Creation Con

A "Creation Con" is a convention run by Creation Entertainment. 
Creation was founded in November 1971 by two 14-year old comic book fans Gary Berman and Adam Malin. This first con was a comic book convention.
These cons remained comic book-focused until about 1983. At that time, it was the leading producer of comic books cons. In about 1983, it branched out into horror and science fiction. 
Creation has been criticized for overcharging fans and running unpleasant glorified autograph sessions for new fans who don't know any better. They have also been highly successful at getting big name guests, which can make many of their cons highly attractive to fans who do prefer procons.
A later major competitor was Slanted Fedora.
A fan in 2003 wrote: 
Also see cretin con and Fan Con.
==Early Cons: Januarycon, Maycon...==
Fans, at least in the Star Trek fandom in 1983 and 1984 referred to these cons by their month. "Januarycon," "Octobercon," and "Maycon." This could not have been a long-lasting practice, as no year was specified, and there was no anticipation that these cons would go on for decades. But at the time, "Creation Cons" were the only game in town.
NOTE: This does not apply to FebCon, which was its own thing.
==Early Cons: Starlog==
Some of these cons were referred to as "Starlog Festivals" or "Starlog Cons."
==Vid Shows and Vid Contests==
Starting in the 1980s, Creation Con would bulk up its events by showing fan made music videos before the actor's panels. In most instances these vids were shown with the fan creator's permission. However, one instance involved the convention re-editing a Quantum Leap vid "Oh Boy" by California Crew and showing the vid without permission. This resulted in California Crew deciding to limit the distribution of their vids: 
In the 1990s, Creation Con would request submissions of fanvids to be shown in a contest. The winner was offered a $100 gift certificate in their company merchandise store. Fans would occasionally submit their vids under their pseuds to avoid unwanted attention. In exchange for showing the vid, the fan vidder had to grant Creation Con a perpetual license to use their vids in their conventions and on their DVDs.Morgan Dawn's personal notes, accessed August 4, 2016.
From a fan in early 1994: 
==1989: Example of Fan Promotion==
Fans, who were eager to take what they could, often offered to promote "Creation Con" in their own amateur publications.
Image:creationconwaroftheworlds.jpg|1989 flyer advertising a celebrity from War of the Worlds, published in To Life Immortal #1
Fans also volunteered, or were recruited, by Creation Con to provide content, programming, and promotions. One example is The International Beauty and the Beast Convention.
==Some 1991 Comments on the Franchise's History and Function==
Adam Malin gave an interview to the editor of The William Shatner Connection onsite at Creation Con's event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek. 
In it, Malin explained the evolution of fans and fandom, the increasing professional take-over of Trek conventions, he and Gary Berman's journey through fandom via collecting and comics, and the function and future of Creation Con. 
See more at Guest Interview: Adam Malin.
==A 2000 Press Release, Focus on Fandom, Inc.==
This press release both gives some official history, as well as announces Creation Entertainment's relationship with Fandom, Inc., the latter known for its strong-arm tactics in its attempt to trademark the word "fandom" and for trying to shut down fan web sites. See Fandom, Inc. for more.
==Fan Comments==
===Fan Comments: 1987===
 
===Fan Comments: 1989===
 
===Fan Comments: 1991===
 
===Fan Comments: 1992===
 
==The Cons Themselves==
NOTE: This is a massive work in progress, and only a fraction of the cons are listed below.
===1971===
====New York City: November 26-28, 1971 ====
This first con was a comic book convention. The two con-organizers were 14-years old. 
This con took place at the New Yorker Hotel.
The guest was Jim Steranko.
===1972===
====New York City: November 24–26, 1972 ====
The second Creation Con took place at the Statler Hilton Hotel in New York City on November 24–26, 1972. 
The guests of honor were Philip José Farmer and Frank Kelly Freas. Other guests included Vaughn Bodé, Jim Steranko, Gray Morrow, Michael Kaluta, Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, John Severin, Frank Brunner, Isaac Asimov, Ron Goulart, Roy Krenkel, and Hans Stefan Santesson.
