Lessons Learned from Building 7 Successful Anime Conventions: Insights from an Entrepreneur and CEO
As the founder and CEO of seven anime conventions, I’ve learned many valuable lessons in my years of organizing and running these events. Here are some of the most important insights I’ve gained:
Getting Advice
Firstly, taking advice from others has been crucial to the success of my conventions. When I was planning my first anime convention, I sought out advice from others in the industry who had experience in organizing such events. By listening to their feedback and suggestions, I was able to avoid common pitfalls and make my first convention a success. Over the years, I’ve continued to seek out advice from others, including my staff, attendees, and industry experts. By being open to feedback and suggestions, I’ve been able to continually improve my conventions and make them even more successful.
I also volunteered for and attended lots of other anime conventions before starting my own, which gave me an understanding of what worked and what didn’t. I was able to observe how other organizers handled things like line management, programming, and guest relations. By seeing how other conventions operated, I was able to take notes on what I thought was effective and what could be improved upon. This allowed me to enter the industry with a strong foundation of knowledge and a clear idea of what I wanted my conventions to look like.
In addition to attending other anime conventions, I also volunteered for them. Volunteering gave me hands-on experience in the various roles required to run a convention, from security to registration to panel management. This experience was invaluable, as it allowed me to understand the work that goes into each role and to appreciate the contributions of each volunteer. It also helped me to build relationships within the industry, which has been helpful in building my own conventions.
Working With People
Secondly, being good to the people I work with has been essential to the success of my conventions. I believe in treating my staff well and ensuring that they are treated fairly. I make a point of showing my appreciation for their hard work, and I value their opinions and ideas. By building a strong team that is dedicated to the success of my conventions, I’ve been able to create events that are well-organized and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Communication
Another important lesson I’ve learned is the value of communication. Running a successful convention requires clear communication with staff, attendees, guests, and vendors. I make a point of being available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide updates throughout the planning process and during the event itself. I’ve also found that providing clear and detailed information in advance can help to prevent misunderstandings and improve the overall experience for attendees.
I discovered that to communicate well, you have to decide on the best method of communication that works for you. For me it was emails. I discovered that by focusing on email, I was able to streamline my communication process and improve my overall efficiency. This allowed me to devote more time and energy to other aspects of running my conventions, such as programming and guest relations.
Of course, there are times when in-person communication is necessary, such as during meetings or at the conventions themselves. In these situations, I make a point of being clear and concise in my communication, and I try to provide as much information as possible. I also make sure to actively listen to others and take their perspectives into account. But then I will often follow up on all in-person conversations with an email, so everyone remembers what is expected.
Being A Customer Yourself
Finally, experiencing what customers experience has been critical to improving the overall experience for attendees. As the CEO of several anime conventions, I’ve always made a point of attending my own events as an attendee. I drop into panels, play a game in the arcade room, and enjoy the free soda in our ConSweet. This has allowed me to identify areas where improvements can be made and to understand what my customers experience. By experiencing my conventions from the perspective of an attendee, I’ve been able to identify issues that might otherwise have gone unnoticed and make changes that have improved the overall experience for attendees.
In conclusion, organizing and running seven successful anime conventions has taught me many valuable lessons. Taking advice from others, being good to the people I work with, and experiencing what customers experience have all been critical to the success of my conventions. These lessons can be applied not just to the anime convention industry but to any business or organization looking to build a successful enterprise.
Our next awesome convention will be AniMinneapolis, which takes place in May at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.
—
Ryan Kopf is the President of AnimeCon.org. He is dedicated to fighting harassment and building a more sustainable world.