Dixie Trek

Dixie Trek was a Star Trek and comics con held in Atlanta.
It evolved from Emory Trek and/or Emory Science Fiction and Fantasy Symposium (which Dixie Trek includes as the first three years of its "14-year run).
The con was a self-described "mini-con" until 1985: 
==Some Changes in 1989==
From William Smith in the 1989 program book: 
==Connection to Public Television==
==Connection to Dragon*Con==
Dragon*Con was a supporter of Dixie Trek for an unknown period of time in the 1990s. From a fan talking about Mercedes Lackey's appearance at one:
==1981-1983==
These were Emory Trek.
==1984==
The 1984 Dixie-Trek (the fourth con) was held April 7–8 at the Oglethorpe University Student Center at 4484 Peachtree Road in the Brookhaven community of Atlanta, Georgia. A flyer for the event billed it as "Our 4th Annual Convention" and presented by the Atlanta Star Trek Society and the Oglethorpe SF Club.
It was the first con under this name, but the fourth con in the related series.
The Guest of Honor was Mark Lenard. Additional guests included Richard Coyle, David Adair, Al Zequeira, Jack Townsend and Geoffrey Rayle. 
Announced events and activities include "big movies and continuous films, dealers/collectors areas, comics, panels, game room, fan discussions, parties, Sunday costume contest, trivia contest and alien landscape art exhibit." Preregistered memberships were priced at $7.50 per person for the two-day convention.
A fan, Bill Smith, taped some of this con and sold the highlights on VHS tapes later. They cost $15.
File:Dixie Trek 84-1.jpg|Flyer for Dixie-Trek '84 (front)
File:Dixie Trek 84-2.jpg|Flyer for Dixie-Trek '84 (back)
 
===1984: Con Reports===
==1985==
Dixie Trek 5 was held May 17-19, 1985 at North Lake Hilton. 
A.C. Crispin distributed a hand-out called Some Notes on Writing for Publication.
Con Chair William Smith taped some of this con and sold the highlights on VHS tapes later. They cost $25.
Guests: Jon Pertwee, Majel Barrett, A.C. Crispin, Orson Scott Card, Terry Nation, T.E.D. Klein, Richard Meyers, Doug Chaffee, Al Zequeira 
Angelique Pettyjohn was a confirmed guest but canceled a week before
 
Other confirmed guests who may or may not have been there: Brad Strickland, David Anthony Kraft, Jack Massa, Mitch Maglio.
From an early info mailing: 
 
From Epsilon Nine Friendship Messages v.7 n.1 (Sep/Oct 1984): 
 
 
Image:dixietrek5-2.jpg|from an early mailing for the 1985 con
Image:dixietrek5-3.jpg|from an early mailing for the 1985 con
Image:dixietrek5-4.jpg|from an early mailing for the 1985 con
Image:dixietrek5-5.jpg|from an early mailing for the 1985 con
 
===1985: Con Reports===
 
 
 
 
==1986==
May 2-4, 1986. 
Guests were George Takei, Peter Davison, John Nathan-Turner, Bill Mumy, Michael Forest, Miguel Ferrer, Marc Okrand, Jessie Horsting, Gregory Nicoll, John Serrie, Gail Bennett, Brad Strickland, and Al Zequeira.
 
The program book as a blurb for the club's weekly cable show, Science Fiction Spotlight: 
Some programming:
* Panel: Japanese Animation
* Panel: Phoenix SF Society 
* Panel: Doctor Who/British TV Fan Panel
* Panel: Science Fiction vs. Science Fact
* Panel: Terminus Tardis
* Costume Contest, Auction with Al Zequeira
* Breakfast with the Stars
* SF Match Game
* SF Writer's Panel: Is Science Fiction Good for the World Today?
* International Animation
* Star Trek Blooper Reel
* cash bar at the pool
* The Prisoner slide show
* Doctor Who Panel with Peter Davison, John Nathan-Turner, Gail Bennett
* films, episodes, trailers, including a preview of Poltergeist II and Solar Babies
File:Dixietrek1986-1.jpg|from the 1986 program book, programming
File:Dixietrek1986-2.jpg|from the 1986 program book, art by Gail Bennett
File:Dixietrek1986back.jpg|back cover, still from {{ConventionProfile |name= Dixie Trek (early on as "Dixie-Trek") |dates= 1981
==1987==
It was held May 22-24th at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
Michael Keating was a guest.
==1988==
May 13–15, Sheraton Century Center Hotel, Atlanta GA
Terry Nation was in attendance. Other guests: Jonathan Frakes, Julie Newmar (FRIDAY'S CHILD). Cost was $28/3 days at the door.
This con had its first swimsuit and talent contest. 
 
