More than 4,000 anime fans gathered in downtown Vancouver over Labor Day weekend dressed up in elaborate costumes for Kumoricon, a regional convention in its ninth year.
However, it wasn’t just creative costumes that attendees brought to Southwest Washington. According to the Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office, they brought dollars as well.
“When a large convention comes to town it creates economic impact not only for the hospitality industry, but also retail sales that help in sales taxes, wages and jobs,” said Debbie Picard, senior convention sales manager. “It’s a great economic driver for our community.”
At the event, those who enjoy the anime culture (Japanese illustrated books and television shows) come to attend games and panel presentations; meet special guests including voice actors; purchase items from vendors; and get to know other local and regional enthusiasts.
With attendees having numbered in the thousands, Kumoricon marks one of the larger conventions Southwest Washington has experienced this year. And despite a history of moving to new locations year after year, Kumoricon will return to Vancouver in 2012. Event organizers are also considering making Clark County a permanent home.
“The word we’ve received from the meeting planners and the Kumoricon Board of Directors is that the initial response from all attendees and from our community was so great, that they are looking for future years here,” said Picard.
Prior to this year, Kumoricon was last held in Vancouver in 2007 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Due to the convention’s popularity, this year organizers had to expand to two host hotels: The Hilton and the Red Lion at the Quay. Both hotels have reported their rooms were fully booked.
View photos of the convention here.
