Meet AC, a tourism economic development agency, welcomed the AnimeNEXT Convention for the first time in Atlantic City, N.J. The largest independently organized Japanese anime convention in the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area also signed a five-year contract at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
With the popularity of anime and manga growing in the 1990s and 2000s, anime conventions have seen positive growth in their attendance. This three-day event is expected to grow to more than 15,000 attendees in 2016.
“We are very excited to receive the news that AnimeNEXT has selected and signed a five-year contract to meet in Atlantic City at the Atlantic City Convention Center beginning in 2016,” said Jim Wood, president and CEO, Meet AC. “This will be AnimeNEXT’s first time in Atlantic City, which will bring in an estimated annual economic impact of $3 million to Atlantic City.
“Meet AC is committed to growing a diverse convention business in Atlantic City. The convention industry has a tremendous impact on Atlantic City’s economy as evidenced by the vast impact the 15,000 AnimeNEXT attendees will have on our local hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and casinos each year.”
AnimeNEXT has been in existence since 2002 and is organized by Universal Animation Inc.
“I am thrilled to announce our move to the Atlantic City Convention Center in 2016. The move will give us greater opportunities to continue to grow our event for years to come. We look forward to bringing Anime fans more new programming, great guests and additional space to enjoy our show,” said Eric Torgersen, AnimeNEXT 2016 Chairman.
AnimeNEXT 2016 will take place on June 10-12 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
For more event information, visit animenext.org
