Raleigh-Durham
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Published on January 05, 2025
Animate! Raleigh Ignites Imagination and Economic Growth in Downtown AreaSource: Google Street View

The bustling halls of the Raleigh Convention Center became a colorful tableau of anime and animation enthusiasms as Animate! Raleigh launched into action this weekend. The event, often seen as a smaller incarnation of the summer hit GalaxyCon, drew crowds eager to immerse themselves in a world shaped by the hands of artists, the visions of authors, and the voices of actors who bring animated works to life.

Among the artisans, Tabitha Hunt stood out with her creative offerings. "It started off with me just selling this book at local conventions and festivals and then it’s since grown into expanding so now I make hand-printed book boxes and journals and I also do hand-painted animal portraits," Hunt told CBS 17. The convention is more than just a display of creative talents; it's an economic engine. According to a statement obtained by ABC11, the anticipated economic impact stands at an impressive $4 million dollars.

Fans had the opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrity talents in meet and greets, engage in panel discussions, and even witness fantasy super cosplay wrestling. Beyond the convention, the wider ripples of financial benefit are felt, as indicated by Peter Katz, Vice President of GalaxyCon. "The economic impact for our July show, we came close to $10 million, and then this show itself will generate about $4 million," Katz said to CBS 17, asserting the boon to both Raleigh and Wake County's economies.

The growth of GalaxyCon and its associated events is typified by their expansion plans. Over 700 vendors are on the waitlist for the summer convention, pushing the facilities to their limits. Katz noted, "We also expand into the hotels and do events there." Furthermore, a major expansion is on the horizon for the Raleigh Convention Center. Come 2026, a project will commence, adding over 80,000 square feet of space, with the addition of the Omni Hotel anticipated to bring a 550 guest room boost right into downtown Raleigh. "All of that’s going to be very important for us because that’s the only way we’re going to be able to grow," Katz elucidated in an interview with WRAL.

As the Convention Center prepares to close its doors for expansion works, Animate! Raleigh and GalaxyCon, which are slated to remain in the city through 2030 and 2031 respectively, must negotiate the interim. With events slated to continue during the renovation years, the organizers agreed to a deal keeping these fan-favorite conventions in place, according to details provided by WRAL. Artists like Taryn Cozzy, aspiring to make it to GalaxyCon, wait with bated breath and hopeful for the space the expansion will offer, symbolizing their potential breakthrough in a community brimming with passion and creativity.