Ai-Kon

{{Infobox Convention

| name = Ai-Kon

| image = Generic thumb-1.jpg

| caption = Ai-Kon logo
For The Love Of Anime!

| status = Active

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| country = Canada

| first = 2001

| attendance = 10,633 in 2024

| events =

| filing = Non-profit

| website = {{url|http://ai-kon.org}}

}}

Ai-Kon is an annual three-day anime convention held on a weekend during the month of July in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Ai-Kon was first held at the University of Manitoba in 2001 and is currently held at the RBC Convention Centre. The convention's name is a blend of the words ai (Japanese for love) and convention and is derived from its slogan "For the love of anime". The word ai was also chosen to play on the fact that the club had a magazine they called Anime Injection.

Programming

Ai-Kon provides a wide variety of on mandate programming put on by committee staff, members of the community, guests and industry partners. Streaming/showing rooms run 24-hours during the conventions featuring titles in both Japanese and English languages. Alongside anime, the convention also hosts many video game and Japanese culture related activities.{{Cite web|url=http://ai-kon.org/programming/|title=Programming|website=Ai-kon.org|date=15 June 2017|access-date=20 December 2021}}

Additional convention events include:

Marketplace: Dealer's Room and an Artists Alley
Cosplay events: Cosplay Contest, Cosplay Skills Faire, workshops
Gamer's Lounge: no entry tournaments, various video games stations, tabletop gaming area, charity event for Extra Life
Music: Saturday Dance, Dance Showcase
Panels and workshops: Guests, staff, cultural workshops, fan based/ members of the community, industry, game shows, fashion shows
Other attractions: Cultural room, Maid Cafe, Gundam Builders World Cup National qualifiers, Tamiya mini 4awd stock car tournament, pop-up partnered experiences, art auction

History

Ai-Kon was first held in July 2001 at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was run by the University of Manitoba Anime Club (UMAnime). The founding members were the club's executive staff, Kristjanna Thorarinson, Riki Lecotey, Kwan Fu Sit, Tong Lin, Cathleen Ma, Tim Groner, Geoff Wright, and Jeff Agapito.

At the time the club held one-day events but they had so many things planned that summer, the club decided on making it a two-day event but added a dance on Friday evenings, making it a 3-day convention.{{cite news|url=http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/07/16/drawing-attention-ai-kon-keeps-attracting-anime-newbies-14-years-in|title=What's up Winnipeg Drawing attention: Ai-Kon keeps attracting anime newbies 14 years in|newspaper=Winnipeg Sun|author=David Larkins|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=April 10, 2016}} In 2002 the event went on hiatus for one year, due to changes within the club, and in July 2003 a second Ai-Kon was held at the university.

Today, Ai-Kon is a non-profit organization that is run by a volunteer committee. It continues to be held annually in Winnipeg each summer.

In 2011, as a celebration of the 10 year anniversary, Ai-Kon held a one-day event in January called "The Ai-Kon Winter Festival". This one-day event is now held annually in February under the name "Winterfest".

