From the first push to get moving to the final say in a dispute, the convention chair is without a doubt the most important figure in a convention. According to Yuricon chairperson Erica Friedman, "It falls to the chair to do just about anything and everything to get things organized." Joyce Lim, Anime Expo's chair, agrees. Lim says that the convention chair is "responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the various divisions that arrange and run the convention." In plain English, the chair delegates all duties to the proper department or, lacking departments, does it herself. "I might be dealing with the hotel, or the guests, or the companies that provide the anime we show, or sponsors or registration or tech or any number of things," comments Friedman.

The position is far from an easy gig. However, there is always the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, that can erase the weeks of planning, negotiations, and sleepless nights that surely ensue. "It can be stressful — it is stressful," warns Friedman, "but when someone tells you that they are having a great time, it's worth it."