MidnightConMan

Anime Expo® is the primary annual event hosted by The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). As a vehicle to promote animation and comics and a venue for the fan community, it has the pleasure of being the largest tradeshow in the US of its kind. In 2005, in its 14th year of existence, Anime Expo®'s attendance topped 33,000 attendees over the course of 4 days. Despite this success, Anime Expo® is still predominantly run by fans, who volunteer their time and efforts.

In addition to the annual Anime Expo® held on 4th of July weekend, the SPJA has also hosted two other events; Anime Expo® New York, which was a satellite convention held in Times Square in the fall of 2002, and AX Tokyo held in early 2004. AX Tokyo was hosted in cooperation with the Japanese Association for Science Fiction International Communication.

Anime Expo® has become one of the staples of anime fandom in America. Its success over the past 13 years has encouraged multitudes of other conventions to spring up across the country. Its Exhibit Hall has been host to the largest collection of import and domestic anime and manga merchandise anywhere in America, as well as host to galleries of some of the most influential artists in Japan's recent history. Along with panels, workshops for traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and fandom, Video and Film presentations, Main Events including Live Competitions, Charity Auction, and Concerts, and AniMatsuri: The Anime Summer Festival, Anime Expo® has become the convention it is now because of the Industry, Guests, and Fans that love and support it every year.