SpoCon
Encyclopedia
SpoCon is a full-spectrum science fiction
fan convention
held annually in Spokane, Washington
, USA. SpoCon is a non-profit event held to benefit the Spokane Public Schools
by purchasing science-fiction and fantasy literature for the school libraries. SpoCon is a "sister convention," to GameCon Spokane, MisCon, RadCon
and Tactical Solutions. SpoCon is a qualifier for the national Warhammer 40,000 Championship.
. Attendance was far less than anticipated, though organizers were able to handle the extra memberships without ease. The extra attendance can in large part be attributed to the appearance of the 2008 Guest of Honor, Timothy Zahn
The second annual event, with the theme of " Are You Fan Enough," was held July 31 - August 2, 2009 with an attendance of 730, if you count all the volunteers twice.
The third annual event, with the theme of "The Year Fans Make Contact," ( From 2001: A Space Odyssey ) was held July 30 to August 1, 2010.
The 2011 had "The Power of Fandom" as the theme, and was held at the Spokane Doubletree Hotel August 12 - 14, 2011.
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...
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...
held annually in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, USA. SpoCon is a non-profit event held to benefit the Spokane Public Schools
Spokane Public Schools
Spokane Public Schools is a public school district in Spokane County, Washington, and serves the city of Spokane.In May 2011, the district had an enrollment of 28,788....
by purchasing science-fiction and fantasy literature for the school libraries. SpoCon is a "sister convention," to GameCon Spokane, MisCon, RadCon
RadCon
RadCon is a not-for-profit organization that promotes education in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Every February during President's Day weekend, RadCon hosts a weekend long convention at the Red Lion Hotel in Pasco, Washington.-Highlights:...
and Tactical Solutions. SpoCon is a qualifier for the national Warhammer 40,000 Championship.
History
The first event was held in 2008 at Gonzaga UniversityGonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
. Attendance was far less than anticipated, though organizers were able to handle the extra memberships without ease. The extra attendance can in large part be attributed to the appearance of the 2008 Guest of Honor, Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn
Timothy Zahn is a writer of science fiction short stories and novels. His novella Cascade Point won the 1984 Hugo award. He is the author of nine Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, including seven novels featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn: the Thrawn Trilogy, the Hand of Thrawn duology, Outbound...
The second annual event, with the theme of " Are You Fan Enough," was held July 31 - August 2, 2009 with an attendance of 730, if you count all the volunteers twice.
The third annual event, with the theme of "The Year Fans Make Contact," ( From 2001: A Space Odyssey ) was held July 30 to August 1, 2010.
The 2011 had "The Power of Fandom" as the theme, and was held at the Spokane Doubletree Hotel August 12 - 14, 2011.
Location and dates
| Dates | Location | Attendees | Notable guests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1–3, 2008 | Gonzaga University; Spokane, WA | 700 | Timothy Zahn Timothy Zahn Timothy Zahn is a writer of science fiction short stories and novels. His novella Cascade Point won the 1984 Hugo award. He is the author of nine Star Wars Expanded Universe novels, including seven novels featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn: the Thrawn Trilogy, the Hand of Thrawn duology, Outbound... , Mark Ferrari, Steve Perrin Steve Perrin Stephen Herbert Perrin, born January 22 1946 and simply known as Steve Perrin, is a game designer and technical writer/editor.Perrin is probably best known for creating the role-playing game RuneQuest for Chaosium... , Vixy & Tony, |
|
| July 31-August 2, 2009 | Gonzaga University; Spokane, WA | 730 | L. E. Modesitt, Jr. L. E. Modesitt, Jr. L. E. Modesitt, Jr. is an author of 56 science fiction and fantasy novels. He is best known for the fantasy series The Saga of Recluce.... , Steve Long, Alan Boyle Alan Boyle Alan Boyle is a journalist specializing in science and technology news. He has worked for msnbc.com as a science editor since 1996.He has received recognition from the American Association for the Advancement of Science in the form of the 2002 AAAS Science Journalism Award.-References:... , John Picacio John Picacio John Picacio is an award-winning American artist specializing in science fiction, fantasy and horror illustration.-Biography:... , Kathy Mar Kathy Mar Kathy Mar |]] by analogy with non-rhotic accents) worked as a professional folksinger and street performer in Denver, Colorado for many years before she discovered filk... |
|
| July 30-August 1, 2010 | Gonzaga University; Spokane, WA | 874 | Michael Whelan Michael Whelan Michael Whelan is an American artist of imaginative realism. For more than 30 years he worked as an illustrator specializing in science fiction and fantasy cover art... , 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... , Dead Gentlemen Productions Dead Gentlemen Productions Dead Gentlemen Productions is an independent film company based in Seattle, WA.They have released a number of films, including the award winning cult classic The Gamers and The Gamers: Dorkness Rising.... , Seanan McGuir |
|
| August 12–14, 2011 | Doubletree Hotel; Spokane, WA | 1109 | Patricia Briggs Patricia Briggs Patricia Briggs is an American author, well-known for the Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, and lived in various cities in the Pacific Northwest... , Dragon Dronet, Dead Gentlemen Productions Dead Gentlemen Productions Dead Gentlemen Productions is an independent film company based in Seattle, WA.They have released a number of films, including the award winning cult classic The Gamers and The Gamers: Dorkness Rising.... , Dan Dos Santos |
|
| August 10–12, 2012 | Doubletree Hotel; Spokane, WA |