One week from today, Thursday, August 9th, thousands of Star Trek fans will descend upon Las Vegas, Nevada for Creation Entertainment’s 2012 Official Star Trek Convention.
The convention runs from Thursday through Sunday and is the largest yearly event of it’s kind, featuring a veritable who’s who of Star Trek actors, writers, producers, vendors and fans. The 2012 convention celebrates the 25th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which premiered on syndicated television, back in 1987.
This year’s convention returns to the Rio Suites Hotel and Casino, a location first used for last year’s gathering, after moving from it’s former home at the Las Vegas Hilton.
While the absence of both Leonard Nimoy and Patrick Stewart will be felt, William Shatner is set to headline the event, which features over 70 celebrities, including Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner.
While Gold and Captain’s Chair tickets are sold out, Preferred and General Admission options are still available on Creation’s website.
Guests
The annual four-day event boasts an impressive lineup of Star Trek actors. Some of the guests include:
Star Trek: The Original Series
William Shatner, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Grace Lee Whitney, Celeste Yarnall and Bobby Clark.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Michael Dorn, Colm Meaney, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, John deLancie, Diana Muldaur, along with writers Brannon Braga and Ron Moore.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Avery Brooks, Michael Dorn, Colm Meaney, Rene Auberjonois, Chase Masterson, Armin Shimerman, Max Grodenchik, Aron Eisenberg, Casey Biggs, Andrew Robinson, JG Hertzler, Robert O’Reilly and Jeffrey Combs.
Star Trek: Voyager
Kate Mulgrew, Ethan Phillips, Tim Russ, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Robert Picardo, Garrett Wang and Robert Duncan McNeill.
Star Trek: Enterprise
Scott Bakula, Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating.
Creation Events
Creation has announced that the “main event” of the convention will be the appearance of four Star Trek captains (William Shatner, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew and Scott Bakula) on stage together. That very special appearance will take place on Sunday.
Avery Brooks performing in concert on Saturday night. Tickets to the concert are included for Gold Weekend, Captain’s Chair and Preferred Weekend Patrons. General admission tickets are available for $30.
William Shatner’s new EPIX documentary, “Get A Life!” will be screened on Sunday.
DS9 actors Armin Shimerman, Jeffrey Combs and Casey Biggs will perform various works of Shakespeare on Thursday.
TrekNews.net’s own John Tenuto will present four panels over the weekend. Alternate Treks: What Could Have Been for II, IV, and VI on Thursday, 25 Years of the Official Star Trek Fan Club: Rare Photos from the Pages of the Communicator on Friday, Pictures of the Future: Rare Photos from the Making of Star Trek II and VI on Saturday, and The History of Star Trek Collectibles on Sunday.
On Friday, Ashley Eckstein from Her Universe, Mary Czerwinski, Charity Wood and Kayla Iacovino present a Trek Girl panel.
The annual costume parade, featuring some of the most creative costumes in the world, will take place on Saturday evening.
Following last year’s acheivement, the judges from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand again as an attempt is made to break the 2011 record of 1040 costumed Star Trek fans.
A full rundown of official events is available at Creation’s website.
On Thursday and Friday night, Rod Roddenberry will present screenings of his documentary “Trek Nation.”
Other Events
Larry Nemecek’s Trekland and “The Con of Wrath” along with DVD Geeks, Televixen and TrekNews.net present the second annual “Spockstar” party on Wednesday night at the Masquerade Bar inside the Rio starting at 9 p.m. Just as we did last year, we’ll have trivia and tons of great prizes to give away.
TrekRadio is hosting three events during the weekend — a “Masaka” party at the Masquerade Bar on Thursday at 6 p.m., a Star Trek Online developer panel on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the DeForest Kelley Theatre, and a “Meet the Devs” meet and greet with the Star Trek Online developers at the iBar on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Not able to make it to Vegas this year? Well, I’ve got good news for you. TrekNews.net will be on hand all four days, updating the front page of the website with exclusive news and photos live from the convention floor. We’ll also be tweeting pics and updates over at @TrekNewsnet on Twitter.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s convention? Let us know in the comments below.
Jeffrey
August 2, 2012 at 11:20 am
Sounds incredible. Wish I could be there!
HS
August 2, 2012 at 11:22 am
That’s one hell of a lineup, but does anyone else find it strange that Patrick Stewart won’t be at the 25th anniversary of TNG con?
Dania39
August 2, 2012 at 1:42 pm
apparently he’s been asked to take part in the london olympics closing ceremonies…..understandable, but still – dang it!!!!
ConnieRC
August 16, 2012 at 7:09 am
Aside from actually CARRYING the Torch, he is presiding over a number of events, as well as, I believe, part of the Closing Ceremony. This is the only Con for the 25th that he’s not attending, known in advance to Creation …. but not mentioned to the fans, who thought they’d be seeing all Five Captains. Alas, who can blame him?! Olympics in your own country … or another 45 min. talk, an hour of autographs, 20 mins. of photos, and then off again? OLYMPICS! 🙂
Sarah
August 2, 2012 at 12:20 pm
I can’t freaking wait!