Opening ceremonies

Opening ceremonies are usually the first major event held at a convention. Normally, the chairman and some staff members go up on the main stage, officially welcome attendees to the convention, and usually comment on some of the major events or Guests of Honor that are expected to be at that convention, as well as any charity. Some opening ceremonies are relatively low-key, while others may consist of a skit performed by the staff, opening video animations, or even musical numbers with lasers and/or pyrotechnics.

Historically, opening ceremonies were kept relatively short and less than 30 minutes in length, but nowadays many take closer to an hour, not counting the time taken to fill and clear the room, due in part to the increased amount of content to be covered.