Really, SakuraCon's biggest draw is simply that it's in the Northwest. AFAIK, it's the only con you can drive to in a single day if you live north of California and west of Salt Lake city.
Actually, we're starting to get a crowded up in the northwest. You have Animeevolution.com in Vancouver BC, Kumoricon.org in Eugene OR, and Animeoasis.org in Boise, ID. Also, there's Animethon in Edmonton AB, and Otafest in Calgary, AB.
FurryCurry really hit it on the head though is that one of the main draws is that we're the oldest and largest anime con(3,000+ in 2003) in the Pacific Northwest. We're not the oldest or largest anime event though, that goes to Animethon(They had 4,000 for their 10th event).
It's nice and all, but lacks the huge VAT/AMV draw of AWA. It's decently sized, a little larger than AWA, but sufficiently smaller than something like AX to be more fun, while still drawing a decent number of guests of honor from Japan, when they don't stay home because of war, like last year.
FurryCurry, can you explain the "huge VAT/AMV draw of AWA"? Do you mean all the programming at AWA devoted to AMV's?
We're currently the size of what Otakon & Anime Expo was in 98-99. Hopefully, world events don't keep guests away this year.
The AMV situation seems to be improving with Chris Arnesen in charge of it, and I'd love to see it become a sort of "AWA west" in the future.
I'm sure Chris would love that to come true.
Basically, it's just a generally decent all-around anime con, without any particular reason to make a huge trip all the way across the country unless you have an excess of spare money and time just waiting to be used.
Thanks for the comments! I would have to concur with FurryCurry. There's lots of conventions across the continent that are closer to you so you wouldn't be so financially straped. I'm honored to read that you're considering traveling to our convention. It means we're doing our job as staff putting on a good event.
A list of anime cons can be found here.
http://www.fansview.com

