So many cons seem to go the industry-trade route, and some even die (or seriously implode) along the way. I strongly prefer the by-fans/for-fans format of Kumoricon.
Sakura-con last year has just started to get that industry-focus fungal colony feel to it: lines to get into stuff, tickets restricting admission, six inlet doors to something but NO, you have to go around THIS way, and although I have never been to AX, I'd describe AX as near the end of the cycle: Industry pros and marketing managers TELLING you what's coming out, etc. In other words, one-way communication ("We are releasing this and that - we hope you buy it and enjoy it") rather than a sharing of info among enthusiasts: ("Hey guys, -this- is how you can make a hakama!")
Sure, S-kon is now big enough to regularly bring in some well-known talent from Japan, but I went to almost NO panels at S-kon this last time. Dealers was HUGE, and I really enjoyed that, but I hope it's not some sort of immutable destiny for all cons to follow a path from fan focussed fun to eventual dull, "we're pro, your're not" presentations. If so, then the best path is to jump from con to con to stay where the energy is.
So it might be a great balance to bring over a few WELL-KNOWN folks, as suggested above, BUT keep most of the programming fun&fan-oriented: gaming, DDR, AMVs, cosplay, making things, drawing things, etc. Let the 'Pro' presence and influence be about '...and this is how YOU TOO can have fun trying things, doing things, this is how I draw
- professionally and that is why I think it comes out cool looking... here's a tool or a trick which saves hours..."
Next, two possibly controversial questions:
1) Why do anime cons bring in English-dub voice actors? (another way of asking: What's the ratio of sub-fans vs. dub-fans within the Kumori-crowd? Could "Sub/Dub Wars" be a panel discussion? Would it be civil, or a row?)
2) What things, although NOT strictly anime, (pehaps QUASI-anime?) might still be of great general interest to anime fans? (Possible hints: How do folks feel about guests who are involved with or events about the creation of non-anime works like Invader Zim, Megatokyo, Sudeki, or the folks in Vancouver who make Animation Master?)