Los Angeles Welcomes Anime Expo 2009

Anime Expo 2009

Anime Expo® 2009, the nation’s largest Japanese animation and manga (comics) convention, will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center July 2 – 5, 2009. The Anime Expo, celebrating its 18th year, emphasizes cutting-edge, creative thinking as it relates to the manga, anime, gaming and related industries. More information can be found at www. anime-expo.org.

“We are thrilled to be working with the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) and hosting Anime Expo once again in Los Angeles,” said Mark S. Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Los Angeles is an ideal setting for this unique convention which brings in more than $24 million of revenue to the city, and serves as a key meeting place for fans and professionals to learn about the most up-to-date information in this creative field.”

During the convention, members of the anime/manga industry, along with the general public, will meet to discuss ongoing industry trends and speculate on how these trends will impact the U.S. and international markets. Panel discussions, industry awards and other events will take place throughout the four-day convention.

“Attendees at this year’s convention will get to experience L.A. LIVE, a $2.5 billion entertainment and dining complex that is one of the newest attractions in Downtown LA,” said Michael Krouse, senior vice president of sales, LA INC. “Downtown hotels and restaurants are looking forward to welcoming the estimated 89,000 people attending the Anime Expo.”

Anime Expo® 2009 Official Guests of Honor include Hiroyuki Imaishi, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Yun Kouga, Yosuke Kuroda, Moi dix Mois, Toshimichi Mori, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Morning Musume, Yasuhiro Nightow, Atsushi Nishigori, Satoshi Nishimura, Takashi Okazaki and Kari Wahlgren.

Attendees, press and industry members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.axbackstage.org.

Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine, Anime News Network and UTB Hollywood.

About Anime Expo®

Located in Los Angeles, California – Anime Expo®, the nation’s largest anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests of the general public and animation/comics industry. This event serves as a key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 – July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information can be found at its website (www.anime-expo.org).

About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation

The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property – Anime Expo®. More information can be found at its website www.anime-expo.org.

About LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau

LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Though not part of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city’s official tourism marketing organization. For more information, visit the official visitor information Web site of Los Angeles at www.discoverLosAngeles.com.
Contacts

LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau
Robin McClain
213-236-2397
fax 213-452-1497
rmcclain {at} LAInc(.)us
www.discoverLosAngeles.com