Featuring the largest program and exhibition in its 19-year history, Anime Expo, sponsored by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), hosted over 165 exhibitors showcasing tens of thousands of products and a sold-out Artist Alley, a venue for amateur and semi-professional artists to celebrate Japanese pop culture through fantastic works of art. Anime Expo also enabled fans to meet the creative forces behind the art form and participate in costume play, karaoke and video competitions, exclusive screenings, artist panels and autograph sessions.

For the first time AX featured concerts, dancing and events at the Nokia Theater, Nokia Plaza and J.W. Marriott Ballroom. This included the AX Idol Contest, Battle of the Bands and the wildly popular Masquerade, in which fans transformed themselves into their favorite anime and manga characters through creative costuming, accessories and make-up.

“We’re delighted that so many lovers of this extraordinary art form were able to travel from the four corners of the globe to join us for this spectacular extravaganza,” said Michael Lattanzio, the non-profit SPJA’s President and CEO. “Hollywood is ground zero for the entertainment world and the world of anime is so very special to so many people. It has really evolved into an absolutely amazing event.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa visited Anime Expo 2010 and joined Lattanzio in making the announcement that Anime Expo will be in Los Angeles through 2013. Collectively, the event is expected to generate more than $100 million citywide in the next three years.

To stay updated on all of the latest Anime Expo news, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

About the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to popularize and educate the American public about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more popularly known by its entertainment property, Anime Expo®. More information can be found at www.spja.org and www.anime-expo.org.

Create a personal schedule based on events YOU want to attend. Export and bring it with you to Anime Expo 2010!

• Use!
  • SCHED makes it easy for attendees to explore and learn more about AX events by using color-based categorization, single-column view and live search.
  • Detailed session information is revealed by hovering over any of the color coded rectangles called “Tiles”.
  • Helps attendees identify the most popular events to help them figure out what to attend.
  • SCHED is also mobile ready with specially formatted versions for iPhone, Blackberry and Palm Pre mobile browsers (with nothing to install).

• Export!
  • Attendees can export the entire event calendar to their existing calendar programs like Microsoft Outlook and Google Calendar.
  • Attendees can also print the schedule to carry along while at AX!

• Connect!
  • Attendees can share Anime Expo and their customized schedule in over 150 ways including email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace.
  • A directory of attendees is automatically generated, helping users discover new and interesting people that are also attending AX.
  • Attendees can create personal schedules and profiles.
  • Attendees can see their Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn friends attending your event.
  • Attendees can also create a group calendar with anyone else including friends or colleagues.

Visit Anime Expo 2010 Sched Site

For help and to learn more about Sched, visit AX Sched Help page.

Anime Expo comes around only once a year… but we have good stuff to share with you all year long! We’re excited to launch our brand new sister site, Inside AX.

Inside AX is a great way to get in on all the Anime Expo action. The site is similar to a blog format, with new content posted throughout the week. Take a look!

http://inside.anime-expo.org

What kinds of things can you find on Inside AX?

• Info on Anime Expo events
• Fun AX commentary
• AX Live episodes
• Nearby hot spots and eateries
• Guest of Honor video montages
• Photo galleries
• Guest and staff interviews
• Video galleries and featurettes
• …and much more!

There is one thing to be certain about, the clock is ticking, and time is moving really fast! Only 71 days until Anime Expo 2010. The SPJA Team is thrilled to present to you an incredible show in July.

Since January, the team has exhausted countless hours working to secure a programming and Guest of Honor roster that is simply second-to-none and the first of its kind. Our relationships with key industry partners have been key in achieving a solid and entertaining program, and I am happy to report that these relationships have only grown stronger.

We are proud to bring our attendees such amazing Guests of Honor in 2010 – not to mention several world movie premieres! The response after each announcement has been overwhelmingly positive and I imagine will continue to build from here. Anime and manga enthusiasts around the world have voiced their fervor about what is sure to be our most successful and entertaining show yet!

We hope you will help us spread the good word about Anime Expo, so be on the lookout for these announcements. To stay updated on all of the latest Anime Expo 2010 news, follow us on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook and check us out on YouTube.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me anytime at ceo@spja.org.  I enjoy hearing from you and am happy to help in any way I can.  I look forward to seeing you July 1^st – 4^th at Anime Expo 2010!

Warm regards,

Michael Lattanzio

President and Chief Executive Officer

SPJA, Inc.