The convention is underway. Come join the fun on our AnimeIowa Discord.
AnimeIowa 2020 “The shirt without a Convention” Goes Virtual!
In 2019 the staff of AnimeIowa began to envision their return to Coralville, and plan AnimeIowa’s 24th annual get together of like minded Anime fans. We were on track for the event to be held back at AI’s longtime home the Marriott Hotel and Conference center.
Unfortunately the world changed and on May 8th we announced the cancelation of our in person event. We feel that the health and safety of our Attendees, Guests, Staff; as well as those presenting panels/workshops, and the artists and merchants in our Marketplace was our top priority.
Still we couldn’t envision a year without AnimeIowa…
So get your cosplay costume ready, and plan to get together with the AnimeIowa staff on Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd for the 24th annual AnimeIowa – gone virtual.
Check out the Virtual convention menu, or use the buttons below, for your entrance to all things AnimeIowa online.
You can order your special edition AnimeIowa 2020 “The shirt without a convention” T-shirt delivered directly to your home.
Enter the online Hall Cosplay Photo Contest and the our Cosplay Video Showcase
Enter your artworks into the AnimeIowa Art Show.
AnimeIowa is having on online Runway Show featuring EGL fashions and a special bonus J-fashion portion. Enjoy the show or better still participate in the show. Check out the Virtual EGL Runway Show in the Virtual Con 2020 menu.
Attend panels, workshops, and much much more. Check the AnimeIowa website’s Virtual con 2020 menu or your favorite social media sources for information and updates.
AnimeIowa 2020 Registrations
With AnimeIowa 2020’s convention canceled many of you are wondering about your registration. With this in mind we have some good news. All registrations have been rolled over to our 2021 convention. Everyone who registered between Black Friday 2019 and May 8th, 2020 will not have to do anything. Including those who had to roll over from 2019 to 2020. And those who registered at the 2019 convention.
All attendees, registered or not, are invited to join us the weekend of July 31 to August 2, 2020 for AnimeIowa 2020 Online. AnimeIowa’s very own Virtual convention with lots to do and see.
If you have any questions about your registration, including refund and donation options please contact us. The registration department is ready to help you. Email: Registration@animeiowa.com. Please include “2020 Registration Question” in your subject line. The deadline is June 13, 2020.
Keep checking the AnimeIowa website. And visit our Facebook page and social media platforms for more information on our virtual event.
ANIMEIOWA IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
It is with a heavy heart that the Executive Committee announces that we are cancelling AnimeIowa 2020 that was set for July 31 – August 2, 2020. Our staff have worked tirelessly with our partners and health experts to figure out the best way to host a safe and responsible event since learning about COVID-19, and as we have followed news and developments on this illness we do not believe that we can responsibly maintain necessary precautions to keep our staff, merchants, and attendees safe. We are instead, working on developing a virtual con that will span several social media platforms.
To decrease the negative effects, we are rolling over badges purchased for 2020 to the next year, with dates of Friday July 30 – Sunday August 1, 2021 at the Coralville Marriott in Coralville, IA. Artist Alley and Dealers booths will also be immediately rolled over. We will have more details on refund options later, so please keep an eye on our website and social media for details as we finalize them.
Reservations made through the Coralville Marriott will be automatically cancelled on their end. The deposits for rooms that had been scheduled to be taken from credit cards on June 1, will not be pulled. If you made a reservation at any of the surrounding hotels, it will be your responsibility to cancel your own reservation.
Panels and photoshoots will need to be resubmitted for AnimeIowa 2021 when we reopen submissions for those.
The AnimeIowa 2020 Executive Committee
Update – Hotel Room Deposit Date Changed.
Good day AnimeIowa Family and Friends
At this time, with the information we have available, we are continuing to plan to host AnimeIowa this year. Our venues team is continually working with the Marriott to make sure that you, our attendees, are not over extended at this time. The room deposit which is normally charged on May 1st has been delayed until June 1st, 2020.
AnimeIowa is working on plans to ensure that everyone attending the convention will be safe. We are striving to get extra hand sanitizer and wipes to have available at the convention, as well as good old soap and water. As a team we are working on establishing additional protocols to keep you, our guests, attendees and staff as safe as we possibly can.
