10,000 visitors expected for Alabama’s largest anime and gaming convention
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 2, 2023) – The Magic City is set to welcome 10,000 attendees for Kami-Con, a three-day convention that celebrates Japanese culture, gaming, anime, comics, television and movies. Celebrating its 14th year, Kami-Con will be held February 10-12 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) and is expected to generate more than $1 million in economic impact.
“Kami-Con is a unique, memorable convention that we’re excited to host each year,” said John Oros, president & CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Our facilities at the BJCC and connectivity to hotel, restaurant and entertainment options make greater Birmingham the perfect destination for this event.”
The annual event is highly interactive, featuring panels, music performances, fashion shows, gaming exhibitions, wrestling shows, dodgeball matches and more. The vendor room is a popular destination at the convention, with more than 30,000 square feet of fan merchandise, fashion wear, games and collectibles.
Kami-Con 2023: Darkness Rises will welcome an impressive roster of celebrity guests, including Disney animator Gary Trousdale and voice actors AmaLee, Brandon McInnis, “My Hero Academia” characters, and Rodger Bumpass, the Emmy-nominated voice of Squidward on “Spongebob Squarepants.” Live performances will be provided by musical guests including DemonDice, TeddyLoid and the Living Tombstone. More information on the three-day event is available at kamicon.net.
“This is a special event,” said Kami-Con President Raymond Lenzner. “It brings together an incredible community to celebrate what they love with friends from around the country in a fun, respectful and welcoming atmosphere.”
Kami-Con is open to the public and will start at 12 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10 and run through 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 12. Weekend passes are available for $65 at kamicon.net. Single-day tickets for Friday ($45), Saturday ($55) and Sunday ($35) will be available for purchase at the door.
The Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) is the official tourism and marketing organization for Birmingham and Jefferson County. Established in 1969, the non-profit agency generates positive economic impact by positioning the greater Birmingham area as a premier destination for conventions, sporting events, and domestic and international leisure travel. Named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “22 Best Places to Go in 2022,” Birmingham and its neighboring municipalities welcome more than 3.6 million visitors each year, generating $2.2 billion in economic impact. Learn more at birminghamal.org.