Press Release for Metrocon

February 2, 2004

Metrocon 2004 pre-registration opens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2004

Online Pre-Registration Now Open at metroconventions.com! METROCON 2: Tampa Bay FL's Anime Convention July 9-11, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza - Tampa at Sabal Park

TAMPA BAY, FL, February 2, 2004 - Pre-registration is officially open for METROCON 2 - Tampa Bay, Florida's only full-fledged anime convention - via the convention Web site at www.metroconventions.com. The event's second year is scheduled to take place on the weekend of July 9-11, 2004, at the Crowne Plaza - Tampa at Sabal Park, 10221 Princess Palm Ave.

Membership rates for METROCON 2004 are as follows:

• Three-Day Membership (Friday, Saturday and Sunday):
  • Adults: $25 advance (through June 26, 2004) | $30 at-the-door;
  • Children, 6-10: $10 advance (through June 26, 2004) | $15 at-the-door, with paid adult admission;
  • Children, under 5: Free, with paid adult admission.
• Two-Day Membership (Two of the three days):
  • Adults: $20 advance (through June 26, 2004) | $25 at-the-door;
  • Children, 6-10: $8 advance (through June 26, 2004) | $10 at-the-door, with paid adult admission;
  • Children, under 5: Free, with paid adult admission.
• One-Day Membership (One of the three days):
  • Adults: $10 per day, advance (through June 26, 2004) | $15 per day, at-the-door;
  • Children, 6-10: $5 per day, advance (through June 26, 2004) | $8 per day, at-the-door, with paid adult admission;
  • Children, under 5: Free, with paid adult admission.

For more information about pre-registration rates for groups of 10 or more, e-mail info@animemetro.com.

The METROCON site also includes information about hotel reservations, including the special METROCON room rate of $78 per night.

More than 1,600 Japanese animation fans turned out for 2003's inaugural event, establishing a new, first-year attendance record for Florida anime conventions.

METROCON is a weekend-long celebration of the numerous facets of Japanese popular entertainment - from anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comics), J-pop and J-Rock (Japanese pop and rock music, performed by "idols") to cosplay (costume design and performance) and video games.

Tampa Bay's first, dedicated anime convention included: - The first-ever "Anime Idol" J-Pop/J-Rock Competition; - An art show and Artists' Alley; - A cosplay competition and a runway-style costume contest; - A dealers'/exhibition room; - Three "DDR Extreme" Tournaments; - An Anime Music Video contest; - Official convention screenings of new North American releases; - Panels with North American anime industry guests; - Dances and karaoke; - The METROCADE video game room; and last - but certainly not least - 212 continuous hours of Japanese anime and related programming.

Visit www.metroconventions.com for more information.

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