Conventional Wisdom: A Guide To Upcoming Conventions

Although Summer is the high time for conventions, there are still events to find your favorite stars and purchase autographs and Trek goodies between now and next May. With the new Star Trek film out next year, it should be an exciting time for conventions. TrekMovie provides a quick guide below to help you get your con on.

 

Vulkon’s Starbase Indy [POSTPONED]
(November 28-30, 2008, Indianapolis, Indiana) 
(new date: no date beyond ‘early 2009’)
Guests: TBA (original lineup Anthony Montgomery, Casey Biggs, Robert Picardo, Marina Sirtis, John DeLancie, Garrett Wang, Vaughn Armstrong, David Reddick)
Event: Vulkon has been producing Star Trek conventions for more than 20 years, and this year they purchased the long time fan favorite Starbase Indy convention. Vulkon is known for their reasonable prices and very fan friendly conventions. In addition to the usual panels and autographs, there are some very good fan events such as plays and the Enterprise Blues Band is playing (featuring Star Trek actors).
Price: TBA
Web:
Vulkon.com

POSTPONEMENT NOTE: Initially Vulkon cited the bad economy as the reason for the postponement, but that was removed from their site. TrekMovie has contacted Vulkon to get more details, but they did not reply. An email has been sent to ticket holders promising them additional signed photos if they allowed Vulkon to hold their deposits and to attend the rescheduled show (whenever that is).

FreeKon
(November 29 — Indianapolis, IN)
Guests: David Reddick + more?
Event: For those fans with nonrefundable travel or internet hotel reservations for the Vulkon convention, there is some good news. There will be a free one day convention, organized by Kim Huff has arranged with the Marriot Hotel (site of the originally scheduled event which has donated the space), with panels, a dealer’s room, parties, and gaming..
Price: FREE
Web:
starbaseindy.com
 

Phoenix Comic Con
(January 23-25, 2009, Phoenix, AZ)
Trek guests: Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Wil Wheaton
Other guests: Aaron Douglas (BSG), Lou Ferrigno (Incredible Hulk) + more
Event: This is a large show, with its emphasis on comic book characters and popular culture. Star Trek is represented with TNG guests this year, yet there are many other genre actors attending. There are panels on anime, comics, science fiction, and events for the family. All attendees receive a free Star Trek poster courtesy of Roddenberry Productions (or other Trek posters to choose from). Star Trek The Exhibit will still be in Phoenix at the time of the con, so you can do a twofer.
Price:  $15 (day) / $30 (weekend pass)
Web: phoenixcomicon.com

The 15th Annual SF Ball
(February 6-8, 2009 — Bournemouth, UK)
Trek Guests: Robert Picardo
Other guests: Mary McDonnell (BSG), Peter Jurasik & Stephen Furst (B5)
Event: This is a huge event, famous for its amazing technological presentations, including very fun "game show" style events.
Price: 
starting at £15 (day) / £78 (weekend)
Web: sfball.com

Fairpoint 2009
(February 13-15, 2009 — Timonium, MD)
Trek Guests: Harve Bennett, Phil Weyland + authors including Marc Okrand, Terry Rioux, Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Keith RA DeCandido, Bob Greenberger, Howard Weinstein, and more
Other guest: Alan Tudyk (Firefly)
Event:
Harve Bennett is none too often a guest at conventions, so this is a convention to possibly consider. The convention mostly discusses Star Trek fiction with some authors past and present. Will also feature some fan films.
Price:  Saturday: $50 / Sunday: $40 / Weekend: $70
Web:
farpointcon.com

Hollywood Collectors Show
(February 14-15, 2009 — Burbank, CA)
Trek Guest: Suzie Plakson (others TBA)
Other Guests: TBA
Event: This is a generic autograph show that is incredibly popular and excellent. There are often auctions and occasionally panels, yet the attraction of the show is the chance to meet and talk with celebrities of many different eras and genres. These are not Star Trek events, yet Star Trek guests are usually represented, there are many actors at these events. There is also a show March 21-22 in Rosemont, Illinois. Trivia alert: It was at one of these HCS that Ira Steven Behr met James Darren, and had the idea to offer him the role of Vic Fontaine for DS9.
Price:  $20 daily
Web:
hollywoodcollectorshow.com

23rd Annual WonderCon
(February 27-March 1, 2009 — San Francisco, CA)
Trek Guests: Star Trek guests possible, TBA
Other Guests: TBA (expect many)
Event: This is a very large event by the same people who run the San Diego Comic Con. Last year, 29,000 people attended. There are usually Star Trek guests available for autographs, and certainly plenty of Star Trek comic books and collectibles to purchase from the many toy dealers at the convention. Although not big as San Diego, studios often do events at WonderCon and coming just two months before the new Star Trek movie, it is possible Paramount will do some kind of Star Trek movie related promotion (last year they did release a special Star Trek movie poster for this con).
Price:  TBA
Web:
comic-con.org

