ONECon to crowdfund its next convention

Teesside-based anime convention ONECon (Otakus North East Convention) is to try and crowdfund its next convention.

The convention, which was voted “Best Newcomer” by The League of Extraordinary Cosplayers and whose staff includes Anime UK News reviewer Ian Wolf, is aiming for a target of £7,000 in order to hold its next convention on 23rd-24th August at the ARC Stockton Arts Centre. The crowdfunding campaign is being organised on the website Indiegogo and will finish on 17th June.

The team behind the campaign say why they are crowdfunding the project: “Well, we need all the help we can get by providing you guys with the best convention possible. Last year our amazing chairperson, Dave Hodgson, provided the funds necessary to get it started, however this year we’ve decided to ease the pressure off him and allow the community to directly get involved with us. To do that, we need YOU! Yes, you! The money that you will raise will help us get amazing guests, pay the costs for our amazing venue, help with the awesome gaming equipment, our wide selection of table-top games and also our fabulous anime screenings!”

Currently, ONECon has one guest confirmed if the convention is fully funded: American anime voice actor Greg Ayres (Ouran High School Host Club, Chrono Crusade, Deadman Wonderland), who was also the main guest at the convention last year.

The list of backer rewards is as follows:

• £5 – Thank You! – Name credit on the ONECon website.
• £12 – Day Ticket – A ticket for one of the two days of the convention, and a name credit.
• £20 – Weekend Ticket – A ticket for both days of the convention, and a name credit.
• £20 – Believe – For those who cannot attend the convention but wish to give it its full support. Name credit on the ONECon website.
• £25 – Bronze – A full weekend ticket, a name credit, plus a goodie bag that includes a poster and a limited edition badge made by Retr8bit. (100 on offer)
• £35 – Silver – The same benefits as “Bronze” plus early entry into the dealers room a strip of tickets for ONECon’s own raffle. (50 on offer)
• £50 – Gold – The same benefits as “Silver” plus early entry into the convention itself and a choice of reserve setting in the venue’s main hall. (7 on offer)
• £100 – Platinum – The top rank. The same benefits as “Gold” plus VIP seating in the theatre section of the main hall, absolute priority for guest meet and greets, and a personal mention in ONECon’s closing ceremony. (4 on offer)

The convention is undergoing “Fixed Funding”, with it only receiving funds if it reaches its £7,000 target. If you wish to donate to ONECon, visit the Indiegogo page here.