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MomoCon
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MomoCon
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MomoCon
StatusActive
GenreGaming, Comics, and Anime
VenueGeorgia World Congress Center
Omni Hotel Atlanta
LocationsAtlanta, Georgia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2005
Most recent2025
Attendance59,222 in 2025 [1]
Organized byMomocon LLC[2]
Filing statusFor-Profit
Websitewww.momocon.com

MomoCon is a fan convention held on Memorial Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.

From its beginning through 2011, it was held on the campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology in its first year, MomoCon was held in the Georgia Tech Student Center. In 2011, it was held in Technology Square, from 2012 to 2014 was held in the Atlanta Mariott Marquis, and since 2015 it has been held at the Georgia World Congress Center. It was originally hosted in March, but moved to Memorial Day weekend in 2013.

The convention encompasses anime, video games, LARP, webcomics, comics, costuming, cosplay, card games, board games, science fiction and prop armor construction, among other things.

From 2005 to 2011, there was no entry fee to MomoCon; the convention sold T-shirts and highlight DVDs to fund the next year. Due to rising costs, 2012 was the first year that an admission fee was required.

History

[edit]

The word "momo" in Japanese means "peach", and its host state, Georgia, being the "Peach State" led to the naming of MomoCon.

Every year, MomoCon has a theme that goes into the design of the convention that year. The first year, it was "Southern Hospitality" and T-shirts were black and featured the MomoCon mascot, as created and drawn by H. M. Ogburn. In 2005, MomoCon was run by an estimated 35 volunteers. The convention had over 30 guests and many special demo teams, as well as several special events and feature movies. An article on the anime club and the convention was featured in the February 2005 issue of Newtype USA, and professionally made commercials were seen around Georgia Tech campus before on-campus movies in the Student Center.

In 2006, T-shirts for 2006 were black and featured the same MomoCon mascot in a purple kimono in the moonlight,[3] to coincide with the Tsukimi ("moon-viewing") theme. MomoCon 2006 had a convention motto of "Because You Shouldn't Have to Pay for Quality" and featured an opening ceremonies video that was a parody of Iron Chef, with "Chairman Panda" and the "Iron Staff". Key events for 2006 included a Tsukimi festival with kimono-clad wait staff, a Gaming Decathlon, a Pocky Stop cafe, and a rain-cancelled Sidewalk Art competition. Guests included numerous webcomic and comic artists, voice actress Amy Howard Wilson of Star Blazers fame and prop maker Robert "Vaderpainter" Bean.

In 2007, T-shirts for 2007 were hunter green and featured the MomoCon mascot; the staff theme was "The Family". The video game tournaments were reworked to feature a few large tournaments, as opposed to many smaller tournaments, and a larger costume contest was held at Georgia Tech's Kessler Campanile.[4] The new costume contest location provided seating for a greater number of attendees, and was held earlier in the evening. Local area groups stepped forward to run workshops and seminars on their respective expertise, including a plethora of costuming panels and workshops, Japanese ceremonial demonstrations and game demos. On Sunday (March 18, 2007), the convention was closed nine hours early because several con attendees attempted to set off firecrackers inside the Georgia Tech Student Center.[5]

Because the number 4 is considered unlucky in Japanese culture, MomoCon 2008 (the 4th event) featured a gothic horror-style theme. In addition to several events from past years, 2008's event included a Twilight Tea event, at the end of the day on Sunday, in lieu of a closing ceremony. Con-goers were asked to stop by for some fresh-brewed tea under the light of red paper lanterns at dusk and let the staff know what they would like to see at the event in the future. Due to the security problem in 2007, subsequent MomoCon events (starting with 2008) have required registration to enter. Attendees were required to present a valid photo ID to enter, and children under the age of 16 needed to be accompanied by an adult. Badges were provided, and the event remained free for congoers.

The theme for MomoCon 2009 was retro-campy science fiction. Additional Japanese cultural events were held, including community support from local groups who specialize in these events.[6] The second floor of the Instructional Center building, previously used only for tournaments, was used for additional panel, workshop and anime viewing space. Special events included screenings of public domain science fiction movies from the 1950s and 1960s and a Mechas and Monsters late-night programming block, featuring Kaiju and mecha movies. The first band performance at MomoCon happened in 2009: The Extraordinary Contraptions, a Steampunk-themed rock band.

