With the convention barely over a week away, we have some exciting news:

First, the entire schedule has been posted online. Download the pocket guide, and view online descriptions of every convention event. Check out the event map, hours, exhibitors, artists, a map and index of local food and stores, and everything else you want to know about the convention. The number of event rooms is huge this year, with more to do than ever before.

Schedule page (Download the pocket guide here!)
Hotel page (Find event and food/area maps here.)

Second, for the first time, Kumoricon is a 24-hour convention. The fun never stops with things to do every moment of the day. Panels and dances run late, viewing rooms are open 24 hours, and several gaming rooms are open 22 hours a day.

Third, our registration hours are longer than ever before. Arrive as early as 4pm on Friday, the day before the convention, to either check-in if you pre-registered, or to register at the door. That’s right—for the first time this year, even if you didn’t pre-register, you can arrive on Friday to register for the weekend. Show up early to reduce your wait! Be ready and checked in when the events start at 8am Saturday morning! To help move the line, registration opens at 6am on Saturday.

Please see the registration page for very important information on what you need with you to check in, and details on our policies.

For your browsing while you eagerly wait for the con, we’ve posted the galleries of the entries for the mascot and book cover contests:

Mascot 2010 entries
Program book cover 2009 entries
Pocket guide cover 2009 entries

The mascot contest winner will be announced at Closing Ceremonies. The book cover contest winners will be announced when those books are published (pocket guide online, and program book at con).

Also, our photos from Dance Dance Kumoricon in July have been posted. Enjoy!

The second August general meeting, which is the last general meeting before the convention, will be held on Saturday, August 22 from 1pm-5pm at our hotel, the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.

The exact room is still being determined. To check the room, please see the hotel event listing when you arrive which is posted on a wall near the lobby elevators.

Hilton Portland and Executive Tower
921 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97204

Google Maps with aerial view

General meetings are open to the public. Meet and plan with other staff, join staff or become a volunteer, and learn about open staff positions.

This meeting, we will put a revision of the Altonimbus Entertainment bylaws to a vote of the staff. Any bylaws amendment or revision requires both a two-thirds vote of the members (staff), and a two-thirds vote of the board, to pass. The bylaws committee has been working on this revision for months, and after incorporating some of the suggestions which were posted in the public comment thread on the forums, feels it is ready for a vote. To read the revision which will be up for vote, as well as comments, please see this forum thread.

Kumoricon welcomes returning guests of honor Carl Horn, Toshifumi Yoshida and The Anime Hunters.

Carl Horn is a local manga editor at Portland’s Dark Horse Comics.

Toshi is a voice director, producer, and manga translator, and his voice directing work includes Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha.

The Anime Hunters are a cosplay skit and parody group who will be performing in our opening ceremonies.

On Saturday, August 8, from 12noon-4pm, Kumoricon will be participating in the Central Library’s Block Party event with cat ear-making and outreach. Join us!

Central Library Block Party (event page and location)

Kumoricon brings a special opportunity to Portland anime fans:

Walt Disney Pictures’ PONYO, the latest film from world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, will be released in theatres August 14, but you have a chance to see it sooner. Kumoricon is hosting a drawing to give away 10 admit two passes to a special advance screening on Monday, August 10 in Portland. This is your chance to bring a friend to see an early showing of PONYO.

Please note: All winners must pick up their passes at our general meeting on Sunday, August 9, between 1pm and 3pm at the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower (follow link for address, map, and information). We’re sorry, but winning passes cannot be mailed.

Entries must be received by Saturday, August 8, at 8:00pm.

To enter, please email publicity@kumoricon.org, include “Ponyo” in the subject line, and include your name, email address, and phone number in the body of the message.

We will hold the drawing as soon as the entry period ends on Saturday, August 8, 8:00pm, and email the winners as soon as possible.

Walt Disney Pictures’ PONYO
In Theatres August 14

Disney.com/Ponyo

The first General Meeting in August will be held on Sunday, August 9 from 1pm-5pm at our hotel, the Hilton Portland and Executive Tower.

The exact room is still being determined.

Hilton Portland and Executive Tower
921 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97204

Google Maps with aerial view

General meetings are open to the public. Meet and plan with other staff, join staff or become a volunteer, and learn about open staff positions.

Kumoricon welcomes Cynthia Martinez and Jason Thompson to our 2009 guest lineup.

Cynthia Martinez has voice-acted in numerous anime series. Jason Thompson is a comic writer, artist, and editor.

For full information, please visit our guests page.