Conventions!

Article by Chocoholic Jedi

Hello everyone! For your attending pleasure, I've compiled all the science fiction, gaming, and fantasy conventions for the month right here. If you find one interesting, check it out! Also, if you find any errors or want a convention posted that is not listed below, or have any questions or comments, e-mail me or Richard Smith and we'll be happy to help!

Science Fiction

There are quite a few Science Fiction conventions this month, all with varying scope and size. I've listed the major ones in detail, followed by some of the smaller gatherings.

The Official Star Trek Convention

The flagship of all Star Trek conventions will be coming to celebrate Star Trek's 45th Anniversary in Vancouver this month! You can expect a lot of fun and entertainment at the event, complete with appearances by Nichelle Nichols and George Takei from the original Star Trek series and a wide swath of characters from the others. Rumor has it that there will ever be a Klingon or two in attendance. There will also be a trivia contest at the event, so if you think you can beat AJ have the Trek skills, you could win $1750! If you're a Trekkie, get your tickets, pack your bags and head to Vancouver this month from the 10th to the 12th.

Where: Vancouver, BC, the Sheraton at Vancouver Wall Centre When: June 10th – 12th Address: 1088 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC Website: http://www.creationent.com/cal/stvan.htm

EuroCon 2011

EuroCon is one of Europe's biggest Science Fiction conventions, and its coming to Stockholm this year. There will be a number of talks and seminars during the convention aimed at all sorts of Science Fiction related topics. EuroCon really has covered a lot of topics for their talks this year; you're guaranteed to find one you enjoy. Check it out in Sweden this June!

Where: Stockholm, Sweden, at the Royal Institute of Technology When: June 17th - 19th Address: Valhallavägen 79, 114 27 Stockholm, Sweden Website: http://www.eurocon2011.se

WeekendTrek – CifiCon

WeekendTrek is a good option for Spanish-speaking OTFers who cannot be at the other venues, but would still love some Trek and SciFi fun!There will be a number of Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, and even Doctor Who events in Barcelona this month for those in attendance. Guests include: Andrew Robinson and Alexander Siddig from Deep Space Nine, as well as Sylvester McCoy, the seventh Doctor from Doctor Who. WeekendTrek proves to be a big event with a lot of fun for everyone!

Where: Barcelona, Spain, at the NH Rallye When: June 17th - 19th Address: Travessera de les Corts, 150-152. 08028. Barcelona, Spain Website: http://weekendtrek.cificon.es

ConCarolinas

Not all the SciFi fun is outside the US, however. ConCarolinas annual Science Fiction convention will be taking place in Charlotte, NC with plenty to do and see! From trivia to filk music, ConCarolinas' schedule is packed with events that reach all areas of science fiction. There will be film screenings, gaming, guest appearances, trivia of all kinds, and lots of discussions. Guests include John Billingsley (Neelix from Enterprise), major science fiction author Harry Turtledove, and Sanctuary's Emilie Ullerup, just to name a few. If you're anywhere near North Carolina this June, check out ConCarolinas!

Where: Charlotte, NC in the Hilton at University Place When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 8629 J M Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC Website: http://www.concarolinas.org/

BotCon

If you're a Transformers fan, you've basically hit the jackpot this month. BotCon is a convention in Pasadena, California dedicated completely to Transformers! There will be a lot of guests from various corners of the Transformers world there, ready to give out autographs. There will be lots of panels and games for the whole family! If you love Transformers, or know someone who does, head to Pasadena for BotCon.

Where: Pasadena, CA at the Pasadena Convention Center When: June 2nd - 5th Address: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA Website: http://www.botcon.com

In addition to these major conventions, there are also a few smaller science fiction gatherings this month.

Summer SciFi Con Atlanta

Atlanta also has its very own summer science fiction conference this month. There will be a number of voice actors and authors there to meet and greet. There will be science fiction panels and dealers, as well as gaming and concerts!