On April 6, 2020, it was announced that the 2020 MomoCon, which was scheduled for May 21–24, had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

The next MomoCon was scheduled for May 27–30, 2021,[8] but on February 27, 2021 it was also cancelled due to COVID-19 and "the uncertainty about the future of the entire events industry also pushing events further into the calendar year". A smaller-scale spin-off event known as "Winterfest by MomoCon" was held from 18-19 in December 2021, requiring con-goers to wear a mask and provide either a vaccine card or proof of a negative test result.[9][10]

The MomoCon 2023 has changed their policies to not require masks or vaccine cards, instead suggesting masks indoors and providing masks to those in need.[11]

Event history

[edit]
Dates Location Atten. Guests
March 26–27, 2005[12] Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons
Atlanta, Georgia		700[12][13]Amy-Howard Wilson, Robert 'Vaderpainter' Bean, Nightmare Armor Studios, Gamesare, Terminus Media, Kittyhawk, Jennie Breeden[14]
March 18–19, 2006 Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons
Atlanta, Georgia		1,800[3][13]John Lotshaw, R. Dustin Kramer, Jennie Breeden, Andy Runton, Sith Vixen, Brent Allison, Amy-Howard Wilson, Bill Holbrook[15]
March 17–18, 2007 Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons,
Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile and Instructional Center
Atlanta, Georgia		2,600[5][13][16]
March 15–16, 2008 Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons,
Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center
Atlanta, Georgia		4,840[17]
March 14–15, 2009 Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons,
Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center
Atlanta, Georgia		7,200[18]
March 20–21, 2010 Georgia Institute of Technology - Student Center & Commons,
Student Services Building, Kessler Campanile, and Instructional Center
Atlanta, Georgia		7,800 [citation needed][19]
March 12–13, 2011 Georgia Institute of Technology - Technology Square (College of Management)
Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Atlanta Biltmore Hotel and Biltmore Apartments
Atlanta, Georgia		10,300[20]
March 16–18, 2012 Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Atlanta, Georgia		8,640[21]Brent Allison, Atlanta Imaginarium, Gina Biggs, Martin Billany, Jennie Breeden, Gamesare, The Gekkos, Go, Robo! Go!, Catherine Jones, Kittyhawk, Harrison Krix, Laugh Out Loud, Wendee Lee, Ellen McLain, Sketch MacQuinor, Penny Dreadful Productions, Bill Winans[21]
March 8–10, 2013 Hilton Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia		12,200[22]Brent Allison, Manda Bear, Martin Billany, Steven Blum, Sean Patrick Fannon, Katie George, Jennifer Hale, Yaya Han, Eric Hokanson, Catherine Jones, Sifu Kisu, Eloy Lasanta, Riki "Riddle" LeCotey, Monika Lee, Sketch MacQuinor, Mark Meer, Lindze Merritt, Marin Miller, Cara Ann Murray, Meredith Placko Mike Reiss, Zachary Rich, Mark Zoran.[22]
May 23–25, 2014 Hilton Atlanta and Marriott Marquis
Atlanta, Georgia		14,600+[23]Brent Allison, Troy Baker, Dante Basco, Courtnee Draper, Katie George, Jess Harnell, Sifu Kisu, Harrison Krix, Maurice LaMarche, Cherami Leigh, Tress MacNeille, Bryce Papenbrook, Rob Paulsen, Leo "That Sci-Fi Guy" Thompson, Doug Walker, Rob Walker, Mark Zoran.[24]
May 28–31, 2015 Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta[25]
Atlanta, Georgia		22,600[26]Brent Allison, Jon Bailey, Jennifer Barclay, Martin Billany, Ashly Burch, Chalk Twins, Keith David, Steve Downes, Crispin Freeman, Katie George, Charlene Ingram, Ke Jiang, Harrison Krix, Mega Ran, Lindze Merritt, Amanda C. Miller, Marin Miller, Professor Shyguy, The Protomen, Doug Walker, Greg Weisman, Sarah Anne Williams[26]
May 26–29, 2016[27] Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta[28]
Atlanta, Georgia		28,300Brent Allison, Irene Bedard, Martin Billany, Steven Blum, brentalfloss, Zach Callison, Chalk Twins, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Jim Cummings, Benjamin Diskin, Caleb Hyles, Catherine Jones, Harrison Krix, Riki "Riddle" LeCotey, Allyssa Lewis, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, Erica Mendez, Matthew Mercer, Marin Miller, Mandy "AmazonMandy" Moore, Yad-Ming Mui, Nolan North, Paige O'Hara, Laura Post, Cree Summer, The Runaway Guys, David Vincent, Doug Walker, Adam WarRock[28]
May 25–28, 2017[29] Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta[29]