===1976===
====New York City: November 26-28, 1976====
This con took place in New York City November 26-28 and was also referred to as "Starlog Festival."
File:Creationcon.jpg|program book cover, 1976, art by Robert MacIntyre; signed by John Byrne
File:Creationcon1976banner.jpg
Con Report: a con report was printed in The Propagator v.2 n.21.
===1977===
====Unknown City: November 25-27, 1977====
A flyer mentions that it is "this year's Creation Con," so perhaps there was only one in 1977.
File:Creationcon77.jpg|program book cover, 1977 by John Totleben
File:Creationconbooklet.jpg|flyer/program cover for 1977, printed in Creation Times #16, Special Edition
===1980===
====San Francisco====
====Washington, D.C====
===1982===
====New York City: March 26-28, 1982====
March 26-28, 1982 Creation Con in New York City was at the New York Sheraton. 
Guests were Walter Koenig, Isaac Asimov, Howard Weinstein, Boris Vallejo, Tom Savini, Wes Craven, and Rick Overton.
It had had a gathering by WKFS and the Bill Hickey Fan Club.
Con report: 
==== Crystal City, Virginia: July 24-25, 1982====
July 24 and 25, Marriott's Crystal Gateway Hotel, Crystal City, VA
====Philadelphia, PA: August 7-8, 1982====
August 7 and 8, Centre Hotel, 1725 Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia PA
====Boston: September 18, 1982====
====New York City: November 27, 1982====
The 12th Annual Thanksgiving Creation Con, at Hotel Roosevelt.
One of the guests was George Takei.
Con report: 
===1983===
====Washington D.C.: January 8-9, 1982====
Held at the Twin Bridges Marriott, January 8-9, 1982.
Guests were Jimmy Doohan, Richard and Wendy Pini, Roger Ellwood, Brenda Spielman, Alexis Gilliand, Ann Crispin, Mark Wheatly and Mark Hempel, artists of Epic and Heavy Metal; L. Sprague and Catherine DeCamp, the husband and wife author team of Conan; and Bob Wiacek, artist of Marvel Comics X-Men
Con report: 
====Philadelphia: January 29-30, 1983====
Judson Scott was one of the guests. 
There is a con report (mostly about Judson Scott, not so much about his appearance at this con) in WKFS Journal (April 1983).
====Chicago: April 1983====
This was a Doctor Who convention starring Tom Baker. 
Con report: 
====Chicago: April 23-24, 1983====
Chicago, April 23 & 24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Con report: 
====Hartford, CT: April 30-May 1, 1983====
Con reports: 
==== Atlanta: May 7-8, 1983====
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5/7/1983: "THE ATLANTA CREATION CONVENTION. Show features pre-views of up-coming science-fiction horror films, exhibits; over 150,000 comic books; Marvel Comics artists, Klaus Janson, for "Daredevil"; Bob Wiacek, an inker for the "X-Men"; Ron Wilson, for "The Thing." Also appearing, Walter Koenig, from "Star Trek". 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8. $8 per day. Hyatt Regency Atlanta. 265 Peachtree St. (Downtown Atlanta). For more details, 1-800-645-6579."
Known to be in attendance were Dorothy Dillon, Mari Key (a.k.a Meredith Rushton), Randall Landers and Eric L. Watts, who tape-recorded Walter Koenig's one-hour Q&A on Saturday, May 7. In a May 28, 2017, Facebook post, after listening to the 34-year-old recording, Watts said "During the Q&A, Koenig talks a lot about the latest film, Star Trek II, and what little he already knows about Star Trek III, which he said will start shooting in August for a Summer 1984 release."
Con report: 
====St. Louis: November 5-6, 1983====
Nov. 5-6 at the Bel Air Hilton in St. Louis, MO.
