Zenkaikon #5 (Mar. 18-20, 2011)

What: Zenkaikon 2010 #5 anime convention
When: March 18-20, 2011 probably early November 2010
Where: Valley Forge Convention Center and Valley Forge Scanticon

There are several kinds of public events that appeal to AFOLs. There are official TLG events, AFOL conventions, and non-LEGO events to which a LUG can find a thematic connection -- e.g., the NBC10 Lifestyles and Tech Expo, train shows, comic book expos and SF conventions.

Zenkaikon is an anime convention held in November in King of Prussia. I mention it because it's local (unlike DC, Chicago and Hartford) and in November (which may or may not be a clear spot on the calendar). This would be its fifth year, it's been growing by leaps and bounds (1,400 in 2008, 2,000 in 2009), and the organizers are soon to recruit more help. I have not approached them yet; I'm gauging interest among PennLUG.

Zenkaikon *is* close to Philcon, so we'd probably do one or the other. Unless we have enough people to split across both -- and in 11 months, we very well might.

"What kind of standalone MOCs or integrated layout would be appropriate to an anime convention?" you ask. Some builders stick to a comfort zone, and others like to stretch with new themes and design challenges.

* Replicas of anything (ships, buildings, characters) from anime
* Japanese architecture
* Japanese gardens
* Japanese trains
* Anime-styled (as opposed to BattleTech-styled) mecha in any generic town
* Ninjas