Make it So: ReedPOP’s Star Trek KHAAN!-vention
If there’s one thing we geeks love to do, it’s wax theoretical on all the things that could’ve or should’ve been in regards to our favorite characters or properties. From an unseen final season to a never-produced line of action figures, we want them. Now. Make it So!
It’s no secret that PanelsOnPages.com has a site-wide crush on the great folks over at ReedPOP, the team responsible for such killer events as New York Comic Con, C2E2, and STAR WARS Celebration. Sure, we might be biased, but we’ve been to enough comic-cons to know that fan-conventions get no better than the quality experiences provided by ReedPOP. ReedPOP deals with a variety of fan-interests, from Star Wars to comics to video games to mixed martial arts, so nothing should be considered too far outside their skill set. However, there’s one particular family of long-running conventions not in their portfolio, and we’d like to see ReedPOP go where they’ve never gone before. So let’s make like Jean-Luc Picard, and Make it So: ReedPOP’s Star Trek KHAAN!-vention!
2010 marked my first visit to ReedPOP’s STAR WARS Celebration, that year emanating from Orlando, FL. It felt as if the entirety of the massive Orange County Convention was dedicated to Star Wars celebratin’, and there were no shortages of photo ops, panels, exhibitors and shopping, all under an official Lucasfilm umbrella. A year later, thanks to the announcement of Leonard Nimoy‘s final Star Trek convention appearance, my Trek-lovin’ nerd-girlfriend and I made the trip to Chicago for Creation Entertainment‘s official Star Trek convention. While Chicago isn’t the big blow-off of Creation’s yearly Las Vegas Trek convention, considering the regional market and the added attraction of Nimoy’s last appearance, one would assume it’d be kind of a big deal. It really wasn’t. Instead of filling up an entire international convention center, this Trek convention was confined to three smallish rooms in the Wyndham Chicago. Star Trek Chicago was small even in comparison to some lesser Wizard World shows. I was amazed that such a popular property with such a loyal following wasn’t drumming up the kinds of crowds and publicity for their official conventions.
The 2012 show featured 4 of the 5 Trek Captains.
No disrespect to Creation Entertainment, as our experience wasn’t a bad one, but it felt like it could’ve and should’ve been so much more. I’d like to see the sizzle and scope of a ReedPOP convention applied to the #2 greatest science fiction series in history. Considering the current revival of the film franchise and our ever-growing nerd culture, there is no better time than now for a ReedPOP Star Trek KHAAN!-vention. Maybe the old school fans prefer the calm quiet of a Creation show, but the times, they are a-changing, and there is certainly a market out there for a massive Star Trek event. Cast members from across the numerous shows and movies are still actively participating in conventions across the country, Creation and otherwise, therefore panel and meet and greet opportunities would be plentiful. This week’s New York International Toy Fair is primed to introduce all new Trek merch from companies like Bif Bang Pow!, NECA, Hasbro, and Diamond Select, all which could be great exhibitors at a ReedPOP Trek show. Why shouldn’t there be a huge booth from IDW, the official Star Trek comic book licensee? Paramount could ship in massive props and sets from the current and classic series. I feel there might be a lot of missed opportunities in the current crop of Star Trek conventions that would be second nature to the ReedPOP team.
Shatner, Stewart, and Nimoy on stage.
–Knize
Filed Under: Make it So
YES YES YES YES YES YES. Agreed. All of it.
While I've heard the Vegas con is much more of a spectacle than the Chicago one we attended, I agree that the Creation cons lack the sparkle and polish that ReedPOP can bring to the table. I know that there are purists out there who love stripped-down "just the facts, ma'am" cons, but the face of the convention scene is changing to add entertainment value in addition to the staples of signings and vendors.