Trekkon
You may be looking for Star TreKon, a series of cons in Kansas City from 1975-1980.
| Star Trek Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Trekkon |
| Dates: | 1983, 1984 |
| Frequency: | held twice |
| Location: | The San Antonio Inn; The Menger Hotel |
| Type: | Star Trek |
| Focus: | Star Trek, media |
| Organization: | San Antonio, Texas |
| Founder: | Anthony Wynn, Judith Ward, Fran Booth |
| Founding Date: | 1983 |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Trekkon originated in San Antonio, Texas as cons with a focus on Star Trek, although other media science fiction shows were included. Trekkons were held in 1983 and 1984, though a later con was held in Florida in 1988 with different organizers.
1983
Trekkon '83 was held February 19–20, 1983 at the San Antonio Inn in San Antonio, Texas. The con was chaired by Tony Wynn, Judith Ward, and Fran Booth.
The Convention Committee and staff included: Lynn Ward, Kay Johnson, George Raney, Phyllis Wood, Elinor Heatherley, Madeline Rogers, Ruth Accetta, and Wesley Payne. Sara Cooper was one of the angels.
Guests were Bibi Besch and Judson Scott. It was Bibi's first convention appearance and she was accompanied by her daughter, actress Samantha Mathis.
Fan guests were Eric A. Stillwell, Holly Wells-Booth, Kay Johnson, and Syn Ferguson.
Trekkon '93 was designated as the first official meeting place of the Starfleet fan club. The organization, with in coordination with Reconnaissance Press, printed the official con booklet in return for the special designation.
Author Lynn Ward read from her upcoming zine Darkshine; Kay Johnson read from her works; and Syn Ferguson read from her future zine Courts of Honor.
Fan guest Eric A. Stillwell later commented on Bibi Besch:
“Not unlike her 23rd century counterpart, Bibi Besch was also a working professional and single mother. From the time she made her stage debut as a young actress in New York, Bibi never stopped working. She spent her early career in regional theater, on and off-Broadway and as a regular on TV soaps. After moving to Los Angeles, Bibi appeared in countless film and television roles. She could segue from creating the planet Genesis – where she delivered what one film critic called the best line ever to adorn an SF movie (“Can I cook, or can’t I?”) – to portraying a housewife in Lawrence, Kansas, who delt with nuclear disaster in the critically-acclaimed Nicholas Meyer television film The Day After.Over the course of her career she earned two Emmy nominations, one for her work in the TV movie Doing Time on Maple Drive and another for a guest appearance on Northern Exposure. She also became an accomplished stage director, producer and teacher while doing a very fine job of raising a lovely daughter, Samantha Mathis, who, like her mother, has also become a successful actress.
Unfortunately, Bibi’s life was cut short when she lost her battle with cancer in September 1996. It was a tragic end for someone who gave so much of herself to others. And I know, having met Bibi in San Antonio, Texas, at her very first Star Trek convention in 1983... Immortalized on film, she will continue to entertain generations yet to come with a passion for acting that came straight from her very heart and soul.”[1]
Trekkon '83 Program Booklet
Trekkon '83 program booklet, front cover
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 2
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 3
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 4
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 5
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 6
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 7
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 8
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 9
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 10
Trekkon '83 program booklet, page 11
Trekkon '83 program booklet, back cover
1984
Trekkon '84 was held March 3–4, 1984 at The Menger Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The con was chaired by Tony Wynn, Judith Ward, and Fran Booth. The Convention Committee also included Lynn Ward, Phyllis Wood, George Raney, and Ruth Accetta.
Guests were Mark Lenard and Grace Lee Whitney. Fan Guests were Bjo Trimble and Kay Johnson.
After Kay very ably and happily assisted in staffing Trekkon '83, she was officially invited back as a Fan Guest to Trekkon '84. Wonderfully funny and also a jokester, Kay comically inscribed a flyer for con chair Tony Wynn: "To my secret lover, remember that night in San Antonio! Love, Kay".
On the flyer, the hotel was billed as being:
"...A beautiful facility located in downtown San Antonio is the location for TREKKON '84. Situated next to the historic Alamo, and only a stone throw from the lovely river-walk, the MENGER offers all comfortable accommodations, while serving those who wish to delve into the history of San Antonio or just relax. Register today!"
Tickets were sold in advance by mail order, and also at the door. Advance ticket prices for an adult two-day membership was $15.00, children were $10.00, and the Celebrity Banquet was $15.00.
The back of the flyer gave brief bios of the guests and listed a number of events to be featured at the con: Daily celebrity presentations, daily autograph sessions, celebrity banquet, Star Trek film room, Science Fiction film room, Art room, Dealer's room, Costume Contest, Writer's panels, and NASA displays.
In 1985, a letter from con chair Tony Wynn was printed in Interstat #95, with Wynn lamenting about how the effects of a much-delayed zine had impacted some attendees of his con:
"I am one of the many who have ordered Courts of Honor and Before the Glory from fan author Syn Ferguson... As convention chairman of Trekkon '83, I welcomed Ms. Ferguson to our convention and she was invited to participate in a special reading of fan fiction. Lynn Ward and Kay Johnson also read selections from their works. Kay Johnson was already published and [Lynn W's] Darkshine was subsequently published later in 1983. I, too, was "there" in Houston, Texas, selling Courts of Honor posters and copies of Mission to Mrinn, not to mention becoming ensnared in that disaster of a convention. I would like to take time to note that Trekkon '83 was held February 19th and 20th in San Antonio, Texas, now over 2 1/2 years in the past. The Houston Convention was in June 1982, over 3 years ago. Ms. Ferguson began work on Courts of Honor followed by Before the Glory at least 1 year prior to this time. Since attendees at Trekkon '83 ordered copies of both of Ms. Ferguson's works, I feel that her delinquency possibly marred an otherwise successful event. Here and now I ask that 1) Ms. Ferguson please come out of hiding and answer all protests and accusations against her, 2) She set a firm date for the publication and mailing of Courts of Honor and 3) Do likewise for Before the Glory, or else refund all monies--immediately, to all parties involved. Not anyone in Star Trek fandom can dispute the fine work of Ms. Ferguson, when available. However, the delays, gyrations, and inappropriate behavior of the author and her spokespersons is totally unheard of and should not, and cannot, be tolerated any longer."[2]
1988
Despite using the same name, this event took place in Miramar, Florida with different organizers:[3]
References
- ^ Eric A. Stillwell, Star Trek Communicator, September 2000.
- ^ Letter from Tony Wynn in Interstat #95, September 1985.
- ^ Devoted Fans Trek To Miramar For `Trekkon `88` Convention - tribunedigital-sunsentinel, Archived version