Ever been to a Star Trek Convention? If so, who did you see? What did you see and what did you get?

On Apr. 24, 2004, I went to my very first Star Trek Convention in Rosemont, Ill. The only part I did not like was waiting 20 minutes in line to get in. I dressed as "Classic Kirk". I met the guy who did the Gorn, the guy who did Adm. Paris, the guy who did the Borg teen, and a guy who played a Bajoran on DS9. The star of the whole thing was Leonard Nimoy. He was funny. He also looked very good for a man in his 70's. (I did not get his autograph or a Photo-Op.) I had a chance to see Bloopers from TOS and STIV (Posted on the TOS board). I saw quite a few people dressed in "Trek" outfits. Some were Vulcans. How they got the pointed ears done & the eyebrows to be slanted I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!
I bought a "War of the Worlds" movie poster, an autographed picture of Marina Sirtis, a medium sized picture of Jeri Ryan, and postcards of Janeway, 7 of 9, Uhura, J. Rand, B. Crusher. I also bought 2 postcards of D. Troi. All in all, I had a real good time.

I believe Nimoy *JUST* turned 70. IIRC, he was born in 1934.

When you bought the picture of Ms. Sirtis, did you tell everybody else to get away because.... HANDS OFF!!! SHE'S MINE!!!! ?

LOL. I was tempted...However, I DID say to the dealer: "I just GOTTA have that picture!" (So I guess I was THINKING along those lines. )
The pic is from "Nemesis". (It came with a Certificate of Authenticity)

I forgot to mention there was 1 guy dressed as a Klingon. Also, there was a woman dressed as a "Classic Redshirt"...complete with a bullseye sign on her back! LOL-ROTF!

Oh, yes, I've been to several. I've met or seen Armin Shimerman, Nana Visitor, Andreas Katsulas, and Ethan Philips, along with Buffy people such as Amber Benson and Anthony Stewart Head.

Anyway, what's far more fun are the panels... chatting with other fans is great.

At the New York City International Star Trek convention in 1975, I met Walter Koenig, Harlan Ellison, and James Doohan. They were just wandering around the hotel, unfettered. I had my picture taken with Mr. Doohan; there must still be a print of it at my parents' house. In 1977, I met and had a long talk with Gene Roddenberry's assistant, Susan Sackett. Our conversation did not concern Trek at all, but rather my job search at the time.
Joan Winston wrote a book a while back called The Making of the "Trek" Conventions. I was at the cons from 1973-76. My last one was in 1981.

I have The Making of the "Trek" Conventions somewhere in my collection! Found it for next to nothing at a used book shop.

Oh, yeah. Nichelle Nichols was a fabulous speaker. It was worth going to the cons just to see her.

I've only been to one. Many years ago. Nichelle Nichols and George Taki where the speakers. I got a signed picture of Nichelle but met this HOT red head named Amber Brandt who had been dragged there by her parents. I ditched the picture, my friends, and the convention; eventually took her home with me so I'll call that an even trade.

This seems as good a place to ask as any. Are there any good web sites or other resources that could give me comprehensive information as to where and when Star Trek conventions will be held? I've still never been to one after all these years. It feels like a pilgrimage of Trekdom that I need to make. Can someone help me out here?

There might be sites out there like that, but none that I know of, unfortunately. Whereabouts do you live?

The one convention I went to was held at the Meadowlands Convention center, which was just down the block from the movie theater I was working at in the mid-90's at Harmon Meadow Plaza in Secaucus. Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Andrew Robinson, and (IIRC) William Frakes were going to be there, so I decided to go.

From what I remember, it was interesting, much like the comic book conventions I had gone to. There were plenty of tables set up selling stuff, just like at comic book conventions, and just like a cbc, there were some Trekkies that seemed a bit...insular. I think I may have bought my first copy of the Chronology or the Encyclopedia there. I saw all the featured guests speak, but IIRC, Frakes never showed.

