What is Alcon? Alcon, short for AnimeLeague Convention, is an extremely friendly and innovative anime convention that takes place in the UK. We have run before in 2007 and 2008. Our 2009 event, scheduled for 4th-6th September promises many more new events and ideas! What are the prices? Three Day Pass - £25 Accommodation - £21 a night. What is AnimeLeague? An anime forum and community site with the aim to provide a friendly and open atmosphere where everyone could enjoy themselves and have fun. We do not limit ourselves to anime fandom, and welcome all from the casual fan to the otaku. With thousands of members world-wide, we hold regular meetups of anything between 6 to 60 members in the UK as well as organise Alcon. You can check it out here. What do your mascots represent? Our two twin mascots, Al-Chan and Al-Kun also known as Alice and Alex, represent the two sides of Animeleague and indeed Alcon. Al-Chan is hyperactive, bouncey and silly, whereas Al-Kun is more mature, serious and intellectual. Together they represent that all members are welcome, be they of a serious or silly demeanour.

What is the spirit of Alcon?

2. To push the boundaries of what is possible at conventions. Previous Alcons have seen first ever events in the UK of the Iron Artist, the Cosplay Blind-Date and many other small events (Not to mention the Ninjas v Pirates v Vampires!). For '09 we plan to push this even further and come up with many more completely new ideas. 3. To Promote fresh talent and encourage new groups and communities at conventions. We can confirm that we shall be running our own Video Gaming room in 2009, and shall again be welcoming Studio Shoebox back to run our Artist Alley. We want to see genuine innovation and new groups forming to help out conventions UK-wide. 4. To support the anime community in the UK and see it become a genuinely main-stream interest. The more conventions, and interests that occur in the UK, the more that this will happen. We are fully committed to helping out other conventions, or conventions which may be entirely new startups. Rather than seeing them as competition, we see them as our partners toward achieving this goal. 5. To bring new fans into the fandom We believe it is important to appeal more to the casual anime fan than to a hardcore minority that often exclude newer fans. Of course otaku are more than welcomed, but the focus of Alcon is not on watching anime, but rather on socialising, and introducing newer people to the fandom. 6. To give the best weekend possible to the Alcon Attendee - Last but most certainly not least. We owe it to every one of our attendees to ensure that they have an amazing time, that the convention is run well, and that there are a minimum of problems or issues.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions section. Please read before asking the committee any of your queries.

What is a Supporting Member?
The type of memberbadge you get for Alcon depends on which clan you signup for. The artwork will show Al-Kun/Chan either dressed up as Pirates, Ninjas, Mecha or Vampires.

A supporting member gets to -

1. Have all THREE badge-types rather than being confined to one.
2. Pick the clan they are in and be guaranteed that they'll be in that clan (Though they'll have to decide 100% on which clan a week before the event and then stick to it).
3. Have the satisifaction of knowing that the £5 they pay is a contribution toward the convention funds, ensuring a better convention for everyone.

You can opt to become a supporting member upon registration, or if you decide you wish to become one, simply use the Contact Us Form at anytime up to 15 days before the convention.

Accommodation Information.

Q: Will I have to put down a deposit on my keys for accommodation?
A: You will need to hand us a £10 deposit before you can take your keys. This is to cover us if you lose your keys, wreck your room, don't vacate it by 10am on the day of departure, etc.

Q: Can I choose where I sleep?
A: Of course! A topic will go up in Spring 2009 on the forums for everyone to state where they want to stay.

Any emails or notes stating where you would like to stay will be ignored, it must be done via that topic (or it makes it a lot more confusing for our accommodation officer to handle). You will then have until the 1st of September to decide which block to sleep in. Thereafter, we will pick for you.

Q: Can under 18's stay in the same rooms/blocks as over 18's?
A: Yes, they sure can!

Q: Does the accommodation provide towels and cooking implements?
A: You will need to bring your own towels, since the rooms are not ensuite. Likewise, while the kitchen area will have Microwaves, Fridges and Cookers, no actual pots, pans, or plates will be provided. So, if you intend to cook, then please bring such utensils along.

Q: Will there be a curfew for getting back to our dorms on a night?
A: No, there will be no curfews, but we ask for you to show consideration for noise after midnight, since there will be some people trying to sleep.

Q: What time are check-outs?
A: 9:30am on the day of your departure. If you are late, you may risk losing your deposit.

Q: Where do we collect our room keys?
A: You collect your keys and register up to 10pm in the reception of Bede Hall accommodation building.

T-Shirts & Merchandise

Q: What style will the t-shirts be?
A: They will be standard unisex black shirts. Unfortunately due to numbers, there is no way we can provided any other varients. You can order them in Small - 36" (£9.50), Medium - 38-40", Large - 42", X-Large - 44"

Q: How can I order the shirts?
A: To order, simply reply back to this email. Please note if you order it will be binding, and we will expect you to pay the money when you arrive on the day. Orders will close in August 2009.

Transport & Parking

Q: Do you have any helpful hints on transport to the convention?
A: If you want to travel by train we recommend National Rail (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/) as it allows you to not only check train times but also book them in advance! If you're coming from a major city, you may be able to catch the Megabus (http://www.megabus.com/) or get a cheap funfare with National Express (http://www.nationalexpress.com/).

Q: Will there be free car-parking available?
A: Yes, and no. We have 25 spaces available on the Friday, and unlimited spaces for the Saturday and Sunday in the DMU staff carpark. This means that free car-parking will be reserved for dealers and Alcon senior staff ONLY on the Friday, and thereafter available to all on the Saturday and Sunday.

There is however carparking available at the Phoenix Arts centre for £6.20 for a 24 hour stay. We would advise you to park here for the Friday, and then switch to the main staff carpark for the Saturday and Sunday.

Q: If I am going by train, what are the directions to get to DMU?
A: They can be found on the Alcon website here - http://www.alcon.org.uk/transport.php If you are confused, email us and we'll do our best to clear anything up.

On the Day Convention Details

Q: What ID do you accept?
A: Driver's License, Provisional Driver's License, Passport, Citizen Card.

Q: Why do I need ID?
A: To make sure that you are who you say you are and no one pretends to be you.

Q: What about food?
A: There is an off-license, a Safeways, various takeaways, our bar that also does hot-meals, and we'll even be allowing you to order pizza at ops. All of which are less than 5 minutes walk from your bedroom. If you can't find these places (which will be on your map which you will be given), then ask at ops and we will direct you.

Q: I have a problem, where do I go?
A: To the ops & registrations desk until 10pm in the Bede Hall Accommodation Building. If the worst comes to worst, you can call ops at (phone number to be announced)

Q: What time does the convention start and end?
A: 11am on Friday. It ends just past midnight on Sunday.

Pre-Convention

Q: Is there anywhere we can print off posters or leaflets to advertise for the convention in our area?
A: Yes, this will be made available very shortly!

Q: I've registered, but want to change my badgename/some of my details. How do I?
A: This is no problem, just contact us via the contact form, and tell us what you wish to change.

Q: I'm cosplaying with a weapon that may be dangerous. Is this okay?
A: Make sure to read the cosplaying rules here first. All weapons will be checked by the cosplay organisers and if they consider it as a risk to others we will send you to Ops where it will be stored. If you going to be part of the cosplay masquerade you will be able to pick it up but must return it to us to look after or keep it in your own room.

Q: I want to help Alcon out in it's planning. How?
A: You can signup to assist in this topic here.