Equicon/1974

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Equicon '74 took place April 12–14, 1974 at the Marriott Hotel near LAX.
There appears to be no Filmcon counterpart this year.
According to the organizers of the San Francisco Red Hour Festival when the celebrity guests arrived at Equicon 1974, volunteers "deserted their posts." Source: Archives Log 1.8 (Dec 1974).
==Official Guests==
The "Guest of Honor" was DC Fontana. The "Special Guests of Honor" were Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett. Helen Young aka "Auntie Matter" was the 1974 Fan Guest of Honor.Source: Who's Who in Star Trek Fandom.
 
In September 1974's issue of Star-Borne: 
==Committee Members==
The program book included short bios for each volunteer along with the disclaimer:
* John Trimble, Craig Miller (co-chair)
* Bruce E. Pelz (treasurer)
* Elayne (recording secretary, costume parade)
* Pat Zotti (membership secretary, registration)
* Bill Warren (films)
* Tony Zotti (go-fer patrol)
* Lois Newman (sales admin)
* Bill Thomas, David Gelman (publicity)
* Bjo Trimble (publications, art show, fashion show)
* Francis Evans (art show assistant)
* Lois Thomas (fashion show assistant)
* Terri Bryant (celebrity coordinator)
* Frances L. Berger (banquet coordinator)
* Cliveden Chew Haas (mailing list)
* Helen Bautista (information)
* Chuck Spero (projectionist)
* Mary Ann Cappa (courier)
* Julie Funn (actuarial clerk and belly dancer)
* Bruce Moir, Phil Malmuth (assistant publicists)
* Jamie Hanrahan, Dave Barber (computer techs)
==Some Video==
* Equicon 1974, a 1.5 minute video, no sound
==The Program Book==
From Star-Borne #13 (June 1974): 
This June date was a false one. From Star-Borne #14 in September: 
==Masquerade and Costuming==
Diane Steiner entered the Equicon '74 costume competition as an Atlantean slave girl, and was the winner of the poetry division of the Equicon writing contest judged by D.C. Fontana and Stephen Goldin.Source: Who's Who in Star Trek Fandom. Ruth Berman's "Nightingale Woman", a sonnet sequence also won first prize in the 1974 Equicon Phineus Tarbolde Contest (there were two winners that year).
See some examples at: 
==The Banquet Menu... Mmmmm==
The banquet was $10 per person, and there were door prizes, and "surprises."
The menu: Mimosa Salad, Teriyaki Steak, Oriental Vegetables, assorted fruit tarts, "the usual garnishes and accessories and etceteras."
==Belly Dancers==
* Equicon 74-Wanda Kendall and Daughters of the Desert (film, no sound)
== Merchandising Opportunities==
===The Powers That Be Take Notice: Phasers and Other Goodies===
Equicon 1974 was also where Paramount studies began taking notice of some of the merchandising opportunities beneath the Star Trek franchise. There was a warning to fans in the pocket program to not sell or buy some fan-created items. From a notice in the pocket program: 
From a progress report: 
Also see "Official" Props for Sale, But Beware the Energy Crisis.
===The Birth of the Star Fleet Technical Manual===
The official marketing people's slow response's to fan demand regarding Star Trek merchandise was evident to Franz Joseph, a fan who'd created a set of detailed blueprints. Before the 1974 convention, Joseph got special permission to sell the 500 copies of his creation, one he had titled Booklet of General Plans. A year later, these plans later became the Star Fleet Technical Manual:
==Flyers, Clippings, Badges==
File:Equicon 1974 Convention Badge.jpg|1974 convention badge
File:Equicon1974-1.jpg|page 1 of a four page flyer inserted into the Star Trek Concordance Color book #1. The flyer was created to address rumors confusing Equicon with another convention called Eyecon. Click for larger version
File:Equicon1974-2.jpg|page 2 of the flyer
File:Equicon1974-3.jpg|page 3 of the flyer
File:Equicon1974-4.jpg|page 4 of the flyer
File:EquiconMar10-1974.jpg|Prior to the Internet, outreach to fellow fans was difficult. In March 1974, this fan wrote to their local newspaper in San Bernardino, CA asking if there would be a Star Trek convention on the west coast. Click to read.
File:Equicon 1974AD.jpg|A month later, this ad for Equicon 1974 appeared in the same San Bernardino, CA newspaper
File:EquiconApr10-1974.jpg|The week before Equicon II, the San Bernadino newspaper ran an article about the upcoming convention. The organizers warned that they might have to stop at the door registrations once 6,000 attendees are reached. That could happen "as soon as noon on the first day." Click to read.
File:Equicon1974pocketguide-1.jpg|The front cover of the 1974 pocket program guide. Click for larger version.
File:Equicon1974pocketguide-2.jpg|inside the 1974 pocket program guide
File:Equicon1974pocketguide-3.jpg|inside the 1974 pocket program guide, the warning to fans to not purchase unofficial Star Trek items is in the first column, second box down
== Descriptions and Advice for 1974 Con-Goers==
Below are excerpts from an Equicon 1974 progress report, one which ran 20 pages:
===Images from a Progress Report===
File:Euqicon74pr1.jpg|front cover of the 20-page first progress report
File:equicon74-1.jpg|inside page
File:equicon74-2.jpg|inside page
File:equicon74-3.jpg|inside page
===Will Attending Equicon Make Me a Fan?===
===Getting Your Parents to Say "Yes."===
===Food at the Hotel: Be Sneaky, Be Neat===
 Hotel policies against outside food were very strict in the 1970s. Even the maids were to be feared. Attendees asked: 
===The Naked Lady===
Apparently, during the 1973 Masquerade contest, several female costumers appeared in something less 'costumey' and more 'au naturel.' One attendee writes: 
Another fan felt the naked lady spiced up a disappointing masquerade: 
===Boys Dressing Up===
===Help Wanted with the Computers===
 
==="Minorities" at the Convention===
===Finding the NERVE===
An example of an imperious letter the con com received:
===A Plea for More Foxy David Gerrold===
Three fans' letters:
===A Plea for Less Randall===
===A Plea for Less Smoking===
==="Official" Props for Sale, But Beware the Energy Crisis===
See TPTB Notices Some Merchandising Opportunities.
===Babysitters, and Surfing===
Some parents inquired if the convention could hire babysitters. While the con was in support of the idea (due to "crying during "Amok Time" and "whining during panels"), apparently the local surfing weather had a lot to do with availability:
===Regarding the Blooper Reels===
Bjo Trimble took credit for the wide-spread viewing of the blooper reel: 
==="Animated" Please, Not Cartoons===
===The Weather===
===Disabled Fans and Inclusion===
===IN SPITE OF FRAZIER, and a Tit for Tat, to the Fire Marshall===
==Con Reports==
File:Berengaria3conreport-1.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-2.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-3.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-4.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-5.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-6.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
File:Berengaria3conreport-7.jpg|from a con report by Richard Heim in Berengaria #3
 
==References==
Category:1974 Conventions