Atlanta, Georgia		31,132[30]Brent Allison, Bit Brigade, Zach Callison, Charlet Chung, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Jonny Cruz, Michaela Dietz, Josh Grelle, Samantha Inoue-Harte, Taliesin Jaffe, Jerry Jewell, Catherine Jones, Harrison Krix, Maurice LaMarche, Brendan LaSalle, Allyssa Lewis, Matthew Mercer, A New World, Rob Paulsen, Marisha Ray, The Runaway Guys, Fred Tatasciore, J. Michael Tatum, Mark Zoran.[29]
May 24–27, 2018[31] Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia		35,400[32]Akidearest, The Anime Man, Troy Baker, Bit Brigade, brentalfloss, Kimberly Brooks, SungWon Cho, Richard Epcar, Crispin Freeman, Barbara Goodson, Haiden Hazard, Caleb Hyles, Catherine Jones, Christopher Jones, Josh Keaton, Harrison Krix, Monika Lee, Josh Martin, Carey Means, Misty/Chronexia, Nolan North, Octopimp, Chris Parson, Chris Rager, Arnie Roth, Chris Sabat, Sean Schemmel, Emily Schmidt, Justin Sevakis, SUDA51,[33] The Triforce Quartet, Kari Wahlgren, Hiromi Wakabayashi and Elise Zhang.[31]
May 23–26, 2019 Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia		> 39,000[34]Adam Bryce Thomas, A7L PROPS, Adam Nusrallah, Adriana Figueroa, Amy Chu, April Borchelt, Ronald B. Seaman Jr. (Aracknoid3 Cosplay), Asheru, BeeNerdish, Benjamin Byron Davis, Bit Birgade, Brain ScratchComms, Brendan J. LaSalle, Brenden Fletcher, Caleb Hyles, Carolina Ravassa, Casey Renee Cosplay, Catherine Jones (GSTQ Fashions), Charles Martinet, Chris Miller, Cosplay Collective, CutiePieSensei, DAGames, Dan Salvato, Dave Silva, David and Alex Harmer, Deans Lyst, Dedren Snead, Deedee Magno Hall, dj-jo, Donny Cates, Estelle, Fabrice Sapolsky, Jules Conroy (FamilyJules), Dustin Fletcher (Flashfletch Cosplay), Gabi, Gaku Space, Gigguk, Go Big or Go Home Cosplay, Grant, Greg Burnham, Hiroaki Yura, Hoyt Silva, Jarman Props, Jim Mahfood, Jonah Levy, Jonny Cruz, JT Music, Justin Briner, Kamikaze, Keith Silverstein, Kenji Kamiyama, Kenny James, Kyle Starks, Laura Martin, Lee "Fev" Camara-Smith, Luci Christian, Maki Terashima-Furuta, Marcus Williams, Matt Silva, Matt Wilson, Mckenzie Atwood, Megan Hutchinson, Michaela Dietz, Mikal Mosley, Mike Salcedo, Monica Rial, Mr. CreepyPasta, Myuu: Dark Piano, OR30, Overworld Designs, Patrick Warburton, Pixelbash Props, Sungwon Cho, rabbidluigi, Rebel Taxi, Reuben Langdon, Rico Renzi, Robert Wilson, Roger Clark, Samantha Kelly, Shingo2, Shinji Aramaki, Spatcave Studios, Steve Blum, Substantial, Suda 51, Supergiant Games, Susan Egan, Sydsnap, Talynn Kel, The NPC Collective, The Runaway Guys, Jerod Collins (The8BitDrummer), Thrill Builds, Tim Effler, Tony Anselmo, Tony Weaver, Tracy Yardley, Vivienne M. (Vivziepop), Volpin Props, Zach Callison [35][36]
May 21–24, 2020 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		CancelledChalk Twins, Greg Cipes, Justin Cook, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Hayden Daviau, Bill Farmer, Catherine Jones, Phil LaMarr, Brendan LaSalle, Jason Marsden, Charles Martinet, Scott Menville, Nerds Know, Khary Payton, Alejandro Saab, Christopher Sabat, Fred Tatasciore, The Triforce Quartet, Hynden Walch, Christopher Wehkamp[37]
May 27–30, 2021 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		Cancelled[38]
December 18–19, 2021 (Winterfest) Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		Steve Blum, Caleb Hyles, Zeno Robinson, Billy West, PopCultHQ[39]
May 26–29, 2022 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		42,595 [40]Zach Aguilar, Richie Branson, Chalk Twins (cancelled), SungWon Cho, Greg Cipes, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Justin Cook, Claire Margaret Corlett, Mr. Creepy Pasta, Hayden Daviau, Steve Downes, Bill Farmer, Kellen Goff, Carl Gustav Horn, Caleb Hyles, Bret Iwan, Catherine Jones, Harrison Krix, Phil LaMarr, Brendan LaSalle, Jason Marsden, Charles Martinet, David Matranga, Mega Ran, Lindze Merritt, Michaela Jill Murphy, Nerds Know, Emily Neves, OR3O, Khary Payton, Casey Renee, Alejandro Saab, Jonah Scott, Substantial, Fred Tatasciore, Jen Taylor, The Triforce Quartet, Christopher Wehkamp, Steve Whitmire[41]
May 25–28, 2023 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		48,000+[42]Adassa, Johnny Yong Bosch, Don Bluth, Justin Briner, Griffin Burns, Ray Chase, Robbie Daymond, Grey DeLisle, Jack De Sena, Jessie Flower, Olivia Hack, Ironmouse, The Living Tombstone, Yuri Lowenthal, Adam McArthur, Brandon McInnis, Max Mittelman, Tara Platt, Sarah-Nicole Robles, Megan Shipman (cancelled), Kaiji Tang, J. Michael Tatum, Janey Varney, Anne Yatco, Zentreya[43]
May 24–27, 2024 Georgia World Congress Center and Omni Hotel Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia		55,800+[44]
May 22–25, 2025 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		59,222 [45]
May 21–24, 2026 Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, Georgia		TBDTBA

