KC Con

Convention
Name:	KC Con
Dates:	1982-1986
Frequency:	annual
Location:	Kansas City, Missouri
Type:
Focus:	Star Trek: TOS, science fiction media
Organization:
Founder:	Kay Johnson
Founding Date:
URL:
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KC Con was a series of conventions focusing on Star Trek: TOS and other media fandoms.

They were chaired by Kay Johnson and were held in Kansas City, Missouri.

Memories/Recollections

Back in the mid-80's I went to KC Con in Kansas City Missouri. I was a Dr. Who fan, dressed as Tom Baker, and a friend was a Galactic Warrior, from SG. So we worked out a little skit for the costume contest, in which the Tardis accidentally materializes on the battlestar, and I was confronted by it's security. I couldn't talk my way out of it and was led off to the brig, with my hand tied behind my back by my own scarf.

1982

KC Con I was held Aug 6-8, 1982 at the Hilton Plaza Inn in Kansas City, MO.

front cover of the program book

The guests of honor were Anthony Daniels, George Takei, Chris Claremont (X-Men comics), John Tibbets.

The program book was 24-pages long.

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  front of the flyer for KC Con I. Click to read larger version

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  back of the flyer for KC Con I

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  from the program book

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  from the program book

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  from the program book

1983

KC Con II was held May 28-30, 1983 at the Hilton Plaza Inn in Kansas City, MO.

From an ad in Force and Counterforce #3: "Lucasfilm is sending 35mm prints of Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back and is helping us get a showing at a theatre of Revenge of the Jedi — the first Star Wars triple feature!"

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  front cover of the flyer for KC Con II

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  back of the flyer for KC Con II

1984

KC Con III was held August 3-5, 1984 at the Hilton Plaza Inn in Kansas City, MO.

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  flyer for KC Con III

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  back of the flyer for KC Con III

1985

KC Con IV was held July 27-28, 1985 at the Hilton Plaza Inn.

Guests were James Doohan, Real Musgrove, and John Tibbetts. Other guests mentioned as possibly attending were Shirley Maiewski and Roger C. Carmel.

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  flyer for 1985

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  1985 back flyer

1985: Con Reports

I had the best time ever at a Con, largely due to the fact that it was the first time I ever WORKED at a Con. Sound paradoxical? Not really. In this case, it had ample compensations.

The people I was working with were the people I wanted to see, first of all. Harriett W,AS the art show, and Jen and Terry and Harriett - were the publicity crew, but everybody did a stint at the committee table in the art room, making sure nothing walked away unpaid for. While guarding the artwork we could catch up on everything we'd intended to write letters about over the years, if we'd only had five spare minutes to write in. Then too, the feeling of responsibility felt pretty good and didn't weigh too heavily - because after the first twenty-five conventions one isn't quite as panicky at the prospect of missing a couple of panels as one might have been in the past.

But there was yet another reason. There were Guest Stars at this convention, and as everyone knows, if you work for the Con, you get to meet the stars. (Ultimate GOSh Wow!) James Doohan is always nice to the fans, and for a man who didn't know from fan conventions, Roger C. Carmel was extremely amiable. Together they wowed the audience when they spoke and did a quest- ion and answer session. It looked to me as though Roger C. was likewise wowed by the costume competition -- particularly by an entry which recreated the famous "500 Stellas" scene from "I, Mudd". There they were, thirteen or more women dressed in identical shapeless shifts, haranguing Roger C. as "Hartcourt! Hartcourt Fenton Mudd! You good for nothing...Hilarious!

The only minor glitch in the programming was the strangely independent attitude of the hotel personnel. A few of the employees were old pros who were attentive, efficient and pleasant. The rest were indifferent, inept, and maybe brain damaged, I don't know. It wasn’t enough to destroy enjoyment of the convention, but it was irritating.

Altogether, it was a great convention, what with the enthusiasm of the neo-fen who attended, the wisdom of the experienced fen, and the lovely dedication of the committee and their beautiful chairwoman, Kay Johnson (hi, Kay!). The only thing K-C Con lacked was fanzines! To a Lansing-trained Michi-fan, a Con without fanzines is like a church without bibles! Maybe I can work on that from here, but definitely I plan to go back. KC CON (or maybe it's the people of Kansas City) is addictive.

