It's hard to tell where to start here.

First, I've got to thank the amazing committee.  

Amy L, Amy R, Angelica, Chris, Denae, Drew, Eric, James, Jenna, Jennah, Julius, Katie D, Katie H, Katie M, Kellen, Kyle D, Kyle W, Lisa, Mia, Nicole, Priscilla, Red, Steve and Valerie.  It's like a Voltron but with 25 different pieces.  They are all volunteers with day jobs.. but we put a large portion of our lives on hold to get things done.  It's sometimes very, very hard when these people sacrifice for an unpaid responsibility.  I'm extremely honored and a little choked up that they work so hard.  I really hope you guys give them the love you can, because what I have isn't enough for what they deserve.

Our staff photographers Ted and Trevor have recorded our weekend with impeccable quality.  Thank you for lending us your ability to capture beautiful moments in the raging river that is our event!  

To the volunteers.  Thanks for sticking it out with us!  I think we had a much more reliable team this year that was more well trained than ever.  I want to say the weekend was an incredibly smooth affair, but it was your work that did it all.  I bet you guys solved OVER 9000 problems that didn't even make it to my ears.  You give me peace of mind knowing that we can count on you.

I'm especially proud of the anime community in Winnipeg.  Some of the best events of this year weren't of our planning.. but yours!  The cosplay masquerade was a HUGE hit.  As well as the open mic event!  You crazy nuts would be in the hallways giving hugs, dueling and generally sharing the love.    

A heartfelt thanks to Chris, Greg, Kirby and Monica.  Your connection with the fans here in Winnipeg let us know you really do care.  That what you do is because of a love we all have for the same hobby.  You answer our questions about your amazing lives and teach us about a world that we often only see one side of.  It broadens our horizons and fuels the passion we have for anime.

This year felt like a coming together.  We had ambassadors from anime clubs JAAW, UMAnime and WAC come to represent their organizations.  We had our first hello with the transformers club known as IACON North!  We also had the U of W Kendo club and the Manitoba Go Association.  We even had organizers from Kita-Kon, Chibicon, C4 and Keycon all stop by to say hello!  

To the artists in the artist fair.  You know I pick on you, but it's all clumsy schoolboy flirtations!  I love how you're starting to create even more elaborate stations to sell your art!  I'm often far too shy to say hi when faced with such talent, but I'll try to make an effort, I swear.  I look forward to see the mascot competition for 2011!

To the vendors in the vendor room, We're very honored you would spend so much time and effort to bring your amazing items down to the Winnipeg Convention Centre for us!

The staff and security of the Winnipeg Convention Centre were once again our best of friends!  Thank you so much for your assistance for another year!  Your help in making sure everyone stays safe makes a world of difference. 

And speaking of safety, thank you to the Downtown Biz for sending out ambassadors to patrol the grounds!  They provided a reassuring presence for our attendees so that we can focus on having fun!

A big thanks to Otaku Entertainment for supplying our library with DVDs again this year!  You have amazing suggestions year by year that show you're a true fan of the genre!

To the men and women of L.U.I.G.I. gamers, another year well done!  I was able to play my favourite DDR song, Rhythm and Police!

The Manitoba Japanese Canadian Cultural Center is owed a deep bow for it's contributing talent.  You bring in a whole new level of class to our event with your incredible panels!  

Thank you to Quest Musique for helping us secure such an amazing sound system to our attendees!

Thanks to Game Knight for providing late night entertainment for the roleplayers and board games!  

Thank you to Viz Media, Viz Pictures, Funimation, and Rightstuf for their support!  

And of course, thank you to all the fans of japanese cultural and animation who flocked to the Winnipeg Convention Centre to spend a hot summer weekend with us.  You could be outside kicking a ball around, but you choose to wear costumes and scarf down chocolate cracker sticks with us!  We'll always try to do right by you because you're who this is for.  

I.. just know I'm forgetting someone.  I'll edit in the future most likely!

A BIG Thank you to Gaia Online for providing us with the gold certificates that were inserted into all of the convention swag bags!

from a Volunteer!!! I want to thank the staff of the convention centre they made our jobs easier especially with the dance!!

Yanyou did forget someone,benson. YOURSELF! as much work as everyone put in,it wouldnt have been ai-kon without you.and you are allowed to toot your own horn on occation.WHO AGREES BENSON SHOULD ALSO TAKE SOME CREDIT?!

Thanking himself ain't HIS job. Ultimately though, as someone who has helped put together a convention and never really got thanked by anyone I can say from experience that seeing it happen is a damn good feeling.

This year was really the best year so far for my friends and I. Everyone was so nice and everything was planned out so well. Thank you bag check room and volunteers cuz without you, I would die from carrying all my stuff. Thank you all of the Ai Kon staff members for all the well planned events that went very smoothly. I also agree that Benson should takes some credit xD. Hes like an anime character of his own, everyone can recognize him from 1st glance with his hat and glasses. Someone should cosplay him next year .

This year was really the best year so far for my friends and I. Everyone was so nice and everything was planned out so well. Thank you bag check room and volunteers cuz without you, I would die from carrying all my stuff. Thank you all of the Ai Kon staff members for all the well planned events that went very smoothly. I also agree that Benson should takes some credit xD. Hes like an anime character of his own, everyone can recognize him from 1st glance with his hat and glasses. Someone should cosplay him next year .

OH GAWD, YES! YEEEESSSS!