MediaWest*Con/MediaWest*Con 2020
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| Name: | MediaWest*Con 2020 |
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| Location: | Lansing, Michigan |
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| Focus: | multi-fandom |
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| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Proposal
From the con's Facebook page, posted June 14, 2019:
MediaWest*Con 40 — May 22-25, 2020
Issac Asimov would have been 100 in 2020, which is also the 50th anniversary of the publication of I, Robot. In honor of these events, MediaWest*Con 40 celebrates the robots, androids, cyborgs, and artificial intelligences of the SF universe. Whether they are here to serve, save, or terminate us, we have been entertained by them all, from the Robotrix of Metropolis to Robby of Forbidden Planet to B-9 on Lost in Space to Star Wars Droids to Cylons to Mr. Data to Bumblebee the Transformer. Robots rule!
Cancellation
This con was originally canceled completely in early February.
On February 4, 2020, Gordon Carleton and Lori Chapek-Carleton posted that, despite their best efforts, the 2020 con (the 40th) would not occur, and that MediaWest*Con would not continue in its original format. They cited "the graying of fandom, dwindling interest in fanzine culture, technology that makes face-to-face meetings seem superfluous, ever increasing travel expense and inconvenience, and SF/Media going mainstream" among the reasons.
Last year when we saw it was unlikely we would make the minimum number of hotel reservations we needed, we were able to renegotiate the hotel contract and cut back the function space to reduce the financial risk. While this meant we had to cut some long held functions like the Fannish Video Room and Fanzine Reading Room, it proved a wise precaution as we did make the new minimum but would not have made the original number of registrations needed.
For MW*C 40 we kept the downsized function space but were able to add back the game room while maintaining the same reduced risk.
Sadly, despite our best efforts to increase membership to a sustainable level, advance memberships are at an all-time low and show no sign of improving. Even with repeating the function space downsizing we instituted last year, this year it does not appear we would make the minimum number of hotel reservations needed to avoid thousands in hotel penalties. Therefore, we have no choice but to cancel MW*C 40 and notify attendees so that they can cancel their travel and hotel reservations in a timely fashion.
We hope people will understand that this is not an easy decision for us, and that it does NOT mean MediaWest*Con is dead. Rather, it gives us time to consider how MW*C may continue in some form.
Obviously, the myriad causes are nothing new — the graying of fandom, dwindling interest in fanzine culture, technology that makes face-to-face meetings seem superfluous, ever increasing travel expense and inconvenience, and SF/Media going mainstream, to name but a few. All have contributed to declining membership and participation in suggesting panel topics, Fan Q nominations, etc.. Nor are many of these issues unique to us, as other cons have suffered as well with no solution in sight.
All MW*C 40 memberships will be refunded. Refunds will be made as quickly as possible. Those who paid via PayPal will be refunded via PayPal unless we hear another preference. Due to checking account limitations it may be necessary to spread out payments by check.
The Fan Quality Awards will continue taking nominations, and voting will be conducted as usual online and by mail, with the final results posted on the MW*C website.
As always, we encourage members to subscribe to the MW*C blog to keep up with the latest updates and announcements. We will continue to maintain the MW*C blog and website (www.mediawestcon.org) as your primary sources of MW*C information.
Thanks to all the members, GoFers, Staffers, and other volunteers who have supported MW*C for over 40 years. MW*C has nurtured many long-term friendships, facilitated many great discussions, supported many dreams, and provided a safe haven for SF/Media fans with diverse interests to gather and share their passions. We never expected the the party to continue for over four decades! It would be wonderful to gather again in the future in celebration.
We would like to do at least one final convention, but at this point it doesn’t appear there is enough interest to carry it out. — Lori & Gordon [1]
COVID-19 Pandemic Proposal
On May 16, 2020, less than a week before it's originally scheduled date, a virtual con was pitched. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual MW*C 40 kits are still available!
Hold your own virtual MediaWest*Con 40 at your house! (Please observe social distancing standards)
Kit includes: MW*C 40 T’shirt (please specify size — M, XL, XXL, XXXL -- we are sold out of L) Pinback MW*C 40 badge (use a Sharpie to write your name) MW*C 40 DIY Program Book Color Postcard-Size Mini Poster
All this for $15 plus $7.75 Flat Rate shipping, while supplies last!
Via PayPal to [email protected] (please include size and mailing address) Make checks payable to MediaWest*Con and mail to MW*C 40, 200 E Thomas St, Lansing MI 48906-4047 (please include size and mailing address)
Makeup your own schedule of events and put them in the DIY Program Book.
Suggested events: Binge your favorite SF shows and movies, perform dramatic readings of fanfic, art show on your refrigerator, dress up for Masquerade, decorate your bedroom door, act out favorite scenes with action figures – use your imagination!
Send us photos of your virtual MW*C 40 for posting on the MW*C website!
Have fun while sequestered at home! Stay safe!