The Fandom Society of Alberta is a non-profit society for the fandom community in Alberta for the mutual interest, appreciation, and celebration of all things Science Fiction, Fantasy, and beyond! Membership is FREE!
What is Fandom?
For the purpose of this society “Fandom” is defined as the community of people that come together to share their mutual appreciation, interest, and celebration of science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, historical recreation, military, gaming, and/or anime in literature, books, art, motion picture, television, gaming (tabletop, role-playing, and video/computer), and internet media.
The Fandom Society of Alberta has been set up for the fandom community to come together for activities, events, and programs. Watch our Events page to learn about what is being planned.
What will Fandom Society do?
To build and continue the existence of fandom in Calgary and Alberta, the society will provide valuable membership by starting and/or running various events, activities, and workshops for the members either for free or at a discounted rate. Ideas for these activities that we are working on see the Events page. Some activities being worked on but not limited to are:
- Annual Convention
- Bookstore events
- Monthly coffee shop and/or pub gatherings
- Movie screenings and premieres
- Social gatherings
- Author readings and signings, and similar events
- Book clubs
- A digital newsletter, and website to promote the society and any groups or clubs that wish to be associated with the society
- Arranging for member discounts with various related retailers
- Monthly workshops on various topics such as, but not limited to:
- Roleplay gaming
- Costuming and cosplay
- Writing
- Video making and editing
- Art
- And more!
Who are the Board of Directors for Fandom Society?
The Board of Directors is made up of the following people who hope to bring back and energize the fandom in Alberta that is made up of attendees of current and past conventions, and interest groups. Also, any fan of speculative fiction and media outside of, but including, the people and groups that attend the Fan Expo Calgary Comic and Entertainment Exposition.
They are:
Paul Bushell
- Former chairman of the Calgary Science Fiction and Fantasy Society 2000-2002 and ran the Con-Version SF/F Convention in 2000-2002. Con-Version committee member for 1999.
- Former member of the USS Astra Star Trek Fan Club in Calgary.
- Has attended Con-Version, ST Con, Vul-Con, Non-Con, Ono-Con, Meme-Con, Calgary Expo and When Words Collide.
John Halliday
- Former member of the USS Astra, and member of the USS Chinook, USS Cerberus (Edmonton), USS Cortana (Medicine Hat), USS Atlantia (Atlantic), and USS Vimy Ridge (Online) Star Trek Fan Clubs.
- Has attended Con-Version, ST Con, Calgary Expo, and Vul-Con.
Sandra Fitzpatrick
- Treasurer and current member of the Imaginative Fiction Writers Association.
- Former committee member for When Words Collide.
- Former member of the Society of Creative Anachronism.
- Has attended Worldcon, Con-Version and When Words Collide Conventions.
Kirstin Morrell
- Former Chairman of the Con-Version SF/F Convention, 2007.
Pam Garding-Smith
- Former Committee member of the Con-Version SFF Convention, 2003.
- Former member of the USS Astra, IKCV K’Tan, and Shuttle Celestia, Star Trek Fan Clubs.
- Guest services coordinator, Calgary Expo 2017.
- Has attended Con-Version, Gen-Con, Vul-Con, Calgary Expo, SCA, and ST Con conventions in Calgary.
- Interesting note- got married in a Klingon style wedding at Vul-Con.
History of Fandom
The history of SFF fandom in Alberta includes many fan-run conventions, clubs, groups, and events. Some of these are:
- Con-Version SFF Convention
- Non-Con SF Convention
- When Words Collide Convention Readers and Writers Conference
- Calgary Comic Book Show
- Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, by Fan Expo
- ST Con Star Trek Fan Convention
- Vul-Con Star Trek Fan Convention
- USS Astra Star Trek Fan Club
- USS Chinook Star Trek Fan Club
- Society for Creative Anachronism
- Calgary Anime-Fest
- Edmonton Expo
- Calgary Horror Convention