LepreCon

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LepreCon
Genre Science fiction
Location(s) Phoenix, Arizona
Country United States
Organized by Leprecon, Inc
Filing status Non-profit
Website
leprecon.org

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.[1] It is sponsored by Leprecon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation. Leprecon 39 will be held from May 9-12, 2013, at the Phoenix Mesa Marriott Hotel in Mesa, Arizona.

History

The early LepreCon conventions were held around St. Patrick's Day weekend, thus giving birth to the name of the convention, a pun on leprechaun. As the tourist season expanded in Arizona, the normal dates for the convention moved into the May time frame with an occasional foray into June. Leprecon, Inc. is an Arizona non-profit corporation that sponsors the annual LepreCon conventions. Leprecon, Inc. has also sponsored the 2004 World Horror Convention, the 2004 World Fantasy Convention, the 2006 Nebula Awards, the 62nd annual Westercon in 2009 (also called FiestaCon) and held the first ever North American Discworld Convention in 2009. Because of these special events LepreCon 35 (2009) was a fan gathering, or relaxacon. LepreCon 36 (2010) returned as a traditional LepreCon.

In 2011 at Renovation (Worldcon 2011) in Reno, NV, Leprecon Inc announced a bid to host the 2014 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) should London, UK, win their 2014 Worldcon Bid. At Chicon 7 (Worldcon 2012 in Chicago, IL) London did win their bid and Phoenix In 2014 NASFiC Bid became official (www.phoenixin2014.org). The vote for NASFiC 2014 and Worldcon 2015 will be held at Worldcon 2013 (LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio, TX).[2]

In 2012 Leprecon Inc decided to start a gaming convention, ConFlagration (www.conflag.org). It was held June 25-27, 2012, at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona. The convention broke even and the organization is debating whether to continue running them annually.

Leprecon, Inc. decided to make the convention have an emphasis on art, with the artist guest being given top billing as well as featuring a local artist guest. Starting in 2005 with LepreCon 31, the LepreCon film festival was started to provide an additional focus on filmmaking.

Leprecon Guests of Honor read like a Who's Who of science fiction and fantasy artists and authors. Past artist guests include Frank Kelly Freas, Michael Whelan, Phil Foglio, Donato Giancola, Janny Wurts, Don Maitz, Liz Danforth, Stephen Hickman, Bob Eggleton, Larry Elmore, Alan A. Clark, Dave Dorman, Jael, Howard Tayler, Monte M Moore, Lubov, Kevin Ward, Laura Brodian Freas, Sue Dawe, Rowena Morrill, Jim Fitzpatrick, Richard Hescox, Alan Gutierrez, Kim Poor, Lela Dowling, Real Musgrave, George Barr, Alicia Austin. Author guests have included Marion Zimmer Bradley, Roger Zelazny, Gordon R. Dickson, Ray Feist, Larry Niven, Robert Silverberg, Poul Anderson, Jack Williamson, Chelsea Quinn Yabro, Tim Powers, David Drake, and Kevin J. Anderson.