Con report: 
====Pittsburgh==== 
==== Anaheim====
==== New York City====
==== Houston====
===1984===
====Doctor Who Focused ====
* Philadelphia (February 11–12, June 9–10, and Nov. 3–4)
*Rochester (May 26–28)
*San Francisco (June 2–3 and Oct. 6–7)
*Washington, D.C., (June 16–17)
*Boston (June 22–23, July 14–15, and Oct. 6–7)
*Detroit (June 30–July 1)
*Denver (July 7–8)
*Chicago (July 21–22 and Sept. 29–30)
*New Orleans (Sept. 22–23)
*Atlanta (Oct. 13–14)
*St. Louis (Oct. 20–21)
==== New York City: January 7-8, 1984 ==== 
A "Salute to Star Trek" -- New York City
Image:1984salute1.jpg|programming for 1984's "Salute to Star Trek" in New York City
Image:1984salute2.jpg|programming for 1984's "Salute to Star Trek" in New York City
Con Reports: 
 
Image:creationcon1984-1.jpg|from a two-page flyer for the January 7-8, 1984 Star Trek Creation Con
Image:creationcon1984-2.jpg|from a two-page flyer for the January 7-8, 1984 Star Trek Creation Con
Image:creationcon1984-3.jpg|from a two-page flyer for the January 7-8, 1984 Star Trek Creation Con
====Washington D.C.: January 28-29, 1984====
 
==== New York City: May 12-13, 1984====
Con Report:
* a con report in TREKisM #37
* a con report by by Miriam Trentini in the August 1984 issue of USS Eagle Intercom
* a con report for in L.A. in May. The fan was mostly disappointed. "The lines were long, the organization was not terrific, and the con was obviously run, unlike most I've attended, to make money," from The Propagator #1 (new run)
==== New York City: August 1984====
DeForest Kelley was one of the guests.
Con report: 
====Atlanta: October 13-14, 1984====
October 13-14, 1984 (11 am to 7 pm) at the OMNI International Hotel. Walter Koenig, Ron Kats (of the Doctor Who Fan Club of America), and several comics artists were guests. Events included films, bloopers, autograph sessions, dealers room, art contest, costume parade, a "sound-alike" contest, a banquet, and a "no minimum bid" auction."
 (has a lot about this Creation Con)
===1985===
====Doctor Who Focus====
* Boston (Jan. 12–13 and Aug. 24–25)
* San Francisco (Jan. 26–27, June 8–9, and Oct. 26–27)
* Philadelphia (Feb. 9–10, August 10–11, and November 9–10)
* New York City (March 16–17 and July 27–28)
* Rochester (March 23–24)
* Chicago (April 27–28 and Sept. 7–8)
* Los Angeles (May 25–27)
* Tampa (June 29–30)
==== Anaheim: March 3-4, 1985====
There was a con March 3 and 4, 1985 in Anaheim, California. It was mentioned in TREKisM #41/42 (which also includes some photos), as well as in the editorial by Della Van Hise in Banned in Anaheim.
Con Report: 
* a con report for the one in Anaheim from The Propagator #9 (new run)
====New York City, June 22 and 23, 1985====
There was a con in New York City at the Penta Hotel in June 1985. DeForest was a planned guest. Leonard Nimoy was a guest. The zine Nome #8 was sold there.
Con report: 
==== Anaheim: October 12-13, 1985====
Con report: 
===1986===
====Doctor Who Focus====
* Chicago (Jan. 11–12)
* Washington (Jan. 18–19)
* Boston (Jan. 25–26 and July 12–13),
* San Francisco (Feb. 1–2)
* New York City (February 22–23 and May 10–11)
* Oakland (March 8–9), Orlando (March 22–23)
* Trenton (March 23)
====Anaheim, California: June 21-22, 1986====
Starlog Salutes Star Trek
 
Image:creationcon1988.jpg|a flyer for a 1986 con (June 21-22, Anaheim, CA), this con was in conjunction with Starlog
====San Francisco: 1986====
 
* a long, long account by Morjana Lee C of Mark Lenard's appearance at an Official Starlog Festival, held in conjunction with Creation Con in San Francisco, printed in Interstat #104
====New York City: June 1986====
Con Report: 
==== Oakland: March 9-10, 1986====
Con Reports: Oakland: 
===1987===
====San Francisco: March 14-15, 1987====
====New York City: May 9-10, 1987====
"Paul's Return to the Big Apple: 9-10th May 1987 Starlog Festival -- New York Penta" (con reports by Dana Waddell, revised by Kathy Allard; Barbara Leflar Jackson; and Toni Lay) printed in Avon Club Newsletter #29
====Boston: May 30, 1987====
A con report is in Avon Club Newsletter #29.
