North American Science Fiction Convention

Last updated

NASFiC
StatusActive
GenreScience fiction
Location(s)North America
Inaugurated1975
Website nasfic.org

NASFiC, an abbreviation for North American Science Fiction Convention, is a science fiction convention scheduled in North America during years when a Worldcon is being held outside North America; NASFiCs are held only during such years. [1] Bids for the location of a NASFiC are voted on by the membership of the Worldcon (or NASFiC if it exists), the year after a non-North-American Worldcon site has been selected. As of 2014, this is one year in advance of a potential NASFiC, since Worldcon sites are chosen two years in advance. [2] [3]

Contents

History

Activities at a NASFiC are similar to those at a Worldcon, but may differ somewhat with each convention committee. The convention may be held as an individual event or in conjunction with another convention. It generally occurs near the time of the Worldcon, but not in direct competition with it. Fifteen NASFiCs have occurred to date with the sixteenth scheduled for July 2024. The name NASFiC is owned by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS).

The late Robert Sacks organized an attempt to separate NASFiC from the World Science Fiction Society, similar to Eurocon, but WSFS has chosen to keep control of NASFiC. [4] [5]

Conventions

This is a list of the NASFiCs held, or scheduled, to date:

YearNameCityGuests of HonorSizeCorresponding Worldcon
1st1975 NASFiC [6] Los Angeles, California Harlan Ellison 1,100 33rd (Aussiecon One),
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2nd1979 NorthAmeriCon '79 Louisville, Kentucky Frederik Pohl
George Scithers
2,000 37th (Seacon),
Brighton, United Kingdom
3rd1985 LoneStarCon 1 Austin, Texas Jack Vance
Richard Powers
Joanne Burger
2,800 43rd (Aussiecon Two),
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
4th1987 CactusCon [7] Phoenix, Arizona Hal Clement
Marjii Ellers
3,000 45th (Conspiracy '87),
Brighton, United Kingdom
5th1990 ConDiego San Diego, California Samuel R. Delany
Ben Yalow
3,000 48th (ConFiction),
The Hague, Netherlands
6th1995 Dragon*Con 1995 Atlanta, Georgia George Alec Effinger
Harlan Ellison
Timothy Zahn
Michael Whelan
Bjo Trimble
14,312 53rd (Intersection),
Glasgow, Scotland
7th1999 Conucopia Anaheim, California Jerry Pournelle
Ellen Datlow
Richard Lynch
Nicki Lynch
1,734 57th (Aussiecon Three),
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
8th2005 Cascadia Con [1] [8] Seattle, Washington Fred Saberhagen
Liz Danforth
Toni Weisskopf
Kevin Standlee
1,785 / 2,014
on site/total
63rd (Interaction),
Glasgow, Scotland
9th2007 Archon31/Tuckercon [9] Collinsville, Illinois Barbara Hambly
Darrell K. Sweet
Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett
James Ernest
Elizabeth Covey
Barry and Sally Childs-Helton
Nancy Hathaway
Lani Tupu
Richard Hatch
1,950 65th (Nippon 2007),
Yokohama, Japan
10th2010 ReConStruction [10] Raleigh, North Carolina Eric Flint
Brad W. Foster
Juanita Coulson
Toni Weisskopf
~750 / ~900
on site/total
68th (Aussiecon Four),
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
11th2014 Detcon1 [11] Detroit, Michigan Steven Barnes
John Picacio
Bernadette Bosky
Arthur D. Hlavaty
Kevin J. Maroney
Helen Greiner
Bill and Brenda Sutton
Roger Sims and Fred Prophet [2]
1,450 / 1,628
on site/total
72nd (Loncon 3),
London, England
12th2017NorthAmeriCon '17 [12] San Juan, Puerto Rico Daina Chaviano
Tobias S. Buckell
George Perez
Paula Smith
Guy Consolmagno
Javier Grillo-Marxuach
~200 / ~575
on site/total
75th (Worldcon 75),
Helsinki, Finland
13th2019SpikeCon [13] Layton, Utah David Weber
Laurell K Hamilton
Susan Chang
Vincent Villafranca
Linda Deneroff
Dragon Dronet
Bjo & John Trimble
~800 [14] 77th (Dublin 2019—An Irish Worldcon),
Dublin, Ireland
14th2020Columbus NASFiC 2020 [15] Online
(originally planned for Columbus, Ohio)
Brian Herbert
Kevin J. Anderson
Stephanie Law
Christopher J. Garcia
Marc Millis
Sue and Steve Francis
Eric Flint
0 / unknown
on site/total
78th (CoNZealand),
Online
(originally planned for Wellington, New Zealand)
15th2023Pemmi-Con [16] Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Julie E. Czerneda
Waubgeshig Rice
Nisi Shawl
John Mansfield
Philip John Currie
Lorna Toolis (posthumously, as Ghost Guest of Honor)
katherena vermette
George Freeman
Tanya Huff [17]
509 / 849 [18]
on site/total
81st (2023 Chengdu),
Chengdu, China
16th2024Buffalo NASFiC 2024 [19] [20] Buffalo, New York Alan Dean Foster
Nilah Magruder
Phil and Kaja Foglio
Tony and Suford Lewis
501 / 546
on site/total
82nd (Glasgow 2024),
Glasgow, Scotland

