I've been to a number of conventions over the years. Particularly in the what seems very distant past.
I used to attend Otakon (Baltimore), Katsucon (Washington DC), and Anime Next (New Jersey) every year. And usually Anime Boston every year.
Now another reason I don't go anymore is because I moved pretty far away. But aside from that the culture of the cons changed. When I was going it was more older teens and early 20's but now most cons I've been to recently seem overrun by tweens.
Anyway, Otakon, I'd still go to. It was always awesome. But always seems to have kept falling on weekends I already had plans for. But this one is still my favorite.
Katsucon was good, but as it got bigger, they tried to find new venues, but I didn't like any of them. The last time I went the hotel was very expensive and expensive to park in the lot. The following year they were going back to the same hotel. Now they're are some resort. I haven't looked into it lately. Looks expensive.
Anime Next for the first 3 years was really good. But then they moved to a expo center where the entire con took place in one giant room. All the panels running at the same time with nothing seperating them except for 7 foot tall curtains. You could barely hear the guest you were at the panel to see. It looks like they're still holding it at the same venue.
I've been to Anime North, Fan Expo, and now Con Bravo up here in the Toronto area. Anime North is decent but again the culture has changed a bit away from what I enjoy.
Con Bravo was great. It was small. The guests, to me anyway, were great. The panels were great. It was Saturday and Sunday only so I didn't have to take time off of work. Lots of resteraunts in the area, free parking, hotel attached to the con. And it was only 20 bucks for the weekend. I really enjoyed it.
Fan Expo is Sci-fi, Anime, Comic, and Horror conventions all at once. They get AMAZING guests, but the cost of tickets is $90 each for the weekend. And you HAVE to get the full weekend pass because they wont' let you into all the events with a one day pass. But they get AMAZING guests. Its just very expensive to attend. If you want to get an autograph or photo with the guests you're looking at 25 - 60 bucks each. The year I went was Bruce Campbell, Leonard Nimoy, Lou Ferigno, Linda Hamilton, Walter Koening, Avery Brooks, and a lot of lesser celebs.
This year they have the 60's Batman and Robin, Robert England (Freddy Krugar), William Shatner, Elvira, Anthony Daniels (C3-PO), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Barbara Eden (I Dream of Jeanie), Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troy), and too many to list.
One of the best parts is the 501st legion, which is literally a hoarde of Star Wars cosplayers. They all have perfect costumes and there's literally 100s of them. I think there's a hierarchy because most of them are storm troopers. And there were only one or two Vaders. Its an amazing sight to see 100s of stormtroopers marching in unison. And they all have perfect costumes.
Here's the 501st's website: http://www.501st.com/ At this time they have 8667 members. I am not kidding how many there are. I stood by a staircase for like 15 minutes watching a non-stop stream of perfect cosplayers walk by heading to the Saturday event. It was awesome.
Fan Expo is awesome but its crowded and expensive! Amazing guests though. The highlights I'd say are the Q&A sessions which are free with weekend pass, and the 501st Legion.
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