The executive team will keep you informed of any changes as they happen. Thank you for being part of the AnimeIowa family.
Sincerely,
The AnimeIowa Executive Team
and all the staff at AnimeIowa
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM ANIMEIOWA
AnimeIowa has had several posts by concerned attendees on social media asking if the convention has been canceled. In response to those concerns, the executive team is taking its lead from the CDC and State and Local governments regarding large group events and the relationship to Covid-19. New information will be provided as it becomes available. Please watch for information from us here as well as on our social media presence. Information and misinformation is abundant from many sources, we are continuing to follow information from the CDC, as it is the most accurate source of information.
In relation to cancelling the convention, the Execs and myself continue to work with our business partners and we are monitoring the general health concerns related to large events attendance. At this time, it is too early to cancel the convention, but be assured we will be very mindful of the happenings and restrictions as we move closer to the convention. I understand that some Conventions have cancelled, and we only want to ensure the health safety of our attendees. Rather than spreading rumors, if you have questions or concerns, please email: hotel.dept@animeiowa.com and I will forward to the appropriate individuals/departments
Sheril Bogenrief, BSN RN
Convention Chair
Operations/Venues
2020 Guest Announcement: Bizarre Couture
We are pleased to announce Bizarre Couture as our 2020 Fashion Guest of Honor!
The fashion visionaries based in Tulsa, Oklahoma have traveled all this way to be the Fashion Guests of Honor for AnimeIowa 2020! Their studio specializes in mixing time periods, motifs, cultures, and textiles to create stunning acts of fashion. They have been invited to headline the J-Fashion show based on their particularly Japanese fashion inspired work, which often draws from Visual Kei and other Harajuku street fashions. The duo officially started designing together three years ago and, since then, the two have been creating works of art and leveling up with each new garment. With 20+ years of sewing experience behind each piece, these two are not afraid of creating looks from the wearable all the way to the most avant-garde. They have been featured at other fashion events such as Paradiso: A Lolita Fashion Event, and Northwest Arkansas Fashion Week.
While by night we know them as Bizarre Couture, Ariel and Billie are newlyweds and engineers by day. Ariel is a Mechanical Design Engineer, while Billie is working towards a degree in Environmental Engineering. If they have a moment to breathe, they can be found caring for their pet rabbit.
The designers want Anime Iowa to know that, “We strongly believe that there’s no one look or feature that is beautiful, but rather that everyone is beautiful in their own way, and they should have the freedom to express that how they choose.” This quote is flawlessly executed by the brand’s diverse portfolio.
You can see many of their looks at the Fashion Show presented by the AnimeIowa Fashion Department. There will also be a trunk show featuring the work of all of the participants after the show.
AnimeIowa Fashion Department
The new AnimeIowa Fashion Department will be hosting a formal runway show on the mainstage Friday night at AnimeIowa 2020. We are excited to reveal that one of the four design collections to walk the runway will be a collection of historical and contemporary kimono curated by Tangerine Mountain Imports and Designs. The Fashion Department is hard at work planning new and exciting content for 2020 so stay tuned for more AnimeIowa runway J fashion show and Fashion Department related updates!
Hotel Room Block Opens at 9AM February 3!
Ready to reserve your hotel room for AnimeIowa 2020? Excellent! That’s the best way to enjoy as much convention fun as possible! Here’s what you need to know… NOW!
Reserve your 2020 Hotel Room for AnimeIowa Now!
2020 Guest Announcement: Chris Hackney
We’re pleased to announce that Chris Hackney will be appearing as a Guest of Honor for AnimeIowa 2020!
Chris Hackney is an American voice actor currently residing in Los Angeles, CA.
Originally from Florida, Chris found his way to acting when in college for music. While looking for more outlets for artistic expression, he discovered an entire new world of creativity in acting. Several years of training and a cross-country move later, Chris has found his life and passion in voiceover.
Chris can be heard in various forms including commercials, video games, anime, and animation. Currently, he’s most known for titles such as Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Dimitri), Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (Boey), Hunter x Hunter, Mega Man 11, K Project, Valkyria Chronicles 4, and Gundam SEED. Chris is always looking forward to the next exciting opportunity he can lend his passion to.