LepreCon
GenreScience fiction
Location(s)Phoenix, Arizona
CountryUnited States
Organized byLepreCon, Inc
Filing statusNon-profit
Websiteleprecon.org

LepreCon is an annual science fiction convention with an emphasis on art held in and around Phoenix, Arizona usually in May around Mother's Day weekend. It is the second oldest science fiction convention in Arizona.[1] It is sponsored by LepreCon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation. LepreCon 43 was held July 1–4, 2017; in November, 2017, LepreCon, Inc. chose to cancel LepreCon 44 in the previously announced format as the Phoenix Sci-Fi & Fantasy Art Expo, which had been scheduled for March 2018 at the Unexpected Art Gallery.

History

The early LepreCon conventions were held around St. Patrick's Day weekend, thus giving birth to the name of the convention, a pun on leprechaun. As the tourist season expanded in Arizona, the normal dates for the convention moved into the May time frame with an occasional foray into June. Leprecon, Inc. is an Arizona non-profit corporation that sponsors the annual LepreCon conventions. Leprecon, Inc. has also sponsored the 2004 World Horror Convention, the 2004 World Fantasy Convention, the 2006 Nebula Awards, the 62nd annual Westercon in 2009 (also called FiestaCon) and held the first ever North American Discworld Convention in 2009. Because of these special events LepreCon 35 (2009) was a fan gathering, or relaxacon. LepreCon 36 (2010) returned as a traditional LepreCon.

In 2011 at Renovation (Worldcon 2011) in Reno, NV, Leprecon Inc announced a bid to host the 2014 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) should London, UK, win their 2014 Worldcon Bid. At Chicon 7 (Worldcon 2012 in Chicago, IL) London did win their bid and Phoenix In 2014 NASFiC Bid became official (www.phoenixin2014.org). The vote for NASFiC 2014 and Worldcon 2015 will be held at Worldcon 2013 (LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio, TX).[2]

In 2012 Leprecon Inc decided to start a gaming convention, ConFlagration (www.conflag.org). It was held June 25–27, 2012, at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona. The convention broke even and the organization is debating whether to continue running them annually.

Leprecon, Inc. decided to make the convention have an emphasis on art, with the artist guest being given top billing as well as featuring a local artist guest. Starting in 2005 with LepreCon 31, the LepreCon film festival was started to provide an additional focus on filmmaking.

Leprecon Guests of Honor read like a Who's Who of science fiction and fantasy artists and authors. Past artist guests include Frank Kelly Freas, Michael Whelan, Phil Foglio, Donato Giancola, Janny Wurts, Don Maitz, Liz Danforth, Stephen Hickman, Bob Eggleton, Larry Elmore, Alan A. Clark, Dave Dorman, Jael, Howard Tayler, Monte M Moore, Lubov, Kevin Ward, Laura Brodian Freas, Sue Dawe, Rowena Morrill, Jim Fitzpatrick, Richard Hescox, Alan Gutierrez, Kim Poor, Lela Dowling, Real Musgrave, George Barr, Alicia Austin. Author guests have included Marion Zimmer Bradley, Roger Zelazny, Gordon R. Dickson, Ray Feist, Larry Niven, Robert Silverberg, Poul Anderson, Jack Williamson, Chelsea Quinn Yabro, Tim Powers, David Drake, and Kevin J. Anderson.

With 2020 being cancelled resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 46th was deferred to 2021.

