Pure Speculation Festival, also known as Pure Spec, is an annual multi-genre fan convention

Fan convention

A fan convention, or con , is an event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment such as science fiction or anime and manga, gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and...

 taking place in Edmonton, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. It is an event that prides itself on being "by geeks, for geeks." Originally founded as a speculative fiction

Speculative fiction

Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as...

 convention, it repackaged itself as a festival celebrating geek and fan culture in 2008. It now offers programming dealing with science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

, fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

, pop culture, gaming

Gamer

Historically, the term "gamer" usually referred to someone who played role-playing games and wargames. Since they became very popular, the term has included players of video games...

, anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

, comic books and webcomics.

In addition to the usual fare such as panels, games and a vendor room, there are several special events the festival hosts every year. The annual Costume Shindig happens on the Saturday of the event, featuring prizes in a variety of silly categories for guests and attendees. The Geeks for Geeks Charity Auction is also a yearly feature, in support of local charities.

Several smaller components also help to create the larger Pure Speculation Festival. These include Con*Spec, a writing and literature segment run by On Spec Magazine

On Spec

On Spec is a digest-sized, perfect-bound, Canadian quarterly magazine publishing stories and poetry in science fiction, fantasy, and allied genres broadly grouped under the "speculative ficton" umbrella. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, On Spec was founded in 1989 by a small group of Edmonton writers...

, and Comic Talks, a series of comic book panels hosted by Happy Harbor Comics

Happy Harbor Comics

Happy Harbor Comics is a group of Canadian comic book stores located in Edmonton, Alberta. Over the past few years, owner Jay Bardyla and his store have participated in the 24-hour comic day to promote comics in general and to raise money for the Alberta Literacy Foundation...

. Until 2007, Pure Spec also played host to Con of Cold, an RPGA

RPGA

The RPGA , is part of the organized play arm of Wizards of the Coast that organizes and sanctions role-playing games worldwide, principally under the d20 system...

 sanctioned Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...

 event. Edmonton based BioWare

BioWare

BioWare is a Canadian video game developer founded in February 1995 by newly graduated medical doctors Ray Muzyka, Greg Zeschuk, and Augustine Yip. BioWare is currently owned by American company Electronic Arts...

 also involves itself in the festival yearly, hosting panels and offering prize support.

History

In 2004, a group of friends calling themselves The Four Stooges came together with a common goal. At the time, Edmonton didn't have a major fan convention with the notable exception of Animethon

Animethon

Animethon is a three-day anime convention held annually at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. It is Western Canada's longest-running anime convention, the first being held in 1994...

, whose focus is entirely upon anime. They decided to put together a speculative fiction convention to give fans of science fiction and fantasy pop-culture somewhere to gather every year.

The first Pure Speculation Convention took place in October 2005 at the Coast Terrace Inn, and had a decent turnout for a first-time gathering.

After the first event, the realities of organization made the Four Stooges reach out to find other organizers to help further expand and develop the event. The Pure Speculation Society was founded to better plan and execute the 2006 convention. The festival was also moved to the Delta Edmonton South

Delta Hotels

Delta Hotels is a chain of 45 hotels and resorts across Canada, primarily in the 4 star range of standard. Delta once had a hotel in the United States, the Delta Court of Flags Hotel, located in Orlando, Florida, however, it was closed sometime after 1996 and has subsequently been demolished...

 that year.

The convention was moved to the Hazeldean Community Hall

Hazeldean, Edmonton

Hazeldean is a residential neighbourhood in south east Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The neighbourhood overlooks the Mill Creek Ravine.The neighbourhood is bounded on the west by 99 Street, on the south by 63 Avenue, on the east by the Mill Creek Ravine, and on the north by 72 Avenue.- Residential...

 in 2007. The smaller attendance, normal for a young convention, coupled with the high cost for the rental of the Delta made the society reevaluate it as a venue. The show remained at Hazeldean Hall for several years.

In 2008 the event went through its next major evolution, repackaging itself as the Pure Speculation Festival. The focus would now expand to become a celebration of fan culture, and all it encompasses.

In 2009 the decision was made to move the festival to the Shaw Conference Centre

Shaw Conference Centre

The Shaw Conference Centre, colloquially called The SHAW, or SCC is a meeting, entertainment, and convention venue located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada...

 in downtown Edmonton, due to swelling attendance and issues with renovation at Hazeldean Hall. In addition to the move, a Friday evening cabaret called Pre Spec was also added to the program of events for the first time. It features an evening of entertainment with many of guests and staff.

