ARCHCON, the biggest hobbyist convention in the Visayas and Mindanao, is mounting activities to further boost the potential of Cebu’s creative economy.
Jolu Escaño, head organizer of Archcon Cebu 2019, said they are expecting to generate an estimated gross revenue of up to P2 million during the two-day convention next month, where artists could sell their crafts and hobbyists could showcase and sell their handmade action figures.
“We can really say that the geek market, what people usually ostracize in previous years, is really merging in the pop culture. It’s starting to be widely accepted in society,” he said.
Archcon, which means anime, role-playing, comics and hobbies, is an annual gathering of artists, cosplayers, hobbyists and gamers among others.
Around 90 artists from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are expected to fly in to join the event that celebrates different fandoms and hobbies.
For this year, Escaño said they are expecting up to 6,000 participants in a bigger venue in J Centre Mall in Mandaue City.
Last year, the event garnered P1.2 million in sales.
“We want to invite more people. We want them to realize that this isn’t a stereotype anymore. A lot of people are beginning to love this community,” he said.
He said sponsors are now realizing similar conventions are potential markets that they can tap.
“The sponsors are realizing that these people now have bigger purchasing power,” he said.
Christian Basa, project technical assistant of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7, said the creative industry is one of the agency’s focus areas.
“We are in collaboration with Archcon because the creative sector is a priority sector of the DTI 7. We are in charge of making use of this event to foster talent and support people in the creative industry because the industry as of now is still at mid-brick and mortar stage,” he said.
With Archcon, young entrepreneur-hobbyists’ skills represent the future of the country and will entice growth in the nation’s economy, Basa added.
Archcon Cebu will run from Nov. 16 to 17, 2019. Tickets are priced at P180 for those who will buy before the event day while P200 is charged for walk-ins.