Guests of Honor

LepreConDateLocationGuests of HonorChair
40May 8–11, 2014Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Steam Crow
Author GoH: Gail Carriger
Local Art Industry GoH: Krysta Crawford
Donald Jacques
39May 9–12, 2013Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Raymond Swanland
Author GoH: Jack McDevitt
Art Industry GoH: Jon Schindehette
Virtual GoH: Michael Moorcock
Music GoH: Nancy Freeman
Ghost GoH: Ray Bradbury
Patti Hultstrand
Donald Jacques
38April 6–8, 2012Tempe Mission Palms
Tempe, AZ
Artist GoH: Franchesco
Author GoH: Joe Haldeman
Local Artist GoH: Mark Greenawalt
Special Media GoH: Stephen Furst
Music GoH: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff
Gaming GoH: Todd VanHooser
Mark Boniece
37May 6–8, 2011Tempe Mission Palms
Tempe, AZ
Artist GoH: John Picacio
Author GoH: Elizabeth Bear & Sarah Monette
Music Guest: Seanan McGuire
Lee Whiteside
36May 14–16, 2010Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Charles Vess
Author GoH: George R. R. Martin
Local Artist/Author GoH: James A. Owen
Music Guest: Emma Bull
Lee Whiteside
35October 2–4, 2009Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
LepreCon 35 convention was a fan
gathering/relaxacon instead of a full
scale convention
Ethan Moe
34May 9–11, 2008Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Howard Tayler
Author GoH: Emily & Ernest Hogan
SPFX Makeup GoH: David Ayers
Local Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Special Media GoH: Chase Masterson
Liz Hanson
33May 11–13, 2007Phoenix Marriott Mesa
Mesa, AZ
Artist GoH: Jael
Author GoH: Karen Traviss
Local Artist GoH: Nola Yergen-Jennings
Music GoH: Emma Bull
Shahn Cornell
32May 5–7, 2006Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Alan A. Clark
Author GoH: John Vornholt
Special Media GoH: Bill Blair
Local Artist GoH: Gilead
Music GoH: Bill Laubenheimer
Larry Vela
31May 6–8, 2005Carefree Resort
Carefree, AZ
Artist GoH: Dave Dorman
Author GoH: Kevin J. Anderson
Local Artist GoH: Sarah Clemens
Special Guest Artist: Bear Burge
Music Guest: Mitchell Burnside Clapp
Larry Vela
30May 7–9, 2004Sheraton Crescent Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Donato Giancola
Author GoH: David Drake
Local Artist GoH: Sylvana Andershon-Gish
Special Guest: John Eaves
Music Guest: Mara Brener
Mark Boniece
29May 16–18, 2003Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Larry Elmore
Author GoH: Charles de Lint
Local Artist GoH: Madame M
Media Technical Guest: Richard Coyle
Music Guest: Karen Willson
Shahn Cornell
28May 17–19, 2002Embassy Suites Phoenix North
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Monte M. Moore
Author GoH: Peter David
Local Artist GoH: James Reade
Music Guests: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff
Lee Whiteside
27May 18–20, 2001Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Stephen Hickman
Author GoH: Michael A. Stackpole
Local Artist GoH: Robert Ross
Music Guests: Echo's Children
Mark Boniece
26May 22–24, 2000Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Lubov
Author GoH: John DeChancie
Local Artist GoH: Larry Vela
Filk GoH: Marilyn Miller
Dave Hungerford
25May 14–16, 1999Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Michael Whelan
Author GoH: Larry Niven
Local Artist GoH: Robert Peacock
Filk GoH: Lynn Gold
Pat Connors
24May 15–17, 1998Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Janny Wurts
Author GoH: Tim Powers
Media GoH: Marc Scott Zicree
Special Guest: Don Maitz
Local Artist GoH: C. F. Yankovich
Filk Guests: Jeff Bohnhoff & Maya Kaatherine Bohnhoff
Ray Gish
23May 16–18, 1997Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Kevin Ward
Author GoH: Dave Wolverton
Local Artist GoH: Leslie D'Allesandro Hill
Media GoH: George Johnsen
Charles Jarvis
22May 17–19, 1996Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Bob Eggleton