Continuing venue issues brought Pure Spec full circle in 2010, when it returned to its first venue, now the Radisson Edmonton South Hotel

Radisson Hotels

Radisson Hotels is one of the leading, full-service global hotel companies with more than 420 locations in 73 countries. The first Radisson Hotel was built in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1909, and was named after the 17th-century French explorer Pierre-Esprit Radisson...

. Growing attendance encouraged a move Grant MacEwan University in 2011. This would also be the year that Pure Spec attempted to Skype in a guest for a panel.

Organization

Since 2008, Pure Spec has been run by the Pure Speculation Society, a not-for profit society dedicated to planning, organizing and running the festival. All proceeds of the event go back into funding it.

Brent Jans acted as Festival Director of Pure Spec for 6 years, starting with the very first event in 2005. Jans decided to step down from the position in 2010.

In 2011 three members of the Pure Speculation Society stepped up to act as co-directors for the festival, to ensure it's continuation.

Local Support

Pure Spec has a strong focus toward helping promote local and independent authors, artists and publications in Edmonton, Alberta

Alberta

Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...

 and Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. This is an aspect of the festival that the Pure Speculation Society is strongly behind, and will remain a focus of the event into the future.

To that end, many of the festival's guests are drawn from the local independent publishing community, giving them an opportunity to mingle with industry professionals and get their name out.

In addition, proceeds from the Geeks for Geeks Charity Auction go back into the community, helping support a variety of local charities.

Other Events

In addition to the main Pure Speculation Festival, the organizing society also hosts Shepherd's Double Feature Picture Shows and Cheapass Fundraisers throughout the year to help raise money for the event.

2011 saw the addition of Mini Spec, a smaller event held in May with one speaker from each of the main panel streams featured in the larger festival.