I remember how Brent Spiner was funny, and Marina Sirtis was friendly yet assertive, giving fans one big moment to take snapshots of her from the stage before politely asking them to stop so that the flashes wouldn't distract her. I remember how one jerk asked her why Troi didn't rotate the Enterprise's shield frequencies in ST Generations (which was met with groans from the audience), and she politely but assertively (and correctly, IMO) said that she would not be responding to technobabble questions.
---The funniest part of her speaking stint I remember is when he relates how she reacted when she first read the script for ST Generations: “YES! I get to fly the ship! I get to fly the ship!” So she calls up her friend Michael Dorn, and tells him “Michael, I get to fly the ship! I get to fly the ship!”, and informs us that Dorn reacted by saying (and here she mimicked Dorn’s low voice), “Marina…you didn’t finish read the rest of that scene, did you?” No, she did not, but before she could continue, he cut her off, saying, “Marina…finish reading it.” She said okay, and returned to the script, and with her hands, mimicked the act of flipping through pages…

“Aw, MAN??!!! The d@mn ship CRASHES!!!!!????”

---I also remember that she was wearing a low-cut black dress that displayed quite a bit of cleavage (John A. Lang, eat your heart out), and when I had my copy of Imzadi autographed by her afterwards, during which I told her it should be made into a movie (she agreed), I snapped a photo of her with the Pentax K-1000 I had bought for freshman year photography class. Unfortunately, after finishing the roll, I couldn't tell, even after much winding, whether the film had been rewound into its canister, and when I opened the back of the camera to see, I saw that it wasn't, and that was among the pics that I lost.

Brent Spiner was similarly gracious, accepting a gift from a woman in the audience, and then responding to her request for a hug (or was it a handshake?), which was also met with big groans from the audience, by telling her (again, correctly) that it wouldn't be fair to the other people in the audience.

The most interesting anecdote I remember is that when getting my photo of Andrew Robinson as Garak autographed by him after his speaking stint, I remarked to him that from Odo's comments to Garak in the runabout in Improbable Cause(DS9), it seemed that Enabran Tain wasn't merely Garak's mentor, but his father. Garak responded something to the effect that you never could tell, and that anything was possible, so when it was later revealed to be exactly that in In Purgatory's Shadow(DS9), I felt a sense of validation.

I am SO envious!

I'd LOVE to have seen that cleavage!

But remember....HANDS OFF! SHE'S MINE!

In other news, tragedy struck TrekCon3000 today when an obsessive fan, upon meeting actress Marina Sirtis, literally exploded, causing a flood of what is reportedly saliva. Ms. Sirtis is unharmed, however, a rescue worker on the scene's only comment was, "Ick."

Witnesses reported that he was screaming at the other fans, "HANDS OFF! SHE'S MINE!!!"

But not before Marina was showered with kisses.

OK, I've been to several conventions (however, none recently -- as in the last 5 years or so).

The first few I went to, I was lucky enough to be stationed in California, and attended something called the Sci-Fi, Horror, and Fantasy Convention. It may be just fond memories and the great fortune of being in the media mecca, but I got to see panels (with fairly small audiences!!) with Ray Bradbury, the Battlestar Galactica crew (this was about 1978-1979, mind you...), Ted Cassidy (at the time, the voice of the Hulk, but better known as Lurch), and it was my first introduction to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, in a venue where I could actually hear the particapatory retorts. My personal version of that movie consists of most of the things I heard that first night.

One highlight was the panel of (original!!) Battlestar Galactica stars: Boomer - Herbert Jefferson, Athena - Anne Lockhart, Laurette Spangler as (sorry, I can only recall her as the "socialator" -- was it "Casseopiea"?), and none other than John Colicos as Baltar. A friend of mine was bold enough to ask Laurette for a kiss -- and got it!! Female con stars don't tend to do that nowadays, but we were both studly Marines at the time...

One of the freakiest things I recall was waiting for an elevator, and as the doors opened I saw the cast of Phantasm in the tightly packed cubicle, with the TALL MAN in back and lit from above. I just said "Uh, I'll wait for the next one."

I recall seeing fans follow Herve Villachaize in the dealers room as he purchased a few trinkets. I also remember his panel, mostly harping on "I wish everyone would stop all zis killing and wars and everyzing." He seemed a troubled man even then.

