Youmacon

Youmacon is an annual four-day anime convention held during November at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and TCF Center in Detroit, Michigan. Youmacon's creation was inspired by other conventions including Anime Central and Ohayocon with the convention's name coming from the Japanese word for demon or ghost.[1][5] Founded by Morgan Kollin in 2005, it is the largest anime/gaming convention in Michigan.[6][7] Midwest Media Expo was the convention's sister event.[8]

Youmacon
StatusActive
GenreAnime, Manga, Video Games, and Internet culture[1][2]
VenueDetroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
TCF Center
Location(s)Detroit, Michigan
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2005
Attendance22,142 in 2017[3]
Organized byDefying Conventions / Youmacon Enterprises[4]
Websitehttp://www.youmacon.com/

Programming

The convention typically offers anime music videos, Artist Alley, Charity Masquerade Ball, concerts, costume competitions, Dealers Room, gaming tournaments, karaoke, Live Action Mario Party and Donkey Kong, live musical performances, Maid Cafe, masquerade, Mystery Science Theater 4000, rave, table-top gaming, talent competitions, and video gaming.[1][2][9][10][11][12]

The convention runs programming for 24 hours a day in the Cobo Center.[2][11][13] The walk between the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and Cobo Center is about 15 minutes.[14] The conventions 2013 Cosplay Ball benefited the Detroit Institute of Arts.[1] In 2009, 2010, and 2014 it benefited the Cornerstone Schools of Detroit.[2][5][9][15] The 2017 masquerade ball benefited the Children's Hospital of Michigan.[16] The 2019 masquerade ball benefited the Children's Hospital of Michigan.[17]

History

The first Youmacon took four years to plan.[7] In 2010, the Cobo Center started a $279 million renovation that finished in 2015.[18][19] The 2012 convention had several complaints including the distance between venues (15 minutes) and registration line times.[14] Youmacon is one of the larger users of the Marriott, and the only event to have all of its meeting space and 1,300 hotel rooms occupied as of 2014.[5][7][20] The Renaissance Center prohibited attendees from carrying fake weapons and wearing masks that would hide their faces in 2014.[21] Origa was unable to enter the United States from Canada for their 2014 Youmacon appearance due to not having P visa's.[22] In 2016, the maid cafe expanded to two days, the Renaissance Center had construction occurring, and panel rooms in the Cobo Center were challenging to locate.[23][24] Thursdays programming in 2017 didn't require registration.[25] The convention improved elevator lines and game room wait times, but the physical schedule copy suffered from errors in 2017.[26]

Youmacon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[27][28] Its cancellation was delayed due to contractual issues regarding COVID-19 shutdowns.[29][30][31][32]

