Community Groups Information
What is AVCon?
Calling All Community Groups! AVCon is the only event of its type in Adelaide.
The AVCon Anime and Video Game Festival is an annual celebration of Japanese animation, video gaming, tabletop gaming, esports, game development, art, technology, and cosplay, all in the heart of Adelaide – the capital of South Australia!
Run by Team AVCon Inc, a not-for-profit volunteer organisation dedicated to serving the local South Australian community. Team AVCon Inc. also runs various other anime and gaming-themed events geared towards hobbyists, professionals, and the general public, meaning no matter your skill level or need, we have you covered! Because Team AVCon Inc. is a not-for-profit, all funds generated are used exclusively for making AVCon events better year after year. We put our full focus on promoting local content and giving the South Australian community an event that feels their own.
The AVCon Festival has been running for 21 years, and built a lasting legacy within South Australia, and stands as one of the pillars of pop culture celebration on the Australian calendar. Because of its long-lasting success, AVCon has developed a sterling reputation and is respected nationwide in multiple industries and communities.
AVCon is committed to fostering local and interstate talent in fields such as game development, digital productions, writing, art and design, sewing and construction and other creative outlets such as streaming and podcasting.
South Australia
Although many Aboriginal people settled in the area we know today as South Australia, the traditional owners and custodians of the Adelaide plains were the Kaurna people, who called the area Tarntanya.
Modern Adelaide was established as the first free British settlement in Australia and does not have roots as a convict colony like many other Australian cities. It is named for Queen Adelaide, wife of King William IV.
Adelaide is home to a large variety of highly renown arts, performance and food festivals that run all year long. In fact, one of the many nicknames of South Australia is ‘The Festival
State’ so AVCon is in good company. Greater South Australia is home to many wine regions that are considered amongst the best in the world. Areas such as the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale produce first-class wine and are also some of the most scenic landscapes in the country and well worth a visit.
Venue
AVCon will run out of the Adelaide Showgrounds. Just on the outskirts of the Adelaide CBD, the Adelaide Showgrounds is home to the Royal Adelaide Show, a mainstay of South Australian life and a venue well-worn and familiar by most South Australians since childhood.
The Showgrounds is a large and modern venue and one of the largest under-cover exhibition spaces in the Southern Hemisphere. The Showgrounds accommodates other large pop culture events such as Supanova and Oz Comic-Con. The Showgrounds are easily accessible by car (with ample parking), the Adelaide Tram System and by bus.
Our Guests
Homegrown icons – AVCon has hosted many Australian icons such as Jade Gatt and Ryan Lappin (hosts of the Australian kids show Cheez TV) and Steven “Bajo” O’Donnell and Stephanie “Hex” Bendixsen (hosts of the Australian video game show Good Game).
International Celebrities – AVCon has flown in many international guests such as cosplayers Jessica Nigri and Yaya Han, voice actors such as Jen Taylor, Caitlin Glass and Steve Downes and Japanese animator Hiroshi Nagahama.
Demographics
Surveys have found that AVCon appeals to and is attended by males and females in equal measure, with another large segment of our attendees identifying as non-binary or genderfluid. 40% of AVCon attendees fall into the 18 to 24 age range, and another 40% fall into the 25 to 34 bracket, meaning AVCon has solid appeal to the younger demographics, who make up the largest share of consumers spending money on pop culture-related products and services.
AVCon is a family-friendly event that offers free entry to children under 10 and targets content directed at young fans to foster a lifelong love of AVCon and pop culture. Feedback from previous years indicates that AVCon resonates with and is well-regarded by the family demographic. AVCon also runs ”After Dark” which is an 18+ pop culture celebration run on the Saturday night of the main AVCon Festival. After Dark allows older fans to enjoy a range of pop culture entertainment not suitable for a younger audience and vendors and artists to offer a wider range of products than normal.
Our Online Reach
Community Groups At AVCon 2024
AVCon would be nothing without community groups; in fact, AVCon was born from two fan groups located at Adelaide Uni some 22 years ago. That's why we feel it’s important we give similar groups, clubs or societies a platform to show themselves off and look for new members who share their common interests.
We are looking for any groups who wish to have a presence at AVCon 2024, whether you are a school anime club, an enclave of fans for a specific sci-fi show, a fictional sports league or a collection of model builders dedicated to creating movie-accurate props. This will also include production projects such as podcasts, Twitch streamers or Youtubers that are currently not generating money off corporate sponsorships or direct investment.
Spaces are given to community groups at no cost to advertise your group or to make any monetary sales (i.e., sell club merchandise or paid memberships).
Community groups will need to adhere to the following criteria:
- Be a volunteer or not-for-profit group. Any groups operating as a business will not be eligible.
- Be a group dedicated to a fandom aligned with AVCon, such as anime, gaming or adjacent fandoms such as sci-fi or fantasy movies, TV shows, books or comics.
- Be a production project such as a podcast, Twitch streamers or Youtubers that are currently not generating money off corporate sponsorships or direct investment.
- Be either South Australian-based or open to residents Australia-wide.
- Be welcoming and family-friendly.
If your community group has any general questions or in regards to exhibiting spaces, please don't hesitate to reach out to exhibitors@avcon.org.au.
By default, booths come with the following:
- 1 x Trestle Table (180cm long by 76cm wide)
- 1 x Velcro Only Backing Board (2m Wide x 2.4m high)
- 1 x Black Tablecloth
- Up to 4 chairs
- Up to 4 AVCon Exhibitor Passes for your community group
Groups may potentially exhibit in a 3m x 3m Open Floor Space depending on space and need.
All electronics wanting to be plugged in at the Adelaide Showgrounds must have a valid Test and Tag within 2 years of the dates of 28th of June 2024.
AVCon After Dark
AVCon will be running a new version of our popular AVCon After Dark event on Saturday 29th of June from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. This event will take place at the same venue as AVCon (Jubilee Pavilion, Adelaide Showgrounds) but will be restricted to attendees over 18 years of age.
Participating at AVCon After Dark is optional, but if you wish to opt in, you will gain four extra hours to exhibit your community group or area.
Community groups who do not opt into After Dark will have their area sectioned off and watched by security.
Application Information and Key Dates
Community groups will need to adhere to the following criteria:
- Be a volunteer or not-for-profit group. Any groups operating as a business will not be eligible.
- Be a group dedicated to a fandom aligned with AVCon, such as anime, gaming or adjacent fandoms such as sci-fi or fantasy movies, TV shows, books or comics.
- Be either South Australian-based or open to residents Australia-wide.
- Be welcoming and family-friendly.
- Agree and understand AVCon's Exhibitor Terms and Conditions.
Applications for the AVCon Community Group Area will close on Saturday, 25th of May, at 7:00 pm (Adelaide time). If you have any queries or concerns or require any updates or changes to your application, please email exhibitors@avcon.org.au.
Applications will be evaluated and accepted as they are received. Although there should be capacity for all groups that apply, we cannot guarantee that, as space restrictions may arise if there is more demand than expected. All community groups are encouraged to submit their applications promptly.
Emails will be sent out to the email address provided in the application. Information regarding bump in/out times and other instructions will follow.
Please ensure you read and understand the Exhibitor Terms and Conditions available here prior to your application.
Application
Applications will close on Saturday, 25th of May, at 7:00 pm (Adelaide time).
Complete the form below or here (this will direct you to the Google Form).
Got Any Questions?
Complete the form, and we'll be in touch!