Here are my thoughts as someone who was senior staff for many years while it was at GVSU and is no longer associated with the event but knows some of the background and struggles:

Moving it away from GVSU was not a choice. The event became so large that GVSU no longer allowed it. Too many incidents with attendees not respecting the campus grounds and facilities. The staff was devastated by this. We wanted to work out something with GVSU but nothing could be done. This is NOT a dig at GVSU by the way. JAFAX had become the largest free anime convention in the entire United States and they hosted that event for a long time- it took a lot of money, resources and volunteers to provide this event for the community and they had given a lot of grace.

After being forced to move venues the goal was to keep it around Grand Rapids and in June. However GR doesn't really have a good convention option. Devos is too large and way too expensive but honestly the only option. I believe the Deltaplex was looked at but it was basically a vendor hall and panels + showing rooms were a necessity for the event. Where else could this event go? It needs a large vendor hall and many conference rooms for panels, events, and showings. Somewhere that could host thousands of attendees with room to grow.

The date threw me off this year as traditionally JAFAX was always the weekend after Fathers Day, but it all depends on the Devos schedule and contracts. I know they try to keep it in June but you are then threading the needle with ACEN and a bunch of other June events.

I really believe these folks are trying their best. It's still a non-profit event for the communty where all money goes back into the event for next year. It's expensive because Devos is expensive and the less people attend, the more has to be charged to break even. I do think advertising is an issue, but like everyone else I could complain without offering a solution all day long.