanburg we have the Marriott. I've never been in it, so I'm not exactly sure how big it is, but from the pictures online it looks viable. If the location suits your needs, then perhaps you can call them to get further information. I'm not sure if they would accept a large number of children walking around in that expensive looking place, but it sure is pretty. As for Columbia, they have the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. I don't think it's a hotel itself, but I'm sure there plenty hotels around it. I think you'd mainly need to worry about parking. There is a Marriott here in Greenville as well. Although i don't know about a suitable convention center.

The almighty dollar controls us all, no matter how hard we try to deny it.

Yes! There is always room for one more con, especially in a state that doesn't already have one. Just make sure to choose a month/date when there are no other cons going on somewhere else (ie Animazement should have stayed in March instead of being the same weekend as North, Boston, and Fanime). Late March early April would be a good time. I can help you with vendor and industry contacts; get in touch with me if you are interested. Yeah, been there done that with a convention center; the actual rent is really not bad, but once you add up all the hidden costs wow. It's just crazy what they charge you for. Hotels usually go out of their way to help out any way they can. Think about Otakon, they have the Unions also to worry about (Maryland is not a right to work state).

I have been waiting for a long time for one in sc. It would please me greatly.

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