It’s official—we’re heading to Tokyo Comic Con 2024! To say we’re excited would be an understatement. This is one of those moments where all the hard work, late nights, and big dreams come together in a huge way. But if I’m being honest, it’s also a bit nerve-wracking. A big opportunity like this comes with its fair share of challenges, but that’s all part of the adventure, right?
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to prepare for an event like this—whether you’re an artist, a small business, or just curious—we thought we’d share the behind-the-scenes journey. It’s been a learning process, full of both excitement and lots of logistics. Here’s how we’ve been preparing step by step.
Step 1: Risk Analysis
The first question we asked ourselves was: Is this the right move? Getting an exhibitor spot at an event as big as Tokyo Comic Con is a dream come true, but it’s also a significant investment of time, money, and effort.
- What do we stand to gain? Exposure to an international audience, the chance to meet other amazing artists and creators, and the opportunity to showcase our Okinawa-inspired art in a brand-new space.
- What’s at risk? There’s the cost of attending—fees, travel expenses, production—and the energy it takes to pull everything together. It’s important to weigh these factors before diving in, but ultimately, the potential for growth outweighed the risks for us. So, we decided to go for it!
Step 2: Signing Up for the Event
This might sound like a simple step, but signing up is actually a big deal. Once you hit that “Submit” button, you’re committing to making it happen. For us, it was a mixture of excitement and a little bit of “Whoa, this is real now.” It’s the starting point that turns an idea into a plan.
Step 3: Figuring Out Logistics
Exhibiting at Tokyo Comic Con means getting everything from Okinawa to Tokyo—and that’s no small task. We needed to figure out how to move our products, equipment, and ourselves.
- Hotels and Transportation: We booked our accommodations and planned out transportation to make sure we’re close enough to the event for easy access.
- Product Movement: Getting our products to Tokyo in one piece is a top priority. We’ve been carefully planning how to pack, ship, and store everything we need to ensure a smooth setup at the event.
Step 4: Product Lineup & Strategy
The next big question: What do we bring? We’re curating a special lineup just for Comic Con, with some of our best-selling items and a few exclusive surprises we think attendees will love.
- Product Selection: It’s all about bringing a little bit of Okinawa to Tokyo—from our ocean-inspired art pieces to some new designs created just for this event.
- Pricing & Marketing: We’re being thoughtful about pricing to ensure it’s accessible but fair, and we’re working on some fun promotions to draw people in. We’re also planning some eye-catching displays to stand out in the crowd.
Step 5: Putting Everything in Action
Now it’s time to put all the planning into action. From packing up our products to fine-tuning the booth design, it’s all hands on deck. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that leads up to an event like this, but it’s all part of the journey.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for Tokyo Comic Con 2024 has been a rollercoaster—full of excitement, nerves, and a lot of planning. We’re ready to bring our best to Tokyo and share a piece of our passion with everyone who visits. If you’re attending, we’d love for you to stop by our booth and say hello!
Thanks for being part of this journey with us. We’ll keep you updated as we get closer to the event, and we can’t wait to see you there!