Where: Atlanta, GA at the Crowne Plaza When: June 10th- 12th Address: 6345 Powers Ferry Road Northwest Atlanta, GA Website: http://www.sfscon.tripod.com

Hypericon

Hypericon is a convention dedicated to speculative fiction, much of which includes science fiction elements. You may like this conference if you love reading science fiction.
Where: Nashville, TN at the Holiday Inn Express When: June 17th - 19th Address:1111 Airport Center Dr, Nashville, TN Website: http://www.hypericon.info

ApolloCon

ApolloCon is a convention dedicated to the written aspects of the science fiction and horror genres with quite a few authors in attendance. There will also be gaming, LARP (Live-Action Role Playing game), and even a dance!

Where: Houston, TX at The DoubleTree Hotel – Houston Intercontinental Airport When: June 17th - 19th Address: 15747 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Houston,TX Website: http://www.apollocon.org

These next four conventions are about the same in size and scope; they all are general science fiction conventions with various guests and events, just in different parts of the globe. If you're in the area, check them out!

Where: Auckland, New Zealand at the Barrycourt Quality Inn When: June 3rd - 6th Address: 20 Gladstone Rd, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand Website: http://context.sf.org.nz

DucKon

Where: Schaumburg, Illinois at the Hyatt Regency When: June 17th - 19th Address: 1800 East Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL Website: http://www.duckon.org

Contagion

Where: Omaha, NE at the Qwest Center When: June 10th - 12th Address: 455 N. 10th Street, Omaha, NE Website: http://www.contagionoutbreak.com

SoonerCon

Where: Oklahoma City, OK at the Sheraton Hotel When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 1 North Broadway Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK Website: http://www.soonercon.com/

TrekFest

TrekFest takes place in the birthplace of Captain Kirk, Riverside, Iowa. Though a relatively small convention, one could imagine the sort of dedicated Trekkies that show up! Trekkies who want to see the birthplace for themselves and have some fun along the way should head to TrekFest!

Where: Riverside, IA at Hall Park When: June 3rd - 5th Address: Hall Park, Riverside, IA Website: http://www.trekfest.com/

Gaming

There are a couple of really big gaming conventions this month, and you won't want to miss them! They're all right here for your all-night, energy-drinking enjoyment.

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)

If you have ever watched TV or seen a game console in your life, you've heard of E3. The Electronic Entertainment Expo is perhaps the largest and most popular gaming and technology conference in the world, and it's in California this month! The “big three” console companies (Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo) will be there to showcase their latest hardware and games, and to make their respective keynote speeches. In addition, almost every software developer known to man will be there to show-off their latest games. Video Games Live will also be there, playing music from all your favorite games in a professional symphony. There's rumors of some serious announcements from a lot of companies, so you don't want to miss out on this years E3! Technically, you have to be involved in the gaming industry in some way to attend, so hurry up, make a blog, and get your badge!

Where: Los Angeles, CA at the Los Angeles Convention Center When: June 7th - 9th Address: 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA Website: http://www.e3expo.com/

DreamHack Summer

DreamHack literally holds the world record for the largest LAN party ever, and for good reason; the convention brings in thousands of avid gamers from around the world! Hardcore gamers can buy a seat for all the tournaments and games that DreamHack has to offer at the conference, complete with overnight stay at the conference with a dedicated sleeping area. That's serious gaming! One can also buy a ticket to the DreamExpo only, and enjoy all of the convention material! So pack your bags and your games for the summer DreamHack event; you won't regret it!

Where: Jönköping, Sweden at Elmia When: June 18th - 21st Address: Elmia, Jönköping, Sweden Website: http://www.dreamhack.se/DHS11/

Origins Game Fair

This convention hosts a massive exhibit hall representing more than 250 booths and panels staffed by the most competitive companies in the gaming industry. You won't want to miss this game fair; if you love gaming, there will be plenty to do and see at Origins this year!

Where: Columbus, Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Center When: June 22nd - 26th Address: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio Website: http://www.originsgamefair.com/

In addition to these massive gaming conferences, there area also a few smaller, more personal conventions.

Northwest Pinball & Gameroom Show

This convention specializes in the old-school pinball and arcade-style games; there will even be record-breaking guests at the convention. Check it out!