=Event history=

class="wikitable" width="100%"
Dates	Location	Attendance	Guests {{Convention list \| date = July 20–22, 2001 \| venue = University of Manitoba \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 500{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/78/ai-kon-2001 \| title = Ai-Kon 2001 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = Richard Kekuhuna (DVD Producer for Bandai entertainment) }} {{Convention list \| date = July 25–27, 2003 \| venue = University of Manitoba \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 700{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/87/ai-kon-2003 \| title = Ai-Kon 2003 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = July 30 – August 1, 2004 \| venue = Sheraton Hotel \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 1,000{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/488/ai-kon-2004 \| title = Ai-Kon 2004 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = August 12–14, 2005 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 960{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/833/ai-kon-2005 \| title = Ai-Kon 2005 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = July 21–23, 2006 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 1,100{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1018/ai-kon-2006 \| title = Ai-Kon 2006 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = July 27–29, 2007 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 1,551 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres and Vic Mignogna{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1140/ai-kon-2007 \| title = Ai-Kon 2007 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 25–27, 2008 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 1,825 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Chris Ayres, Greg Ayres, and Johnny Yong Bosch.{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1401/ai-kon-2008 \| title = Ai-Kon 2008 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 24–26, 2009 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,180 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Caitlin Glass, Tiffany Grant, and Jan Scott-Frazier.{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1682/ai-kon-2009 \| title = Ai-Kon 2009 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 16–18, 2010 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,365 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres, Monica Rial, Kirby Morrow, Christopher Ayres{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1951/ai-kon-2010 \| title = Ai-Kon 2010 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = January 15, 2011 (Winter Festival) \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 623{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2368/ai-kon-winter-festival-2011 \| title = Ai-Kon Winter Festival 2011 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = July 15–17, 2011 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,575 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres, Eric Vale, Christopher Sabat, Johnny Yong Bosch{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2299/ai-kon-2011 \| title = Ai-Kon 2011 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 20–22, 2012 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,785 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Christopher Sabat, Monica Rial, Brina Palencia, Todd Haberkorn, Greg Ayres{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2886/ai-kon-2012 \| title = Ai-Kon 2012 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = January 12, 2013 (Winterfest) \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = \| guests = {{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/3818/ai-kon-winterfest-2013 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2013 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 12–14, 2013 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 3,148 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Chris Patton, Sarah Sullivan (Representative from Funimation), J. Michael Tatum, Greg Ayres{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/3817/ai-kon-2013 \| title = Ai-Kon 2013 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 8, 2014 (Winterfest) \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = \| guests = {{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/4863/ai-kon-winterfest-2014 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2014 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 11–13, 2014 \| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 3,194 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Christopher Sabat, Richard Ian Cox, Greg Ayres, Johnny N Junkers (Cosplay Guest), The 404s{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/4973/ai-kon-2014 \| title = Ai-Kon 2014 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 28, 2015 (Winterfest) \| venue = Delta Winnipeg Hotel \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = \| guests = {{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/5528/ai-kon-winterfest-2015 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2015 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 17–19, 2015{{Cite web\|url=https://winnipegsun.com/2015/07/16/drawing-attention-ai-kon-keeps-attracting-anime-newbies-14-years-in\|title=Drawing attention: Ai-Kon keeps attracting anime newbies 14 years in\|website=Winnipegsun.com\|access-date=20 December 2021}} \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg (Re-named) \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 3,636 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = The 404s, Greg Ayres, Eric Vale, Vickybunnyangel, Terri Hawkes, Ian Sinclair{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/5529/ai-kon-2015 \| title = Ai-Kon 2015 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 27, 2016 (Winterfest) \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = \| guests = {{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/6508/ai-kon-winterfest-2016 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2016 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 15–17, 2016{{cite web\|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/thousands-expected-anime-convention-aikon-winnipeg-rbc-1.3681535\|title=Costumed fans of anime descend on downtown Winnipeg\|website=Cbc.ca\|access-date=20 December 2021}} \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 4,067{{Cite web\|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/\|title=Attendance Numbers\|website=Ai-kon.org\|date=17 June 2017\|access-date=20 December 2021}} \| guests = Bryce Papenbrook, Cherami Leigh, Greg Ayres, Josh Grelle, Sonny