Read Larry Connors' blog – Short Term Trading Strategies
The event featured an eclectic mix of festivities and characters. More than 40 vendors sold all kinds of merchandise and original artwork. An assortment of Pocky (Japanese snacks) and Ramune soda were popular items for convention goers.
Entertainment included video game stations, dodge ball, anime wheel of fortune and karaoke. Voice actors and artists signed autographs, while Nintendo icons Mario and Luigi led a live action Hyper Extreme Smash Brothers 3000 Super Show.
A staple at anime conventions is the cosplay, where fans come dressed in original costumes to replicate their favorite characters. They do it to win prizes in contests, pose for photos and have fun.
Tatny Castanet, 15, came with her friends dressed as ninjas of the Hidden Sound Village from the popular anime and manga (graphic novel) series Naruto. Castanet, who is fascinated with Asian culture, has been to conventions on a larger scale in places like Orlando.
"These are great places to see people you don't see a lot," she said.
Castanet came with Tyler Wilson, 16, Chris Wilson, 17 and Michael Alvaro, 16, to cosplay and have a good time with others who share similar interests.
"These conventions are where you can dress up and not be looked at like a moron or different because here, there are other people just like you," Chris Wilson said.
Alvaro says when you put the costume on, you become the character. Many spend months to years perfecting their personalized attire and accessories. The conventions are the place where the fans' creations are debuted.
Mike Broder, 31, began organizing conventions like this one, as well as larger events including Anime Supercon and Florida Supercon, when he saw an untapped market in the area.
Broder, of Fort Lauderdale, has been engrossed in the genre since age 10.
"There was no show or anyone putting on these shows when we started," Broder said. "There are shows like this in Orlando and Tampa and to the west. So the kids down here had to travel to go to these shows."
The next major convention is Anime Supercon Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at the Hilton Miami Downtown, 1601 Biscayne Blvd.
For information, visit www.animesupercon. com.
To see more of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sun-sentinel.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
More News:
Market Updates |
Stock Alerts |
All Trading News |
Stock Index
About TradingMarkets | Contact | Advertise | Careers | Link to Us | Site Map | Help | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Testimonials | Feedback
The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.
It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.
HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.
The Connors Group, Inc.
15260 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 2200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
© Copyright 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.