Where: Seattle, WA at the Seattle Center When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA Website: http://www.nwpinballshow.com/

DieCon

DieCon focuses specifically on board-style games, card games, and RPGs. Check them out in St. Louis this month!

Where: St. Louis, MO at the Collinsville Convention Center When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, IL Website: http://diecon.com

WyrdCon

WyrdCon is the only convention I have seen that is dedicated completely to LARP! LARP stands for Live-Action Role Playing, and consists of real-life RPG's. Each person takes on the role of a character and plays a game in real-life with other characters. If you're looking for something different, try WyrdCon!

Where: Costa Mesa, CA When: June 10th - 12th Address: 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA Website: http://www.wyrdcon.com/

Fantasy

There are only a couple of fantasy-based convention this month, but nevertheless, it you're a fantasy fan, check them out!

The first two conventions are very specialized in nature; they focus on the ...“furry”... side of fantasy-based series'. They are listed below.

What The Fur?

Where: Montréal, QC at The Espresso Hotel & Conference Centre of Montreal When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 1005 rue Guy, Montréal, QC Website: http://www.whatthefur.ca

Califur

Where: Irvine, CA at the Mariott When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, C Website: http://www.califur.com/"

Midwestcon

Midwestcon's attendees refer to it as the first ever fantasy “relaxacon.” They value peaceful and more subtle discussions about fantasy topics without the bustle of a big convention, and as such have kept their convention small, but personal. If you love talking fantasy, this may be a good place to do it!

Where: Cincinnati, Ohio at the Doubletree Guest Suites When: June 23rd - 26th Address: 6300 East Kemper Road, Sharonville, OH Website: http://www.cfg.org/midwestcon/mwc62pdf.pdf "

Anime

I'm not sure why, but there are a ton of Anime conventions this month, so if you enjoy Anime now is the time to head on over to one of them. They are all aimed at the general Anime genre with their own events, so I have listed them all below.

PariahCon

Where: Lakeland, FL at the Imperial Swan Hotel When: June 10th - 11th Address: 4141 South Florida Avenue, Lakeland, FL Website: Website: http://www.pariahcon.com/

MetroCon

Where: Tampa FL at the Tampa Convention Center When: June 17th - 19th Address: 333 S. Franklin Street Tampa, FL Website: http://www.metroconventions.com/

Knoxville Comic & Anime show

Where: Knoxville, TN at the Holiday Inn – Cedar Bluff When: June 18th - 19th Address: 304 North Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, TN Website: http://www.comiccitytn.com/Convention_Listings.html

KinToki-Con

Where: Sacramento, CA at the Hyatt Regency When: June 18th - 19th Address: 1209 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814 Website: http://www.kintoki-con.com/

NZ Anime Convention

Where: Dunedin, New Zealand at Otago University – Castle Complex When: June 4th - 5th Address: St David Street, Dunedin North 9016, New Zealand Website: http://armageddonexpo.com/nz/

A-Kon

Where: Dallas, TX at the Sheraton When: June 10th - 12th Address: 400 N. Olive Street, Dallas, TX Website: http://www.a-kon.com/

PortCon Maine

Where: South Portland, ME at the Wyndham Hotel When: June 23rd - 26th Address: 363 Maine Mall Rd, South Portland, ME Website: http://www.portconmaine.com/

AnimeNEXT

Where: Somerset, NJ at the Garden State Exhibit Center When: June 10th - 12th Address: Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, NJ 08873 Website: http://www.animenext.org/

Anime-zing!

Where: Davenport, IA at the RiverCenter When: June 17th - 19th Address: 136 East 3rd Street, Davenport, IA Website: Website: http://www.qcanimezing.com/

HamaCon

Where: Huntsville, AL at the Holiday Inn When: June 3rd - 5th Address: 401 William Avenue, Huntsville, A Website: http://www.hama-con.com/

Anime Mid-Atlantic

Where: Chesapeake, VA at the Chesapeake Conference Center When: June 17th - 19th Address: Chesapeake Conference Center, Chesapeake, VA 23320 Website: http://www.animemidatlantic.com/