MechaCon
StatusDefunct
GenreAnime, Manga, Transformers, and Japanese culture.[1][2]
VenueHyatt Regency New Orleans
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana
CountryUnited States
First2005
OrganizerSennin Productions, LLC[3]
Attendance18,645 turnstile in 2021[4]

MechaCon was an annual three-day anime convention held during the summer at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was the oldest active anime convention in Louisiana.[2]

Programming

The convention typically offered an artist's alley, cosplay competition, dealer's room, gaming, and maid/host show.[2][5]

History

MechaCon's inaugural weekend in 2005 is unique because Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the coast of Louisiana hours after MechaCon closed its doors.[6] The dealers room closed early and all but one guest made their flight. In 2006, as a special part of MechaCon's 2006 programming, Harmony Gold USA provided fans of the Robotech franchise with the first-ever public screening of the film Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles. 100% of the funds raised from the screening was donated to The Salvation Army’s ongoing Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita recovery efforts.[7]

A 2019 press release announced that the final Mechacon, dubbed "Mechacon Omega," would be held in July 2020.[8][9] MechaCon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] The final MechaCon was held from July 23-25, 2021.[12]

Event history

DatesLocationAtten.Guests

References

  1. ^ "MechaCon returns to Lafayette, LA in August". AnimeCons.com. 2006-01-17. Retrieved 2018-06-06.
  2. ^ Stromquist, Kat (July 31, 2016). "Androids and anime: a day at MechaCon (slideshow)". Gambit. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  3. ^ "MechaCon Celebrates a Quarter Century of Robotech!". Robotech. 2010-07-07. Archived August 18, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
  4. ^ "MechaCon 2021 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  5. ^ Cannon, Adam (September 12, 2013). "An Inside Look at the World of Mechacon". The Paper Wolf. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Katrina's effects on the anime community", AnimeCons.com, 2005-09-05, retrieved 2018-07-30
  7. ^ "Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Charity Screening at MechaCon!!!", Harmony Gold USA, 2006-06-02, archived April 1, 2015 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 2008-08-19
  8. ^ "Final MechaCon Anime Convention to Be Held in 2020". MechaCon. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  9. ^ Sampey, Morri (January 15, 2020). "Mechacon is irreplaceable, but Wizard World can fulfill Louisiana con-goers". The Vermilion. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  10. ^ "MechaCon Omega postponed until 2021". MechaCon. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  11. ^ "MechaCon 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  12. ^ "MECHACON OMEGA: REDUX July 23-25, 2021". MechaCon. Retrieved 26 July 2021.