Strait, Yume & Kitsuri Cosplay, The 404s{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/7225/ai-kon-2016 \| title = Ai-Kon 2016 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 25, 2017 (Winterfest) \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = \| guests = The 404s{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/8444/ai-kon-winterfest-2017 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2017 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 21–23, 2017 \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 3,973 \| guests = Arda Wigs Canada, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Mike McFarland, Nathan DeLuca, Shushuwafflez, Christine Cabanos, Cristina Valenzuela, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Joshua Seth{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/7648/ai-kon-2017 \| title = Ai-Kon 2017 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 24, 2018 (Winterfest) \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 1,951 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, The Escape Hatch, Nintendo, Video Games Live{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/9659/ai-kon-winterfest-2018 \| title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2018 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 27–29, 2018 \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 5,170 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = KujaOnii & Lady Zero Cosplay, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Ray Chase, Max Mittelman, Josh Grelle, Robbie Daymond, Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, Extra Life{{cite web \| url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/9660/ai-kon-2018 \| title = Ai-Kon 2018 Information \| website= AnimeCons.ca \| access-date = 2018-08-10}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 23, 2019 (Winterfest) \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,260 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Seishun Youth Academy }} {{Convention list \| date = July 26–28, 2019 {{Cite web\|url=https://aikonwinterfest.tix123.com/\|title=Ai-Kon Presents Winterfest 2020\|website=Aikonwinterfest.tix123.com\|access-date=20 December 2021}} \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 5,906 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Micah Solusod, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Sarcasm-hime, Crunchyroll, Scott “KaiserNeko” Frerichs, Curtis “Takahata101” Arnott, Anthony “Antfish” Sardinha, Nick “Lanipator” Landis, Jerry Jewell, Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba,{{cite web \| url = https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=1736574 \| title = Ai-Kon 2019 Information \| date = 24 July 2019 \| publisher = CTV News \| access-date = 2019-07-24}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 22, 2020 (Winterfest) \| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 2,297 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = }} {{Convention list \| date = July 24-26, 2020 (Ai-Kon Online) \| venue = Virtual \| location = \| attendance = \| guests = The 404s, Crunchyroll{{Cite web \|date=2020-07-25 \|title=Ai-Kon Online 2020 Schedule \|url=http://ai-kon.org/2020/07/24/ai-kon-online-2020-schedule/ \|access-date=2022-03-20 \|website=Ai-Kon}} }} {{Convention list \| date = February 27, 2021 (Winterfest Online) \| venue = Virtual \| location = \| attendance = \| guests = Greg Ayres, Mike McFarland, The 404s, Crunchyroll{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/2021/02/27/winterfest-online-2021-is-now-live/ \| title=Winterfest Online 2021 is now LIVE! \| date=27 February 2021 }} }} {{Convention list \| date = July 22-24, 2022{{cite web \|title=Winnipeg anime convention returns after two-year hiatus, breaks attendance records \|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/aikon-winnipeg-returns-1.6530697 \|publisher=CBC News \|date=July 24, 2022}} \| venue = RBC Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 8,428 {{Cite web \|date=2022-07-29 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2022-07-29 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/greg-ayres/ \| title=Greg Ayres \| date=26 June 2022 }} Kaiji Tang,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/kaiji-tang/ \| title=Kaiji Tang \| date=18 June 2022 \| access-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162718/https://ai-kon.org/guest/kaiji-tang/ \| url-status=dead }} The 404s,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/the-404s/ \| title=The 404s \| date=23 June 2022 \| access-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-date=11 March 2023 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311224145/http://ai-kon.org/guest/the-404s/ \| url-status=dead }} Rock M Sakura,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/rock-m-sakura/ \| title=Rock M Sakura \| date=5 June 2022 \| access-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725164221/https://ai-kon.org/guest/rock-m-sakura/ \| url-status=dead }} Veronica Taylor,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/veronica-taylor/ \| title=Veronica Taylor \| date=8 July 2022 \| access-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162717/https://ai-kon.org/guest/veronica-taylor/ \| url-status=dead }} Terri Hawkes,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/terri-hawkes/ \| title=Terri Hawkes \| date=10 July 2022 \| access-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-date=25 July 2022 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162842/https://ai-kon.org/guest/terri-hawkes/ \| url-status=dead }} Bryson Baugus,{{cite web \| url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/bryson-baugus/ \| title=Bryson Baugus \| date=July 2022 \| access-date=2022-07-25 \| archive-date=2022-08-03 \| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803041343/http://ai-kon.org/guest/bryson-baugus/ \| url-status=dead }} Crunchyroll }} {{Convention list \| date = July 14-16, 2023 \| venue = RBC Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 10,533 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres, Lucien Dodge, Erica Mendez, Zeno Robinson, Mike McFarland, A.K. WIRRU, Ben Diskin, Ryan Colt Levy }} {{Convention list \| date = July 12-14, 2024 \| venue = RBC Convention Centre \| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba \| attendance = 10,633 {{Cite web \|date=2023-07-19 \|title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers \|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ \|access-date=2023-07-19 \|website=Ai-Kon}} \| guests = Greg Ayres, Bryce Papenbrook, Zach Aguilar, Trina Nishimura, Lex Lang, Kitsurie, Alexandre is Fluffy, The 404s }}