Peripheral events/MomoCon on Tour

[edit]
Cosplayers at MomoCon's Cosplayers on Ice 2008

MomoCon also sponsors local events that bolster awareness of the convention and of Japanese culture. Anime O-Tekku began this tradition by bringing many movies and gatherings to Georgia Tech's campus and Atlanta, and MomoCon continues it.

  • Georgia Tech Riki-Oh Night 2005 - MomoCon helped staff and financially sponsor the annual Georgia Tech cult film festival and Super Smash Bros. Melee tournament, Riki-Oh Night. The convention paid in part for the banner and prizes for the tournament.
  • Photoshoots on Tour 2006-2017 - MomoCon on Tour has hosted photoshoots around the southeast since 2006, including two Savannah shoots (one on Tybee Island), three South Carolina shoots, a zombie-themed Halloween shoot in Perry, GA, joint photoshoots with Middle Tennessee Anime Convention and Anime Weekend Atlanta in Chattanooga, TN and Rhodes Hall in Atlanta, respectively.
  • Gaming Festivals 2009-2010, 2012-2014 MomoCon hosted a Summer and Winter Gaming Festival at the Georgia Tech Student Center. Events included board, card, and RPG gaming, as well as retro video gaming.
  • Cosplayers on Ice 2007-2016 - Annually in December, MomoCon on Tour welcomes attendees to the Cosplayers on Ice event.
  • Steampunk Photoshoot 2008 - On May 24, 2008, MomoCon in association with Peach State Cosplay Society hosted a Steampunk photoshoot on Georgia Tech campus. The shoot took advantage of some of the unique campus architecture and was open to all types of costumers.
  • MomoCon Winter Ball 2008-2015 - MomoCon hosts a winter semi-formal ball event annually. It features wintery decorations, DJs playing danceable anime/video game tunes as well as classic pop, rock, big band, lounge, and jazz music.
  • MomoCon Summer Charity Ball 2008-2010, 2012-2014 - MomoCon hosts a summer semi-formal ball with all proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen organization for breast cancer awareness.
  • Twilight Masquerade 2015, The Crystal Ball 2017 - MomoCon hosted (alongside Dragon Con for The Crystal Ball) a full formal masquerade event in 2015 and 2017 held in the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium.
  • Winterfest was held from 18–19 December 2021, as a smaller-scale replacement for the main convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

MomoCon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

MomoCon is an annual all-ages multi-genre fan convention held in Atlanta, Georgia, that celebrates Japanese anime, American animation, comics, video games, and tabletop gaming through activities such as cosplay, panels, exhibitions, and interactive events.
Founded in 2005 by members of the Georgia Institute of Technology's Anime O-Tekku club, the event originated as a small two-day gathering on the university campus with around 750 attendees, deriving its name from the Japanese word for peach to evoke Georgia's state symbol alongside anime culture.
It has since grown into one of the largest conventions of its kind in the southeastern United States, expanding to a four-day format over Memorial Day weekend at the Georgia World Congress Center and drawing over 60,000 participants by its 20th anniversary in 2025.
Notable features include the largest open game hall in the U.S., extensive tabletop gaming areas spanning 90,000 square feet, cosplay contests, voice actor and creator panels, and vendor halls covering over 300,000 square feet of space, fostering community engagement and creative expression without reported major controversies.

History

Founding and Early Development

MomoCon was founded in 2005 by Jessica Merriman and Chris Stuckey, then undergraduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology, as an extension of activities by the campus Anime O-Tekku club. The event drew its name from "momo," the Japanese word for peach, referencing Georgia's state fruit and symbolizing a welcoming Southern twist on anime and gaming conventions. It built upon a predecessor event, Techwood Con, organized in 2004 by an Anime O-Tekku officer and alumnus, which attracted approximately 175 attendees. The inaugural MomoCon took place on the Georgia Tech campus in , drawing over 700 participants focused on Japanese , video games, and related fan activities. Initial programming emphasized community-driven elements such as panels, screenings, and informal gatherings, supported primarily by club volunteers and alumni who continue to form a significant portion of the staff. The event operated on a modest scale, funded through club resources and entry fees, with early themes like "" highlighting its regional flavor. In its early years from to , MomoCon experienced rapid expansion, with attendance growing over 50% annually and reaching 10,000 by , at which point it ranked among the top ten largest anime conventions in according to AnimeCons.com metrics. This growth necessitated transitions from campus venues to nearby hotels to accommodate increasing crowds, while programming diversified to include demonstrations and evening raves by the early . The convention remained volunteer-led, preserving its origins amid rising popularity in the Southeast's geek culture scene.

