Equicon

The first Equicon (almost always combined with Filmcon) was held in 1971 in Santa Barbara, California.
The early Equicons focused on general science fiction and fantasy and were held in a smaller venue in Santa Barbara. 
In late 1971, after seeing the proposed plans for Star Trek Lives!, Bjo Trimble first announced plans for Equicon to have more Trek programming. See A Convention in Planning.
In 1973, this Star Trek programming was added, and for that reason the 1973 Equicon is called "Equicon I" by many fans. The convention also relocated to Los Angeles, CA to handle the larger crowds. 
Equicon '77 was canceled, but the convention made a return in the 1980s.
Equicon was one of the few fan run conventions to generate a profit and proceeds usually went to several charities. "...the main reason they made a profit was their location. Situated in California, they had little or no transportation costs to pay out to guests." Source: The Fan's Little Golden Guide to Throwing Your Own Con.
Regarding the title of the con: the name came from the time of the year, the vernal equinox. 
==Its Relationship with "Filmcon"==
Equicon was almost always combined with Filmcon.
"Filmcon" and "Equicon" were combined in 1975, and that year, as well as 1976, both "Equicon" and "Filmcon" were utilized in the convention's name.
Between 1977-1988, "Filmcon" was incorporated into "Equicon," but was not listed in the title due to trademark issues. "When we tried to trademark EQUICON:FILMCON, only to discover "Filmcon" was in use elsewhere, so technically we could not use it. We subscribe to the "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME..." theory, so no plan to phase out the use of "Filmcon", reverting to simply EQUICON. We won't drop the CONCEPT of FILMCON; it merely means a shorter, more easily pronounced convention title. With the stronger emphasis on aerospace, there is more programming utilizing real space talent at this new EQUICON. Suddenly we aren't just a "Star Trek" or a "Film" convention any longer, but a greater, broader event than either!" -- from the 1981 Equicon program book 
John Trimble and Bjo Trimble dropped "Equicon" all together in 1989, and attempted a revival of Filmcon in its original format. "We're shelving EQUICON & reviving FILMCON once again! Only this time, it'll cover all types of film & television entertainment: Science Fiction, Westerns, Costume Epics, Comedies, Mysteries, etc. This exciting concept will be the ultimate media con, worth travelling from all over the world to see! Stars you've only dreamed of meeting; cast & crew from major films & TV shows: past, present & future, will be invited to speak, sign autographs, & be available to their fans as they've never been before. Plan your Summer Vacation for mid-June of 1989!" -- from an undated 24-page progress report for a 1989 con that did not take place. This con, however, did not take place, nor did any thereafter.
Regarding its numbering: Filmcon 1972 was referred to as 1, Filmcon 1973 was referred to as 2, there appears to have been no Filmcon in 1974, Filmcon in 1975 and 1976 was 3, there were no Filmcons (or Equicons) in 1977, 1988, 1979, and 1980. The Filmcon in 1981 was called "Filmcon 5."
==A Bit of History==
In 1987, organizer Bjo Trimble was interviewed about the series of conventions:
==Who Was in Charge?==
1971-1972: It is unknown who ran the first, more regional Equicons in Santa Barbara. 
1973: billed as the first one, was chaired by William Tuning and Clyde Johnson, with David Gerrold (first listed as in charge of the auction, but then called "member-at-large"), with Bjo Trimble (first listed as being in charge of the art show, then being in charge of the Futuristic Fashion Show), see Equicon/1973 for more.
1974: co-chaired by John Trimble and Craig Miller (Miller was 20 years old, before his employment with Lucasfilm), see Equicon/1974 for more.
1975: chaired by Jean Peacock and Jamie Hanrahan with Bjo Trimble in charge of the Fashion Show, Bjo and John Trimble in charge of the art show, Pearl Rae Stickler, John Trimble, Nancy Bourdages, were in charge of the Masquerade, D.C. Fontana was the Celebrity Coordinator, see Equicon/1975 for more.
1976: chaired by Bjo Trimble, the Costume Parade by David Gerrold, the Celebrity Coordinator was D.C. Fontana, see Equicon/1976 for more.
1981: John and Bjo, see Equicon/1981 for more.
1985: chaired by John and Bjo, see Equicon/1985 for more.
1987: chaired by Bjo and John Trimble. The program book doesn't list any other volunteers.
1988: chaired by Bjo and John Trimble.
1989: planned by Bjo and John Trimble, did not materialize
==Gene Roddenberry's 1976 Comments Regarding This Con==
==Conventions Before the Internet==
Before email and flat rate long distance phone calls, most convention communication was done via the US mail. The Equicon convention organizers soon found themselves swamped with registrations and letters from thousands of attendees. The progress reports often contained lengthy reprints of these letters along with the answers, ads and announcements, requests for volunteers and information about the organizers. 
Below are excerpts from an Equicon 1974 progress report, one which ran 20 pages. See Descriptions and Advice for 1974 Con-Goers for much, MUCH more.
===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: 
===Boys Dressing Up===
 
