Zenkaikon 2009 Press Kit Last Updated: March 14, 2009 2 Table of Contents General Information 3 History 4 Event List 6 Guest Biographies 8 Convention Policies 11 Other References 15 3 General Information Event Description Zenkaikon, a local convention celebrating Japanese culture, animation (anime), comics, and video gaming is returning to Valley Forge for its fourth year on November 7th through 8th, 2009. It promises a variety of programming including panels, video screenings, costume contests, gaming tournaments, concerts, dances, and more. Zenkaikon is primarily staffed by members of the Delaware Anime Society – a local anime club with branches in Delaware and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania – with assistance from The Lost Otakus anime club in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Event Location Radisson Hotel Valley Forge 1160 First Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Event Date and Time Saturday, November 7, 2009, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. (end-time approximate) Sunday, November 8, 2009, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (end-time approximate) Contact List Matilda Madden Kristyn Oliveti Convention Chair Public Relations
[email protected] [email protected] 4 History Background Zenkaikon was founded by the merger of two local events, Kosaikon – an anime convention held at Villanova University – and Zentrancon – an anime and science fiction convention held on the University of Pennsylvania campus. Kosaikon held its first event in 2003, where 75 individuals came together to celebrate their interest in Japanese animation. Zentrancon's debut convention took place in October 2005, when 350 people came to Philadelphia to watch anime and science fiction screenings, meet celebrity guests, and participate in video gaming.