Growth Phase and Key Milestones

Following its inaugural event in 2005 with over 700 attendees on the campus, MomoCon experienced annual growth exceeding 50% in its early years, transitioning from a modest student-led gathering to a regionally prominent convention. This expansion was fueled by volunteer-driven programming expansions and community engagement, culminating in 2011 when attendance surpassed 10,000, securing its ranking as the 10th largest anime convention in according to AnimeCons.com. A pivotal milestone occurred in 2012, when rising venue costs and demand prompted the introduction of paid memberships, extension to a four-day format over weekend, of guests, and to the to support broader like raves and demonstrations. These changes marked the onset of sustained infrastructural scaling, with attendance steadily climbing from approximately 12,000 around that period to over 30,000 by 2018. The convention reached new heights in 2025 during its 20th anniversary, attracting a record 59,222 unique visitors and establishing the second-largest open game hall in the United States. Looking ahead, organizers announced a 30% increase in exhibit space for 2026, surpassing 1 million square feet to accommodate projected further growth.

Recent Expansions and Records

In 2024, MomoCon achieved a new attendance high of over 55,800 participants at the , surpassing prior benchmarks amid sustained year-over-year growth exceeding 50% in multiple preceding years. The 2025 event, marking the convention's 20th anniversary, elevated this further with 59,222 unique attendees over the four-day weekend, establishing another record while generating an estimated $42.4 million in economic impact for . To address escalating demand, MomoCon announced substantial venue expansions for its 2026 iteration, set for May 21–24, by incorporating Halls A and B at the , boosting exhibit and gaming space to 1,045,178 square feet—a 30% increase from prior layouts. This adjustment supports projections of attendance surpassing 59,000, alongside enhancements like an open game hall exceeding 300,000 square feet, ranked as the second-largest in the United States. Complementing core operations, the launch of "MomoCon on Tour" extends programming through regional Southeast events, fostering year-round engagement beyond the flagship gathering.

Programming and Activities

Core Convention Features

MomoCon's core programming revolves around celebrating , gaming, , and through interactive and participatory events. Central to the convention is cosplay, where attendees create and wear costumes replicating characters from , , video games, and , often culminating in contests and photoshoots. The event emphasizes community-driven costuming, with dedicated spaces for display, judging, and performance-based activities like masquerades. Panels and workshops form another foundational element, featuring discussions and hands-on sessions led by voice actors, animators, developers, artists, and industry professionals. These cover topics such as production, character design, development, and fandom culture, providing educational and inspirational content for attendees of all skill levels. Screenings of anime episodes, animated films, and fan-made anime music videos (AMVs) complement the panel programming, offering viewing opportunities in dedicated rooms. Gaming constitutes a substantial portion of the convention's offerings, spanning video games, tabletop games, card games, role-playing games (RPGs), live-action role-playing (LARP), and social deduction games. The gaming halls include arcades, free-play areas, and competitive tournaments, with some events operating 24 hours daily to accommodate diverse schedules. Tabletop activities feature board games via "Play to Win" formats, Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League sessions, and organized card game play, fostering both casual and structured engagement. An expansive exhibitors' hall serves as a hub for vendors selling merchandise related to , , , and supplies, alongside artist alleys for original works and commissions. Live music , concerts, and dances, including raves, add variety, often featuring genre-specific acts tied to the convention's themes. Additional staples include demonstrations and prop-making workshops, enhancing the creative and performative aspects of the event.

Competitions and Special Events

MomoCon features a range of competitive events centered on cosplay craftsmanship, gaming prowess, and creative builds, attracting participants from across genres including anime, video games, and tabletop. The convention's contests emphasize skill demonstration, with judging criteria focused on construction quality, accuracy to source material, and performance elements where applicable. The flagship cosplay event is the Craftsmanship Costume Contest, held annually and offering $5,000 in total cash prizes, including a grand prize for exceptional builds judged on materials, techniques, and overall execution. A separate Friday Cosplay Showcase, evolved from the former Closet Costume Contest, allows entrants to display spirit-of-the-con themed outfits assembled with minimal preparation, prioritizing creativity over elaborate fabrication. Additional niche competitions include the Muscle Nerd Showdown, blending fitness displays with geek culture themes, and the Build Shop Custom Contest for modified merchandise or props. Gaming competitions form a core pillar, with digital tournaments in titles such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Street Fighter 6, Tekken, and Guilty Gear, often featuring substantial prize pools and drawing regional competitors. Console-based events, PC bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN tournaments, and couch co-op challenges extend to retro games and rhythm titles via specialized side events like Rhythm Bash, which hosts arcade-style competitions. These tournaments utilize dedicated venues within the Georgia World Congress Center, supporting both bracket-style elimination and casual free-play sessions. Special events tied to competitions include prejudging sessions for cosplay entrants to showcase build processes to judges, ensuring transparency in awards, though past iterations have faced logistical critiques such as stage hazards affecting participant safety. Overall, these activities integrate competitive rigor with community engagement, scaling with the convention's growth to include over 100 free-play stations for gaming warm-ups.

