Youmacon

Youmacon is an annual four day anime convention held during October/November at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Youmacon's creation was inspired by other conventions including Anime Central and Ohayocon with the convention's name coming from the Japanese word for demon or ghost. Founded by Morgan Kollin in 2005, it is the largest anime/gaming convention in Michigan. The convention is the 10th largest in the United States as of 2014, but is not ranked for largest North American anime conventions in 2014.

Programming

The convention typically offers anime music videos, Artist Alley, concerts, Cosplay Ball, costume competitions, Dealers Room, gaming tournaments, karaoke, Live Action Mario Party and Donkey Kong, live musical performances, Maid Cafe, masquerade, Mystery Science Theater 4000, rave, talent competitions, and video gaming.

The convention runs programming for 24 hours a day, with the 24-hour programing being located in the Renaissance Center and the Artist Alley/Dealers Room in the Cobo Center. The walk between the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and Cobo Center is about 15 minutes. The conventions 2013 Cosplay Ball benefited the Detroit Institute of Arts. In 2009, 2010, and 2014 it benefited the Cornerstone Schools of Detroit.

History

The first Youmacon took four years to plan. In 2010, the Cobo Center started a $279 million renovation that will continue until at least 2015. Youmacon is one of the larger users of the Marriott, and the only event to have all of its meeting space and 1,300 hotel rooms occupied as of 2014.

The 2012 convention had several complaints including the distance between venues (15 minutes) and registration line times. The Renaissance Center prohibited attendees from carrying fake weapons and wearing masks that would hide their faces in 2014. Origa was unable to enter the United States from Canada for their 2014 Youmacon appearance due to not having P visa's.

Event History

References

External links

• Youmacon Website