Event history
DatesLocationAtten.Guests
November 11–13, 2005 Hilton Detroit/Troy
Troy, Michigan		1,078[33]David Anez, Johnny Yong Bosch, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Eyeshine, Caitlin Glass, Bruce Kalish, Yuri Lowenthal, Monica May, Vic Mignogna, Tara Platt, Alycia Purrott, Kristine Sa, The Spoony Bards, and Chris Violette.[33]
November 3–5, 2006 Hilton Detroit/Troy
Troy, Michigan		2,125[34]Captain Lou Albano, David Anez, Chris Cason, Caitlin Glass, Matt Hill, Tony Oliver, Patrick Seitz, Kevin Siembieda, The Spoony Bards, Moy Tung, and Brett Weaver.[34][35]
November 1–4, 2007 Hilton Detroit/Troy
Troy, Michigan		3,119[36]Johnny Yong Bosch, Emily DeJesus, Robert DeJesus, Eyeshine, Quinton Flynn, Caitlin Glass, Wayne Grayson, Hyper-Strike, Lemon Demon, Jeff Nimoy, Patrick Seitz, Stephanie Sheh, Michael Sinterniklaas, and The Spoony Bards.[36][37]
October 30 – November 2, 2008 Hyatt Regency Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan		4,494[38]Caitlin Glass, Wayne Grayson, Kyle Hebert, Walter E. Jones, Evelyn Lanto, Trish Ledoux, Lemon Demon, Mark Musashi, My Dear Disco, Paulie Schrier, Patrick Seitz, Michael Sinterniklaas, The Spoony Bards, and Toshifumi Yoshida.[38]
October 29 – November 1, 2009 Hyatt Regency Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan		6,200[39]Curtis Arnott, Laura Bailey, Martin Billany, Cowboy Shogun, Scott Frerichs, Caitlin Glass, Wayne Grayson, Kyle Hebert, Anthony Kresky, Nick Landis, Lemon Demon, Lewis Lovhaug, My Dear Disco, Lawrence Simpson, Michael Sinterniklaas, The Spoony Bards, Brad Swaile, Joe "Angry Joe" Vargas, Doug Walker, and Travis Willingham.[39]
October 28–31, 2010 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan		Curtis Arnott, Martin Billany, Scott Frerichs, Caitlin Glass, Todd Haberkorn, Anthony Kresky, Nick Landis, Lemon Demon, Vic Mignogna, Christopher Robin Miller, Marianne Miller, Patrick Seitz, Lawrence Simpson, The Spoony Bards, and Brad Swaile.[40]
November 3–6, 2011 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan		10,375[41]Sola "BurnYourBra" Adesui, Arc Impulse, Curtis Arnott, Tia Ballard, Martin Billany, Ryan "Inthul" Burke, James Carter Cathcart, Ben Creighton, Scott Frerichs, Yan "Kern" Gagne, Fred Gallagher, Mary "Kite" Garren, Caitlin Glass, Eduardo "PR Balrog" Pérez-Frangie Izquierdo, Josh Keaton, Anthony Kresky, Nick Landis, Reuben Langdon, Lemon Demon, Lewis Lovhaug, Rene "Kor" Maisty, Vic Mignogna, Christopher Robin Miller, Marianne Miller, Chris Niosi, Rhonda "Tranquil" Patterson, Potter Puppet Pals, Powerglove, Lawrence Simpson, Marc Soskin, Jon St. John, Sonny Strait, Corinne Sudberg, Brad Swaile, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, and Tom Wayland.[41]
November 1–4, 2012 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		12,156[42]91.8 The Fan, Tia Ballard, Martin Billany, James Carter Cathcart, Fred Gallagher, Caitlin Glass, Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh, Lemon Demon, Lewis Lovhaug, Scott McNeil, Potter Puppet Pals, Random Gibberish, Paulie Schrier, Michael Sinterniklaas, Jon St. John, Steam Powered Giraffe, Sonny Strait, Brad Swaile, Doug Walker, and Shinichi Watanabe.[42]
October 31 – November 3, 2013 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center[43]
Detroit, Michigan		14,496[44]91.8 The Fan, Curtis Arnott, Tia Ballard, Martin Billany, Ben Creighton, D.C. Douglas, David Eddings, Scott Frerichs, Fred Gallagher, Caitlin Glass, Garth Graham, Todd Haberkorn, Kyle Hebert, Adrian Hough, Chuck Huber, Michele Knotz, Nick Landis, Loverin Tamburin, Lewis Lovhaug, Christopher Robin Miller, Sarah Natochenny, Ken Pontac, Random Gibberish, Anthony Sardinha, Jan Scott-Frazier, Lawrence Simpson, Jon St. John, Steam Powered Giraffe, Sonny Strait, Corinne Sudberg, Sarah "Sully" Sullivan, Brad Swaile, Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, and Tom Wayland.[44]