Related Research Articles

Worldcon, officially the World Science Fiction Convention, the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS), is a science fiction convention. It has been held each year since 1939. The members of each Worldcon are the members of WSFS, and vote both to select the site of the Worldcon two years later, and to select the winners of the annual Hugo Awards, which are presented at each convention.

Cascadia Con was the eighth North American Science Fiction Convention, held in SeaTac, Washington, on September 1–5, 2005, at the Seattle Airport Hilton and Conference Center. This NASFiC was held because Glasgow, Scotland, was selected as the location for the 2005 Worldcon.

Archon is a multigenre convention that has been held annually in Collinsville, Illinois and is hosted by St. Louis Science Fiction, Ltd. It is the largest convention of its type in the St. Louis, Missouri area, bringing a few thousand fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror each year. Archon is held at the beginning of October.

LepreCon is an annual science fiction convention with an emphasis on art held in and around Phoenix, Arizona usually in May around Mother's Day weekend. It is the second oldest science fiction convention in Arizona. It is sponsored by LepreCon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation. LepreCon 43 was held July 1–4, 2017; in November, 2017, LepreCon, Inc. chose to cancel LepreCon 44 in the previously announced format as the Phoenix Sci-Fi & Fantasy Art Expo, which had been scheduled for March 2018 at the Unexpected Art Gallery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">67th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 67th Worldcon (2009)

The 67th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Anticipation, was held on 6–10 August 2009 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">69th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 69th Worldcon (2011)

The 69th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Renovation, was held on 17–21 August 2011 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) in Reno, Nevada, United States. The Atlantis Casino Resort served as the headquarters/party hotel, with additional rooms supplied by the Peppermill Reno and Courtyard by Marriott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">71st World Science Fiction Convention</span> 71st Worldcon (2013)

The 71st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as LoneStarCon 3, was held on 29 August–2 September 2013 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad W. Foster</span> American cartoonist

Brad W. Foster is an American illustrator, cartoonist, writer and publisher. He has also been Artist Guest of Honor at multiple conventions such as ArmadilloCon 10, Conestoga 9, Archon 35, NASFiC 2010, and 73rd World Science Fiction Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">55th World Science Fiction Convention</span> 55th Worldcon (1997)

The 55th World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as LoneStarCon 2, also known as "The Second Occasional LoneStarCon Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off", was held on 28 August–1 September 1997 at the Marriott Rivercenter, Marriott Riverwalk, and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, United States. The first LoneStarCon, held in Austin, Texas, had been the North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 1985, when the 43rd Worldcon was held in Australia.

LoneStarCon 1 was the third North American Science Fiction Convention, held in Austin, Texas, on August 30-September 2, 1985, at the Hyatt Regency Austin, Sheraton Crest, and Palmer Auditorium. LoneStarCon 1 was also known as "The First Occasional Lone Star Science Fiction Convention & Chili Cook-off" and "ChiliCon". This NASFiC was held because Melbourne, Australia, was selected as the location for the 1985 Worldcon.

ReConStruction was the tenth occasional North American Science Fiction Convention. It was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 5–8, 2010, at the Raleigh Convention Center, Marriott City Center, and the Downtown Raleigh Sheraton. This NASFiC was held because Melbourne, Australia, was selected as the location for the 2010 Worldcon.

NorthAmeriCon '79 was the second North American Science Fiction Convention, held in Louisville, Kentucky, on August 30-September 3, 1979, at the Galt House Hotel. This NASFiC was held because Brighton, England, was selected as the location for the 1979 Worldcon.

CactusCon was the fourth North American Science Fiction Convention, held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 3–7, 1987, at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Adams Hilton, and Phoenix Convention Center. This NASFiC was held because Brighton, England, was selected as the location for the 1987 Worldcon.

ConDiego was the fifth North American Science Fiction Convention, held in San Diego, California, on August 30 – September 3, 1990, at the Omni Hotel San Diego and the San Diego Convention & Performing Arts Center. This NASFiC was held because The Hague, Netherlands, was selected as the location for the 1990 Worldcon.

