# LepreCon

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. It is sponsored by LepreCon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation. LepreCon 43 was held July 1–4, 2017; in November, 2017, LepreCon, Inc. chose to cancel LepreCon 44 in the previously announced format as the Phoenix Sci-Fi & Fantasy Art Expo, which had been scheduled for March 2018 at the Unexpected Art Gallery.

## 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).
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.
With 2020 being cancelled resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 46th was deferred to 2021.

## Guests of Honor

| LepreCon | Date | Location | Guests of Honor | Chair |
| 40 | May 8–11, 2014 | Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa, AZ | Artist GoH: Steam Crow Author GoH: Gail Carriger Local Art Industry GoH: Krysta Crawford | Donald Jacques |
| 39 | May 9–12, 2013 | Phoenix Marriott Mesa Mesa, AZ | Artist GoH: Raymond Swanland Author GoH: Jack McDevitt Art Industry GoH: Jon Schindehette Virtual GoH: Michael Moorcock Music GoH: Nancy Freeman Ghost GoH: Ray Bradbury | Patti Hultstrand Donald Jacques |
| 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 for 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.