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Otakon 2008 Draws Over 26,000 Attendees

According to event organizers, more than 26,000 attendees filled the Baltimore Convention Center this weekend for Otakon 2008. The figure does not take into account some at-the-door registration numbers, including people who received a complimentary pass to the show. The number represents an increase of over 3,000 attendees when compared to the attendance of last year's Otakon, which drew 22,852 people. The last time the convention posted a growth rate this significant was 2004, when the convention welcomed 20,899 attendees after drawing 17,338 people in 2003.

On Sunday, convention organizers also announced that the 2009 convention will occur earlier in the summer, from July 17th until July 19th. This puts Otakon back in the middle of the convention season, one week before San Diego Comic-Con and two weeks after the conclusion of Anime Expo.