For many of us, March of 2020 was the last time anyone attended a convention regardless of size. As the news of a worldwide pandemic made its impact on everyone, we had to adapt our lives to what was called the new norm. Globally, mandates and restrictions kept not just convention operators, but the entirety of the entertainment industry from operating. Fast forward a year and a half later and we are just now arriving at a point in which conventions, and our lives, can continue.
It was August of this year was that marked my first return to the convention scene at Creation Entertainment’s 55 Year Mission; formerly the Official Star Trek Convention. The event was held in Las Vegas, Nevada a mega center for a spike in COVID-19 cases over the summer. Of course there was some hesitation from both sides of the spectrum as they considered the option to again put the show on hold. Many thought that restrictions to attendance numbers would again be put in effect and the show would not happen.
We watched day in and day out as media guests continued to cancel their appearance. It was only through swift negotiations that the convention kept adding guests even to the final minutes before the show started.
The convention went off without a hitch with no instances of COVID-19 being spread amongst the attendees. Anyone attending the show was required to have a negative test or provide proof of vaccination. In addition, everyone was required to wear a mask inside the convention as ordered by local officials. Between the actors and attendees stood plexiglass barriers as means to provide some protection. This made it very difficult whenever you wanted to speak to someone almost to a point of needed to shout.
With the successful conclusion of the convention, it was shown that it is possible for folks to resume some of the conventions albeit with a few modifications. While events like San Diego Comic-Con and some of those large scale events may not happen in 2022, I’m positive we have turned that point as a society.
Regardless of your position on masks and so on, I really think we as attendees have had an opportunity to take a step back and examine things like personal hygiene and personal space in regards to our fellow conventioneer. We must strive to overcome this and we will at some point in the near future. We will again be able to attend conventions and celebrate the great things surrounding fandom and what it has to offer.
Be excellent to each other
Justin Toney
Managing Editor
www.FandomAppearances.com