====Detroit: July 18-19, 1987====
====Los Angeles, CA: August 15-16, 1987====
Hyatt Regency, a guest was George Takei.
====Oakland, CA: August 29-30, 1987====
Hyatt Regency, guests were Gene Roddenberry, Majel Barrett, and LeVar Burton.
====Philadelphia: Late 1987====
A con reports are in Avon Club Newsletter #31.
====Memphis: Late 1987====
Con report: 
===1988===
====New York City: January 1-3, 1988 ====
CREATION CONVENTIONS presented "STARLOG Salutes STAR WARS: The First Ten Years." The con was planned for New York
January 1-3, 1988 at the PENTA Hotel Featured attractions included: famous guest stars, giant dealers room, the STAR WARS trilogy films, Lucasfilm previews, STAR WARS trivia contest, behind-the-scenes slideshows, auctions, STAR WARS costume parade, comedy skits/sound-alikes, special f/x slideshows, fan club info. 
Con Report: 
====Anaheim: January 30-31, 1988====
Sheraton Anaheim, guests were Jonathan Frakes and Jonathan Harris.
====San Jose: February 13-14, 1988====
San Jose, RED LION INN. "Salute to Star Wars." Featured attractions included: famous guest stars, giant dealers room, the STAR WARS trilogy films, Lucasfilm previews, STAR WARS trivia contest, behind-the-scenes slideshows, auctions, STAR WARS costume parade, comedy skits/sound-alikes, special f/x slideshows, fan club info.
====New York City: February 27-28, 1988====
Penta Hotel, Manhattan, New York, one guest was Marina Sirtis.
====New Haven: March 19-20, 1988====
Park Plaza Hotel, New Haven CT.
====Dearborn: April 16-17, 1988====
Dearborn Civic Center in Dearborn, MI
====Detroit: May 14-15, 1988====
Detroit at the HYATT REGENCY DEARBORN. "Salute to Star Wars." Featured attractions included: famous guest stars, giant dealers room, the STAR WARS trilogy films, Lucasfilm previews, STAR WARS trivia contest, behind-the-scenes slideshows, auctions, STAR WARS costume parade, comedy skits/sound-alikes, special f/x slideshows, fan club info.
====Los Angeles: June 18, 1988====
The Creation Con in that encompassed June 18th was one that featured Ron Perlman (his first con) and other Beauty and the Beast (TV) actors and PTB. There is a very lengthy transcript of Howard Gordon's talk in Passages #4, #5, #6, and #7.
Con Report: 
A fan's comment: 
====St. Louis, Missouri: June 1988====
St. Louis. 
Ron Perlman was a guest.
====Philadelphia: July 16-17, 1988====
Comments by David Greenlee about this con, his first one ever: 
====Oakland: November 5-6, 1988====
It was at the Hyatt Regency in Oakland, California.
Some of the guests were Paul Darrow, John de Lancie, John Romita Jr., Howard Gordon, Richard Arnold, and Tracy Torme. 
There are photos of Darrow from this con in Aspects #3.
Con reports:
====St. Louis, Missouri: November 18-19, 1988====
Paul Darrow was a guest.
====New York City: November 24-27, 1988====
Some guests were Gates McFadden, Richard Arnold, Terry Erdman, Tony Perkins, Tom Savini, Richard Chavez, and Philip Akin, and Paul Darrow.
===1989===
====Washington D.C.: February 11, 1989====
George Takei was one of the guests. There is a con report about this event in G.H.T. Journal #19.
====Los Angeles: June 1989====
Los Angeles Hilton: Creation Con Salutes Star Trek
====San Jose: August 18-19, 1989====
Howard Gordon and Roy Dotrice in San Jose, CA on August 18-19th at the LeBaron Hotel.
