MOBICON
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| MOBICON | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Multi-genre |
| Venue | Riverview Hotel |
| Locations | Mobile, Alabama |
| Coordinates | 30°41′39″N 88°2′34″W / 30.69417°N 88.04278°W |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1998 |
| Attendance | 1800–2300 |
| Organized by | The Mobicon Foundation |
| Filing status | 501(c)(3) |
| Website | mobiconfoundation |
MOBICON is an annual fan convention held in Mobile, Alabama. Named for an earlier convention known formally as the Mobile Comic Art and Science Fiction Festival,[1] MOBICON was re-founded in 1998 and its membership has steadily grown since its inception. MOBICON is a multigenre convention with a broad focus on many aspects of popular culture, fandom including science fiction, fantasy, gaming, movies, anime, horror, art, and comics.[citation needed]
Every year actors, authors, artists and their fans come from all over the world to interact with each other and participate in unique events pertaining to their favorite obsession. A portion of MOBICON's proceeds benefit a charity that is chosen each year by its Board of Directors.[citation needed]
Members of MOBICON can participate in many unique fan themed events including discussion panels, charity auctions, a dealers room, an art show and auction, promotional events, video rooms, a film festival, a fan-sponsored dance, 24-hour gaming, and costume contests.[2][3] Select events, such as the costume contest, are structured so that fans with varying skill levels may participate. The convention also features a "con suite" lounge area with refreshments for members and staff.[4]
Structure
All attendees of MOBICON are not ticket-holders but rather pay to become members of the non-profit organization hosting the convention.[4] As such, all members are encouraged to attend meetings, join committees and elect committee heads. As a not-for profit organization, MOBICON is organized and run by volunteers.[2][3]
Charity
MOBICON's board of directors choose a charity each year to benefit from fundraising efforts at that year's convention.[2] Over half of MOBICON's proceeds benefit the chosen charity every year. Over the years, these charities have included the Make a Wish Foundation, the Bay Area Food Bank, and the Mobile SPCA.[3][5] MOBICON's parent organization, Mobicon Inc., is itself a Federally-recognized not-for-profit tax-exempt entity under 501(a) and 501(c)(4).[2]