class="wikitable" width="100%"

Dates

Location

Attendance

Guests

{{Convention list

| date = July 20–22, 2001

| venue = University of Manitoba

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 500{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/78/ai-kon-2001 | title = Ai-Kon 2001 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests = Richard Kekuhuna (DVD Producer for Bandai entertainment)

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 25–27, 2003

| venue = University of Manitoba

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 700{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/87/ai-kon-2003 | title = Ai-Kon 2003 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 30 – August 1, 2004

| venue = Sheraton Hotel

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 1,000{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/488/ai-kon-2004 | title = Ai-Kon 2004 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = August 12–14, 2005

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 960{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/833/ai-kon-2005 | title = Ai-Kon 2005 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 21–23, 2006

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 1,100{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1018/ai-kon-2006 | title = Ai-Kon 2006 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 27–29, 2007

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 1,551 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres and Vic Mignogna{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1140/ai-kon-2007 | title = Ai-Kon 2007 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 25–27, 2008

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 1,825 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Chris Ayres, Greg Ayres, and Johnny Yong Bosch.{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1401/ai-kon-2008 | title = Ai-Kon 2008 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 24–26, 2009

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,180 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Caitlin Glass, Tiffany Grant, and Jan Scott-Frazier.{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1682/ai-kon-2009 | title = Ai-Kon 2009 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 16–18, 2010

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,365 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres, Monica Rial, Kirby Morrow, Christopher Ayres{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/1951/ai-kon-2010 | title = Ai-Kon 2010 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = January 15, 2011 (Winter Festival)

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 623{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2368/ai-kon-winter-festival-2011 | title = Ai-Kon Winter Festival 2011 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 15–17, 2011

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,575 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres, Eric Vale, Christopher Sabat, Johnny Yong Bosch{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2299/ai-kon-2011 | title = Ai-Kon 2011 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 20–22, 2012

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,785 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Christopher Sabat, Monica Rial, Brina Palencia, Todd Haberkorn, Greg Ayres{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/2886/ai-kon-2012 | title = Ai-Kon 2012 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = January 12, 2013 (Winterfest)

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance =

| guests = {{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/3818/ai-kon-winterfest-2013 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2013 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 12–14, 2013

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 3,148 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Chris Patton, Sarah Sullivan (Representative from Funimation), J. Michael Tatum, Greg Ayres{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/3817/ai-kon-2013 | title = Ai-Kon 2013 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 8, 2014 (Winterfest)

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance =

| guests = {{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/4863/ai-kon-winterfest-2014 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2014 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 11–13, 2014

| venue = Winnipeg Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 3,194 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Christopher Sabat, Richard Ian Cox, Greg Ayres, Johnny N Junkers (Cosplay Guest), The 404s{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/4973/ai-kon-2014 | title = Ai-Kon 2014 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 28, 2015 (Winterfest)

| venue = Delta Winnipeg Hotel

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance =

| guests = {{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/5528/ai-kon-winterfest-2015 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2015 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 17–19, 2015{{Cite web|url=https://winnipegsun.com/2015/07/16/drawing-attention-ai-kon-keeps-attracting-anime-newbies-14-years-in|title=Drawing attention: Ai-Kon keeps attracting anime newbies 14 years in|website=Winnipegsun.com|access-date=20 December 2021}}

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg (Re-named)

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 3,636 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = The 404s, Greg Ayres, Eric Vale, Vickybunnyangel, Terri Hawkes, Ian Sinclair{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/5529/ai-kon-2015 | title = Ai-Kon 2015 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 27, 2016 (Winterfest)

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance =

| guests = {{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/6508/ai-kon-winterfest-2016 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2016 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 15–17, 2016{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/thousands-expected-anime-convention-aikon-winnipeg-rbc-1.3681535|title=Costumed fans of anime descend on downtown Winnipeg|website=Cbc.ca|access-date=20 December 2021}}

