This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Star Trek Las Vegas Con hosted by Creation. Being a long term “Trekkie”, I have never once been able attend an official Trek con. So was very looking forward to it: got myself a hotel room for the long weekend, got my Lower Decks uniform ready to wear and was ready to purchase tons of unneeded Trek items. But once on the convention floor I was hit with sad reality of the facts this wasn’t a good con. The word I’ve used to describe the weekend would be “disappointing”. I honestly don’t know what I was expecting but being underwhelmed wasn’t it.
First and foremost I did have fun. Got to see Vegas, have some drinks, and hang with friends. But the whole reason I was going was to experience an official Star Trek Convention. And from what I’ve been told, “this is the biggest and best”. Well, I’d hate to see the worst, because what I was saw was just a major bummer. Usually held at the Rio, this year the con was held at the Bally’s Hotel in what was possibility the smallest convention room I’ve seen since a Palm Springs Comic Con. The floor had only three aisles of merch, it being mostly the same merch sold by different venders with subtle price changes and usually not in the good way.
Most of the floor is set up for the meet and greet of the actors from many different Trek series. Which is great! If you’re into that. A costly memorable experience for the people who want to spend the money, it ranges from 40 to 100 depending on the stature of the talent. For example, a character actor that may have done some work on one or two episodes of Trek was about 35-40. Whereas a captain of a show, your Shatners or Mulgrews, are 100-150 each. Again, if you’re into that, do your thing. Spend the money on that memory. I’m personally not that person, seeing them from afar on stage or a panel is great.
Speaking of panels: they had three stages, but only was being used. The only big room I saw maybe held about 1500 people or so, only half filled with chairs. I found out that if you paid more, you could sit closer. So now they’re managing to microtransaction seats too. If I paid for a certain badge, I could sit closer to the stage and hear what was being said. Only watched a little of one panel, mostly just to sit for a bit, but they only had two speakers at the front of the auditorium. So, if you sat in the cheap seats, you could barely make out what was being said, and the videos they had playing of what was happening were such low quality you couldn’t really make out who was talking. Just more disappointment.
They had two unused stages with nothing going on until nighttime events and several rooms with just not a lot going on. The had a costumes room, which I was looking forward to seeing. They literally had five costumes, from the motion picture and OG series. Five. There are more than 700 episodes of Trek and 15 movies. Five costumes.
There were signs everywhere for a pop-up bar based on the actor who played Scotty in the OG series called “Jimmy’s Place”. It looked like a big deal was being made about this bar. I’m thinking replica of 10 Forward or Quarks…nope. Was just a single bar with one bartender. Looked more like he should be at a wedding and no signature drinks, and I kid you not, only one person there: one very over-heated woman dressed as a sweaty Klingon. In a room set up for more than 500 I’d assume.
There were several nighttime activates being held: comedy by Tig Notaro, a Trek Gala hosted by Robert Picardo, movie screenings, a costume contest, and wine tasting. All things you had to pre purchase months in advance and tickets were not available there due to selling out.
They had a few panels celebrating the life of Nichelle Nichols, as they should, and throughout the con were several tributes to her with inspirational quotes and memorable photos. These were a beautiful memorial to someone who meant so much to so many people. She will be missed.
On the positive note, most of the people there were in their element and having a blast. And frankly that’s what’s it’s all about. As they say, not about the destination, it’s about the journey. I saw people in fun cosplay making jokes and complimenting each other on their creativity. The smiles on people who got to meet the actors that meant something to them was wonderful and very heartwarming, and an overall feeling of acceptance no matter who or what you are is fantastic. The Trek community is and has always been a welcoming place for all who love and need it. While my Trek Con dreams may have not been met I don’t regret a thing and will always have a place in my heart for Trek.
