Hooray and Thanks for All the Animal Crackers
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AddendumThe Post Con Report for Norwescon 23 allowed. Brian was so amazed that John Travolta Hooray and was excited to meet him because Brian is just a writer and “he’s John Travolta.” It was really neat to see both of these extremely talented men get excited Thanks For All about meeting each other. It also turned out to be a small world for John and Barclay. It seems that Barclay’s mom has known John for years, she’s his the Animal real estate agent in New York. In the hour that John was at the convention, he was able to sign about 250 items for people. But each person got a moment to Crackers speak with him, which is what he requested. He truly seemed to enjoy speaking with all the fans and they As the Chairman of a convention, you use many with him. yardsticks to measure the success of your conven- There are always so many people to thank after a tion. And no matter which stick I pull out to mea- convention. I’ll try not to droll on too long but there sure Norwescon 23, it was a success. are some very special thank you’s to make. First, I’d First, I would like to thank our Guests of Honor. like to thank my Vice Chair Betty Claar. She is the My gosh! What convention could have had a more Ying to my Yang, and I could have never made it wonderful set of talented and gifted professionals? through the year without her. Norwescon wouldn’t David Brin and Gregory Benford are two of the most have been as successful without her hard work and charismatic and accessible writers any convention dedication. Next, I’d like to thank Jayson Claar, our could ever ask for. They helped make this Business Manager. Often the tedious and time con- Norwescon’s programming one of the best we’ve suming tasks of the business department are over- ever had. Harper Collins was our Spotlighted Pub- looked, but Jayson and his staff have worked so dili- lisher and they sent us one of their best; Jennifer Brill. gently this year that much of our success should be With her extensive experience and background, she credited to them. brought many insights and depth to our convention I’d like to thank Bob Grieve for an outstanding membership that we will value for years to come. programming lineup. This was Bob’s first year as Barclay Shaw’s amazing art presentations were truly Programming Director and he brought a lot of new a highlight for myself and everyone else who attended and innovative programming to Norwescon. The his panels. Bjo and John Trimble have endeared them- Rare Earth panel was one of the most exciting and selves to the fandom of the Northwest, and will now talked about programming events that we have always be considered part of our Norwescon family. ever had, and Bob promises that next year will be We can’t wait until John retires in 18 months. bigger and better yet. As most of you know, on Friday we had a surprise I’d also like to thank Michael Brocha, who pro- visit from John Travolta who was in town to pro- duces the most amazing program book that it has mote his new movie Battlefield Earth. Contrary to the been my experience to see. Norwescon is extremely rumors that were going around, we only received a lucky to have such a talented and dedicated artist call from the publishers of the book, Bridge Publica- available to make us shine. tions, on Wednesday to ask if Mr. Travolta could This year’s art show was run by A.O.V. and I would drop by. Even though he could only stay for an hour like to thank them for their outstanding job in pro- to sign autographs, we think that this turned out to ducing such a wonderful show this year for the art- be a wonderful and fun event for the convention. ists and our membership. The Dealer’s Room was One of the most delightful things that happened, be- also a great success this year and our dealers reported sides the fact that I didn’t stutter or drool even once record sales. If only we could get the hotel to build upon meeting him, was when John met Brian Herbert. that extra ballroom for us so we could bring you John was very excited to meet Brian and wanted to even more great dealers. Alas, for now it must re- spend more time speaking with him than time main a dream. A very special thank you needs to go to the crew of Hospitality: Judy and Bob Suryan and Judy’s sister and brother-in-law Jerry Anne and Gordon, Eliza- Norwescon 23 beth “Dragon Lady” Warren, “Roo” Kathy Warren, and all of their families and to all their friends who Guests of did an outstanding job in bringing back a hospitality that has long been missed since the Golden Age of Norwescon. Honor This year we set a daunting task for our new Direc- tor of Membership Services/Registration. We tasked A convention becomes a special event when its Guests Ben Schreiber with writing a new registration pro- of Honor individually, and as a whole, set a standard gram. This took him many long hours and numerous of excellence for others to follow. This year we were little gray cells to produce, but he came through privileged to have a blockbuster line up of SF/F lu- above and beyond the call and I want to extend my minaries. The innumerable accomplishments and thanks to him for all of his hard work. accolades of these special members of Norwescon Really I’m almost done! 23 are well documented and listed elsewhere. What Another person who often gets overlooked is the hit home at the con this year was what they did above recording secretary of a convention. Alyxx Feltser and beyond what could be expected of a convention has been a tremendous contribution to this year’s GoH. executive team, and Betty and I want to thank her As professionals, these people were always will- for all of her hard work and many extra tasks be- ing to show up on time and go the extra mile to fore and during the convention which she took on make things better for the everyone. They were to help ensure this years success. polite, helpful, and courteous with the convention No convention can be run without volunteers. staff and membership. Jennifer Brehl and Peter At best this can be a daunting task, at worst near Schneider, seeing that help was needed moving maddening. But Shawn Marier head of our Person- equipment and supplies in Hospitality, pitched nel Department, and his staff took on this task and right in without a second thought; Barclay Shaw ran with it. I know all of the volunteers will like to stayed well after his scheduled time to sign auto- join me in thanking Shawn and his staff for all of graphs and just visit during the volunteer event; Bjo the support they provided to the ConCom and the and John Trimble took the time to talk to a fan who volunteers of Norwescon. was feeling down; Gregory Benford was willing to Last but not least, is the Laurel to my Hardy, Cheryl take a less convenient flight home in order to spend Ferguson, Director of Convention Services. She has more time at the convention; David Brin bent over the unenviable task of running Norwescon during backwards to make everything he was involved the convention. During the many long hours of the with special for the audience; and even surprise convention it is her job to make sure that the conven- guest John Travolta came down from the stage to tion runs smoothly and safely. Norwescon couldn’t sign autographs, shake hands, and visit with his happen without her good humor, common sense and fans who were unable to walk up the stairs. dedication. I’d also like to thank her and her staff for It was these, and numerous other examples, that making possible the appearance of John Travolta. It make this group of honorees a program director’s was she and her staff that took on the last minute dream come true. I feel especially privileged to have complications and responsibilities in making his ap- met and worked with these stars of science fiction pearance possible and they deserve all the credit for and fantasy. I hope that all of our membership will this event. join me in thanking them for coming to Norwes- Lastly, lastly, the attendees of Norwescon are some con and making it the very special event that it was. of the most wonderful people in fandom. I would like to thank you all for making this one of the best conventions it has been my pleasure to be a part of. From all of the contes- tants in the Masquerade, to everyone in the halls and the volunteers who took time out from their convention 2 experience, you have made this year special and I hope that your experi- ence this year was all that you hoped it would be. Thank you for being part of Norwescon. See you next year. Pat Booze Chairman Norwescon 23 & 24 Guests of Honor David Briin, Jennifer Brehl representing HarperCollins, and Gregory Benford Burt Webb, John Cramer, Peter Ward, and William Calvin) for making this a memorable occasion.