 
File:dixietrek1988shirt.jpg|a 1988 con t-shirt
File:JonathanFrakes-04.jpg|Jonathan Frakes at the 1988 convention
==1989==
Dixie Trek 1989 was held June 16-18, 1989 at the Radisson Inn and Conference Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
William Smith was the Executive Director of the convention.
This con was dedicated to Chuck Allen who passed away in December 1988.
Guests of Honor were James Doohan, Marina Sirtis, Denny Moore (WGNX TV Channel 46), Louise Jameson, Richard Arnold (recently promoted by Paramount from Star Trek Archivist to Consultant), Terry Erdmann, Joe Motes, Brad Strickland, Val and Ron Lakey Lindahn, Mark Triplett, Doris Mager, Cheryl Mandus, Lamar Waldron, Susan Barrows, Ted Boonthanakit, the Science Fiction Writers of Cobb County, and the Dreamsmiths Artists Guild.
This con had its first complete art show and auction. There was also a swimsuit contest, a breakfast with the stars, and a cabaret. 
Comics: Art Adams, Mark Bagely, Ward Batty, Cliff Biggers, Craig Brasfield, Brett Breeding, Roger Brown, Bob Burden, Larry Dixon, Mark Martin, Joe Phillips, Jim Sanders, Mike Fisher, Brian Stelfreeze, Bill Holbrook, Wayne Vansant, 
Jon Pertwee was a scheduled guest, but canceled due to getting the title role in a British state play based on Doctor Who.
Some changes for the con, from the program book: 
Also from the program book, some rules: 
A swimsuit contest: Ms. Dixie Trek 1989: 
From the program book: 
The weapon's policy: 
Some panels and programming:
* 24-hour gaming ("Gaming has been represented at Dixie Trek in the past, but never before like this year! We have brought in Dragon Con's own gaming staff to run our gaming program.") (Role-Playing: AD&D RPGA, Battletech, Star Trek the RPG, Warhammer 40,000, Champions) (Board Games: Diplomacy, Talisman, Dr. Who, Buck Rogers, Titan, Arkham Horror, and others)
* Seatek slide show (for fun, but also a promotional event by Joe Motes to drum up business)
* Panel: The Future of the Comics Industry
* Panel: The Resurgence of the Classic Comic Book
* Panel: The Dreamsmiths: A Science Fiction and Fantasy Artist Guild
* Panel: Where Dice Leave Off: An Introduction to Science Fiction and Fantasy Gaming (led by "Games Unlimited)
* Panel: Pros and Cons: What Writers Get Out of Conventions
* Panel: Doctor Who
* Panel: Audience Opinion: Star Trek - The Next Generation
* Panel: Breaking into Comics
* Panel: Role-Playing Games Illustrated
* Panel: The Science in Star Trek
* Panel: Welcome to the Funny Pages: Humor in Comics Today
* Panel: Illustration as an Art Form
* Panel: Censorship, Sex, and Violence
* Panel: Blake's 7
* Panel: Future Art Forms: What Will They Be Like?
* Panel: Making It in Hollywood, with Terry Erdmann
* Panel: Breaking Into the Writer's Market
* Panel: Science Fiction Modeling
* Slide Presentation: Star Trek with Richard Arnold and Terry Erdmann
* Slide and Film Presentation: The Abyss with Terry Erdmann 
* Science Fiction Jeopardy, Game Show with Chris Cook
* Science Fiction Wipe Out, Game Show with Chris Cook
* Star Trek Trivia with Starfleet
* Costume Contest
* SOAR with Doris Mager (about birds of prey)
* Breakfast with the Stars
* Ms. Dixie Trek Contest
* films and trailers
* guest star and autograph panels
File:dixietrek1989-1.jpg|1989 programming
File:dixietrek1989-2.jpg|1989 programming
File:dixietrek1989-3.jpg|1989 programming
File:dixietrek1989-4.jpg|1989 programming
File:dixietrek1989-5.jpg|1989 programming
File:dixietrek1989-6.jpg|1989 programming
==1990==
Dixie Trek 1990 was held in May at the Omni International Hotel. 
It was dedicated to the memory of Jim Henson.