I've been to many other local conventions, and a few Worldcons since then, but none have matched the fervor and wonder of those first few. I will talk about the local and World cons in another post.

DAY 1: 2007 Chicago Convention

Today I met:

Susie Plakson (Dr. Selar, K'Ehleyr, etc)

Natalia Nogulich (Adm. Nechayev}

Herbert Jefferson Jr. (Lt. Boomer, Original Battlestar Galactica)

Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)

I got all their autographs except Bulloch. Planning to get that tomorrow when I see Jonathan Frakes and M-M-M-M-Marina Sirtis

Just a quick note, Suzie still looks quite lovely. Natalia has aged a tad, but she's a very warm person. Herb looks fit as a fiddle and Jeremy is quite funny.

Gee any current Nitpickers was ever at the Star Trek convention at the L.A. Marriot's in 1971?

I was 11 and saw Spock along with 5,000 others..

I saw the infamous bloopers,and
I remember I couldn't afford Scotty with his sword on the bridge shot.
I was with my dad's secretary and her son for the trip.

Gee any current Nitpickers was ever at the Star Trek convention at the L.A. Marriot's in 1971?

You have the date wrong. The first Star Trek convention was in New York in 1972. See Star Trek Lives!.

I got all their autographs except Bulloch. Planning to get that tomorrow when I see Jonathan Frakes and M-M-M-M-Marina Sirtis
Careful John, don't drool on your keyboard, it might short out and shock you. Jeremy Bulloch was there! Wow! I'm sure it's too late now but if not ask him if he's pissed that his voice was dubbed over on the newest version of Empire Strikes Back.

nope. I was in LaLaland for that, in 71., not lying either.That was in Nyc, not La.I read that they sent the powers that be (network idiots)was sent down to see them Trekkies and they coulda been lynched if they knew who they were!

btw, it was Easter.I remember because I had to beg my dad to let me go, he found another Trekkie just like me so I did go. Case closed.I can call La in the Smog , La Laland, Scott.

opps me e is missing

According to Memory Alpha, the first Trek convention was indeed NYC 1972. It was also discussed in the movie "Trekkies".

And while there may have been some sort of convention in LA in 1971, it wasn't a Trek convention per se.

Ok, I was at a Battlestar Galactica convention in 1971.

, see the smily

DAY 2: CHICAGO CONVENTION

Today I got an autograph from Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett)

Jonathan Frakes on stage was a royal cut-up. I never heard such humor before in my life. He did some singing too. He spent a lot of time remarking how beautiful Marina is. (and I agree)

Frakes lost some weight...he looks more like "Season 2 Riker" now.

I spent some extra money & got a PHOTO-OP with him.

What ,no Deanna???

altogether now..Hands off She's Mine!!!

MOMENT OF TRUTH:

My "day" with Marina Sirtis.

How did Marina look?

HOT HOT HOT HOT

She was wearing this olive-green strapless dress which was so tight, she had some problems keeping her top on. (She kept adjusting the top-half of her dress...she nearly had a "wardrobe malfunction" (Frakes wished it would happen...as did I)

During the PHOTO-OP,I had the privilege of putting my arm around Marina. I'm not sure if my right hand was on her back or her shoulder...all I know is, her skin is baby-soft. (MMMMMMM!)

Got autographs from both Marina and Jonathan. Both are very nice people.

I had the opportunity to ask Marina about her outfits, she likes the "Chain of Command" outfit.
She felt that the more cleavage she showed in earlier episodes, the dumber she got. (more or less)

Additionally, she said that in "Night Terrors", that's a stunt flying in the air during the "posterior view". She said, "That's not my ass! That's the stunt's ass!" Then Marina turned around and showed us her back-side to "prove it"..and she's right....her butt is nicer. (no debate there)

Her & Frakes really are cut-ups on the stage. They are both very funny.

Finally, overall...the Chocago convention was the best convention I ever went to. A lot of complete strangers asked me to pose in THEIR PICTURES. (I was wearing a "Kirk-yellow" shirt with a Captain's ensignia, and I was wearing black pants.)

I got some free pictures from the "Star Trek Costume Contest". Additionally, I won a $50.00 gift certificate during the "Star Wars Trivia Contest" (Yes..."Star Wars" was there too.)