October 30 - November 2, 2014 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		16,300[45]91.8 The Fan, Curtis Arnott, Tia Ballard, Steve Bennett, Martin Billany, Steven Blum, Kevin Bolk, Johnny Yong Bosch, Ben Creighton, Robbie Daymond, D.C. Douglas, David Eddings, Scott Frerichs, Fred Gallagher, Caitlin Glass, Todd Haberkorn, Michael Hecht, Anthony Kresky, Lauren Landa, Nick Landis, Lewis Lovhaug, Joel McDonald, Jessi Nowack, Tony Oliver, Ken Pontac, Raj Ramayya, Random Gibberish, Tyson Rinehart, Anthony Sardinha, Jan Scott-Frazier, Patrick Seitz, Lawrence Simpson, Meredith Sims, Ian Sinclair, Jon St. John, Steam Powered Giraffe, Ciarán Strange, Corinne Sudberg, Brad Swaile, David Vincent, Howard Wang, Noah Watts, and Tom Wayland.[45]
October 29 - November 1, 2015 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		19,200[46]91.8 The Fan, Curtis Arnott, Martin Billany, Amber Lee Connors, Robbie Daymond, Lucien Dodge, D.C. Douglas, David Eddings, Carlos Ferro, Scott Frerichs, Todd Haberkorn, Mike Hecht, Adrian Hough, Chuck Huber, Nick Landis, Lewis Lovhaug, Joel McDonald, Erica Mendez, Vic Mignogna, Jessi Nowack, Lisa Ortiz, Ken Pontac, Random Gibberish, Anthony Sardinha, Lawrence Simpson, Ian Sinclair, Jon St. John, Steam Powered Giraffe, Ciarán Strange, Corinne Sudberg, Brad Swaile, Austin Tindle, Cristina Vee,[46] and Jun Senoue (Crush 40).[11]
November 3–6, 2016 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		21,036[47]91.8 The Fan, Curtis Arnott, Kevin Bolk, Chris Cason, Ben Creighton, Charles Dunbar, David Eddings, Scott Frerichs, Fred Gallagher, Todd Haberkorn, Kyle Hebert, Nick Landis, Comfort Love, Lewis Lovhaug, Yuri Lowenthal, Joel McDonald, Vic Mignogna, Lisa Ortiz, Tara Platt, Chris Rager, Monica Rial, Ryter Rong, Anthony Sardinha, Ian Sinclair, Mike Sinterniklaas, Jon St. John, Steam Powered Giraffe, Ciarán Strange, J. Michael Tatum, Austin Tindle, Cristina Vee, and Adam Withers.[47]
November 2–5, 2017 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		22,142[3]91.8 The Fan, Steve Bennett, Kevin Bolk, Dameon Clarke, Samuel "Uncle Kage" Conway, Mr. Creepy Pasta, D.C. Douglas, David Eddings, Chad Evett, G. D. Falksen, Fred Gallagher, Todd Haberkorn, Junichi Hayama, Sawa Kato, Kawaii Besu, Evelyn Kriete, Tawny Letts, Erica Lindbeck, Andrew Love, Comfort Love, Lewis Lovhaug, Bryan Massey, Joel McDonald, Mega Ran, Vic Mignogna, Randy Milholland, Cassandra Lee Morris, NateWantsToBattle, Jake Paque, Tyson Rinehart, Ring of Steel, Keith Silverstein, Ian Sinclair, Jon St. John, Ciarán Strange, Eric Stuart, Austin Tindle, Cristina Vee, Billy West, and Mamoru Yokota.[3]
November 1–4, 2018 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
Cobo Center
Detroit, Michigan		21,000+ (est.).[17]91.8 The Fan, Kevin Bolk, Capcom Live!, Ray Chase, Samuel "Uncle Kage" Conway, Robbie Daymond, Richard Epcar, Fred Gallagher, Brad "Duct-Tape" Hale, Junichi Hayama, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Anthony Kresky, Wendee Lee, Cherami Leigh, Comfort Love, Jason Charles Miller, Max Mittelman, Lisa Ortiz, Jake Paque, Ring of Steel, Carrie Savage, Erica Schroeder, Hiroshi Shiibashi, Shigefumi Shingaki, Mike Sinterniklaas, Jon St. John, Ellyn Stern, J. Michael Tatum, Adam Withers, and Mamoru Yokota.[48]
October 31 - November 3, 2019 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center
TCF Center
Detroit, Michigan		Dameon Clarke, Trae Dorn, D.C. Douglas, Maile Flanagan, Jim Foronda, Fred Gallagher, Brianna Knickerbocker, Comfort Love, Yuri Lowenthal, Mark C. MacKinnon, Mega Ran, Amanda C. Miller, Colleen O'Shaughnessey, Tara Platt, Tyson Rinehart, Ring of Steel, Tara Sands, Scarfing Scarves, Shing02, Micah Solusod, Jon St. John, Ciarán Strange, Substantial, Corinne Sudberg, David Vincent, and Adam Withers.[49]

See also

References
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