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A typical Star Trek convention
Star Trek conventions are organized gatherings of Star Trek fans. The larger ones usually have stars and production staff speak or at least sign autographs. It is also common for there to be booths where vendors will sell Trek-related merchandise or collectors will sell and trade. Most of the formerly Trek-only conventions of the mid '90s have now expanded to include other sci-fi and fantasy series.
Notable conventions
The first Trek convention
James Doohan speaks to the crowd at an early Star Trek convention
The convention held in New York from 21-23 January 1972 is often recognized as the first true Star Trek convention. It was started by a small group of Trek fans, commonly referred to as "The Committee", who combined their money, and rented a hotel ballroom, in the hope of getting a group of like-minded fans together.
Committee member Joan Winston, whose main responsibility was that of the dealer's room, gives a detailed account of the first convention in Star Trek Lives!. Other members included Allen Asherman, Eileen Becker, and Al Schuster.
Although the original estimate of attendees was only a few hundred, several thousand had turned up before the end of the convention, which featured a program of events of an art show, costume contest, a display provided by NASA and a dealers room. Episodes were also screened from 16mm prints, including the original pilot "The Cage" and blooper reel. A number of Trek-connected guest speakers also attended including Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett, D.C. Fontana, as well as science fiction author Isaac Asimov.
After this gathering, a series of annual events was organized, which soon included regular cast members, of which DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, and James Doohan give their own account in the film Trekkies.
Star Trek 30: One Weekend On Earth
Star Trek 30: One Weekend On Earth was held 7 September 1996 – 8 September 1996 in Huntsville, Alabama at the US Space and Rocket Center and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The event was attended by each of the casts and crews, including the entire cast of the original Star Trek series – the last time they all appeared on stage together. This convention was also the last such event Star Treks licensing arm directly produced. [1] [2]
One of the Hosts present was Mr. Roger Manley, NASA Engineer who lives in the Huntsville Area. Mr. Manley also was in charge of Security for the Guests, which included, Deforest Kelly, (Dr, Bones McCoy) Nichelle Nichols (Comunications Officer) Walter Koenig (Ensign Checkov) James Doohan (Engineer Scotty) and George Takei (Helmsman Sulu) all cast members from the Original Series from the 60's TV Show. Both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy (Capt. Kirk and Mr. Spock) were not in audience until shortly before the beginning of the festivities. Absent was Mr. Gene Roddenberry, creator of the Series.
FedCon
Denise Crosby speaks to the crowd at FedCon XI
FedCon, short for Federation Convention, is Europe's largest annual sci-fi convention. It started in 1992 as a pure Star Trek convention, but has expanded to include various other film and television series. The film Trekkies 2 visited FedCon XI (2003), and FedCon XV (2006) was also a stop on the international tour of the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection exhibition. Attendance at FedCon XI averaged 5,000 per day.
Creation conventions
The Christie's auction exhibit at the 2006 Official Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas
Creation Entertainment was founded in 1971, and has been producing "traveling" Star Trek conventions for many years in cities all over North America and Great Britain. At the height of Star Trek's popularity in the early to mid '90s, Creation was organizing 110 conventions per year, sometimes three in one weekend. They have a long licensing history with Paramount and Viacom Consumer Products, and have sold nearly US$12 million of official Trek merchandise. Recently, they began holding the annual Official Star Trek convention, with the main event occurring in Las Vegas. 15,000 people bought tickets to the Las Vegas convention in 2005.
The special 2006 40th anniversary official convention was held in Las Vegas on 17 August through 20 August. It was a stop on the international tour of the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection exhibition, and featured in the documentary Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier produced by The History Channel.
Vulkon conventions
Chris Avilla displaying some of his props at a Vulkon convention
Vulkon has been running conventions since 1987 in places like Orlando, Cleveland, Houston, and Atlanta. Vulkon features a banquet with the stars, a live DJ and dance on Saturday evenings, and a costume contest.
Chris Avilla was a Vulkon convention staffer before he became a prop maker for several Star Trek productions.
External links
- FedCon web site
- Creation Entertainment, the producers of the Official Star Trek convention
- Vulkon Entertainment, producers of Star Trek conventions since 1987