Author GoH: Tracy Hickman
Local Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Media GoH: Mojo
Toastmaster: Michael A. Stackpole
Filk: Mitchell & TJ Burnside Clapp
Jay Patton
21May 26–29, 1995Francisco Grande Hotel
Casa Grande, AZ
Artist GoH: Laura Brodian Freas
Author GoH: D.C. Fontana
Special Spouse GoH: Frank Kelly Freas
Special Artist Guest: Nancy Strowger
NASA Science Guest: Charles "Les" Johnson
Filk: Barry & Sally Childs-Helton
Dave & Kim Hiatt
20May 1994
(Cancelled)
Pati Cook
19June 4–6, 1993Camelview Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Sue Dawe
Author GoH: S.P. Somtow
Local Artist: Katrine Cady
Doug Cosper
18March 27–29, 1992Celebrity Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Liz Danforth
Author GoH: Michael A. Stackpole
Eric Hanson
17May 3–5, 1991Safari Resort
Scottsdale, AZ
Artist GoH: Rowena Morrill
Author GoH: Carole Nelson Douglas
Author Guest: Melinda Snodgrass
Local Artists: Deb Dedon & Earl Billick
Dave & Kim Hiatt
16April 13–16, 1990Phoenix Sheraton
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Jim Fitzpatrick
Author GoH: Rick Cook
Fan GoH: Cristi Simila
Eric Hanson
151989Phoenix Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Richard Hescox
Author GoH: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
Fan GoH: Sue Thing
Sam Stubbs
14April 1–3, 1988Phoenix Hyatt RegencyArtist GoH: Alan Gutierrez
Author GoH – Steven Barnes
Fan GoH – Richard Wright
Ray Gish
13June 5–7, 1987Phoenix Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH – Phil Foglio
Author GoH – Raymond Feist
Fan – Susan Potter
Eric Hanson
12May 29 – June 1, 1986Artist GoH – Kim Poor
Author GoH – Jo Clayton
Fan GoH: Peggy Crawford
Special Guest: Jennifer Roberson
Don Wollheim cancelled due to health reasons.
Terry Gish
11April 5–7, 1985Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH – Lela Dowling
Author GoH – G. Harry Stine
Author GoH – Lee Correy
Fan GoH – Roy Tackett
Clif Baird
10April 20–22, 1984Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Real Musgrave
Special GoH: C. J. Cherryh
Fan GoH: Sleepyhawk Simila
Pati Cook
9May 20–22, 1983Ramada TowneHouse
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH: Frank Kelly Freas
Author GoH: Jack Williamson
Fan GoH: Elayne Pelz
Toastmaster: Bill Rotsler
Terry Gish
81982Caravan Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH – George Barr
Fan GoH – jan howard finder
Toastmaster – Bill Rotsler
Zetta Dillie
71981Caravan Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Artist GoH – Alicia Austin
Fan GoH – Bruce Miller
Barry Bard
6May 2–4, 1980
(Cancelled)
Hyatt Regency
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH – Gordon R. Dickson
Fan GoH – Milt Stevens
Toastmaster – Terry Carr
Randy Rau
5May 1979Quality Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH – Ian Ballantine
Fan GoH – Skip Olson
Ken St. Andre
4March 17–19, 1978Los Olivos Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Pro GoH – Poul Anderson
Fan GoH – Fred Haskell
Toastmistress – Carolyn Thompson
(Marion Zimmer Bradley according to Lep 11 retro)
M.R. Hildebrand
3March 18–20, 1977Grand Canyon, AZAuthor GoH – Robert Silverberg
Toastmistress – Marion Zimmer Bradley
Barry Bard
2March 19–21, 1976Ramada Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Author GoH – Roger Zelazny
Toastmaster – F. M. Busby
Greg Brown
1March 14–16, 1975Quality Inn
Phoenix, AZ
Author GoH – Larry NivenBruce Pelz

Awards and honors

In 2010, Phoenix New Times declared LepreCon "Best Sci-Fi Convention" in its annual Best of Phoenix awards.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Best of Phoenix: Best Sci-Fi Convention – 2010". Phoenix New Times. September 29, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  2. "Leprecon 2010". UpcomingCons.com.
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