First of all, let me be very clear that this isn't a question of why you cosplay, rather it's a question about why you attend the cons where you cosplay. I'm one of the staff members for an event called "Smash Con" and we specialize in N64 gaming tournaments as well as other iterations of Smash Bros. and some newer age gaming. However, we also double as a place to cosplay video game characters and even let people in for free if they do so. Despite this, we see very little people cosplay so I got curious and decided I wanted to hear, straight from actual cosplayers why it is that you attend the events that you do.
Is it the advertisement and you'll just cosplay anywhere provided you know about it? Is it the contests and the desire to win prizes? Is it for other event specials and cosplaying is just a bonus? Is it for the people? I'm very curious to know why you pick the places that you do and whether or not it's different from person to person (as I'm sure it is).