NASFiC, held in Los Angeles, on Labor Day weekend 1975, at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott, was the first North American Science Fiction Convention. "NASFiC" was an initialism for North American Science Fiction Convention. This "Continental Convention", the first of its kind, was held because Melbourne, Australia, was selected as the location for the 1975 Worldcon.

Conucopia was the seventh North American Science Fiction Convention, held in Anaheim, California, on August 26–29, 1999, at the Anaheim Marriott. This NASFiC was held because Melbourne, Australia, was selected as the location for the 1999 Worldcon.

Tuckercon, also known as Archon31, was the ninth North American Science Fiction Convention, held in Collinsville, Illinois, on August 2–5, 2007, at the Gateway Center and Collinsville Holiday Inn. Collinsville is just across the Mississippi River from St Louis, Missouri. This NASFiC was held because Yokohama, Japan, was selected as the location for the 2007 Worldcon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">73rd World Science Fiction Convention</span> 73rd Worldcon (2015)

The 73rd World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as Sasquan, was held on August 19–23, 2015 at the Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, Washington, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Detcon1</span>

Detcon1 was the 11th occasional North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC). It was held in Detroit, Michigan, from July 17–20, 2014, in the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. This NASFiC was scheduled because London, England, was selected as the location for the 2014 World Science Fiction Convention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">81st World Science Fiction Convention</span> 81st Worldcon (2023)

The 81st World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon), also known as 2023 Chengdu Worldcon, was held on 18–22 October 2023 in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. The co-chairs were Chen Shi, Ben Yalow, and Hongwei He.

References

  1. 1 2 Martin, Jessica (29 August 2005). "Science fiction Canadian style". SF Crowsnest. Retrieved 14 August 2009. Cascadia Con is the 8th North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 30 years. A NASFiC is only held when the Worldcon for that year is outside of North America. In 2005 the Worldcon will be in Scotland and Seattle will host the NASFiC.
  2. 1 2 Pho, Diana M. (9 July 2014). "SciFi in the Motor City: An Interview with the Committee of Detcon1". Tor.com . Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. WSFS Constitution accessed 2021-08-05
  4. McMurray, Pat (June 1998). "Minutes of the Business Meeting 1993". The World Science Fiction Society. Worldcon.org. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  5. McMurray, Pat (2000). "Minutes of the Business Meeting 1987". The World Science Fiction Society. Worldcon.org. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  6. Morrison, Patt (7 September 1975). "Sci Fi Confab Draws 'em All". Los Angeles Times . p. CS1. Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2009. The acronym sounded OK--but you got the feeling that if any of the guys at the four-day North American Science Fiction Convention at the Marriott Hotel [...]
  7. Martin, Sue (23 April 1987). "Many Resources for Fans of Fantasy and the 'Far Out'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 16 July 2014. Phoenix will also host the Cactuscon/North American Science Fiction Convention (Sept. 3-6) at the Phoenix Hilton, Civic Plaza Convention Center and Hyatt Regency.
  8. Chansanchai, Athima (1 September 2005). "Sex in space? Sci-fi convention aims to please; Cascadia says it has something for every fan". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Retrieved 14 August 2009. If you have any interest in science fiction at all, you'll find something at Cascadia Con, an official North American Science Fiction Convention held only seven times since 1975. This makes eight, and for the first time, it's in the Seattle area. The five-day event, which begins today, is expected to draw 3,500 fans.
  9. Schlueter, Roger (2 August 2007). "Archon 31 promises a science fiction bonanza". Belleville News-Democrat . Retrieved 14 August 2009. This year's Archon simply has to be bigger and better, say the organizers, St. Louis Science Fiction Ltd. Not only is it serving as St. Louis' annual sci-fi-fantasy confab, but it is doubling as the 2007 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC), because the world convention was awarded to a non-North American site (Yokohama, Japan).
  10. "ReConStruction official website". ReConStruction. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  11. "Detcon1 official website". Detcon1. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  12. "North Americon '17 official website". NorthAmericon17. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  13. "Layton, Utah to host 2019 NASFiC". North American Science Fiction Convention. 19 August 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  14. "Spikecon Spoonfuls". File 770. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  15. "Columbus NASFiC 2020 official website". Columbus NASFiC 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  16. "Pemmi-con 2023 - the 2023 Nasfic Winnipeg". Pemmi-con 2023. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  17. "Guests of Honour - Pemmi-Con". Pemmi-Con 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  18. https://main.pemmi-con.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Mooseletter-4.pdf . Retrieved 26 July 2023.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. "The 16th North American Science Fiction Convention". buffalonasfic2024.org. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  20. "Buffalo NASFiC 2024 Announces Guests of Honor". File 770. Retrieved 23 July 2022.