Guests of Honor were Denise Crosby, Billy Mumy, Dave Jackson, Dave McDonnell, Mark Goddard, George Perez, Greg Baker, Craig Brasfield, Phoenica, Pat Broderick, Bob Burden, Jean Lorrah, Bill King, Michael K. Bell, Cheryl Mandus, Frank Turner, Paul Monroe, Joseph Phillips, Richard Arnold, Mark Triplett, Michael Keating, Wayne Vasant, Lamar Waldron, and Melody Hall.
Some programming:
* Phoenicia: Belly Dancing Lessons for Serious Participants (wear casual clothing)
* slide show by Melody Hall on the "Challenger Center, the Space Education Center opeing soon in Atlanta
* Comics Panel
* Paul Monroe and Jack Townsend: "25 Years of Lost in Space"
* Star Tech Command Presentation by Michael K. Bell
* Win, Lose, or Draw, game
* Greg Baker: Learn the Art of Costuming and Make-Up Design
* SeaTrek '89, slideshow 
* Andy Taylor: Go Behind the Scenes of Florida's new Universal Studio's E.T. exhibit wt with one of the men who helped build it.
* Dave McDonnell: Comic Movie Previews, Science Fiction Movie Previews
* Star Trek Trivia Hosted by the U.S.S. Republic, chapter of Atlanta Chapter of Starfleet
File:dixietrek1990-1.jpg|1990 programming
File:dixietrek1990-2.jpg|1990 programming
File:dixietrek1990-3.jpg|1990 programming
===1990: Con Reports===
==1991==
==1992==
Ron Nastrom was the Executive Director. Stan Bruns ran the art show, the Dragon Con's gaming staff ran the role-playing activities, the con suite was staffed by Starfleet during the day and Dragon Con during the night.
The 24 guests (22 males, 2 females) were: Jonathan Harris, Denise Crosby, Timothy Zahn, John Serrie, Jim Key, Kim Brokow, Martin Nodell, Cully Hamner, Bob Sokoler, Bob Burden, Tony Harris Jason Pearson, Brian Stelfreeze, Wayne VanSant, Adam Hughes, Dave Johnson, Lamar Waldron, Bill Smith, Cheryl Mandus, Forrest Schultz, Jack Townsend, Paul Munroe, Joseph Phillips. 
From the program book: 
Some programming:
* Star Trek Trivia Contest hosted by Bill Smith
* the Opening Ceremonies host was Bob Sokoler
* Costume Contest
* Panel: Forrest Schultz: Space and the Environment
* Panel: Jack Townsend and Paul Munroe: Lost in Space
* Panel: Comics
* Trek Atlanta: An Invitation to all Atlanta Trek Clubs
* Concert Under the Stars: John Serrie will perform his planetarium music
* Dance 'Til Dawn: music by Those Damn Johnstons (K. Ken Johnston, Alan Somerlot, and Dean Johnston)
* K.L.A.W. Introduction
* Costumes Miniatures. Inc. presents "The World of Lost in Space," viewings of displays
* Workshop: Modeling 
* Workshop: How to Deal with Klingons 
* Workshop: Costuming and Makeup 
File:Dixietrek1992-1.jpg|from the 1992 program book, guests
File:Dixietrek1992-2.jpg|from the 1992 program book, guests
File:Dixietrek1992-3.jpg|from the 1992 program book, Lost in Space art by Ron Nastrom
==1993==
May 14-16, 1993 in Atlanta, Georgia.
David Hedison (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea) was a guest of honor, the only time he attended a media con. He made an appearance (along with his wife, Bridget) opening night, then an appearance the next day at 2:00 for a Q&A session with autographs, then again at 11:00 on Sunday. The Q&A transcript, typed by Elaine Hauptman from an audio recording, was printed in In the Belly of the Whale #5 (1996). The topics of the session were the many movies and shows Hedison was in. 
An excerpt: 
==1994==
==1995==
== Booklets ==
== Badges ==
== Pictures ==
===The Dixie Trek/Big Bang/Wil Wheaton Connection===
==Meta/Further Reading==
* 
==References==
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:Multimedia Conventions
Category:1979 Conventions
Category:1984 Conventions
Category:1980s Conventions
Category:1990s ConventionsCategory:Conventions in United States