A lot of people had some really cool costumes. A young girl was dressed as "New Hope Leia"...complete with buns in her hair. There was a guy dressed as "Q" from "Encounter at Farpoint". His costume was highly detailed.

I didn't get many photos. I was too far back from the front. So, only one of them turned out....I did get a photo of Natalia Nogulich (Adm. Nechayev) and that's it.

Almost forgot:

Marina HATES the romance scene with Matt McCoy (Devinoni Ral) in "The Price".

(When Marina said that, I thought: "Take THAT, Matt McCoy / Devinoni Ral!")


Marina must be telepathic like Deanna Troi, she read my mind on that perfectly!!

BTW...my free pictures were:

"The Women of Star Trek" and

"The Captains of Star Trek"

List of people who were supposed to be there, but weren't due to other commitments:

Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca)

Barrie Ingham (Danilo O'Dell)

William Wellman Jr. (Bajoran Security Officer)

Don Marshall (Mr. Boma)

Sean Kenney (Crippled Pike, Lt. DePaul)

Chocogo John? Mmmmmmmmmmmm, the Is have it.Wait till 2247.

OOPS...."Chicago"

Other costumes I saw:

An African-American woman dressed as "Classic Uhura"

A young man and a young woman dressed as "Season 1 Riker and Troi (cosmic cheerleader outfit)"

A young woman dressed as a Bolian

A young woman dressed as 7 of 9

A young woman dressed as a classic Klingon

A young man dressed as a Vulcan (complete with pointed ears)

Many men dressed as Federation Officers in STII uniforms.

A young woman dressed as a Trill.

A young woman dressed as 7 of 9

Um... details, please!

The young woman dressed as 7 of 9 had the eyepiece, silver suit and hand-tubes that had little lights at the end. I think her hair was in a ponytail. I believe she was 13 years old.

(I figure she was 13 because she called herself "13 of 9"...which don't make sense...but I'll digress because she was so cute & I found myself wishing to be 13 again myself.)

If John A. Lang were 13 and at a star trek convention, he'd no doubt be going as Wesley Crusher!

unless John no longer wishes he were 13 again!

Not really. Being 13 was pure Hell. I wouldn't want to re-live age 13 again.

One of the Lone Gunmen (Tom Braidwood) nearly trod on my foot at Dragon*Con because he was looking up at the hotel while walking out the doors.

As of right now, Creation Entertainment misplaced my Photo Op with Marina Sirtis.

Maybe Marina wanted a copy and took it home with her (?) [Hand's off, He's mine!]

Got both pictures now.

OK...yesterday in Chicago, I saw Chase Masterson. (Still sexy BTW)...along with Barbara March & Gwynyth Walsh.

Also saw Armin Shimmerman, Max Grodenchik, Jeffrey Combs & Casey Biggs.

Was supposed to see Leonard Nimoy, but he cancelled due to emergency surgery.

For those with FACEBOOK accounts, my pic of me & Chase is on my "Page" under my "Star Trek Conventions" Photo Album

BTW.... I saw a DVD copy of "The Star Wars Holiday Special"....did not buy.

I may be somewhat stupid in some areas, but I'm not suicidal.

Finally, I saw a young lady in a "Mirror Universe" outfit....complete with micro-mini-skirt & exposed midrift. WHOA!

MORE TO COME...

Careful, John. Marina might get jealous of you and Chase!

Saw Armin Shimmerman, Max Grodenchik, Marc Alaimo, Casey Biggs & Vaughn Armstrong today.

You should hear...

Marc Alaimo, Jeffrey Combs and Casey Biggs recite Shakespeare.

(Especially Marc, who does most of it from memory)

Casey Biggs & Vaughn Amstrong sing the Blues
They are quite good.

You havent heard Shakespear until you heard
it in Klingon, John!

Five Con speakers I've seen in the past who are no longer with us: Gene Roddenberry, DeForrest Kelly, James Doohan, Roger Carmel and Angelique Pettyjohn.