Guest Programming and Panels

Guest programming at MomoCon centers on panels and interactive sessions led by invited professionals in voice acting, animation, gaming, and comics, offering attendees direct engagement with industry figures. These events typically explore topics such as character performance techniques, production workflows, narrative storytelling, and creative processes behind popular media. Recurring guests include voice actors and performers like Griffin Burns, known for roles in anime dubs, and members of the Critical Role ensemble including Matthew Mercer, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Taliesin Jaffe, and Sam Riegel, who contribute to panels on improvisation, role-playing mechanics, and audio production. Animator and director Jorge R. Gutierrez, creator of The Book of Life, and actor Avi Roque have also appeared, participating in discussions tailored to their expertise in visual storytelling and character design. Panel submissions are handled by the programming team, with a final deadline of February 15 for the following year, emphasizing self-contained topics in categories like animation, gaming, cosplay crafting, cultural analysis, and hands-on workshops. All content adheres to a strict PG-13 rating to align with the convention's all-ages policy, prohibiting adult themes, dating simulations, or hazardous elements like pyrotechnics; submitters must secure their own co-panelists or guests, as the organizers provide none. Schedules for guest-led programming, including panel times and autograph sessions, are distributed through the official MomoCon app closer to , subject to changes based on availability. This structure ensures focused, professional discourse while integrating guest appearances with broader convention activities like screenings and demos.

Operations and Logistics

Venue and Scheduling

MomoCon's primary venue is the (GWCC) in , Georgia, which provides over 1.5 million square feet of exhibit space across its halls, large-scale programming for the convention's growing . The event utilizes Building B, including Hall B for exhibitor space exceeding 700,000 square feet in recent years, with adjacent facilities like the Omni Atlanta Hotel and the connected Hilton Signia serving as key overflow areas for , , and attendee services. These venues are bordered by and the , facilitating easy access via public transit and over 5,600 on-site parking spaces. The convention originated in 2005 as a student-led gathering on the Georgia Institute of Technology campus, reflecting its initial scale as a modest anime-focused event before expanding to accommodate broader multi-genre activities. As attendance surged—reaching capacities that outgrew academic facilities—MomoCon transitioned to the GWCC, where it first occupied a portion of the smaller Hall A before scaling to larger halls amid record-breaking crowds, such as over 59,000 in 2025. Scheduling for the main annual convention follows a consistent four-day format from Thursday to Sunday in late May, allowing for extended programming including panels, competitions, and concerts; for example, the 2025 event ran May 22–25, while the 2026 edition is set for May 21–24. On-site badge registration typically opens the preceding Wednesday and closes early Sunday afternoon, with detailed daily timetables for screenings, workshops, and performances published on the official website closer to the event. This structure supports high-density attendance while coordinating with hotel blocks and local logistics in Atlanta's convention district. MomoCon began with approximately 750 attendees in its inaugural years as a campus-based event at . By its third year, reached 2,600 participants. Growth accelerated in the early , surpassing attendees by , which positioned it as the 10th largest anime convention in at the time. The convention experienced consistent expansion through the mid-2010s, with figures exceeding 14,600 by 2014, prompting a relocation to the Georgia World Congress Center in 2015 to accommodate larger crowds. This period reflected doubling or tripling of attendance in successive years, driven by expanded programming and regional appeal in animation, gaming, and comics fandoms. In recent years, MomoCon has set successive records, establishing itself as the largest multi-genre convention of its kind in the Southeast United States. The 2024 event drew over 55,800 attendees over Memorial Day weekend. The 2025 edition, marking the 20th anniversary, achieved a peak of 59,222 unique visitors, with total turnstile counts exceeding 150,000 across four days. Organizers project over 65,000 unique attendees for 2026, supported by venue expansions and sustained word-of-mouth growth.
YearApproximate Unique AttendeesSource Notes
Early 2000s~750Founders' reflection on initial scale
2011>10,000Ranked 10th largest anime con in North America
2014>14,600Pre-GWCC relocation benchmark
2024>55,800Record prior to 2025
202559,22220th anniversary peak

Satellite and Year-Round Events

MomoCon extends its programming beyond the annual flagship convention through the MomoCon on Tour initiative, launched in 2006, which organizes localized events across the Southeastern United States. These satellite gatherings feature scaled-down activities mirroring the main event's focus on anime, gaming, and cosplay, including photoshoots, dances, art workshops, game days, and competitive tournaments, thereby fostering ongoing community engagement in regional hubs. The on-tour calendar, maintained on the official website, lists periodic meetups such as themed karaoke sessions and cosplay-focused outings, with examples including MomoCon Melodies Karaoke held on October 4, 2025, at Super Banh Mi Pho in Atlanta. These events typically draw smaller crowds than the convention proper but serve to preview programming, recruit volunteers, and sustain fan interest throughout the year, often at local venues to minimize logistical barriers. Complementing in-person satellites, MomoCon Digital delivers virtual year-round events accessible globally, emphasizing inclusivity for remote participants. Offerings include charity gaming streams, esports tournaments like Super Smash Bros. play-ins, speedrunning showcases, anime watch parties, and collaborative sessions such as Among Us games featuring YouTubers, with an annual highlight in the Let's Get Digital Festival held in December. This digital arm emerged as a response to attendance limitations, particularly during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to provide low-barrier entry to MomoCon's ecosystem without requiring travel.

