Miami Star Trek Convention
This is not the same con as the 1976 con The South Florida Star Trek and Science Fiction Convention. Nor Nova Science Fiction & Star Trek Convention in 1974 and 1975.
| Star Trek Convention | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Miami Star Trek Convention |
| Dates: | 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 |
| Frequency: | probably four times |
| Location: | Miami, FL |
| Type: | fan-run, non-profit, mini-con |
| Focus: | Star Trek: TOS |
| Organization: | ? |
| Founder: | G.B. Love and James Van Hise |
| Founding Date: | |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Miami Star Trek Convention was a fan-run, non-profit, series of one-day cons held in Miami, Florida.
According to a con report for the 1974 gathering, Gene Roddenberry was involved enough in it to send them a list of "Star Trek Announcements."
A 1974 con report refers to that year as the "second con," but there appears to be a con report by James Van Hise for this con in 1972. [1]
Possibly 1972
April 8, 1972?
There is a con report by James Van Hise about this con in Rocket's Blast Comicollector #90, Spring 1972.
1974 (February)
It was held February 17, 1974.
450 people attended.
From Star Trek Souvenir Book, published for the May 1974 con:
When we held our first STAR TREK CONVENTION of February 17th of this year we really had not planned on holding another until at least June or even later. However the response was so overwhelming and the demand was so great that we moved the date up to today, May 5th. We had a total attendence last time of 448, which was astounding, to say the least. Because of that huge attendence we were able to spend more on this convention, as witness by this larger Souvenir Book and the Doorprizes. In all honesty though, we really do not expect that many people today. However, if we can average 200 or more people each time, we anticipate having enough revenue to make each convention better than the last.
But it takes more than money to make a good convention--it takes new ideas and suggestions, and that's where you come. These conventions are held for you and we want to hear from you. We want to try new things and have new and different activities and if you have some ideas and suggestions we want to hear from you. Just write us at the address below. And, as we mentioned last time, we need people on campus who can help us distribute our flyers.
Just when the next Star Trek Convention will be held, is uncertain right now. Probably in July or August. At any rate, if you want to receive information, and you are not already on our mailing list, just send us your name and adress [sic].
1974 (May)
May 5, 1974. About 450 people attended.
This con had a souvenir book, see Star Trek Souvenir Book.
flyer for the 1974 one
flyer for the 1974 one
1974 (May) Con Report
On Sunday, May 5th, the Second Miami Star Trek Convention was held at American legion Post 124. The Con opened at 9:30 with and attendance of roughly 450 people. Three Society members were in attendance; Vice President Richard Englebach, Secretary Tim O'Hare, and Mike Dalton. Everyone attending the Convention received a Souvenir Book prepared especially for this Con, which included, among other things, a ten page Star Trek strip reprinted from the British newspapers. There was a variety of merchandise on sale in the hucksters' room which included posters, comics, books, and film clips dealing not only with Star Trek, but many aspects of the science fiction and fantasy field. Incidentally, one of the hucksters there, Scott Friseh, will be a freshman at F.I.T, this coming fall quarter and says he is looking forward to becoming a member of the Society.
There were four Star, Trek episodes shown during the day: "For the World Is Hollow and I have Touched the Sky" (which was the original story that developed into last season's syndicated Starlost. but that's a whole 'nother story...), "Amok Time," "The Empath," and "The Trouble with Tribbles." There was also multiple showings of the famed Star Trek Blooper Reel. This film, composed of gaga, mistakes and ruined takes, had just about everything imaginable and then some. There was Captain Kirk shot in the groin with an arrow and laughing uncontrollably when it is yanked out, cast members walking into doors that refused to open on cue, McCoy and Nurse Chaple [sic] being thrown around in a scene from "The Immunity Syndrome," but as they are thrown together McCoy grabs her around the bosom; and many others equally as hilarious.
Between the selling and screenings, door-prizes were given away (which included a copy of the Blooper Reel), and there was a Star Trek art auction. A series of announcements concerning Star Trek, written for the Con by Gene Roddenberry (Star Trek's creator), were read. They included the following news:
- 1) Al Schuster, organizer of the first three International Star Trek Cons in New York, has been dropped from the International Committee. He will hold his own convention next January at the Americana Hotel In New York. Meanwhile, the Committee will hold theirs in February at the Commodore Hotel, also in N.Y.
- 2) James Doohan (Scotty on Star Trek) has a part in the new movie Jeremiah Johnson. It will be hard to spot Jimmy — he's sporting a beard now. Also, Jimmy and George Takei (Sulu) will be making an appearance at the First Annual British Star Trek Con coming up in Leicester, England.
- 3) The animated Star Trek, series has just gotten a contract for six new episodes.
- 4) New books to watch for this summer include Star Trek II, adapted by James Blish; Star Log One and Two, adapted from the animated storyboards by Alan Dean Foster; The Star Trek Fan Phenomenon by Joan Winston; and Questor by D.C. Fontana.
- 5) A.M.T. Model Corporation will release four new Star Trek models this summer. They will be the Galileo shuttlecraft, the phaser, the communicator, and the tricorder.
Live long and prosper. -- Tim. [2]
- 6) According to Roddenberry himself, Paramount Studios is now bound and committed by contract to the making of a live-actor Star Trek movie. The revival will either be a theatrical release or a made-for-TV movie. Every effort is being made to obtain the original cast. Details are still being worked out, but the revival of Star Trek is definite. Looks like we were right all along... Star Trek lives!
1975
March 16, 1975.
flyer for the 1975 one
flyer for the 1975 one
flyer for the 1975 one
References
- ^ ""Miami Fandom Rides Again!!" Synopsis: JAMES VAN HISE provides a fun report on the April 8, 1972 convention in Miami, Florida. A page of photographs accompany the con report." -- Comic Book Database
- ^ report by Tim O'Hare in The Communicator #3