Past Festivals

Dates	Location	Approx. Attendees	Guests	Theme
October 2005	Coast Terrace Inn	50	Minister Faust, Louis Lavoie	The Last, Best Hope for Geek
October 2006	Delta Edmonton South	50	Richard Barkman, Jim Beveridge, Stephanie Chan, Sissi Chipman, Minister Faust, Barb Galler-Smith, Marie-Claire Gould, Rudi Gunther, Tarol Hunt Goblins (webcomic) Goblins - Life Through Their Eyes is a Dungeons & Dragons webcomic written and illustrated by Tarol "Thunt" Hunt. It is set in a humorously stereotypical fantasy setting, and follows the lives of a party of goblin adventurers who started as monsters and declared themselves player characters... , Jennifer Kennedy, Ann Marston, Cary Nord Cary Nord Cary Nord is an artist noted for his work in comic books. He started his career with a letter and some original artwork sent into the editors of Marvel Comics's Marvel Comics Presents. They were so impressed, he was awarded with a professional job penciling a Shang Chi serial. He eventually became... , Sean O'Reilly Sean O'Reilly Sean O’Reilly is the owner and operator of Arcana Studio, Canada's largest comic book company.Through his abilities as a developer of transmedia properties O'Reilly has led Arcana Studio to winning The Joe Shuster Award for Outstanding Publisher in their first year, as voted by the retailers and... , Kevin Sole, Patrick Weekes, Dean Welsh	Electrum Boogaloo
October 13 & 14, 2007	Hazeldean Community Hall	100	Gilbert Bouchard, Stephanie Chan, Jessica Leigh Clark, Gord Cummings, Steve Gervais, Tarol Hunt Goblins (webcomic) Goblins - Life Through Their Eyes is a Dungeons & Dragons webcomic written and illustrated by Tarol "Thunt" Hunt. It is set in a humorously stereotypical fantasy setting, and follows the lives of a party of goblin adventurers who started as monsters and declared themselves player characters... , Nick Johnson, Devon Jopling, Orion Kidder, Tim Lasiuta, Jeff Martin Jeff Martin Jeff Martin may refer to:*Jeff Martin , lead vocalist for the bands Surgical Steel and Racer X*Jeff Martin , guitarist/singer-songwriter and frontman for the Tea Party... , Peter Roccia, Vincent K. Smith, Fiona Staples Fiona Staples -Biography:Staples' first published work was 2006’s Done to Death with writer Andrew Foley for Markosia. She was one of the illustrators of WildStorm's Trick 'r Treat graphic novel, an adaptation of the Michael Dougherty film. She was the penciller and inker of The Secret History of the Authority:... , Peter Watts, Joanne Wojtysiak	The Search for Spec
October 18 & 19, 2008	Hazeldean Community Hall	250	Robin S. Carson, Stephanie Chan, Tracy Cooper-Posey, Monte Cook Monte Cook Monte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer... , Minister Faust, Barb Galler-Smith, Brian Hades, Jennifer Hepler, Herman Lau, Susan MacGregor, Alina Pete, Steve Rolston Steve Rolston Steve Rolston is a Canadian artist and writer of comic books and graphic novels currently living in Vancouver, British Columbia. After working in story boards for various animated series, he got his first break from Oni Press as the penciler and inker of the first four issues of their on-going... , Steven Sadowski, Robert J. Sawyer Robert J. Sawyer Robert James Sawyer is a Canadian science fiction writer. He has had 20 novels published, and his short fiction has appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Amazing Stories, On Spec, Nature, and many anthologies. Sawyer has won over forty awards for his fiction, including the Nebula Award ,... , Ty Templeton Ty Templeton Ty Templeton is a popular Canadian comic book artist and writer who has drawn a number of popular mainstream titles, TV-associated titles and his own series.-Biography:Templeton was born on May 9, 1962... , Diane Walton, Dean Welsh, Sharon Wildwind, Thomas Wharton	Attack of the 50-foot Spec
October 2–4, 2009	Shaw Conference Centre	300	Aaron Acevedo, Doug Barbour, Mark Barrazzuol, Wolfgang Baur Wolfgang Baur Wolfgang Baur is an American game designer, best known for his work with Dragon magazine. He designs role-playing games and also is known for his work at Wizards of the Coast.-Biography:... , Paul Campbell, Monte Cook Monte Cook Monte Cook is a professional table-top role-playing game designer and writer. He is married to Sue Weinlein Cook.-Roleplaying:Cook has been a professional game designer since 1988, working primarily on role-playing games. Much of his early work was for Iron Crown Enterprises as an editor and writer... , Candas Jane Dorsey Candas Jane Dorsey Candas Jane Dorsey is a Canadian poet and science fiction novelist.Born and still living in Edmonton, Alberta, Dorsey became a writer from an early age, and a freelance writer since 1980. She writes across genre boundaries, writing poetry, fiction, mainstream and speculative, short and long form,... , Minister Faust, Barb Galler-Smith, Rick Green Rick Green Rick Green is a Canadian comedian, satirist, and writer. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo. From 1975 until 1979, he worked as a presenter at the Ontario Science Centre. In 1979, he helped found the Toronto-based comedy troupe The Frantics... , Laurie Greenwood, Barry Hammond, Sherrilyn Jahrig, Dr. Torah Kachur, Susan MacGregor, Alina Pete, Randy Reichardt, Robert Runte, Brittany Trogen, Diane Walton, Sharon Wildwind, Ed Willett	In Spaaaaace!
