Yeah I go to cons . There are different flavors of SF conventions . A commercial convention with celebrity guests is not the same as a fan sponsored gathering with a couple of featured authors . If you are interested in conversation and meeting other SF aficionados I recommend a SF con that focuses on literature .For an experience that may overwhelm try a big event like a World Con or a game convention like Gen con .The most active costuming can be found at Anime conventions and cons that focus on TV and movies .All these categories overlap there will be costumes , conversation , guests and events at most SF conventions . What's more I've travelled enough to find that some convention traditions and distinctions are regional , so this is the Arizona con report . My perfect convention : Panels and discussion groups in the morning through afternoon , games in the evening and filking after midnight . I don't have to fantasize about the guest because my favorite author is coming to my home town .

Most definitely with you here. Best thing is when I learn something new, have some fun, and filking is a bonus.

Hey WW . Have you sat on a panel as well as attended ? Are there differences on the two sides of the table ? Meet any guests that were cooler than you expected?

What kind of filking do you have in Milwaukee ? I went to a couple of Gencons there years ago but I was too busy to even look for a filk .Do you have any favorite filkers ?In Arizona the filks are usually "Bardic Circle " where everyone gets to participate but I've heard it's not that way in other places .Ever attend a Con with a Filk guest of honor?