The con also included a con skit: The Big Whodunit: A Star Trek Murder Mystery Spoof.
====New York City: August 26-27, 1989====
August 26-27th at the Penta Hotel in Manhattan, guests were Tony Jay (Paracelsus of Beauty and the Beast), Wil Wheaton, Yvonne Craig, Bill Mumy, Isaac Asimov, Malachi Tluone, & Chris Cleremont)
====San Jose: September 1989====
Con Report: 
====Los Angeles: November 18-19, 1989====
===1990===
====A 1990 Creation Con National Tour Program Booklet====
This is a 15-page booklet that includes:
* a bunch of ads for comic shops, a zine, a fan club (The Friends of Doctor Who)
* some fan art (not credited!)
* the official names of the people in charge of the Creation Cons
* "Shatner!," a three-page article by Adam Malin about "The Creation/William Shatner Trek 5 Promotional Tour" (anecdotes promoting Shatner, some photos)
* centerfold is "The Creation Star Trek Cabaret" (has many photos of some Trek stars onstage for a "gala Night Club Cabaret" in New York City on September 29, 1989. Includes George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Walter Koenig, and Grace Lee Whitney. 
* a two-page calendar of the planned 1990 Creation Cons; there were 73
File:Cre1990-1.jpg|cover by Joseph Michael Linsner
File:Cre1990-2.jpg|art by Joseph Michael Linsner
File:Cre1990-3.jpg|art by Joseph Michael Linsner
File:Cre1990-4.jpg
File:Cre1990-5.jpg|ad for "Cry Dawn" by Joseph Michael Linsner
File:Cre1990-6.jpg|fan art by Mary Ellen Nicosia
File:Cre1990-7.jpg|fan art by Lynette Combs
File:Cre1990-8.jpg|first page of the 1990 scheduling
File:Cre1990-9.jpg|photos from the 1989 cabaret
File:Cre1990-10.jpg|first page from the William Shatner article
====Unknown City (New York?): January 1990 ====
Dean Stockwell was a guest. It was his first con appearance.
"STARLOG FESTIVAL - January 12-13, Buena Park Hotel, Anaheim, CA. Announced guests will be Patrick Stewart, Denise Crosby, Kevin Peter Hall, Bill Mumy and others yet to be announced. Preferred Reserved Seating is $51.00, and general admission is $15.50 per day. To order advance tickets, call 1-(800)-TV ALIVE."
====San Diego: March 10-11, 1990 ====
At the March 10-11, 1990 Creation Con in San Diego at the Bahia Hotel, Roy Dotrice (the actor who portrayed "Father") made comments to fans about how he'd had a private conversation with a fan who did not like third season, one in which he referred to her and others who did not like the third season of the show as "bad seed and people who had to be brought around to a correct way of thinking."
====New York City: March 10-11, 1990 ====
Jay Acovone was a guest.
====Tacoma: May 26-27, 1990====
"On May 26 & 27, Jay Acovone (Joe Maxwell) will guest-star at Creation's next Beauty and the
Beast Salute" at the Aton Hotel in Tacoma, Washington. There will be a video presentation at this convention of costumes from Beauty and the Beast, as well as fan-produced B&B music videos (Creation would like to see what you have produced, so bring your VHS tapes along!)" from Pipeline v.3 n.4/5 (April/May 1990) 
====Los Angeles: June 23-24, 1990 (Creation Con Salutes Star Trek)====
See Creation Con Salutes Star Trek.
====Seattle: September 1-2, 1990====
DeForest Kelley was a guest.
Con Report: 
====New York City: November 23-25, 1990====
It was held at the Penta Hotel. 
Guests included Ron Perlman, Scott Bakula, and DeForest Kelley.
It was at this con that Beth Blighton presented Ron Perlman with her art The Fire and the Rose. See that page for more.
There were fan vids shown at this con:
Con Reports: 
===1991===
====New York City: February 16-17, 1991====
At the Penta Hotel, "Creation's 25 Celebration," also known as the "Captain Con" as two of the guests were William Shatner and Patrick Stewart.
