Convention Fans

Convention Fans is super excited about the upcoming Zenkaikon convention, which is being held November 7 - 8, 2009 at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. Zenkaikon was created by the merger of two other events, Kosaikon and Zentrancon. Kosaikon launched in 2003. Zentrancon’s debut took place in October 2005. Now as Zenkaikon, the convention has attracted so many people that an attendance cap of 1,500 had to be instituted for 2009! That’s some amazing growth!

Guests for Zenkaikon 2009 include: The Geek Comedy Tour, Uncle Yo, Eden Star (Band), Eyeshine (Band), [geist] (Band), Reni Mimura (Cosplay Singer), Stephanie Chateau, C.J. Collins, Kevin McKeever, Robert Axelrod, Johnny Yong Bosch, Trina Nishimura, C. J. Henderson, and more.

Zenkaikon 2009 memberships are going quickly! Given that the convention has an attendance cap, if you want to be guaranteed entry, it is highly recommended that you pre-register. The pre-registration deadline is November 4th. A two day membership cost $40. Single day memberships are $23 (Saturday) and $20 (Sunday). The same prices apply whether you pre-register, or purchase at the door.

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Eager to jump on the Twilight convention bandwagon, convention company Florida Supercon has created a Twilight convention tour (very similar to Creation Entertaimnent’s Twi/Tour), called The Fantasy Twi-Life Tour. Ten cities have been announced thus far.

From the official press release:

The Fantasy Twi-Life Tour is a Twilight themed celebrity convention tour that will travel across The United States in 2009-2010. This tour will give fans the opportunity to gather with each other across the country to celebrate the book and film series. Each stop on the Fantasy Twi-Life Tour will feature celebrity guests, musical guests, vendors, celebrity Q&A’s, dance parties, contests, panels, fan films, celebrity photo shoots, celebrity autograph sessions, V.I.P. cocktail parties and banquets, Twilight costume and role play contests, The John Henson Twilight costume museum, the art of Alex Meraz, Twilight trivia, Twilight fan fiction and more.

Tickets for the tour range in price from $20 to a whopping $450. Each ticket tier offers different amenities and bonuses. Autograph tickets and photo op tickets can be purchased in advance separately, although some ticket pages have autographs included already.

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When you hear “Starbase Indy,” positive thoughts don’t always come to mind. The convention has, admittedly, had a rough couple of years. Originally, 2007 was set to be the last Starbase Indy convention. In what is now a bit of bad sci-fi convention history, another convention promoter (Vulkon) promised to run the 2008 convention, but pulled out just two weeks before the event took place.

Well, fans pulled together and decided to hold a one-day fan event for those who already had made plans to attend the convention. Starbase Indy originally did not have plans to come back for 2009. But now, fueled by the excitement and success of the new Star Trek film, Starbase Indy is officially back for 2009.

Starbase Indy 2009 is being held November 27 - 29, 2009 at the Indianapolis Marriott East, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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I have a rather unique “convention” to share with you all today. The 2009 Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show is a collection of some of the most famous living astronauts, along with three actors from Star Trek: The Next Generation, all sitting together and signing autographs and meeting fans.

This isn’t the first time Kennedy Space Center (KSC) has done an event like this. Star Trek, after all, has almost always had a relationship with the United States’ space program. (I actually attended their “Star Trek Day” event back in the 90s.)

This 2009 Astronaut Autograph & Memorabilia Show is being held November 6–8, 2009 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. According to the official website:

All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, who aids the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to exceptional college students pursuing degrees in these fields. Cost of the ticket packages, over fair market value, is considered a charitable donation.

If you just want to get into the autograph show, it’s only $10 (on top of a KSC entry fee). However, if you want to partake in any of the other events, you will be paying a minimum of $100 (plus KSC entry fee).

Ticket packages range in price from $1000 (sold out) to the aforementioned $100. The reason for the wide variation is that this convention is offering two very special events: “Apollo 13 VIP Lunch Experience” with Jim Lovell and Fred Haise, and Apollo 12 40th Anniversary Gala. You can purchase a package which includes these events, or purchase them separately. Some of these packages also include a KSC annual pass.

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Whereas Creation’s November Supernatural convention is practically sold out, there are still multiple ticket level packages available for their November Salute to Serenity and Firefly convention. The con is taking place November 21 - 22, 2009 at The Marriott LAX in Los Angeles, California.

Guests for the Serenity/Firefly convention include: Adam Baldwin (Jayne), Morena Baccarin (Inara), Alan Tudyk (Wash), Gina Torres (Zoe), Rafael Feldman (Fanty), Yan Feldman (Mingo), and Mark Sheppard (Badger).

Events include a Serenity/Firefly music video contest, a costume parade, a centerpiece contest, and a “Sunday Morning Celebrity Brunch” (this cost extra). You can also expect Q&As with the guests. Creation does want to point out the following, regarding Q&As:

The vast majority of our guest celebrities take questions from the audience during their on-stage time. Therefore it is incumbent upon those that ask questions to make them ones that allow our mutual shared time with the celebrities to be enjoyable, interesting and entertaining for all (including the guest). Asking for hugs, telling stars we love them (we all do, that’s why we’re here), giving gifts, getting into long personal stories, or worse, is not acceptable for this format and, in fact, is quite self-centered when you are in essence “representing” all of fandom to a celebrity. Join us in trying to make this convention the best entertainment for everyone!

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