Con-Version was an annual science fiction and fantasy convention held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Since its beginning in 1984, the convention hosted many authors such as Robert J. Sawyer, Larry Niven, and J. Michael Straczynski; it also hosted the judging for the Robyn Herrington Memorial Short Story Competition. Appearances had also been made by Jeremy Bulloch and Dirk Benedict.
Con-Version held programming on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the form of panels, both round table and instructional, based on all areas of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. There was a costume contest, masquerade, con-suite, dance, art show and auction, gaming, and vendors room. Con-Version focused on all aspects of the genre, from the written word to art and graphics, and from big screen and television to costuming.
In recent years, a musical performed by members of IFWA, the Imaginative Fiction Writers Association, had been a fixture. In 1996, Con-Version was the Canvention—the Canadian National Science Fiction Convention, at which the Prix Aurora Awards were presented. In 2002, Con-Version was again also CanVention but also ConSpec. In 2005, Con-Version held a mini-convention, Con-Version 21.5, in conjunction with that year's Westercon, which was also in Calgary.
The convention originally started when a group of those that were running Non-Con left the con-com and sought to start their own con "version". Or so the lore says. It then became the Con-Version Science Fiction and Fantasy Society and was registered as such and continued that way till the later years. It then rebranded the society and became known as the Calgary Science Fiction and Fantasy Society. Later the convention was operated by the non-profit Calgary & Area Fandom Enhancement Society.
The convention was originally held on the third weekend of July. This happened from Con-Version One till 16. At Con-Version 17 it moved to the third weekend of August.
After previously cancelling their 2011 event, the group cancelled its 2012 convention and all foreseeable future events in September 2011.
As with many other fan run conventions, Con-Version was met with the popularity of Fan-Expo comic and entertainment expositions that it could not compete with.
Other conventions have had some luck within Calgary such as the When Words Collide Writer's Conference which has been growing over the years.
Con-Version Conference Areas
Con-Suite - hospitality suite, where delegates could meet each other, socialize, and get a drink. This was usually a licensed room. Masquerade/Costume Contest - costumers and cosplayers would dress in costumes throughout the con but this would be the one event where they showed them off and were judged and competed for prizes. Dance - the costume contest was typically followed by a large dance. Slave Auction - this only ran in the later years and typically was a fundraising event IFWA Writer's Workshop (Imaginative Fiction Writers Association)- the weekend prior to the conference there would be a writer's workshop that was held at another location. This also contained a short story writing contest. Programming panels to discuss SF, science and other activities. 24 hour video room - a room that showed various SF films and movies throughout the weekend of the conference. Dealers room - a large part of the con was a room where various vendors and dealers of SF goods would have tables to sell their wares. Art Show - usually adjoining the dealers room.
Recent conventions
Con-Version 26 (Quality Inn Airport - October 15–17, 2010): Guests of Honour: Robert Picardo, John de Lancie, Marina Sirtis, Ethan Phillips, Chase Masterson, David B. Coe, Sean Cummings, Heroincredible, the 404s., Derek France - Chair
Con-Version 25 (The Metropolitan Centre - August 21–23, 2009): Guests of Honour - Terry Brooks, Tanya Huff, Derek France - Chair
Con-Version 24 (Calgary Radisson Airport - August 15–17, 2008): Guests of Honour - Timothy Zahn, K. A. Bedford, Jennie Breeden, Lynda Williams. Ghost of Honour - Gary Gygax, Morgan Duford - Chair
Past Conventions
Here are the past conventions that have been held. There are some missing information regarding guests, places and times. Guest(s) of Honour = GoH
CV 23, 2007 - Radisson/ Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre, Jack McDevitt - GoH, Rebecca Bradley - Science GoH, EDGE - Guest Publisher, Kirstin Morrell - Chair
CV 22 - 2006 - Best Western Hospitality Inn, Larry Niven - GoH, David Weber - Author Guest, R.Scott Baker - Author Guest, Derek France, Raelyn MacKay - Chairs.