The year 2023 marked the demise of E3, and now, Ohio’s largest anime convention, Ohayocon, seems to be on the brink of trouble in 2024. Rather than facing a gradual decline, the blame is being placed on questionable leadership. A volunteer-based Senior Leadership Team, on which President Melissa Phelps heavily relied, has undergone a mass departure, characterized as a hostile takeover.
The sudden removal of the former Leadership Team has left volunteers, who contribute to the success of Ohayocon year after year, in a state of alarm. The question arises: Is it a hostile takeover, or is it a result of incompetent management?
The potential demise of Ohayocon in 2024 has roots in its recent restructuring. In 2022, owner Melissa Phelps rebranded the convention as a non-profit organization named the Cultural Exchange Society, Inc (CESI). This move aimed to enhance fundraising capabilities, attract sponsors and donors, and ensure the long-term growth of the beloved event. However, the restructuring was met with dissatisfaction, leading to the formation of COVEN (Conventions of Ohio Volunteer Network) by disgruntled volunteers in 2023.
Key concerns included allegations of abuse by Melissa Phelps, financial transparency issues, and disputes over Phelps’s proposed pay raise. The convention faced additional criticism for changing its logo multiple times, with each iteration raising copyright and trademark concerns. The logo scandal, though seemingly minor, became a symbol of CESI management’s failure.
The situation escalated when the Director of Operations Cody Marcum and the Director of Marketing were abruptly fired, and senior leaders were locked out of communication tools. Rumors circulated that this was retaliation for the formation of COVEN. Over 90 individuals, including senior leadership and volunteers, declared a boycott overnight, accusing Phelps of initiating a hostile takeover and union-busting.
CESI leadership defended itself, claiming that since volunteers are unpaid, they cannot form unions, therefore dismissing allegations of union-busting. The ousted individuals argue that while they technically may not be a union, the ousting functionally serves the same purpose.
Despite the negative publicity, calls for a boycott, and rumors of a skeletal management team, Ohayocon proceeded with the event. The hashtag #Nohayocon trended on Twitter, urging vendors to withdraw and attendees to demand refunds. The convention reported approximately 15,000 participants, nearly 3,000 fewer than the previous year, reflecting the impact of the controversies surrounding the event.
