The kind of fan-run convention we all love is failing. We’ve known this for a long time, but when stalwarts like VCON and Ad Astra struggle with issues of failing attendance, lack of volunteers, cost of hotels, we have to wonder if the days of the fan run con are numbered.
Read the comments, too, as there is a fuller explanation there.
Also, if you are on Facebook, visit the Ad Astra group and join the discussion there.
Also, visit the VCON website.
http://file770.com/2019-vcon-cancelled/
Full announcement at: https://tinyurl.com/cancuff2018
Nominations are now open to find a CUFF delegate for 2018. Canadian fans are looking for a fan from Eastern Canada to travel to attend VCON 42 / Canvention 38 in Vancouver this October 5th through 7th as the CUFF delegate. The delegate is welcome, even encouraged, to stay longer than just the convention and hang out with the local fans. In order to be nominated for the CUFF this year an application must be submitted by July 31, 2018 to cancuff@gmail.com..
In exchange for funds that are likely to cover all of their costs for the trip, the primary responsibilities of the delegate are to:
In order to be nominated for the CUFF this year an application must be submitted by July 31st, 2018 to cancuff@gmail.com. The application must have a minimum of three fan supporters from the east and three in the west (six total). It should contain a letter with a brief fan-related bio and how you hope to make this trip beneficial for you and the fan community.
Voting will be open August 1st and close August 24th. This is a short voting period, but necessary to give the successful candidate enough time to work with VCON programming and to schedule their visit.
Any Canadian fan or pro may individually nominate a fan to be this year’s CUFF delegate by filling out the form.
If you (the nominator) are not likely to be known to the current fund administrator (Kent Pollard) please indicate the name and contact info for a fan who is likely to be well known and can confirm you are an active fan, or links to information that will make your involvement in fandom clear. The same process will hold true for voting.
Voting, when open will be permitted by anyone who has been active in Canadian fandom for two years prior to the Canvention, (for this year, October of 2016) or anyone who has a membership to VCON 42. Voters are requested to make a donation to the fund of at least $5.00
CUFF is donation supported and provides for covering expenses for a Canadian science fiction and/or fantasy enthusiast to attend CanVention on the opposite side of the country. CanVention is the annual convention of the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, which traditionally alternates between Eastern and Western Canada.
VCON 42 will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel October 5th through 8th, based around a theme of how Douglas Adams and the British Invasion affected Canadian Fandom. It features the following Guests of Honour:
Author GOH: Charles Stross
VCON Artist GoH: Ashley Mackenzie
Canvention GoH: Amal El-Mohtar
More Information about VCON 42 / Canvention 38, https://vcon.ca/
Kent Pollard
THE-VCON-VANGUARD #3 February 2016
From R GRAEME CAMERON:
I delayed sending this out till new VCON website, link to hotel booking & link to buying memberships ready. All three in zine.
Cheers! Graeme
VCON is Canada’s oldest ongoing science fiction and fantasy convention. The first VCON was held in 1971 at the Hotel Georgia with Ursula K. Le Guin as Guest of Honour. The upcoming VCON will be our 41st!
The theme of VCON in 2016 is “Muppets, Puppets, and Marionettes” which includes everything from giant puppets to stop motion models to Supermarionation. Expect panels and lectures on these and many other SF&F topics, plus demos, workshops, and numerous audience-participation live action games like “Human Battleship” and “Fan Feud.” A mid-sized SF&F convention run by fans for fans, we average 700 to 800 attendees.
The secondary theme is “The Small Press Cabal” which will celebrate independent Small Press Canadian Book and Magazine publishers who have created the environment for a veritable renaissance of Canadian SpecFic. Participating professionals will include publishers, editors, authors, artists and poets.
News from the west coast:
Greetings all!
A little late, but here is the December issue of the newsletter promoting VCON 41. This issue focuses on Godzilla Fan Guest of Honour Stan G. Hyde, and also has a look back at the first VCON by one of its Co-Chairs Mike Bailey.
Note that the early bird special rates end December 31st!
Cheers! Graeme
Greetings all!
In an unguarded moment I agreed to be Chair of VCON 41 come October 2016. I am determined that all attendees (including pros) have a heck of a good time, great fun for all. Don’t see any point to holding it otherwise.
This is the first of a series of monthly fanzines wherein I promote VCON 41 in the spirit I intend it to be. Hope you find it of interest.
Cheers! R. Graeme Cameron (The fool who dared to be Chair)