Earlier today, Anime Boston announced that their 2020 convention is cancelled, due to a newly-enacted ban on all gatherings of 250 or more people. The ban was put into place by Charlie Baker on March 13 as a means of stemming the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
The ban currently has no planned end date as of press time, as it will remain in-place until Massachusetts’ governor rescinds it. The convention board reviewed possibilities of postponement, but found it was not feasible to reschedule the event.
Due to the close proximity of Anime Boston, the staff ultimately decided to cancel the event for 2020. Anime Boston 2021 will be held on April 2 – 4, 2021.
In a statement on the official Anime Boston website, the team stated the following:
Our executive board has reviewed the possibilities of postponing the 2020 convention for later in the year. After careful consideration, we have decided it would not be feasible to reschedule Anime Boston 2020 and meet the same high standards you have come to expect from us. We are a completely volunteer organization and all of the preparation is done in our personal time. Retooling the convention for later this year would be extremely difficult to achieve, given the need to coordinate the availability of the Hynes Convention Center, Sheraton Boston hotel, other hotels, guests, and exhibitors. One of the possible options we were given was in December, which would take away preparation time for Anime Boston 2021 and cause it to suffer in quality as well.
Convention Chair Kristen Leiding added “We hope you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy […] We certainly hope to see you at the next Anime Boston, April 2–4, 2021.”
Registrations
Individuals who pre-registered for 2020 will see their memberships transitioned to 2021 automatically. People who pre-registered after the Early Bird cutoffs will also receive a $5, $10, or $15 coupon or the Anime Boston merch booth in the Dealers’ Room as a means of compensating for the price difference.
Individuals who cannot attend in 2021 should contact Registration Customer Service with an inquiry. Those who contact are asked to include your full name and the email address used when registering. Due to the increase in volume of requests, the convention is also asking to allow at least three to four weeks for processing of refunds.
Hotels
Partner hotels have been made aware of the cancellation. Individuals who reserved via the Anime Boston website are being asked to email [email protected] or call 800-967-8852 (847-996-5832 internationally) to initiate a cancellation.
Reservations in the official room blocks can be cancelled for a full refund if initiated 48 to 72 hours before the reservation begins, depending on the hotel.
Anime Boston was originally slated to be held from April 10 – 12 at the Hynes Convention Center.
Source: Anime Boston (Press Release)