====New York City: April 1991?====
April 1991? New York City (This con was split between two hotels that were two blocks apart. "Because of the space problems, we were not able to do as much alternate programming as I would have liked (no panels, etc.),but we did have a video room at night, complete with an orgy of music-video-watching! Kim Taylor's versions of "Hungry Eyes" and "Uptown Girl" and (my favorite) "Right Here, Waiting For You" were all fantastic." --part of a MUCH longer con report in Tunneltalk v.2 n.3, May 1991)
====Los Angeles: June 7-9, 1991 (Creation Con Salutes Star Trek)====
See Creation Con Salutes Star Trek.
====Calgary: August 31-September, 1991====
At the Westin Hotel, Walter Koenig was a guest of honor.
===1992===
====Universal City, CA: March 1, 1992====
See Leap Con/"Quantum Con".
====Vancouver, British Columbia: April 28, 1992====
Con Report: 
===1993===
====San Francisco: January 30-31====
DeForest Kelley was a guest.
====Los Angeles: February 13 & 14====
See Leap Con.
====New York City: June 26-27====
At the Ramada Inn, Armin Shimerman and DeForest Kelley were guests.
Con Reports: 
There is a very long con report in The DeForest Dispatch #37.
====Phoenix: August 14====
At the Veteran Memorial Coliseum. 
DeForest Kelley was a guest.
====Dearborn: August 21-22====
DeForest Kelley was a guest.
====Valley Forge: October 23-24 ====
DeForest Kelley was a guest.
From The DeForest Dispatch #38: "Originally dubbed a "Grand Slam Show," this Creation con is now being called "Doctor Con." The other guests scheduled are Gates McFadden and Walter Koenig. (Walter has cancelled some of his con appearances but not this one... so far.) The official Hotel is the Sheraton Plaza (215) 337-2000 and the, rates are $86 or $105."
====New York City: November Thanksgiving Weekend ====
It was the last Creation Con at the Penta Hotel, and the 23rd Creation Con in New York City.
===1994===
====January 1994====
====Pasadena: April 2-4, 1994====
From the article, "Con... or a con job?" by Sue Keenan in The DeForest Dispatch #35 (Oct/Nov/Dec 1993): 
Con Reports: There is a very long con report in The DeForest Dispatch #37.
====Pasadena: March 18-20, 1994====
===1995 ===
====Pasadena: March 17-19, 1995====
Con Report: 
====Pasadena: November 1995====
Con Report: 
===1996===
====Minneapolis: August 3, 1996====
Con Reports: René Takes on the Twin Cities!
===1997===
====San Diego: August 17, 1997====
 
====Pasadena: November 28-29, 1997====
* Babylon 5/Trek focus
* some guests: Armin Shimerman, John DeLancie, Ethan Phillips, Bob Picardo, Nana Visitor, Jason Carter, Peter Jurasik, other B5 cast members, Bruce Boxleitner, Bill Mumy, Mira Furlan, Jerry Doyle, Richard Biggs, Marjorie Monaghan, and Steven Furst.
Con Reports: Plain & Simple #15, focus on Deep Space Nine.
===1998===
====Dallas: January 4-5, 1998====
Con Report: 
====San Francisco: August 1, 1998====
Con Report: Armin Transcript
===1999===
====Las Vegas: November 13, 1999====
Con Report: Subj:	Vegas Con Report
===2003===
====Las Vegas: August 1-3, 2003====
Con Report: Creation Con
===2005===
====Las Vegas: August 11-14, 2005====
Con Report: Las Vegas Creation Convention
===2007===
==== Las Vegas: August 8- 12, 2007====
There is a LONG con report in The K/S Press #133.
==Meta==
* Hell, No, Creations Cons -- We Won't Go! (1991)
* Tired of Creation "Cons" (1991)
* A letter about Creation Cons (March 17, 1993)
==References==
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:Comics Conventions
Category:Multimedia Conventions
Category:1971 Conventions
Category:1970s Conventions
Category:1980s Conventions 
Category:1990s Conventions 
Category:2000s Conventions 
Category:2010s ConventionsCategory:Conventions in United States