1986

KC Con V was was held on July 25-27, again at the Hilton Plaza Inn.

Announced guests were Harve Bennett, Eddie Egan and Mark Lenard. Bennett had to bow out at the last minute due to emergency heart surgery, but did call the convention on its last day. Ralph Winter, a line producer on Star Trek IV, took Bennett's place.

Several fans won a lottery contest to have a dinner with Eddie Egan and a dinner with Ralph Winter.

1986: Con Reports

Kay Johnson, who had been involved with the KC Con for many years, had urged me to come for a long time so I could be a part of her annual 'Joan Marie' practical joke. They found out that so many fans named 'Joan Marie' attended the KC Con, that every year, in the autograph session, they would line up all the 'Joan Maries' one after the other. Each in turn would tell the celebrity guests, "and please sign the autograph, 'to Joan Marie".' Kay had enough experience in this by the time I got there to pull off the joke once again, and very successfully.

Among the numerous attractions was a Tribble Breeders Show. My two tribbles took three ribbons (best pedigree: French ruffled Tribble; best construction and Best In Show: Hortribble) and I was ecstatic. I stuck a ribbon on each shoulder and one on top of my head, went around telling people, "Pet me, I'm a prize-winning tribble!" I really make a better kid now than I ever did as a juvenile. I met Roger C. Carmel (Harry Mudd) in the elevator, said the above quote, and he really gave me a pat on the back and said he was glad he'd been one of the judges. He was all smiles and really seemed to be enjoying himself. James Doohan was also a big hit, demonstrating his many dialects and singing movingly in Gaelic, was it? But for me, even better than the stars were the fans. Everybody smiled at each other, nobody made me feel silly because I have a Spock fixation, and I even found a copy of SPOCK, ENSLAVED in the dealers room.

Kay Johnson joined us as a chaperone [at my dinner with Eddie Egan], and Eddie brought a friend from New York. We ate at Jimmy and Mary's Steak House. Unfortunately, they had to be back at the hotel in an hour. Franke [the other fan winner for the dinner with Eddie] and I fired questions the whole hour. Even Eddie commented that it was the fast-est hour he had ever spent for a while.

The conversation began with questions about each other's backgrounds , specifically how we became interested in Star Trek. Eddie seemed mystified that he has his own fan club. He is overwhelmed by the intense following of Star Trek and anyone connected with it by so many. Eddie did ask our opinions regarding merchandising of Star Trek, and for the music which is being scored for the fourth movie. Eddie would like to hear a song from the movie (i.e. our heroes hear a song played on a radio while on earth) make the hits list on the radio.

While we enjoyed our meal, Kay, Franke, and I listened to Eddie give us several tidbits from the movie. The best one that I can remember involves Kirk & Spock on the bus ride. Spock is asking Jim why his speech patterns have become so colorful. Kirk tries to explain that on 20th century earth society accepts certain "words" in order to get what one wants. Spock accepts this explanation, and later in the movie takes Jim's advice. When he is introduced to a lady, Spock responds, "How the hell are you?"

Franke and I picked ourselves up off the floor after laughing so hard. Eddie found that he was on a roll, and delighted us with stories of his many convention experiences. He assured us that Star Trek IV is the best movie yet. Our hearts warmed with the thought of December fast approaching. Too soon it was time to return to the hotel.

Kay and Eddie headed for the costume contest, and Franke and I smiled with delight at a truly lovely meal with people who loved Star Trek. Thank you, Kay and KC Con Committee, for the delicious meal and the wonderful company. This con will hold a special place in my heart. I met some special friends whom I will not soon forget. Star Trek Lives, in all our hearts ...

We didn't talk a lot about ST IV, although Ralph [Winter] told us how GOOD it is. . .and it was very clear that he is extremely proud of his association with it. He also told us that the movie deals with

a lot of culture clash comedy...

[...]

