Just in time for the con, we have the second and final issue of KumoriContent—the Kumoricon newsletter—for con year 2007.

Download it here [PDF], and browse past newsletters here. This issue features tonight’s kickoff party at Backspace, a sampling of Kumoricon 2007 expectations, a look back at Mini-con (with photos!), and, of course, news on our favorite snack—and more! Enjoy it while you wait the remaining two days for Kumoricon to start!

With Kumoricon check-in starting in just three days (four days for at-the-door registration), please be sure you have everything you need when you arrive at the con.

If you pre-registered, and opted to have your badge mailed to you, then you need to bring it! We will charge a fee for replacements.

Regardless of whether you already pre-registered, or are registering at the door, you need:

• Government or school issued photo ID
• Signed parent permission form [PDF], if you are under age 18. If you have already mailed this, then you don’t need to bring it. If you have not already mailed it, or if you aren’t sure, then please bring it with you!

If you are under age 13, then you must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also a paid attendee of the convention.

We’ll see you in a few days!

Kumoricon and Backspace have teamed up to put on a special party the Thursday night before the con!

Backspace, Portland’s entertainment hub, presents a night of nerdcore, with performances by three local artists featuring techno and hip hop set to otaku and Japanese themes. While there, check out previews of Kumoricon content playing on a large screen along with open Wii gaming—plus the usual LAN gaming and cafe at Backspace.

See performances by Ultraklystron featuring otaku ryhmes, Rai with nerdcore/electro in Japanese, and Gradual Meltdown featuring Wii-mote/Guitar Hero-controlled techno.

The party runs from 8:00pm to around midnight, and is open to the public with free admission. Kick off Kumoricon early at this special party. For con staff who will be showing up for prep on Friday, this party is the perfect gathering the night before. We’ll see you there!

As a special incentive, we’re offering one last opportunity to pre-register for Kumoricon. From 8:00pm to 10:00pm only at this party, you can pre-register for a weekend membership at Kumoricon for the $35 price.

Please refer to the entry on the Kumoricon calendar for full details, performer details, and maps.

With the con approaching, we’ve now posted the full schedule online, plus details on nearly all events, including registration, con, and room hours! Plan out the three days of your con in advance, and no longer lament “I would have attended that if only I had known…” With that said, schedule changes can and will occur, but they will be updated on the web, even during the con if possible, so keep checking back.

On the schedule page, you will find: A download of the pocket programming guide; con hours for each day; a list of always-open rooms (things to do between scheduled events); Exhibitors Hall and Artist Alley hours; a quick reference for times for major events and concerts; the entire event and video schedule; a hotel map; and descriptions of nearly all scheduled events. These pieces of information will be in the program book and pocket guide, but the latest, most up-to-date information will always be on the web site.

Important check-in information, including registration hours on Saturday-Monday, and pre-registration check-in hours on Friday, has been added to the registration page.

We’ve also posted a map of local restaurants including approximate open/close times for some of them. See the hotel page for this information. It will be included in the printed pocket guide for your convenience, so you don’t need to print it out.

We promised the galleries for the mascot and cover contests before the con, and here they are! Mascot, program cover, and pocket cover. Staff have voted on the entries in all three contests. The cover winners are revealed; the mascot is still shrouded in mystery until Closing Ceremonies. View the gallery, get your hopes up for your favorite, let the suspense build, and find out if your favorite won on the last day of Kumoricon 2007!

We’ll see you in 9 short days. And the clock is ticking down…

Kumoricon pre-registration is officially over 1500! We look forward to welcoming all of you, including the 34 members who’ve opted to attend as VIPs.

There’s still time to register! You can do so online until 11:55 PM tonight, or at the Kumoricon Minicon Event tomorrow. If you register now, you can receive your badge in the mail next week!

VIP slots are limited, so be sure to act now if you’d like to receive your invitation to the guest dinner, free tee shirt, priority seating, and NO LINES!

The official end count will be posted shortly after pre-registration closes to give us time to count the remaining mail-ins.

Mini-con, our one-day event on Saturday, August 11, is now starting at 10 AM. It was previously scheduled to start at 8 AM, but this was too early for most people and especially the staff who would be setting up. Full details are further down on the main page and in this forum thread.

Note: Staff or volunteers involved in Mini-con setup or the envelope stuffing may still need to arrive earlier.

Pre-registration is still open, and we are now just past the 1200 mark! If you haven’t pre-registered yet, you still have time! Pre-registration closes this Friday, August 10th, at 11:55 PM. Anyone who registers before this time can receive their badge via mail. The final tier mail out is scheduled for this Saturday, so if you purchased your badge at the $35 price, you should receive it the next week. Don’t delay! The con will be here in 24 days!

Kumoricon is pleased to announce Sean Schemmel, best known as the voice of Dragon Ball’s Goku! For more information, please head on over to the guests page.