FanCons.co.uk Press Releases


April 7, 2008

News for Anime Expo 2008:

Anime Expo 2008 announces online ticketing for main events

Regular, Hotel Room Block and Reserved Seating Block Attendee Tickets Available Now

Anaheim, California (April 7, 2008) -- Traditional Main Events (including Opening/Closing Ceremonies, Masquerade, Anime Music Video Contest, AX Idol, Charity Auction and concerts) are all accessible free of charge to registered attendees at this year's Anime Expo® 2008 held from July 3-6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, CA. More information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org.

All Main Events will be held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live (Past, current and future events include the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, American Idol Finals and a host of concerts including Mary J. Blige, John Fogerty, Kanye West, Duran Duran and many more) a 7,100-seat venue which offers attendees event intimacy with no seat further from the stage than 220 feet with exceptional comfort and amenities never before offered to guests at other concert/event venues. Due to Nokia Theatre L.A. Live policies, high attendee interest and limited seating, all Main Events will be require tickets for entrance. Tickets will be handed out to attendees during a set time frame each day with each individual ticket applicable towards one event in the venue. Attendees will have the opportunity to pick up tickets to multiple shows based on availability.

There are three ways to obtain tickets:

  • Reserve a hotel room within the Anime Expo® hotel room block through our online hotel reservation service (www.anime-expo.org) by Sunday, June 15, 2008, 11:59 PM, PDT and obtain one (1) guaranteed event ticket of choice per registered guest (up to a maximum of four (4) tickets per room), based on availability
  • Purchase a Reserved Seating ticket ($20.00 U.S.) for the desired event(s) (events only include Masquerade and Concert Events) before Sunday, June 15, 2008, 11:59 PM, PDT. Reserved Seating tickets are considered prime seats within the "floor"/orchestra area and allow attendees to be up close to the event stage for maximum viewing pleasure. Attendees are limited to one (1) ticket per event per unique registration ID for a maximum of three (3) unique tickets
  • Line up in the Standby Line at the east entrance of the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live three (3) hours before show time on the day of the desired event. The number of tickets given out is based on availability. Please note that queuing for tickets at this time does not guarantee entrance into the event

Attendees that have already pre-registered can update their information and add on their tickets via the Anime Expo® 2008 Online Registration Area at www.anime-expo.org.

In addition, one lucky AX Idol audience member will win a tour package to Japan courtesy of Destination-Japan! Tour package includes round-trip airfare from L.A. International Airport (LAX) to Narita (NRT), Tokyo (Airline TBD), Hotel accommodations during the tour (Hotel TBD), all tax and fuel surcharges and all standard tour activities and services detailed on the tour itinerary (TBD). All trip/tour prizes do not include tour extensions, optional tour activities, or transportation to Los Angeles International Airport. All travel arrangements are to be handled by H.I.S. International Tours (L.A.), Inc. Winner will be announced during AX Idol and will be based upon ticket/seat number (winner must be present and ticket MUST be in hand and presented or prize is forfeit).

More information regarding tickets (i.e. pick up procedures, "faqs", open distribution, etc.) can be found online at www.anime-expo.org. Attendees with special needs must inquire about seats with our Disabled Services Coordinators located at the Anime Expo® Information Desk located at the Registration Area (West Hall A). Please note that there are a limited number of handicapped spaces available in the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Space is limited, and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Tickets for these sections cannot be obtained through the Box Office or through the open distribution process.

All registered attendees to Anime Expo® 2008 with valid badges, with the exception of "Exhibit Hall only" passes are eligible to obtain tickets to attend ticketed events. Tickets are non-transferable. Attendees will not be allowed to apply their Room Block ticket and a Reserved Seating ticket on the same event. Lost or stolen tickets can/will not be replaced. All attendees are subject to the Code of Conduct and are expected to adhere to the policies set for the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Unlawful resale (or attempt) is grounds for seizure and cancellation without compensation. Any person caught buying or selling any Anime Expo® event tickets will face immediate ejection from the event and a ban of one year (minimum) from the convention, effective immediately.

Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2007 convention at www.AXBackstage.org.

This year's Red & Black Sponsors are FUNimation and ImaginAsian Television. Gold Sponsor is Digital Manga Publishing. Silver Sponsor is Gaia Online. Patron Sponsors are Central Park Media and COPIC Markers.

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 2008 will be held July 3 - July 6, 2008 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.spja.org).

The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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