The Official North East Star Trek Convention [RESCHEDULED]
(March 6-8, 2009, Philadelphia/NJ)  
(new date: July  6-8, 2009 — Parsippany, NJ)
Guests: TBA
Event: Creation Convention has the licensee for official Star Trek events, including the Las Vegas convention each year. Creation provides panels and autographs, with the traditional costume contests and trivia events.
Price:  TBA
Web:
creationent.com/cal/stnj.htm

RESCHEDULING NOTE: According to Creation, the event was delayed due to the change of the date for the Star Trek movie and Creation notes they will be able to book better guests from the film, after it comes out.
 

2nd Annual Naruto Trek
(March 27-29, 2009 — Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Trek Guests: Walter Koenig, Denise Crosby, Christina Moses, Marc and Elaine Zicree
Event: While small, this is a fan friendly convention with many panels and good interaction with the guests. Its combination of anime and Star Trek may seem strange, yet there is much in common among these genre fans.
Web: narutotrek.com

17th Annual Grand Slam Convention: The Sci-Fi Summit
(May 1-3, 2009 — Burbank, CA)
Guests: TBA
Event: Creation Entertainment’s annual Sci Fi Summit is an always exciting and large convention. Last year, it was the place where Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto appeared at their first Star Trek convention together and TrekMovie held a panel with Roberto Orci. Coming so close to the film, hopefully there will be more movie connections.
Price: Gold weekend package $369
Web:
creationent.com

18th Annual Fed Con Germany
(May 1-3, 2009 — Bonn, Germany)
Trek Guests: Nichelle Nichols, Nana Visitor, Connor Trinneer, John Billingsley, Jeffrey Combs, Dominic Keating, Mark Alaimo, Robert Picardo, Richard Arnold
Other Guests:  Edward James Olmos (BSG)
Event: THE Fed Con (not to be confused with Fed Con USA), an incredible event that is somehow able to combine a huge convention of thousands of attendees with the feeling of a fan friendly convention. FEDCON is a model for how conventions ought to be and is certainly worth considering if you could attend.
Prices: 99 Euro (3 day pass)
Web: fedcon.de

20th Annual Motor City Comic Con
(May 15-17, 2009 — Novi, MI)
Guests: TBA
Event: Star Trek guests are always the main stars at this event, which has great panels and interactions with the guests. Unlike most conventions, you can often have real conversations with the Star Trek actors and enjoy the panel discussions which are effectively run.
Web: motorcityconventions.com

Star Trek Concerts
While not conventions, 2009 is a year with many symphonies "playing" tribute to the music of Star Trek. There are Star Trek only concerts touring with John DeLancie and Robert Picardo (more on this in the next "convention" listing), yet also these more generic science fiction celebrations. Each of these events features music from various fan favorites, from Star Wars to Star Trek, and have George Takei narrating.

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Sc-Fi Spectacular
(January 23-24, 2009, Edmonton, Canada)
Web: edmontonsymphony.com

Springfield Symphony Orchestra Science Fiction Concert
(April 4, 2009, Springfield, MA)
Web: springfieldsymphony.org

National Arts Centre Orchestra
(April 23-25, 2009, Ontario, Canada)
Web: nac.ca

 

Thoughts on choosing your convention
With the publicized demise of conventions such as FEDCON USA last year and with other recent delays and postponements, it is always good to research a convention before purchasing tickets and making plans. Caveat emptor is always a good practice.

If you are unsure about an event it helps to do some research, before buying any tickets in advance:

  • Check forums for the con and other websites (StarTrek.com, TrekBBS, etc.) and ask questions about the con of organizers and past convention goers
  • Visit the websites of the actors promoted to make sure the event is listed
  • Call the venue to make sure the event is actually booked for that accommodation.
  • Save all email communications with conventioneers.
  • Know the convention policies regarding refunds or cancelled conventions.
  • Check out the companies with better business bureaus.
  • Google the name of the actual owners of the convention to see if there are complaints or problems

TrekMovie does not recommend fans to buy tickets in advance from companies that do not specifically state in their policies that there is a full and immediate refund for both postponed and canceled events.

That being said, most of these conventions have good track records and the conventioneers have proven themselves with previous events.
 

 

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How many will Nimoy be attending?

I’ve wanted to try and make it to “Starbase Indy” but the Thanksgiving weekend it’s held on makes it difficult for me. Its a little bit of a drive but if it was on a different date I would like to go sometime. I recall them having a poll about keeping or changing the dates but I don’t know what became of it.

