Product Plug: Square

I've mentioned before on this blog how difficult it is to secure and maintain a hotel room at a convention; a lot of work for a huge payoff. And often times, people can't PayPal you the money or don't have the cash on hand. But what if they had a credit or debit card?

That's where Square comes in.

HD Video Testing

If 2010 was the year of new staff members like Zanney and Avi, then 2011 is the year of new equipment for the blog.

Planning For Conventions: A Guide Pt. 3

In the previous two parts of planning for anime convention, I went over general tips as well on tips on handling hotel rooms. But the biggest question you'll probably have is "How do I get there?"

This section of the guide deals with travel to - and from - conventions.

Planning For Conventions: A Guide Pt. 2

Last time, I went over some tips on how to plan for an anime or comic convention. But there's going to be the elephant of the room in booking and managing a hotel room. Everyone wants to stay in a hotel room, but there's more to it and just booking, checking in, enjoying the convention, and checking out. It gets complicated when multiple people stay in your room.

With that, here are some tips when it comes to booking and managing hotel rooms.

Planning For Conventions: A Guide Pt. 1

As we move closer to restarting the convention cycle starting from Anime Los Angeles a week after the new year, many have the simple question of "how to I/we prepare for an anime or comic convention?" Every year, time and time again I put in night after night detailing everything that goes into planning for a convention.

Today, I'm going to give you some tips on how to prepare for anime and comic book conventions. This first set of tips is a fraction of everything I can tell you, and this is only coming from myself - the other staff members have their own tips and tricks.

"Step aside, everyone. Let the REAL star handle this!" (Tom's Opinion on CCB Theme Songs)

While I respect Zanney's opinion, you have yet to grasp the history behind the anime convention scene in the NorCal area. My entry goes back those early cons, when series like Dirty Pair, Bubblegum Crisis, and Ranma 1/2 were all the rage. Forget Bleach, Naruto and InuYasha...WHO ARE THEY?!

"Move over, Matt. I got this." (Zanney's Opinion on CCB Theme Songs)

The CCB Theme Song should be "Doobee Doowap Communication" by Babamania.

I know that right now you're all probably thinking that I'm just biased in favor of Rockman.exe, which is the anime this song was used in. I'm sure you will agree with me after you check out the music video and read the lyrics.

California Conventions Blog Theme Song? (Matthew's Opinion)

Ever since I started the California Conventions Blog, I've always wondered what kind of theme song this blog would have. Would be it of a Japanese origin because the connections to Japanese culture; or would it be a song that's based on California, the state where we cover the majority of conventions?

I say let's do two theme songs: one that shows our devotion to Japanese culture, and one that shows where we come from.

Anime Destiny 2011 - Ray's Report

Location: MLK Student Union @ UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Date: 2011.10.01 (Saturday)
Cost: $10
Website: http://www.calanimedestiny.com/
Prior years attended: 2010

AD is second-to-last in what I call "con season" (July through October, when a lot of conventions and cosplay-related festivals take place in NorCal). Like Kin-Yoobi Con and HyperCon, it is a small convention, catering more to local cosplayers and anime/manga/J-game fans rather than trying to attract an audience on a state or national scale.

Anime Destiny 2011 - Robbie's Report

Anime Destiny was a one-day convention, held at UC Berkeley's MLK Student Union. I've said before that there's nothing wrong with holding a convention at a college - in fact, the location usually means there's affordable food and parking nearby, although given the size of the campus, I wouldn't have minded at least a sign or something saying, "Hey! The con is here, you don't have to wander around campus looking like a lost street performer." Fortunately, I managed to find the building with a little help from fellow attendees, so I can bring you this report.