LepreCon is an annual science fiction convention with an emphasis on art held in and around Phoenix, Arizona usually in May around Mother's Day weekend. It is the second oldest science fiction convention in Arizona. It is sponsored by LepreCon, Inc., an Arizona non-profit corporation. LepreCon 43 was held July 1–4, 2017; in November, 2017, LepreCon, Inc. chose to cancel LepreCon 44 in the previously announced format as the Phoenix Sci-Fi & Fantasy Art Expo, which had been scheduled for March 2018 at the Unexpected Art Gallery.
History The early LepreCon conventions were held around St. Patrick's Day weekend, thus giving birth to the name of the convention, a pun on leprechaun. As the tourist season expanded in Arizona, the normal dates for the convention moved into the May time frame with an occasional foray into June. Leprecon, Inc. is an Arizona non-profit corporation that sponsors the annual LepreCon conventions. Leprecon, Inc. has also sponsored the 2004 World Horror Convention, the 2004 World Fantasy Convention, the 2006 Nebula Awards, the 62nd annual Westercon in 2009 (also called FiestaCon) and held the first ever North American Discworld Convention in 2009. Because of these special events LepreCon 35 (2009) was a fan gathering, or relaxacon. LepreCon 36 (2010) returned as a traditional LepreCon.
In 2011 at Renovation (Worldcon 2011) in Reno, NV, Leprecon Inc announced a bid to host the 2014 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) should London, UK, win their 2014 Worldcon Bid. At Chicon 7 (Worldcon 2012 in Chicago, IL) London did win their bid and Phoenix In 2014 NASFiC Bid became official (www.phoenixin2014.org). The vote for NASFiC 2014 and Worldcon 2015 will be held at Worldcon 2013 (LoneStarCon 3 in San Antonio, TX).
In 2012 Leprecon Inc decided to start a gaming convention, ConFlagration (www.conflag.org). It was held June 25–27, 2012, at Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, Arizona. The convention broke even and the organization is debating whether to continue running them annually.
Leprecon, Inc. decided to make the convention have an emphasis on art, with the artist guest being given top billing as well as featuring a local artist guest. Starting in 2005 with LepreCon 31, the LepreCon film festival was started to provide an additional focus on filmmaking.
Leprecon Guests of Honor read like a Who's Who of science fiction and fantasy artists and authors. Past artist guests include Frank Kelly Freas, Michael Whelan, Phil Foglio, Donato Giancola, Janny Wurts, Don Maitz, Liz Danforth, Stephen Hickman, Bob Eggleton, Larry Elmore, Alan A. Clark, Dave Dorman, Jael, Howard Tayler, Monte M Moore, Lubov, Kevin Ward, Laura Brodian Freas, Sue Dawe, Rowena Morrill, Jim Fitzpatrick, Richard Hescox, Alan Gutierrez, Kim Poor, Lela Dowling, Real Musgrave, George Barr, Alicia Austin. Author guests have included Marion Zimmer Bradley, Roger Zelazny, Gordon R. Dickson, Ray Feist, Larry Niven, Robert Silverberg, Poul Anderson, Jack Williamson, Chelsea Quinn Yabro, Tim Powers, David Drake, and Kevin J. Anderson.
With 2020 being cancelled resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 46th was deferred to 2021.