Guests of Honor

LepreCon Date Location Guests of Honor Chair
39 May 9-12, 2013 Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
- -
38 April 6-8, 2012 Tempe Mission Palms
Tempe, AZ
Artist GoH: Franchesco
Author GoH: Joe Haldeman
Local Artist GoH: Mark Greenawalt
Special Media GoH: Stephen Furst
Music GoH: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff
Gaming GoH: Todd VanHooser
Mark Boniece
37 May 6-8, 2011 Tempe Mission Palms
Tempe, AZ
Artist GoH: John Picacio
Author GoH: Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette
Music Guest: Seanan McGuire
Lee Whiteside
36 May 14-16, 2010 Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Charles Vess
Author GoH: George R. R. Martin
Local Artist/Author GoH: James A. Owen
Music Guest: Emma Bull
Lee Whiteside
35 October 2-4, 2009 Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
LepreCon 35 convention was a fan
gathering/relaxacon instead of a full
scale convention
Ethan Moe
34 May 9-11, 2008 Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Howard Tayler
Author GoH: Emily & Ernest Hogan
SPFX Makeup GoH: David Ayers
Local Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Special Media GoH: Chase Masterson
Liz Hanson
33 May 11-13, 2007 Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Jael
Author GoH: Karen Traviss
Local Artist GoH: Nola Yergen-Jennings
Music GoH: Emma Bull
Shahn Cornell
32 May 5-7, 2006 Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Alan A. Clark
Author GoH: John Vornholt
Special Media GoH: Bill Blair
Local Artist GoH: Gilead
Music GoH: Bill Laubenheimer
Larry Vela
31 May 6-8, 2005 Carefree Resort
Carefree, AZ
Artist GoH: Dave Dorman
Author GoH: Kevin J. Anderson
Local Artist GoH: Sarah Clemens
Special Guest Artist: Bear Burge
Music Guest: Mitchell Burnside Clapp
Larry Vela
30 May 7-9, 2004 Sheraton Crescent Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Donato Giancola
Author GoH: David Drake
Local Artist GoH: Sylvana Andershon-Gish
Special Guest: John Eaves
Music Guest: Mara Brener
Mark Boniece
29 May 16-18, 2003 Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Larry Elmore
Author GoH: Charles de Lint
Local Artist GoH: Madame M
Media Technical Guest: Richard Coyle
Music Guest: Karen Willson
Shahn Cornell
28 May 17-19, 2002 Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Monte M. Moore
Author GoH: Peter David
Local Artist GoH: James Reade
Music Guests: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff
Lee Whiteside
27 May 18-20, 2001 Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Stephen Hickman
Author GoH: Michael A. Stackpole
Local Artist GoH: Robert Ross
Music Guests: Echo's Children
Mark Boniece
26 May 22-24, 2000 Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Lubov
Author GoH: John DeChancie
Local Artist GoH: Larry Vela
Filk GoH: Marilyn Miller
Dave Hungerford
25 May 14-16, 1999 Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Michael Whelan
Author GoH: Larry Niven
Local Artist GoH: Robert Peacock
Filk GoH: Lynn Gold
Pat Connors
24 May 15-17, 1998 Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Janny Wurts
Author GoH: Tim Powers
Media GoH: Marc Scott Zicree
Special Guest: Don Maitz
Local Artist GoH: C. F. Yankovich
Filk Guests: Jeff Bohnhoff & Maya Kaatherine Bohnhoff
Ray Gish
23 May 16-18, 1997 Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Kevin Ward
Author GoH: Dave Wolverton
Local Artist GoH: Leslie D'Allesandro Hill
Media GoH: George Johnsen
Charles Jarvis
22 May 17-19, 1996 Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Bob Eggleton
Author GoH: Tracy Hickman
Local Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Media GoH: Mojo
Toastmaster: Michael A. Stackpole
Filk: Mitchell & TJ Burnside Clapp
Jay Patton
21 May 26-29, 1995 Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Laura Brodian Freas
Author GoH: D.C. Fontana
Special Spouse GoH: Frank Kelly Freas
Special Artist Guest: Nancy Strowger
NASA Science Guest: Charles "Les" Johnson
Filk: Barry & Sally Childs-Helton
Dave & Kim Hiatt
20 May 1994
(Cancelled)
- - Pati Cook
19 June 4-6, 1993 Camelview Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Sue Dawe
Author GoH: S.P. Somtow
Local Artist: Katrine Cady
Doug Cosper
18 March 27-29, 1992 Celebrity Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Author GoH: Michael A. Stackpole
Eric Hanson
17 May 3-5, 1991 Safari Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Rowena Morrill
Author GoH: Carole Nelson Douglas
Author Guest: Melinda Snodgrass
Local Artists: Deb Dedon & Earl Billick
Dave & Kim Hiatt
16 April 13-16, 1990 Phoenix Sheraton
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Jim Fitzpatrick
Author GoH: Rick Cook
Fan GoH: Cristi Simila
Eric Hanson
15 1989 Phoenix Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Richard Hescox
Author GoH: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Fan GoH: Sue Thing
Sam Stubbs
14 April 1-3, 1988 Phoenix Hyatt Regency Artist GoH: Alan Gutierrez
Author GoH - Steven Barnes
Fan GoH - Richard Wright
Ray Gish
13 June 5-7, 1987 Phoenix Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH - Phil Foglio
Author GoH - Raymond Feist
Fan - Susan Potter
Eric Hanson
12 May 29 - June 1, 1986 - Artist GoH - Kim Poor
Author GoH - Jo Clayton
Fan GoH: Peggy Crawford
Special Guest: Jennifer Roberson
Don Wollheim cancelled due to health reasons.
Terry Gish
11 April 5-7, 1985 Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH - Lela Dowling
Author GoH - G. Harry Stine
Author GoH - Lee Correy
Fan GoH - Roy Tackett
Clif Baird
10 April 20-22, 1984 Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Real Musgrave
Special GoH: C. J. Cherryh
Fan GoH: Sleepyhawk Simila
Pati Cook
9 May 20-22, 1983 Ramada TowneHouse
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Frank Kelly Freas
Author GoH: Jack Williamson
Fan GoH: Elayne Pelz
Toastmaster: Bill Rotsler
Terry Gish
8 1982 Caravan Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH - George Barr
Fan GoH - jan howard finder
Toastmaster - Bill Rotsler
Zetta Dillie
7 1981 Caravan Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH - Alicia Austin
Fan GoH - Bruce Miller
Barry Bard
6 May 2-4, 1980
(Cancelled)
Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH - Gordon R. Dickson
Fan GoH - Milt Stevens
Toastmaster - Terry Carr
Randy Rau
5 May 1979 Quality Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH - Ian Ballantine
Fan GoH - Skip Olson
Ken St. Andre
4 March 17-19, 1978 Los Olivos Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH - Poul Anderson
Fan GoH - Fred Haskell
Toastmistress - Carolyn Thompson
(Marion Zimmer Bradley according to Lep 11 retro)
M.R. Hildebrand
3 March 18-20, 1977 Grand Canyon, AZ Author GoH - Robert Silverberg
Toastmistress - Marion Zimmer Bradley
Barry Bard
2 March 19-21, 1976 Ramada Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Author GoH - Roger Zelazny
Toastmaster - F. M. Busby
Greg Brown
1 March 14-16, 1975 Quality Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Author GoH - Larry Niven Bruce Pelz

Awards and honors

In 2010, Phoenix New Times declared LepreCon "Best Sci-Fi Convention" in its annual Best of Phoenix awards.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Best of Phoenix: Best Sci-Fi Convention - 2010". Phoenix New Times. September 29, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010. 
  2. "Leprecon 2010". UpcomingCons.com. 

External links

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