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 4,067{{Cite web|url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/|title=Attendance Numbers|website=Ai-kon.org|date=17 June 2017|access-date=20 December 2021}}

| guests = Bryce Papenbrook, Cherami Leigh, Greg Ayres, Josh Grelle, Sonny Strait, Yume & Kitsuri Cosplay, The 404s{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/7225/ai-kon-2016 | title = Ai-Kon 2016 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 25, 2017 (Winterfest)

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance =

| guests = The 404s{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/8444/ai-kon-winterfest-2017 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2017 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 21–23, 2017

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 3,973

| guests = Arda Wigs Canada, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Mike McFarland, Nathan DeLuca, Shushuwafflez, Christine Cabanos, Cristina Valenzuela, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Joshua Seth{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/7648/ai-kon-2017 | title = Ai-Kon 2017 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 24, 2018 (Winterfest)

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 1,951 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, The Escape Hatch, Nintendo, Video Games Live{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/9659/ai-kon-winterfest-2018 | title = Ai-Kon Winterfest 2018 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 27–29, 2018

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 5,170 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = KujaOnii & Lady Zero Cosplay, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Ray Chase, Max Mittelman, Josh Grelle, Robbie Daymond, Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba, Extra Life{{cite web | url = https://animecons.ca/events/info/9660/ai-kon-2018 | title = Ai-Kon 2018 Information | website= AnimeCons.ca | access-date = 2018-08-10}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 23, 2019 (Winterfest)

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,260 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Seishun Youth Academy

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 26–28, 2019 {{Cite web|url=https://aikonwinterfest.tix123.com/|title=Ai-Kon Presents Winterfest 2020|website=Aikonwinterfest.tix123.com|access-date=20 December 2021}}

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 5,906 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Micah Solusod, The 404s, Greg Ayres, Luci Christian, Monica Rial, Sarcasm-hime, Crunchyroll, Scott “KaiserNeko” Frerichs, Curtis “Takahata101” Arnott, Anthony “Antfish” Sardinha, Nick “Lanipator” Landis, Jerry Jewell, Japanese Cultural Association of Manitoba,{{cite web | url = https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=1736574 | title = Ai-Kon 2019 Information | date = 24 July 2019 | publisher = CTV News | access-date = 2019-07-24}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 22, 2020 (Winterfest)

| venue = RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 2,297 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests =

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 24-26, 2020 (Ai-Kon Online)

| venue = Virtual

| location =

| attendance =

| guests = The 404s, Crunchyroll{{Cite web |date=2020-07-25 |title=Ai-Kon Online 2020 Schedule |url=http://ai-kon.org/2020/07/24/ai-kon-online-2020-schedule/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=Ai-Kon}}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = February 27, 2021 (Winterfest Online)

| venue = Virtual

| location =

| attendance =

| guests = Greg Ayres, Mike McFarland, The 404s, Crunchyroll{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/2021/02/27/winterfest-online-2021-is-now-live/ | title=Winterfest Online 2021 is now LIVE! | date=27 February 2021 }}

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 22-24, 2022{{cite web |title=Winnipeg anime convention returns after two-year hiatus, breaks attendance records |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/aikon-winnipeg-returns-1.6530697 |publisher=CBC News |date=July 24, 2022}}

| venue = RBC Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 8,428 {{Cite web |date=2022-07-29 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/greg-ayres/ | title=Greg Ayres | date=26 June 2022 }} Kaiji Tang,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/kaiji-tang/ | title=Kaiji Tang | date=18 June 2022 | access-date=25 July 2022 | archive-date=25 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162718/https://ai-kon.org/guest/kaiji-tang/ | url-status=dead }} The 404s,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/the-404s/ | title=The 404s | date=23 June 2022 | access-date=25 July 2022 | archive-date=11 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311224145/http://ai-kon.org/guest/the-404s/ | url-status=dead }} Rock M Sakura,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/rock-m-sakura/ | title=Rock M Sakura | date=5 June 2022 | access-date=25 July 2022 | archive-date=25 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725164221/https://ai-kon.org/guest/rock-m-sakura/ | url-status=dead }} Veronica Taylor,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/veronica-taylor/ | title=Veronica Taylor | date=8 July 2022 | access-date=25 July 2022 | archive-date=25 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162717/https://ai-kon.org/guest/veronica-taylor/ | url-status=dead }} Terri Hawkes,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/terri-hawkes/ | title=Terri Hawkes | date=10 July 2022 | access-date=25 July 2022 | archive-date=25 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725162842/https://ai-kon.org/guest/terri-hawkes/ | url-status=dead }} Bryson Baugus,{{cite web | url=https://ai-kon.org/guest/bryson-baugus/ | title=Bryson Baugus | date=July 2022 | access-date=2022-07-25 | archive-date=2022-08-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803041343/http://ai-kon.org/guest/bryson-baugus/ | url-status=dead }} Crunchyroll

