It is all for you

In the aftermath of the fantastic Comic Expo this weekend, the Calgary fan community is weighing in on the state of conventions in the city. The general consensus is that since the Comic Expo was so great, why does Con-version even bother?

They are two different entities. The Comic Expo is a buffet, with everything laid out before you, and Con-version is a pot-luck. The only way to guarantee that you will see something specific at Con-version is to bring it yourself. And that's a good thing.

The goal of Con-version is to bring together the different fans and groups in town for three days of fellowship and community. It is not a show to watch, but something to participate in. Now that's not for everyone, but insisting that one thing be like the other is off the mark.

I too have been disappointed by Con-version. So I volunteered and they put me in charge of programming. I get to set all the panels and schedule some events. How cool is that? As part of that, I'm working with the Calgary Star Wars FanForce and the 501st to bring in Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett in the Original Trilogy).

To hear that it is not enough, and that we should do more is a little insulting. Especially when those who complain are not going to contribute their time and talent, or even show up.

"It is impossible to put on a decent pot-luck when no one wants to cook."

I know you can't please all of the people all of the time, but if you can't get Sci-fi fans to come to, and participate in, a Sci-fi convention in their own town, the question remains: Why do I bother?