Impact and Reception

Economic Contributions

MomoCon contributes substantially to the metro Atlanta economy through attendee spending on lodging, food, transportation, retail, and event-related services, with estimates derived from visitor surveys and multiplier effects by the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). The convention attracts tens of thousands of participants annually, many from out of state, generating direct and indirect economic activity during its four-day run at the Georgia World Congress Center. In 2025, the event's economic impact reached $42.4 million, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and vendors amid record attendance of 59,222. This marked an increase from 2024's $35 million impact with approximately 50,000 attendees, reflecting growth in scale and visitor expenditures over Memorial Day weekend. Earlier projections for 2024 had anticipated $34.6 million, underscoring consistent contributions to tourism revenue. These figures, while promotional in nature from ACVB analyses, align with patterns observed in similar conventions, where off-site spending amplifies local business activity without displacing other events due to the holiday timing. No independent audits contradict these estimates, and the convention's expansion plans for 2026 suggest sustained or growing benefits.

Cultural and Community Role

MomoCon functions as a pivotal gathering point for fans of Japanese anime, American animation, comics, gaming, and tabletop games in the southeastern United States, cultivating a dedicated community around these interests. Originating from a small group of enthusiasts focused on animation, gaming, comics, and costuming, the convention has evolved into a multi-genre event that emphasizes shared passions through activities like cosplay, panels, and vendor interactions, drawing over 59,000 attendees in 2025. This scale enables participants to form enduring connections, including friendships, romantic partnerships initiated at panels, and collaborative ventures among creators. Within Atlanta's cultural ecosystem, MomoCon amplifies for and subcultures, which have historically received less prominence in the region compared to mainstream . By prioritizing Georgia-based vendors, artists, and organizations—such as local gaming groups and cosplay collectives—the event bolsters regional talent and integrates into the city's creative fabric. Its all-ages further distinguishes it, attracting families and younger demographics to engage with Japanese pop culture influences like , thereby broadening cultural exposure in a diverse urban setting. Community involvement extends beyond the convention through volunteer programs requiring at least 16 hours of service per participant, which sustain operations while building organizational loyalty among hundreds of contributors annually. MomoCon also participates in external civic activities, such as cosplay groups marching in the Atlanta Pride Parade on October 12, 2025, thereby embedding fandom aesthetics into public life and enhancing grassroots cultural exchange.

Achievements in Fandom Expansion

MomoCon has demonstrated substantial achievements in expanding anime, gaming, and related fandoms within the southeastern United States by scaling from a niche campus event to a regional powerhouse, evidenced by exponential attendance growth. Originating in 2005 with roughly 750 attendees hosted at Georgia Tech, the convention experienced over 50% year-over-year increases in participation during its early years, reaching more than 10,000 attendees by 2011 and reflecting strong reception among emerging fan communities in the Southeast. This trajectory underscores causal factors such as accessible programming focused on Japanese animation, American comics, video games, and cosplay, which attracted newcomers to these subcultures in areas with limited prior exposure. By 2025, MomoCon set a record with 59,222 unique attendees over its four-day Memorial Day weekend event at the Georgia World Congress Center, surpassing previous benchmarks and establishing it as one of the Southeast's premier multi-genre conventions. This milestone highlights the convention's role in broadening fandom participation, particularly among younger demographics in Georgia and adjacent states, where it has cultivated sustained interest through diverse panels, competitions, and guest appearances that bridge entry-level enthusiasts with dedicated hobbyists. Strategic partnerships have further amplified MomoCon's reach, including a with —Atlanta's largest multi-fandom event—which facilitated , promotions, and attendee crossover, thereby integrating and gaming enthusiasts into wider . Plans for expansion to over 1 million square feet of venue signal continued scaling to accommodate growing crowds, enabling more inclusive that sustain and diversify the base across the .

Criticisms and Operational Issues

MomoCon has encountered operational challenges stemming from its rapid expansion, including logistical disorganization during peak attendance years. In 2024, attendees criticized the convention for inadequate signage following unannounced changes to the vendor hall layout, which placed it behind the gaming area and caused widespread confusion. The cosplay contest that year was similarly faulted for poor execution, contributing to perceptions of it as one of the event's weaker iterations among participants. By 2025, organizers addressed some layout issues from the prior year, earning praise for improvements, though complaints persisted regarding bottlenecks from escalator malfunctions and overall crowding. Harassment handling has drawn , particularly in earlier iterations. A 2015 incident involved an attendee reporting physical , only to receive a lukewarm staff response; subsequently, the convention's account harassed the victim , amplifying concerns over . Broader reports from that event highlighted ongoing toward cosplayers and others, undermining the convention's claims despite its policies against such . While no major recent scandals have surfaced in mainstream coverage, attendee forums continue to note staff conduct issues, such as aggressive at events like the rave. Hotel booking have also posed problems, exemplified by in the 2025 block relaunch, which frustrated early registrants. Record-breaking in 2025, surpassing prior highs, exacerbated overcrowding in shared spaces, prompting plans for venue expansion in 2026 to mitigate capacity strains. These issues reflect the tensions of scaling a multi-genre event amid Atlanta's convention limits, with fan feedback emphasizing the need for proactive communication and .