Saw Chase Masterson today on stage...she's quite a singer and dancer. She's got the vocal quality of Marilyn Monroe

Also saw J.G. Hertzler & Robert O'Reilly in "full Klingon mode"....they teased me a little because I wore the "Classic Trek" Captain's shirt.

I must add...they look totally different WITHOUT their makeup

Finally, I saw Christopher Lloyd (Kruge)


I think I impressed him with my impersonation of Kruge yelling, "Maltz! Choi Chu!" (Maltz engage beam" from STIII)

Costumes I saw this year:

Young woman dressed as Data
Young woman...Mirror Universe (with exposed midrift)
Many men wearing STTNG Klingon outfits
Older women wearing Cheron makeup
Young woman dressed as 7 of 9
African-American woman dressed as Guinan
African-American man dressed as Geordi LaForge...complete with VISOR
Many other men in either Classic uniforms or the "Movie uniforms"

Chicago: 2011 Convention

I met the following:

Brent Spiner: Data, Lore & Dr. Soong - Star Trek: Next Generation

John DeLancie: Q from Star Trek: Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, & Star Trek: Voyager

Connor Trinneer: Charles "Trip" Tucker III - Star Trek: Enterprise

Dominic Keeting: Malcom Reed - Star Trek: Enterprise

Arlene Martel: T'Pring: Star Trek: Amok Time

Sean Kenney: Wounded Christopher Pike: Star Trek: The Menagerie

Garth Pillsbury: Lt. Watson: Star Trek: Mirror, Mirror

Terrance Evans: Proka Migdal: Star Trek Deep Space Nine: Cardassians

Nichelle Nichols: Uhura: Classic Star Trek

Will be meeting Leonard Nimoy tomorrow along with Nana Visitor and Rene Auberjonois

EVENTS FROM 2011 CHICAGO CONVENTION:

When Nichelle Nichols told the story how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. convinced her NOT to quit Star Trek...she broke down and cried on stage. She felt mad at herself because her people (The African-Americans) were being treated like dirt in the 60's and here she was...a major character on a TV show (on the Bridge) where Whites and blacks worked together in harmony...which was Roddenberry's vision...and Dr. King's too.

COSTUMES THIS YEAR:

A Ferengi Borg (That was original)

A young blonde at 7 of 9 (in a catsuit)

A few "Mirror Universe" people...both male & female

2 Gorn

Several Andorians

Several Klingons

Several Orion Slave Girls

2 people as Data & Lal

Several Next Gen costumes

Many "Classic" costumes

A few people as Vulcans

Ladies dressed as Uhura

1 African-American MAN...dressed as Uhura (Now I've seen everything)

Nimoy's retirement today. An end of an era.

Got photo ops with most of the stars

Nimoy: Spock, I am retiring.

Spock: You cannot!

NImoy: I'm old....


Spock: I died before, not retired!

--------------

John, post your Marina Sirtis pictures!

I did not see Marina this year.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....


----------------------------------
I wanted to see Uhura's Undies 122 times...

(ah ah).

TMI, dude. Keep that sort of thing to yourself, OK?

Is that you Sherman??!!

How goes your lifelong streak of bad luck, is it still intact?

Chicago 2013 Convention:

Today I Saw:

Aron Eisenberg (Rom) [Autograph / photo-op]

Don Marshall (Lt. Boma) "The Galileo Seven" [autograph]

Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko) [Autograph / photo-op on Sunday]

Chase Masterson (Leeta) [New photo-op...already have autograph]

Vaughn Armstrong (Admiral Forrest)

Casey Biggs (Damar)

Max Grodechenik: (Nog)

Sean Kenney: Mr. DePaul

Arlene Martel (T'Pring)

Jeffrey Combs (Brunt/ Weyoun / Shran)


MORE TO COME TOMORROW

CHICAGO CONVENTION 2013 PART 2:

Saw Next Generation cast...got autographs & photo-ops from the ones I needed...

Gates McFadden

LeVar Burton

Michael Dorn

Patrick Stewart

Btw...saw Marina Sirtis again...got new photo-op.

STILL smokin' hot!!!

(or better yet...FLAMING hot)

Hands off?

Geez, John, you've met more Starfleet actors than I have! You probably qualify now for an honorary Starfleet commission!

