Five Reasons Why Smaller Conventions are Awesome

(Ed. Note: Featured photo is by Howell’s Visions Photography from this year’s Anime USA. Check out his gallery in a few days.)

With the celebration of Anime USA the last weekend in October, I’ve had time to reflect on what makes this particular convention such an addicting one. Amongst many variables like the cosplayers, the panels and the guests, the best thing about this con is that it’s smaller. So here are the top reasons why smaller conventions are just plain awesome.

1. They’re down-to-earth.
   While everyone meets friends at conventions (I know I certainly have) the friends you meet at smaller cons like Anime USA all have a genuine and personable touch to them. I heard from a lot of attendees that this is because the small venue makes it easier to talk to people. It also eliminates “posers,” so you find people who are true to the fandom they’re portraying while at larger cons you have some people who attend for the glamour of things. Overall it’s honestly hard to find someone being rude or unfriendly at a smaller con. Everyone is there to have fun and meet new people.
2. You can’t really get lost.
   While larger cons like NYCC and Otakon offer a lot of different panels and specialty rooms within them, at one point or another you’re going to get lost trying to find “LARPing 101.” The great thing about smaller conventions is that everything is easier to find! And if the schedule is mapped out well you don’t have to race through a sea of people from the first floor of a convention center to the third within ten minutes … which we all know is so much fun.
   
3. No crowded lines.
   Going hand in hand with not getting lost, it’s nice to know that once you get to your designated panel that the lines are never too insane; and if they are there’s usually enough space within the room to make sure everyone gets a seat. Talk about convenience. Everywhere is accessible for the most part so worrying about leaving one panel to get in line an hour early for another isn’t a thing here either.
   
4. No overwhelming Artist Alley or Dealer’s Rooms.
   The Dealer’s Room and Artist Alley are always going to be the most crowded areas of any convention. But at smaller cons they’re a lot less overwhelming. Who actually needs five booths that sell the same plushies? Smaller dealer’s rooms have everything that you need without sending attendees into complete shock with needing to buy everything … though many of us will always feel the need to buy everything at cons.
5. Cheaper cost.
   While many of us can’t (and won’t) put a price on seeing their favorite voice actor or J-Pop artist at a con, many can agree that cost is certainly a factor. No one wants to pay out of their nose for admittance into the con on top of where they’re staying, transportation, food, emergency cash (because you really did need to buy that plushy), and much more. The great thing about smaller cons is that the cost is also smaller. This isn’t meant to be confused with the quality of the con being cheaper — it definitely isn’t. But smaller cons know the importance of not breaking the wallets of their attendees and for that, we love them.