Guests of honor LepreCon Date Location Guests of Honor Chair 40 May 8–11, 2014 Phoenix Marriott MesaMesa, AZ Artist GoH: Steam CrowAuthor GoH: Gail CarrigerLocal Art Industry GoH: Krysta Crawford Donald Jacques 39 May 9–12, 2013 Phoenix Marriott MesaMesa, AZ Artist GoH: Raymond SwanlandAuthor GoH: Jack McDevittArt Industry GoH: Jon SchindehetteVirtual GoH: Michael MoorcockMusic GoH: Nancy FreemanGhost GoH: Ray Bradbury Patti HultstrandDonald Jacques 38 April 6–8, 2012 Tempe Mission PalmsTempe, AZ Artist GoH: FranchescoAuthor GoH: Joe HaldemanLocal Artist GoH: Mark GreenawaltSpecial Media GoH: Stephen FurstMusic GoH: Jeff & Maya BohnhoffGaming GoH: Todd VanHooser Mark Boniece 37 May 6–8, 2011 Tempe Mission PalmsTempe, AZ Artist GoH: John PicacioAuthor GoH: Elizabeth Bear & Sarah MonetteMusic Guest: Seanan McGuire Lee Whiteside 36 May 14–16, 2010 Phoenix Marriott MesaMesa, AZ Artist GoH: Charles VessAuthor GoH: George R. R. MartinLocal Artist/Author GoH: James A. OwenMusic Guest: Emma Bull Lee Whiteside 35 October 2–4, 2009 Phoenix Marriott MesaMesa, AZ LepreCon 35 convention was a fangathering/relaxacon instead of a fullscale convention Ethan Moe 34 May 9–11, 2008 Francisco Grande HotelCasa Grande, AZ Artist GoH: Howard TaylerAuthor GoH: Emily & Ernest HoganSPFX Makeup GoH: David AyersLocal Artist GoH: Liz DanforthSpecial Media GoH: Chase Masterson Liz Hanson 33 May 11–13, 2007 Phoenix Marriott MesaMesa, AZ Artist GoH: JaelAuthor GoH: Karen TravissLocal Artist GoH: Nola Yergen-JenningsMusic GoH: Emma Bull Shahn Cornell 32 May 5–7, 2006 Embassy Suites Phoenix NorthPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Alan A. ClarkAuthor GoH: John VornholtSpecial Media GoH: Bill BlairLocal Artist GoH: GileadMusic GoH: Bill Laubenheimer Larry Vela 31 May 6–8, 2005 Carefree ResortCarefree, AZ Artist GoH: Dave DormanAuthor GoH: Kevin J. AndersonLocal Artist GoH: Sarah ClemensSpecial Guest Artist: Bear BurgeMusic Guest: Mitchell Burnside Clapp Larry Vela 30 May 7–9, 2004 Sheraton Crescent HotelPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Donato GiancolaAuthor GoH: David DrakeLocal Artist GoH: Sylvana Andershon-GishSpecial Guest: John EavesMusic Guest: Mara Brener Mark Boniece 29 May 16–18, 2003 Embassy Suites Phoenix NorthPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Larry ElmoreAuthor GoH: Charles de LintLocal Artist GoH: Madame MMedia Technical Guest: Richard CoyleMusic Guest: Karen Willson Shahn Cornell 28 May 17–19, 2002 Embassy Suites Phoenix NorthPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Monte M. MooreAuthor GoH: Peter DavidLocal Artist GoH: James ReadeMusic Guests: Jeff & Maya Bohnhoff Lee Whiteside 27 May 18–20, 2001 Holiday Inn SunSpree ResortScottsdale, AZ Artist GoH: Stephen HickmanAuthor GoH: Michael A. StackpoleLocal Artist GoH: Robert RossMusic Guests: Echo's Children Mark Boniece 26 May 22–24, 2000 Holiday Inn SunSpree ResortScottsdale, AZ Artist GoH: LubovAuthor GoH: John DeChancieLocal Artist GoH: Larry VelaFilk GoH: Marilyn Miller Dave Hungerford 25 May 14–16, 1999 Holiday Inn SunSpree ResortScottsdale, AZ Artist GoH: Michael WhelanAuthor GoH: Larry NivenLocal Artist GoH: Robert PeacockFilk GoH: Lynn Gold Pat Connors 24 May 15–17, 1998 Francisco Grande HotelCasa Grande, AZ Artist GoH: Janny WurtsAuthor GoH: Tim PowersMedia GoH: Marc Scott ZicreeSpecial Guest: Don MaitzLocal Artist GoH: C. F. YankovichFilk Guests: Jeff Bohnhoff & Maya Kaatherine Bohnhoff Ray Gish 23 May 16–18, 1997 Francisco Grande HotelCasa Grande, AZ Artist GoH: Kevin WardAuthor GoH: Dave WolvertonLocal Artist GoH: Leslie D'Allesandro HillMedia GoH: George Johnsen Charles Jarvis 22 May 17–19, 1996 Francisco Grande HotelCasa Grande, AZ Artist GoH: Bob EggletonAuthor GoH: Tracy HickmanLocal Artist GoH: Liz DanforthMedia GoH: MojoToastmaster: Michael A. StackpoleFilk: Mitchell & TJ Burnside Clapp Jay Patton 21 May 26–29, 1995 Francisco Grande HotelCasa Grande, AZ Artist GoH: Laura Brodian FreasAuthor GoH: D.C. FontanaSpecial Spouse GoH: Frank Kelly FreasSpecial Artist Guest: Nancy StrowgerNASA Science Guest: Charles "Les" JohnsonFilk: Barry & Sally Childs-Helton Dave & Kim Hiatt 20 May 1994(Cancelled) – – Pati Cook 19 June 4–6, 1993 Camelview ResortScottsdale, AZ Artist GoH: Sue DaweAuthor GoH: S.P. SomtowLocal Artist: Katrine Cady Doug Cosper 18 March 27–29, 1992 Celebrity HotelPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Liz DanforthAuthor GoH: Michael A. Stackpole Eric Hanson 17 May 3–5, 1991 Safari ResortScottsdale, AZ Artist GoH: Rowena MorrillAuthor GoH: Carole Nelson DouglasAuthor Guest: Melinda SnodgrassLocal Artists: Deb Dedon & Earl Billick Dave & Kim Hiatt 16 April 13–16, 1990 Phoenix SheratonPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Jim FitzpatrickAuthor GoH: Rick CookFan GoH: Cristi Simila Eric Hanson 15 1989 Phoenix Hyatt RegencyPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Richard HescoxAuthor GoH: Chelsea Quinn YarbroFan GoH: Sue Thing Sam Stubbs 14 April 1–3, 1988 Phoenix Hyatt Regency Artist GoH: Alan GutierrezAuthor GoH – Steven BarnesFan GoH – Richard Wright Ray Gish 13 June 5–7, 1987 Phoenix Hyatt RegencyPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH – Phil FoglioAuthor GoH – Raymond FeistFan – Susan Potter Eric Hanson 12 May 29 – June 1, 1986 – Artist GoH – Kim PoorAuthor GoH – Jo ClaytonFan GoH: Peggy CrawfordSpecial Guest: Jennifer RobersonDon Wollheim cancelled for health reasons. Terry Gish 11 April 5–7, 1985 Hyatt RegencyPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH – Lela DowlingAuthor GoH – G. Harry StineAuthor GoH – Lee CorreyFan GoH – Roy Tackett Clif Baird 10 April 20–22, 1984 Hyatt RegencyPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Real MusgraveSpecial GoH: C. J. CherryhFan GoH: Sleepyhawk Simila Pati Cook 9 May 20–22, 1983 Ramada TowneHousePhoenix, AZ Artist GoH: Frank Kelly FreasAuthor GoH: Jack WilliamsonFan GoH: Elayne PelzToastmaster: Bill Rotsler Terry Gish 8 1982 Caravan InnPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH – George BarrFan GoH – jan howard finderToastmaster – Bill Rotsler Zetta Dillie 7 1981 Caravan InnPhoenix, AZ Artist GoH – Alicia AustinFan GoH – Bruce Miller Barry Bard 6 May 2–4, 1980(Cancelled) Hyatt RegencyPhoenix, AZ Pro GoH – Gordon R. DicksonFan GoH – Milt StevensToastmaster – Terry Carr Randy Rau 5 May 1979 Quality InnPhoenix, AZ Pro GoH – Ian BallantineFan GoH – Skip Olson Ken St. Andre 4 March 17–19, 1978 Los Olivos HotelPhoenix, AZ Pro GoH – Poul AndersonFan GoH – Fred HaskellToastmistress – Carolyn Thompson(Marion Zimmer Bradley according to Lep 11 retro) M.R. Hildebrand 3 March 18–20, 1977 Grand Canyon, AZ Author GoH – Robert SilverbergToastmistress – Marion Zimmer Bradley Barry Bard 2 March 19–21, 1976 Ramada InnPhoenix, AZ Author GoH – Roger ZelaznyToastmaster – F. M. Busby Greg Brown 1 March 14–16, 1975 Quality InnPhoenix, AZ Author GoH – Larry Niven Bruce Pelz
Awards and honors In 2010, Phoenix New Times declared LepreCon "Best Sci-Fi Convention" in its annual Best of Phoenix awards.
References
External links The Leprecon, Inc. website The LepreCon 39 website
The North American Discworld Convention website The Phoenix In 2014 NASFiC Bid website The 2012 ConFlagration website