Yes...definitely "Hands Off"

CHICAGO CONVENTION 2013 (Part 3)

Met Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko)

Met Avery Brooks (Benjamin Sisko)

Got autographs / photo-ops

BTW... I saw Marina's tattoo...she has it on the back of her left shoulder

---

quote:

BTW... I saw Marina's tattoo...she has it on the back of her left shoulder

---

Marina's tattoo

Interesting.

I see she is a very serious fan of Tottenham Hotspur.

I was going through old papers to shred; there were a lot of them. One of those papers was a program sheet for the "Star Trek America" convention of September, 1977. On that sheet was an autograph of Kevin Riley himself, Bruce Hyde, that I got at the convention. Needless to say, I didn't shred the program. (Maybe I should have taken my step-cousin Kathleen to the convention; Mr. Hyde could have sung that song to her. )

CHICAGO 2014: DAY 1

Groan! I wish Creation Entertainment would randomize their guests better. It's not that I don't like the guests, I just would like to see some new ones once in awhile.

TODAY:

Aron Eisenberg (Nog) (Already met)
Max Grodenechik (Rom) (Already met)
JG Hertzler (Martok) (Already met)
Robert O'Reilly (Gowron) (Already met)

The only new person I met today was Anthony Montgomery (Travis Mayweather on "Enterprise")

I certain hope that the other guests who are supposed to appear Saturday and Sunday show up...otherwise, this may be my worst convention experience ever!

There has to be more to see at those conventions than the guests.

Not really...unless you count the Blooper reels which they've run into the ground.

Don't get me wrong, it's good to see my FACEBOOK friends, but I can "CHAT" with them any time I want to.

CHICAGO 2014: DAY 2

Met William Shatner & Kate Mulgrew.

Got photo-ops & autographs.

Things are looking up

CHICAGO 2014: DAY 3

Met Robert Beltran (autograph / photo op)

Met Susie Plakson (Photo-op only...already had autograph)

AND......

JERI RYAN (Seven of MINE...oops NINE)

(autograph / photo op)

I nearly forgot that Nichelle Nichols was there...however...she's showing the early stages of Dementia

That's a damned shame.

Yes it is. I saw Ms. Nichols at some of the New York conventions in the 1970's, and her talks were must-attends for me, and most of the other fans. Her enthusiasm and love for the fans was boundless. I got her autograph for a friend back in (IIRC) 2003, and nothing about her had changed.

CHICAGO 2015 DAY 1

Met:

Garrett Wang (Harry Kim) (Photo-op / Autograph)

Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax) (Photo-op / Autograph)

Ethan Phillips (Neelix) (Photo-op / autograph)

Chase Masterson AGAIN (Leeta) (Photo-op)


Robert Picardo (EMH) (Photo-op on Day 2. Got autograph Day 1)

Denise Crosby (Tasha Yar / Sela) (Photo-op Day 2. Got autograph Day 1)

Have actors from the reboot Star Trek movies started to appear at those conventions?

Karl Urban was supposed to appear but cancelled sue to prior commitments.


I do not know of any others.

CHICAGO 2015 DAY 2

MET:

John Billingsley (Phlox) (Photo-op / autograph)

Walter Koenig (Chekov) (Photo-op / autograph)

Tim Russ (Tuvok) (Photo-op / autograph)

CHICAGO 2015 DAY 3

Met Nicole DedBoer (Ezri Dax) (Photo-op / autograph)

Met Colm Meaney (Chief O'Brien) (Photo-op/ autograph)

Met Linda Park (Hoshi Sato) (Photo-op / autograph)


BTW...this year Chase was a blonde

Wow John, have you met everybody now?

Sounds like a great convention!

Not quite. Still missing quite a few

OTHER CHICAGO 2015 HIGHLIGHTS:

* Video tribute to Leonard Nimoy

* Saw George Takei...ran out of time to purchase tickets for autograph / photo-op

* Bought autographed photo of Grace Lee Whitney

CREME ALA CREME MOMENT:

* Saw Terry Farrell's bare feet.

Do Terry's spots go all the way down?

LOL