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 14-16, 2023

| venue = RBC Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 10,533 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres, Lucien Dodge, Erica Mendez, Zeno Robinson, Mike McFarland, A.K. WIRRU, Ben Diskin, Ryan Colt Levy

}}

{{Convention list

| date = July 12-14, 2024

| venue = RBC Convention Centre

| location = Winnipeg, Manitoba

| attendance = 10,633 {{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=Ai-Kon Attendance Numbers |url=http://ai-kon.org/contact/press-and-media/media-kit/attendance-numbers/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Ai-Kon}}

| guests = Greg Ayres, Bryce Papenbrook, Zach Aguilar, Trina Nishimura, Lex Lang, Kitsurie, Alexandre is Fluffy, The 404s

}}

Mascot

Aiko is a fictional cheerful, stylish, energetic anime girl with pink hair and blue eyes. Her various incarnations coordinate with the convention's yearly theme. The mascot is selected annually from an open contest. Aiko's many manifestations are used on convention promotional materials, clothing, badges, and other wearables. Doug is Aiko's fictional younger brother and likewise the Winterfest mascot. He is portrayed as younger, mischievous and playful with white hair and blue eyes.{{Cite web|url=http://ai-kon.org/exhibitors/artists/|title=Ai-Kon Artists|website=Ai-kon.org|date=17 June 2017|access-date=20 December 2021}}

References

Other sources

{{cite web |title=Anime lovers flock to downtown Winnipeg for annual convention |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/ai-kon-convention-winnipeg-anime-1.4766129 |publisher=CBC News |date=July 29, 2018}}
{{cite web |title=Interview - Manitoba's largest anime convention is back this summer |url=https://globalnews.ca/video/4327709/manitobas-largest-anime-convention-is-back-this-summer |publisher=Global News |date=July 12, 2018}}
{{cite web |title=SLV's three things to do for the weekend of July 27 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4356748/slvs-three-things-to-do-for-the-weekend-of-july-27/ |publisher=Global News |date=July 27, 2018}}
{{cite web |title=Winnipeg anime convention returns after two-year hiatus, breaks attendance records |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/aikon-winnipeg-returns-1.6530697 |publisher=CBC News |date=July 24, 2022}}

External links

[http://www.ai-kon.org Ai-Kon Official Website]
{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061112143043/http://www.uptownmag.com/archive/arts/05aug11.htm Uptown Magazine Ai-Kon 2005 article]}}
[http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/winnipeg/2010/07/18/14752701.html#/news/winnipeg/2010/07/18/pf-14752701.html Winnipeg Sun 2010 Article]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706174031/http://www.chrisd.ca/blog/26424/ai-kon-anime-convention-winnipeg-photos/ chrisd.ca 2010 Article]
[http://winnipegsun.com/2015/07/16/drawing-attention-ai-kon-keeps-attracting-anime-newbies-14-years-in/wcm/299a2bf1-6c34-4785-8e05-dea9cab505c8 Winnipeg Sun 2015 article]
[https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/things-to-do-293372441.html Winnipeg Free Press article]
[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/thousands-expected-anime-convention-aikon-winnipeg-rbc-1.3681535 CBC article]

Category:Anime conventions in Canada

Category:Culture of Winnipeg

Category:2001 establishments in Manitoba

Category:Recurring events established in 2001