Concarolinas.org baby!

This article made me wish for Comic-Con already.

Planet Comicon is scheduled for March 28 and 29, 2009 in Kansas City but hasn’t announced a guest list yet. Often there is a guest with a trek tie in or a guest star. Last year Walter K. was there. http://www.planetcomicon.com

Starfest in Denver is usually in March or April, but doesn’t have their site updated with a 2009 date . . . In 2008, they had Quinto, so I’d be shocked if something doesn’t get scheduled for 2009 http://www.starland.com

Trek Expo in Tulsa is scheduled for June 28 -29, 2009 http://www.trekexpo.net No guest list yet, but Quinto cancelled last year when Heroes started filming early so . . . ? Also it will be Trek Expo’s 20th Anniversary.

I plan to go to the Starfest. I just wish they would update their web site.

Thanks for the mention John. FedCon Germany prides itself on the qualities of its attendees. The best in the world from at least 30 different countries. This year we plan to showcase THE 2009 FED-LYMPICS.

Explore us thru videos at http://www.fedcon.tv/

The UK always gets the short straw. :(

Harry#1- So far Leonardo is scheduled only for the Creation convention in August of ’09 in Vegas. Hopefully he will show at GrandSlam with Quinto in May, as they were both there together last year.

I guess Philadelphia is not good enough for a Star Trek Convention. Parcipany is way to far for those us that were going to go to the Philly one.

#9 On the contrary, I think we do quite well. We don’t get so many Star Trek stars, but we do well with BSG and Heroes actors, among others. Considering the long flights involved I’m surprised even that many people come over.

Also not before the movie opens, but Riverside, Iowa has an event every year the last weekend in June. Last year they had Walter. I’m sure they will be particularly excited this year.

What about Shore Leave? You can’t leave that con off of your list! I’ve been going to Shore Leave every for over 20 years now, and it is ALWAYS a great time!!!

http://www.shore-leave.com/

I live in Vegas… I know which one I go to every year!

The one convention looks like a star trek phase 2 convention.

Maybe cons will make a comeback after the movie hits.
Greed and shoddy offerings have killed them in my area (Ohio.) And now Vulkon took over Indy?? No comment.

Ah, for the “old days…”
Lagrange con! Odyssey Trek! Dreamworks! TT back in the 90’s… some great times.

Would love to go to Farpoint, but I’m out of work right now (If you’re in the MA/RI area and need a good managment/Marketing person (tdrake1701@yahoo.com).
Anyway- Yes #14–I have been going to Shore Leave in MD every July for a few yrs now- great atmosphere and mix of guests!

Thanks for the plug Anthony. Star Trek the Exhibit is also in town during our convention: Phoenix Comicon.

Why were our comments about that deleted post deleted as well?

I wish Creation con would update their convention videos once in awhile.

They’re not the same without Harlan’s elevator races :(

Well, shoot. I’m broke and have no way to get out of Nebraska.. Or the Midwest, for that matter. -sigh- Ya know, it’d sure be nice to get some of these conventions in either Nebraska (preferably!), Iowa, Missouri, or Kansas. Even South Dakota wouldn’t be too far away.

The Star Trek Symphony tour was just here in Denver and it was excellent. Highly recommended.

Here is also a link to the Star Trek Con in Denver every year.
http://www.starland.com/sf-sc/sf09/index.php

I have been to FedCon in the past and it was a lot of fun. Anyone know of one coming up in the Seattle or Portland area? I know Emerald City Comicon is usually around May or so, but I’d love to hit an actual Trek convention in the near future.

The 17th annual Grand Slam won’t be at the Burbank Marriott, they are moving to the LAX Marriott in 2009.

grand slam next year is going to be CRAZY! It will also be my first Trek Con. (comic con SD hasn’t had a good amount of trek presence in the last ten years) since I leapt overboard and started swimming in the waters of Trekkie-ness. Oh how I’ve always wanted to go! But I never A) had the money. B) Never had someone to go with (I’ve converted at LEAST four people willing to go with me over the last year.) C) I have to for my site. (which hasn’t been getting updated, so sorry, but that changes when my work schedule changes next week!) I want to meet other hipsters-obsessed-with-trek-so-we-can-make-it-cool-again. The discussions. The booze. The Cosplay??? and btw: Trek is NOT a dirty word!

I feel South Dakota doesn’t even exist in peoples minds. SHAME ON YOU! We’re not hunting Indians on horseback. We have great Comic book shops, and dedicated comic fans. Rapid City had a Star Trek Convention a few years ago, and Q came! Why do you think we don’t deserve anything? SHAME ON YOU!