MediaWest*Con
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
MediaWest*Con is one of the largest and longest running media based (TV shows/Film) fan run conventions in the United States. It is held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Lansing, Michigan. MediaWest*Con is sponsored by T'Kuhtian Press as a celebration of the diversity of SF/Media fandom, run by fans, for fans, and is staffed entirely by volunteers. MediaWest*Con traditionally features the Art Show and Auction, Fanzine Reading Room, Fannish Videos, Masquerade, Dealers' Room, Fan Quality Awards, Fan Fund, both a Con Suite (AKA Hospitality Suite) and a Party Suite, and many, many, panels on a wide variety of topics representing many areas of interest. Programming is determined by member input and participation. The convention has no official guests. The name MediaWest*Con is a service mark of MediaWest*Con. http://www.mediawestcon.org
The first MediaWest*Con was held under that name (following T'Con in 1978 and 2'Con in 1979) in 1981.
From the history of MediaWest*Con page[1]:
- "It was a time of great rebellion. Spurned by some general Science Fiction fans and conventions, derided by some as "Trekkies," Star Trek Fandom broke away and grew as a distinct fandom in its own right, holding its own conventions and publishing its own fanzines.
- When Star Wars began to generate a fandom of its own, some Star Trek fans felt threatened by this sudden upstart and began to treat Star Wars fans as badly as they had been treated. Others, however, thought there was room for a variety of interests, and Media Fandom was born.
- It was during this period that Lori Chapek-Carleton and Gordon Carleton became involved in fandom, founded T'Kuhtian Press, and became known as the publishers of fanzines such as Warped Space.
- Despite the upsurge in interest in SF/Media, fan-run conventions began to dwindle in the late 1970's, due, in part, to the increasing cost of speakers' fees, and to the increased competition of conventions run for profit (which, in turn, increased the cost of speakers' fees...). Something had to be done.
- So we did.
- Under the tutelage of KWest*Con veterans Paula Smith and Sharon Ferraro, a format was conceived: an SF/Media convention run by fans, for fans, with no paid guests. It had been observed that at conventions with little or no Media programming, fans would gather in the halls, or wherever they could, and have their own discussions, workshops, etc., but it was anyone's guess if there would be enough interest to support an entire convention without the drawing power of professional authors, actors, etc.." http://members.aol.com/mdiawstCon/mwchist.htm
