Anime Conventions - NY area

[dyzzispell]

Hey all,
I was wondering if anyone is planning on attending Anime Next in July or the NY Anime Festival coming in December. It'd be cool to see some fellow CAA-ers there. XD
I've never been to a convention before but I thought it might be good exposure, since I'm hoping to someday publish a manga-inspired comic book with Christian themes. What's the Artist Showcases like? Are conventions anything like Comic Party? Or is there no such thing in America? I'm just thinking about what I should expect before I spend the money to go. I know there's lots of crazed fans and stuff but I don't know what else there is there.
So what's it like?