Anime Expo 2011 Plans

I have been attending Anime Expo since 2004, since then my tastes in Anime Conventions have shifted significantly. I have moved from having a general interest to cosplay photography to being a full-blown cosplay photographer who is a well-known and recognizable face in the cosplay community. I have moved up the ranks in the anime convention, so I have an appreciation of all the hard work behind how a convention is run. Ever since I have been attending Anime Expo, I have gotten more into the hobby of anime and manga so that I can recognize the variety of cosplay out there and can engage in conversation with the members of anime conventions.

This Anime Expo marks my first year as a Board Director, so my convention experience will be a combination of photography, socializing, and Board Director duties. When I am not doing these events I will be going around the convention to talk with convention staff, members, and industry, which means I will be all over the place. If you want to meet me, please go to these public events. Without further ado, here are the public events I am planning to do for the convention. It is very fluid and it may likely chance once the convention occurs.

Friday, July 1st (Day 1)

Opening Ceremonies (9:00am - 10:30am, Petree Hall)
I will be at opening ceremonies and do some photography for it. It will mark the first time I attend this even since Anime Expo 2006. I am looking forward to the great event and I hope the attendees will enjoy it as much as I do.

Cosplay Photography Panel (10:30am - 11:30am, Room 501)
I will be running a Cosplay Photography Panel with Bryan Yang that goes over the basics of photography. It is aimed at both cosplayers and photographers. There has been a positive response from the cosplay community, so I am expecting this panel to be quite a treat.

Tales of Cosplay Gathering (1:00pm - 2:00pm, West Hall Entrance)
I have been a big fan of the Tales franchise and this marks my first time attending the gathering. I am reading that Tales of Vesperia and Tales of the Abyss (my two favorite tales games) will get some great representation on CosCom, so it should be awesome.

Anime Expo Forum Meet and Greet (6:45pm - 8:45pm, Room 515A)
I have been in the Anime Expo forums since it started so long ago, and I have never attended this event. Due to popular demand I will be going to the event and photographing it.

Saturday, July 2nd (Day 2)

K-On Gathering (1:00pm - 2:00pm, Outside West Hall)
As a fan of K-On and as the person who has attended the official K-On gathering since it has started in Anime Expo it is my tradition to go to K-On. I have a couple of friends who are cosplaying and running the gathering so it will be one of my highlights of Anime Expo.

Unofficial Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gathering (3:30pm - 4:15pm, Outside West Hall)
I got into Madoka Magica based on all the crazy internet buzz and I fell in love with the franchise. Attending the unofficial gathering along with the official one on Day 3 is a very high priority.

Kalafina (5:00pm - 6:30pm, Club Nokia)
Since I got really into Madoka Magica I also got into Kalafina since they did the ending song for the anime. I fell in love with their great style (goth lolita outfits) and their musical style. Since no photography is allowed, I will have to run to the hotel and drop off all my equipment.

Mikunopolis (8:30pm - 10:00pm, Nokia Theatre)
Ever since this was announced, this event has been THE event I have been looking forward to in AX. A mixture of technology and awesome music, this will be a concert to remember for a lifetime.

Sunday, July 3rd (Day 3)

Genderbent Gathering (11:00am - 12:00pm, Between West Hall and South Hall)
My friend Katx is running it, and it will be awesome. There will be crossdressing cosplayers of all types. This will probably be a huge gathering due to the response on CosCom and the Anime Expo Forums.

Official Puella Magi Madoka Magica Gathering (1:00pm - 2:00pm, Outside West Hall)
I got into Madoka Magica based on all the crazy internet buzz and I fell in love with the franchise. Attending the unofficial gathering along with the official one. Looking forward to seeing all the great Homura and Mami cosplayers.

Code Geass Gathering (3:00pm - 4:00pm, West Hall Entrance)
Like with K-On and Ace Attorney I have been attending the Code Geass gathering since its inception and I am looking forward to all the great cosplay. I hope I finally get to see a Nunnally cosplayer.

Masquerade (8:00pm - 12:00am, Nokia Theatre)
I have been attending Anime Expo's Masquerade since Anime Expo 2005 and it is my one event I MUST go to in each convention. Each masquerade has been good and I am looking forward to the great masquerade competition this year.

Monday, July 4th (Day 4)

Cosplay Photography Panel (9:00am - 10:00am, Room 411)
I will be running a Cosplay Photography Panel with Bryan Yang that goes over the basics of photography. It is aimed at both cosplayers and photographers. There has been a positive response from the cosplay community, so I am expecting this panel to be quite a treat. 

SPJA Board of Directors Panel (10:30am - 11:30am, Room 502)
I will be holding a public meeting with my fellow SPJA board members. I am looking forward to it.

Closing Ceremonies (6:00pm - 7:00pm, Petree Hall)
I have never attended Closing Ceremonies for the many years I have been attending Anime Expo, I don't know what to expect but it will be a fun experience.

In conclusion....
I will be very busy in Anime Expo, I am only listing the public events I am going to. There are many events and duties I do have as a member of the Board of Directors. In fact, some of these events may conflict with my Board duties, and when it happens, the Board duties take priority. I also don't have my photo shoots listed because they are private events between me and the cosplayer I am doing a photo shoot with.

This Anime Expo will be one of my favorite anime conventions in a long time, I am looking forward to interacting with all the members, staff, industry, and all the other fellow fans of this amazing hobby. Hope to see you all there!!