October 22–24, 2010	Radisson Edmonton South	Estimated 300+	Mark Barrazzuol, Rob Bartel, Greg Bechtel, Eileen Bell, Taylor Bennett, Scott C Bourgeois, Dan Brodribb, Dr. Alexander Carpenter, Rob Carson, Mary Chan, Dr. Gino DiLabio, Candas Jane Dorsey Candas Jane Dorsey Candas Jane Dorsey is a Canadian poet and science fiction novelist.Born and still living in Edmonton, Alberta, Dorsey became a writer from an early age, and a freelance writer since 1980. She writes across genre boundaries, writing poetry, fiction, mainstream and speculative, short and long form,... , Minister Faust, Gayleen Froese Gayleen Froese Gayleen Froese is a mystery novelist and singer/songwriter from Western Canada. Her first novel, Touch, was published by Edmonton's NeWest Press in 2005. The sequel, "Grayling Cross" was published by NeWest Press in 2011.Froese was educated at Ryerson University in Toronto and currently lives in... , Barb Galler-Smith, Judith Graves, Dave Gross, Andrew Hackard Munchkin (card game) Munchkin is a card game by Steve Jackson Games, written by Steve Jackson and illustrated by John Kovalic, that has a humorous take on role-playing games, based on the concept of munchkins .... , Tanya Huff Tanya Huff Tanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science-fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood... , Tina Hunter Tina Hunter Tina Hunter is a science fiction, fantasy and horror author as well as a blogger.In 2009 Tina had her first two short stories published in the “Seven Deadly Sins: Flash Fiction Challenge #1” anthology and two more stories were published in the “Creatures of the Night: Flash Fiction Challenge #2″... , Melissa Jacques, Maria Jenkins, Liana K Liana K Liana Kerzner , better known by her stage name, Liana K, is a Canadian television entertainer who co-hosted the talk show Ed & Red's Night Party and is a well-known cosplayer.-Biography:... , Brent Knowles, Dolores Kohler, Amanda Lim, Susan MacGregor, Ann Marston, Billie Miholland, Beatrice Nearey, Virginia O'Dine, Mike Perschon, Robert J Sawyer, Amber Scott, Jane Starr, Diane Walton, Stanley Woo	2010
November 18–20, 2011	MacEwan University's Robbins Health Centre	Estimated 300+	Announced: Wayne Arthurson, Kate Boorman, Scott C Bourgeois, Shen Braun, Vadim Bulitko, Dr. Alexander Carpenter, Robin Carson, Marty Chan Marty Chan Marty Chan is a Chinese-Canadian author/playwright who works and lives in Edmonton, Alberta. His works include Something Dead And Evil Lurks In The Cemetery And It's My Dad, The Bone House, Maggie's Last Dance, Mom, Dad - I'm Living with a White Girl, and The Forbidden Phoenix... , Holly Conrad, Andrew Czarnietzki, Gail deVos, William deVry William deVry William deVry is an Canadian television actor now living in Vancouver. He has appeared on several soap operas. He played the roles of Joshua Doors on Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict, Tim Charles on Port Charles and Michael Cambias on All My Children... , Stacey Douglas, Minister Faust, Andrew Foley, Gayleen Froese Gayleen Froese Gayleen Froese is a mystery novelist and singer/songwriter from Western Canada. Her first novel, Touch, was published by Edmonton's NeWest Press in 2005. The sequel, "Grayling Cross" was published by NeWest Press in 2011.Froese was educated at Ryerson University in Toronto and currently lives in... , Jayne Gackenbach Jayne Gackenbach Jayne Gackenbach is a writer and dream researcher whose focus is lucid dreaming and other altered states of consciousness. She was trained as an experimental psychologist and went on to research at the University of Northern Iowa for 11 years before immigrating to Canada... , David Gaider David Gaider David Gaider is a Canadian writer and game designer, working for Edmonton, Alberta-located game developer BioWare since 1999.-Career:... , Barb Galler-Smith, Judith Graves, Dave Gross, Barry Hammond, Amber Hayward, Maria Jenkins, Dr.Torah Kachur, Jason Kapalka PopCap Games PopCap Games is an American video game developer and publisher, based in Seattle, Washington, United States. It was founded in 2000 by John Vechey, Brian Fiete and Jason Kapalka, and currently employs about 400 people... , Jennifer Kennedy, Kyle Kulyk, Scott Lilwall, Nicole Luiken Nicole Luiken Nicole Luiken is a Canadian science fiction and speculative fiction author of novels for teens and adults. She worked as a librarian for several years before giving it up to write full-time. She currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband Aaron and sons Simon and Luke... , Susan MacGregor, Ann Marston, Jessica Merizan, Billie Milholland, Mike Otto, Mike Perschon, Alina Pete, Samantha Power, Mike Resnick Mike Resnick Michael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...  (via Skype), Joel Rivero, Dr. Peter J. Roccia, Adam Rozenhart, Jocelyn Saskiw, Rachelle Saunders, Desiree Schell Desiree Schell Desiree Schell is the host of the live Canadian call-in radio talk show and podcast "Skeptically Speaking" . A Skeptic, Desiree is a strong advocate for Critical Thinking and is strongly interested in the promotion of skepticism publicly... , Morgan Smith, Gail Sidonie Sobat Gail Sidonie Sobat Gail Sidonie Sobat is a Canadian writer, educator, singer and performer. She is the founder and coordinator of YouthWrite a camp for kids who love to write…just about anything! and a non-profit society. She is also the director of the Spoken Word Youth Choir... , Rebecca Staab Rebecca Staab Rebecca Ann Staab is an American actress and former beauty queen who has competed in the Miss USA pageant.- Biography :Staab was born in Hays, Kansas and grew up in Ralston, Nebraska. She graduated in 1979 from Ralston Senior High School... , Matthew Tang, Diane Walton, Jo Walton Jo Walton Jo Walton is a Welsh-Canadian fantasy and science fiction writer and poet. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2002 and the World Fantasy award for her novel Tooth and Claw in 2004. Her novel Ha'penny was a co-winner of the 2008 Prometheus Award... , Trent Wilkie, Joe Wos, Spyder Yardley-Jones, Jared Zsombor	Spec to the Future