==="Minorities" at the Convention===
 
===Disabled Fans and Inclusion===
 
===Ode, and a Tsk Tsk, to the Fire Marshall===
An ode to the Fire Marshall: 
Smoking at the Convention: 
==Early Equicons 1971-1972==
The early Equicons focused on general science fiction and fantasy and were held in a smaller venue in Santa Barbara. In 1973, more Star Trek programming was added and for that reason the 1973 Equicon is called "Equicon I" by many fans. The convention also relocated to Los Angeles, CA to handle the larger crowds.
==1973==
Equicon 1973 was held April 19–22, 1973 at the International Hotel near the Los Angeles, CA airport. 
This "Equicon" was considered by many fans to be the "first Equicon" and is often referred to as "Equicon 1." 
For much more, see Equicon/1973.
==1974==
Equicon 1974 was held April 12–14, 1974 at the Marriott Hotel in Los Angeles, California. 
There was no Filmcon counterpart this year.
For much more, see Equicon/1974.
==1975==
Equicon 1975 was held at the El Cortez Hotel in San Diego on May 24–26, 1975. It was combined with "Filmcon 3."
For much more, see Equicon/1975.
==1976==
Equicon 1976 was held at the LAX Marriott on April 16–18, 1976. It was combined with "Filmcon 4."
For much more, see Equicon/1976.
==Canceled: 1977==
The 1977 Equicon was canceled due to "multiple problems" and returned again in 1981.
The Trimbles explained: 
A fan scolded others for not supporting this con: 
The convention made a return in the 1980s. According to Boldly Writing:
==1981==
Equicon 1981 was held April 17-19, 1981 at the Sheraton Plaza La Reina Hotel in Los Angeles. It was combined with "Filmcon 5." 
For more, see Equicon/1981.
==1985==
Equicon 1985 was held in April 5-7, 1985 at the Sheraton Universal, in Universal City, CA.
It was an 18th birthday present for Lora Trimble.
For more, see Equicon/1985.
==1986==
Equicon 1986 was held in Pasadena, CA over Easter weekend.
For more, see Equicon/1986.
==1987==
Equicon 1987 was held in April 1987 in Hollywood, CA.
For more, see Equicon/1987.
==1988==
Equicon 1988 was held the first week of April at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel, Los Angeles.
For more, see Equicon/1988.
==Canceled: 1989==
Equicon 1989 was canceled in two ways: both in name, and as a reality.
John Trimble and Bjo Trimble dropped "Equicon" all together in 1989, and attempted a revival of Filmcon in its original format. "We're shelving EQUICON & reviving FILMCON once again! Only this time, it'll cover all types of film & television entertainment: Science Fiction, Westerns, Costume Epics, Comedies, Mysteries, etc. This exciting concept will be the ultimate media con, worth travelling from all over the world to see! Stars you've only dreamed of meeting; cast & crew from major films & TV shows: past, present & future, will be invited to speak, sign autographs, & be available to their fans as they've never been before. Plan your Summer Vacation for mid-June of 1989!" -- from an undated 24-page progress report for a 1989 con that did not take place. This con, however, did not take place, nor did any thereafter.
See much more at Proposed Filmcon 11 (1989).
==Attempts at Replacement==
The cessation of "Star Trek Lives!" cons and Equicon created a hole in many fans' lives, and they either turned to the Schuster Star Trek Conventions, quit going to cons, turned towards smaller regional cons, or, in the case of the chair of August Party, attempted to created a new series of Star Trek cons. From a January 1978 appeal: 
From Kolker's description in Ambrov Zeor #6 (January 1978): 
==References==
Category:Star Trek Conventions
Category:1970s Conventions
Category:1980s ConventionsCategory:Conventions in United States