So you went to Gen Con (or not), what other cons do you attend?

[sniffles]

I've spent a while reading a number of the threads about Gen Con (enviously). I've never really wanted to go to a gaming con, but Gen Con sounds like fun. I have one friend who went (he's a freelance editor/designer, mostly working with White Wolf lately), so I'm looking forward to his stories.

I attend OryCon every year, which is a science fiction and fantasy literary convention - a bit snobbish about gaming and media-related fan interests, but I have a good time and have met most of my friends there. I used to attend a couple of other cons in Seattle, but budgetary problems (both mine and theirs) have caused me to give those up. When I can afford it I try to make it to Norwescon. One year I managed to attend the "alternacon" for people who couldn't make it to WorldCon (but not this year, even though it's in Seattle! ). I've been to a few Star Trek cons too (don't sneer! ).

Do any of you folks do other cons, not necessarily gaming-related cons?

 

[Psion]

Other than TerpCon, AKA DC ENWorld Gameday, no.

I was tempted to go to winter fantasy last year as it was nearby, but alas, RPGA ain't my thing.

 

[Justinian]

Well, I attended OryCon the last 3 years, but I will be going to an RPGA convention this year instead. I've enjoyed it in the past, but it just doesn't fit my schedule this year. I've tried Norwescon in the past, but I didn't enjoy it that much.

I usually attend between two and five local (in at least adjacent states) conventions each year for RPGA gaming. This year, it was RadCon in Pasco, GameStorm in Portland, and UrnstCon in Idaho Falls. Upcoming are two conventions in Washington that close out this campaign year for the Duchy of Urnst.

Aside from RPGA conventions, I always make time for DragonCon in Atlanta, GA, where I have met some ENWorlders in the past. DragonCon tends to run a little more toward panels with media personalities and authors, but there is quite a bit of gaming as well.

 

[Steve Jung]

Since 2000, I've gone down to Baltimore every fall for HomiCon. We're fans of the late, lamented NBC police show Homicide: Life on the Streets. The show was set and filmed in Baltimore so we used to go out and see where certain episodes were shot. We've also met some of the guest stars and extras who still live in the area. In recent years, it's been more just hanging out with each other for a few days, since we've seen most of the locations already.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I mostly don't like Gaming Conventions, and attend Gen Con because of it's large EN World presence/ Product releases.

I've been known to attend Westercon (a roving Sci-Fi convention) on occasion.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Sometimes the wife and I get to Arisia (Boston). This past fall we got to Noreascon.

Typically I also attend I-Con in the spring at SUNY Stony Brook (www.iconsf.org). Despite their SF ways, they have a good gaming room in the student union.

This past December, I went to Anonycon in Stamford CT, which was nice. A small, cool con full of nice gamers. I'd go back if I could. Not sure if I can handle the driving this year as budget's still tight, but I recommend it. Fair RPGA presence, but a lot of other options as well. (I know, I DMed a couple.)

 

[jcfiala]

Back when I lived in Pittsburgh, I hit a generous serving of fan conventions - there was Balticon (general sf/fantasy/geek), Philcon (ditto), Evecon (Combination sf/fantasy with new years eve bash), and Castlecon (because the Evecon people had too much time on their hands in July).

Now that I live in Denver, CO, I get to enjoy:
Genghis Con (gaming, February)
Opus Con (Fantasy/esoterica, Mayish)
Ben Con (gaming, June, for charity)
Tacticon (gaming, September, and I'm RPG coordinator.)
Nan Desu Kan (anime, September, and I work registration.)
Mile High Con (sf/fantasy, October, and I'm tired. And try to help.)

There's also a starcon that happens, but quite frankly I don't like the prices. And just this last year a group from out of town started up a second anime convention, but I wasn't really interested in a second and it was the same weekend as the Sakura festival.

I also was lucky enough to hit Origins in 86 or 87 when it was in Baltimore, Origins/GenCon in 88, and GenCon the last year it was in Wisconson. Mmm... Oh! And animecon in '91, thanks to some extra cash and an Indian student at CMU who wanted to sell off the domestic ticket he'd earned with frequent flyer miles.

I really just *enjoy* conventions in general. Little vacations from reality... and for some reason, I enjoy helping at them too.

 

[sniffles]

I mostly don't like Gaming Conventions, and attend Gen Con because of it's large EN World presence/ Product releases.

I've been known to attend Westercon (a roving Sci-Fi convention) on occasion.

Maybe I'll see you next time Westercon roves back around to Portland!!

 

[tarchon]

Comicon and SPIE Optics and Photonics, in the same place three weeks apart.
Oh, and a Rainbow Gathering too.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Stellarcon

Dragoncon

MACE

ConCarolinas