Promoting first-year events is always a challenge, but the publicity campaign for this particular convention also had an educational component: The pitches to media representatives -- and resulting coverage -- served as an "introduction to Japanese animation" for many in the Tampa Bay region. The final attendance for METROCON 2003 was a healthy 1600.

Thursday, July 17, 2003
"HOT TICKET: Anime convention a first"
St. Petersburg Times (Full-run St. Petersburg/Tampa/Tampa Bay)
Event designated a "Hot Ticket" event, showcased for the weekend.

Friday, July 18, 2003
"Anime-niacs: Embracing Japanese Culture"
Leonora LePeter, photos by Ken Shimizu
St. Petersburg Times (City/State section, full-run Tampa Bay)
Feature article introducing the Tampa Bay area to anime via its fans and via Tampa's own anime retailer/production house, AnimeNation.

"Pop Culture Turns Japanese"
Mike O'Neill
Tampa Tribune FRIDAY EXTRA
(Full-run Tampa/St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay)
A spotlight event for the weekend.

Saturday, July 19, 2003
Late News
WTSP - Channel 10 (CBS - Tampa)
Brief package on the event's turnout, including on-camera interviews with several costumed participants.

Sunday, July 20, 2003
"Brothers Do Battle as 'DRAGON BALL Z's' Master Roshi, Goku; Japanese Animation Fans Hit Convention"
Kathy Steele, photos by Fred Fox
Tampa Tribune (State/Local section, full-run Tampa Bay)
Feature news story focusing on the event's costume contest and anime fans.

Post-Event Coverage
"CON REPORT - Fandom in America: The Tempo in Tampa"
Gerry Poulos, text and photos
NEWTYPE USA -- October 2003, p. 141
Full-page overview of convention with photos.

"A Convention by Another Name"
Melissa Chase
Veteran's Post -- August 2003
News feature/event review in this publication distributed to all U.S. military veterans and personnel throughout the Tampa Bay area.

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