References

  1. https://www.momocon.com/
  2. https://www.gwcca.org/momocon-2025-celebrating-20-years-of-community-fandoms-and-fun
  3. https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/events/momocon-20th-anniversary-atlanta-founders-interview-qa/85-4f175aab-6c7a-4493-8ab6-f88a47a39964
  4. https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2019/05/11/the-local-couple-who-brings-momocons-world-of-anime-gaming-and-more-to-town/
  5. https://www.momocon.com/about-us/
  6. https://hypepotamus.com/people/jessica-merriman/
  7. https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/momocon-rising-growing-atlanta-anime-gaming-convention-courts-new-younger-fandom/
  8. https://metroatlantaceo.com/features/2025/06/momocon-2025-sets-new-record-59222-attendees-donates-12500-johnson-stem-activity-center-announces-expansion-plans-2026/
  9. https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/06/momocon-set-an-attendance-record-next-year-its-planning-to-be-even-bigger/
  10. https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/momocon-2024-breaks-attendance-records-georgia-world-congress-center
  11. https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/2025/05/momocon-2025-expected-bring-economic-impact-of-42-4-million-to-atlanta/
  12. https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/events/momocon-2025-record-donation-expansion-atlanta/85-9070ff2c-61ce-4a87-a0e8-c95209572464
  13. https://www.momocon.com/2025-convention-schedule/
  14. https://www.momocon.com/tabletop-card-games/
  15. https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/events/momocon-2025-attendee-guide-atlanta/85-e6607351-1e23-4328-b98d-ab72819eafd1
  16. https://www.momocon.com/contests/
  17. https://www.momocon.com/cosplay-at-momocon/
  18. https://www.momocon.com/digital-tournaments/
  19. https://www.momocon.com/esports/
  20. https://www.momocon.com/pc-gaming/
  21. https://www.start.gg/tournament/momocon-2025-rhythm-bash/details
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCf_LtvL74g
  23. https://www.momocon.com/guest-list/
  24. https://www.momocon.com/panelists-speakers/
  25. https://www.gwcca.org/georgia-world-congress-center
  26. https://www.momocon.com/industry-exhibitors/
  27. https://www.momocon.com/area-guide/
  28. https://www.momocon.com/fan-photo-shoots/
  29. https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/05/24/momocon-celebrates-its-20th-year-atlanta-with-record-breaking-attendance/
  30. https://www.eventeny.com/events/momocon-2026-20099/
  31. https://www.momocon.com/registration/
  32. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/momocon-breaks-attendance-record-donates-12500-johnson-stem-activity-center/IL3V7W7UEVG5LDDJDSBRIRG2AI/
  33. https://www.momocon.com/year-round-events/
  34. https://www.facebook.com/MomoCon/posts/there-are-so-many-momocon-on-tour-events-coming-your-way-in-the-next-few-months-/1213897504105682/
  35. https://digital.momocon.com/
  36. https://digital.momocon.com/digital-schedule/
  37. https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/events/momocon-2025-atlanta-economic-impact-memorial-day-weekend/85-f363e625-e823-44eb-bef7-1b194998d7ee
  38. https://www.gsecoalition.com/post/momocon-brings-in-an-impressive-35-million-in-economic-impact-rave-reviews-from-georgians
  39. https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/2024/05/momocon-2024-expected-to-have-economic-impact-of-34600000-on-metro-atlanta/
  40. https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/momocon-expected-have-more-than-34-million-impact-metro-atlanta/IVXES4QMUNDSLC3XAYHEHVMWZA/
  41. https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/2025/05/momocon-marks-20-years-of-fandom-community-and-creativity-in-atlanta/
  42. https://livinginpeachtreecorners.com/2025/around-atlanta/geek-culture-shines-at-2025-momocon/
  43. https://www.momocon.com/volunteers/
  44. https://www.facebook.com/MomoCon/posts/sign-up-to-be-a-part-of-the-momocon-and-lets-go-cosplay-costume-group-in-the-atl/1201105722051527/
  45. https://www.reddit.com/r/MomoCon/comments/1l4hab3/recent_atlanta_journal_constitution_article/
  46. https://www.reddit.com/r/MomoCon/comments/1d1uobj/worst_momocon_yet/
  47. https://www.reddit.com/r/MomoCon/comments/1kvfjhv/alright_everyone_momocon_is_officially_over_what/
  48. https://www.facebook.com/groups/610054945811318/posts/3027319624084826/
  49. https://www.nerdandtie.com/2015/05/31/momocon-attendee-reports-harassment-gets-harassed-by-staff/
  50. https://www.themarysue.com/harassment-at-momocon/
  51. https://www.facebook.com/groups/68924042904/posts/10157372285582905/
  52. https://www.reddit.com/r/MomoCon/comments/1gfqo49/momocon2025_hotel_block_issues/
  53. https://www.yahoo.com/news/momocon-breaks-attendance-record-donates-125432262.html
  54. https://www.pastemagazine.com/travel/momocon/momocon-2025
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