Ralph Winter and Harve Bennett and t heir families are very close friends, and it was clear from Ralph's comments that he has the utmost respect and admiration for Harve .. . after talking with him, I can understand why Harve has such respect for Ralph also.

Although Ralph has been at a few conventions to give a 15 or 20 minute talk, he had never been a weekend guest, or involved with it to t he extent he was at Kansas City. It was a "fascinating" experience for him. His comment to us was that he was amazed at the gentleness of everyone and our open acceptance of others. That comment proceeded to a big discussion of the diversity of ST fans, and of how ST fulfills different needs for different people, of the difference between those who believe in the ST philosophy and those who are merely collectors, etc...of how most people consider it a hobby, and of the few who regrettably make it their entire life.

We talked about the changing attitudes at Paramount, and of t he increasing amount of trust that the studio seems to placing with the entire ST organization at Paramount...an amount of trust that is unheard of in the movie industry. It was clear that the new execs at Paramount are a very different lot from those t hat have gone before...and it looks as if they are beginning to believe in the treasure they own called "STAR TREK".

All too soon, it was time to head back to the hotel for the costume contest. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner with Ralph Winter. I found him to be a bright and intelligent man, with a great deal of sensitivity. I sincerely hope that he remains connected with Star Trek in the future.

We arrived at the Hilton Plaza Inn Friday, July 25th around 2 PM We checked into our room, then headed for the convention floor and the registration desk. That's when we found out Harve Bennett wasn't going to be able to come to the convention. He was in the hospital undergoing minor surgery. He asked Ralph Winter, who is the Executive Producer of ST IV (and was associate producer on III and post-production coordinator on II), to come in his place. We found a scroll taped by the side of the ballroom door for everybody to sign and to wish "Uncle Harve" a speedy recovery.

[...]

This year's KC dealers' room was larger than usual, and there were lots of goodies there to buy if you had enough money. The film and video room had a lot to offer, but the thing I liked best is the closed circuit TV. The programming goes on 24 hours a day, showing films such as STI, II, and III, Cocoon, Back to the Future, etc.

Saturday started out with the acting contest finals. The judges were Mark Lenard, Ralph Winter, and Art Campbell. My favorite was the mother-son team doing a spoof about the son going to a costume party dressed as Spock. Mark Lenard praised all of the participants but also gave some constructive criticism.

Since tickets were given out for either the Saturday or Sunday autogrpah sessions, we went to the Gofer hole to get ours. That's when Jean Ann found out she had won dinner with Ralph Winter. The expression on her face was priceless!

Ralph Winter delighted everybody by telling about an incident during the filming of ST IV on location. A lady walked up to one of the cast members (I believe it was De) and started to ask a bunch of questions, right in the middle of filming a scene. She was told she could not do this since they were filming. Next thing they knew she was back again, so they decided the only way to solve this problem was pay her and keep her on as an extra.

I know everybody enjoyed Eddie Egan's presentation. He brought a huge amount of ST IV slides. A lot of his explanations started out with "This is Spock saying - ah...well...you'll just have to wait until you see the movie!" He also showed the promotional film they have made for the movie (the one showed at Anaheim and St. Louis).

Mark Lenard's talks on Saturday and Sunday dealt mostly with Klingon and Planet of the Apes make-up. He demonstrated the application of the masks on a couple of "all too willing" volunteers from the audience.

KC's costume contest is always loads of fun since most of the contestants have a couple of minutes for a dialogue. After the costume contest, members of the Con committee do their Comic book spoof (it is a continuing story from con to con)...it's called DRAGONGORE - some really terrific guys who get together to fight galactic evil...

Later on Jean Ann and I went in search of Bruce Moxley's room, who was sponsoring a Bill Shatner party. The room was so crowded we decided to come back later, but never made it back. Sorry, Bruce, that we didn't get to meet you! (Were you the good-looking guy in the back of the room?) On Sunday, the convention staff was still trying to get a hospital hook-up with Harve Bennett. We don't know whether or not they succeeded because we had to head for the airport.

[...]

All in all, I had a great time. So anybody who wants to have fun and get together with a marvelous bunch of ST fans - try KC Con for your next convention!