No offense but what is there worth going to AX 
for anymore? The cels? Maybe, if you -really- 
believe there are cels from series you collect 
actually available. Personally, over the years 
I've learned it really helps to email specific 
dealers -in advance- who I know are attending. 
Based on the varied responses, I've weighed the 
pros and cons of such a costly financial endeavor 
and decided usually it is not worth the time or 
money to attend.

Attending AX for the big name guests might be 
worth it IF there is a guest you want to meet, or 
get a signature, or -however unlikely- a sketch 
from. But considering obtaining cels and meeting 
guests are generally the two biggest draws for 
going to AX for cel collectors and non-cel 
collectors alike, is it really worth it if you 
cannot achieve either goal? IMO no, not anymore 
at least largely b/c dealers are carrying less 
and less cels from older shows and newer shows 
tend only to have dougas available. Knowing the 
dealers outside of the con helps to inform 
oneself about what is currently obtainable and 
actually in-stock.

Another reason why I think AX isn't worth 
attending stems from the dealers room becoming 
overly commercialized and the ineffective 
managment. Yes it is hot with so many bodies in 
one location, but... AX managment needs to 
properly implement plans for such realistic 
concerns. Continued problems abound every year, 
involving the most obvious for even the most 
seasoned AX attendee, problems such as: crowd 
control, better seating to accomodate the growing 
crowds of attendees and last minute visitors, 
streamlining early and late registration & check-
in, obliterating the asisine raffle ticket 
system -which doesn't work especially if AX nazi-
esque volunteers don't follow the instructions. I 
ask anyone, if you are standing in-line with a 
ticket clearly stating you can obtain one 
signature from a guest, but, you are halted from 
entering the conference room where it's held, how 
would you feel about the system? You have the 
required physical pass to enter, but you are 
being prevented from doing so, would you be 
docile and accept this or fight to do something 
about it? Unsuprisingly many sad AX goers 
experience this yearly, kinda of wrong don't you 
think? This "occurance" commonly happens at AXs 
every year, it would suck if this happened to you 
wouldn't it? Didn't happen to myself but to 
plenty of people I've known over the years who 
use to attend AX with me since the early years 
before 1997.

However, let's be honest what this really does 
boil down to, it's how much money you will have 
to spend on purchases, right? IMO the less 
overhead expense means potentially more funds 
available to use on purchases.

Flying out to Southern CA with in hopes that cels 
from your favorite series might be available, is 
really a gamble. As it stands, the costs are 
considerable: airline and if you are fortunate 
enough to drive, there still is gas, registration 
(late if applicable), lodging, and meals 
expenses, just to name a few. 

I'd love to hear about the cons do not outweigh 
the pros for attending AX, anyone?