Renovation, The 69th World Science Fiction Convention Reno, Nevada, USA – August 17-21, 2011

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Reno, Nevada, USA – Renovation, the 69^th World Science Fiction Convention, has taken over from Aussiecon 4, the 68^th World Science Fiction Convention, as the current Worldcon.

The official transition occurred at the Aussiecon closing ceremony held in Melbourne, Australia on Monday, September 6, 2010. Patty Wells, Renovation chair, invited professionals and fans to come together in Reno in August 2011 to celebrate science fiction in all its forms as well as catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Worldcon is one of the largest global events run purely by volunteers. Renovation expects to welcome around 4,000 attendees for the five days of the convention including writers, artists, editors, publishers, filmmakers, musicians and fans. Particular recognition will be given to the Guests of Honor – author Tim Powers, editor Ellen Asher, artist Boris Vallejo and publisher and fan Charles N. Brown. The event will also make a significant contribution to the local economy with a positive economic impact estimated to be over $6 million dollars.

Over 150 volunteer staff are already working to make the event a success with many more to be recruited over the coming months.  This volunteer effort to coordinate and put on Worldcon is the biggest example of science fiction’s unique economy of goodwill.

Renovation’s program continues to take shape and will include over 400 hours of panels, talks, readings, workshops and autograph sessions. Each evening of the convention will feature a highlighted major event including themed Music and Art Nights as well as the traditional Masquerade and Hugo Award Ceremonies. Alongside these events, Renovation will also host a substantial Art Show and a Dealers’ Room where members can buy books, prints, jewelry, models, craft work and more.

To quote Patty Wells, “with four of the last six Worldcons held outside the US, it’s great to bring Worldcon to Reno for the first time. We intend to put on a unique event with a program and exhibits that reflect our theme of New Frontiers. We have wonderful hotels and facilities and we’re an easy drive from the Bay Area.  Reno is also a very affordable location to visit. We hope to welcome back many fans who may have missed the last couple of conventions as well as reach out to new fans who have never been to Worldcon. We hope to see you in Reno.”

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More details and memberships for Renovation can be found online at www.renovationsf.org. We encourage your input to help us create a memorable Worldcon.

For direct press questions or requests to be removed from the Renovation press release mailing list, e-mail press@renovationsf.org. Direct general queries go to info@renovationsf.org.

“World Science Fiction Society”, “WSFS”, “World Science Fiction Convention”, “Worldcon”, “NASFiC”, “Hugo Award”, and the distinctive design of the Hugo Award Rocket are service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.