Every year actors, authors, artists and their fans come from all over the world to interact with each other and participate in unique events pertaining to their favorite obsession. A portion of MOBICON's proceeds benefit a
charity that is chosen each year by its
Board of Directors.
Events
Members of MOBICON can participate in many unique
fan themed events including discussion panels, charity auctions, a dealers room, an art show and auction, promotional events, video rooms, a film festival, a fan-sponsored dance, 24-hour
gaming, and costume contests.[2][3] Select events, such as the costume contest, are structured so that fans with varying skill levels may participate. The convention also features a "con suite" lounge area with refreshments for members and staff.[4]
Structure
All attendees of MOBICON are not ticket-holders but rather pay to become members of the non-profit organization hosting the convention.[4] As such, all members are encouraged to attend meetings, join committees and elect committee heads. As a not-for profit organization, MOBICON is organized and run by volunteers.[2][3]
Charity
MOBICON's board of directors choose a charity each year to benefit from fundraising efforts at that year's convention.[2] Over half of MOBICON's proceeds benefit the chosen charity every year. Over the years, these charities have included the
Make a Wish Foundation, the Bay Area Food Bank, and the Mobile
SPCA.[3][5] MOBICON's parent organization, Mobicon Inc., is itself a Federally-recognized not-for-profit tax-exempt entity under 501(a) and
501(c)(4).[2]
Conventions
2000
MOBICON 2000 was held May 12-14, 2000, at the Ramada Inn on the Bay in Mobile. Guests included author
Sharon Green.[6]
2001
MOBICON IV was held June 1-3, 2001, at the Ramada Inn on the Bay in Mobile.[7][8]
MOBICON VIII was held May 20-22, 2005, at the Airport Plaza Hotel in Mobile. Guests included actor
Bill Blair and author Davey Beauchamp.[13]
2006
MOBICON IX was held May 19-21, 2006, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile. Guests included actors
Billy West,
Ellen Muth, and
Lucien Eisenach, authors
Deborah Wiles,
Jody Lyn Nye, and Davey Beauchamp, artists
Steve Bennett and
Ellisa Mitchell, plus Fan Guest of Honor
Tony Kimsey. This year's designated charity was the Bay Area Food Bank. Special programming included a dance sponsored by Rocky Unbound and a "$20 Movie Contest" sponsored by Southern Ronin Films. Total attendance for the convention was reported as 543 total attendees, including guests and paid members.
MOBICON XI was held May 16-18, 2008, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile. Guests included author
Jim Butcher and actor
Colin Cunningham. This year's designated charity was the Bay Area Food Bank and the members raised roughly $6,500 in cash for the charity in addition to a large quantity of donated non-perishable food items.[2]
MOBICON XIII was held May 14-16, 2010, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile.[3] Guests included actor and author
Gunnar Hansen. The convention was dubbed "Mobicon the 13th" and featured a horror theme. Special programming included panels featuring paranormal investigators, horror movie screenings, and a meeting of the USA Horror Club.[3] Attendance for the weekend was reported as 692 members.[4]
2011
MOBICON XIV was held May 20-22, 2011, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile.[4] Guests included actor
Robert Picardo, voice actors
Sonny Strait and
Todd Haberkorn, artists
Larry Elmore and
Ruth Thompson, plus paranormal investigators
Ghost Hunters of the South. (Actor
Ethan Phillips was previously announced as the headline guest but he had to withdraw due to a family emergency.)[4] This year's designated charity was the Bay Area Food Bank.[5] Unlike most previous MOBICONs, the 2011 event had no specific theme.[4] Attendance for the weekend was reported as 792 members.
2012
MOBICON XV was scheduled to be held May 18-20, 2012, at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile.