SwanCon is not a UniSFA event, but is attended by many UniSFAns, and many UniSFAns have become involved in running it.

SwanCon is the premier annual science fiction convention in Western Australia. It is usually 4 or 5 days long and (unless some other NatCon takes it) traditionally occurs over the Easter long weekend. It is regularly the Australian NatCon, which tends to boost interstate attendance, but locals still predominate. There is normally at least one overseas guest, interstate personalities as well as local sf luminaries as well as plenty of Unisfans and our friends in attendance.

Unlike cons elsewhere, it's not aimed just at literary, media or anime fans but normally has program items and even whole streams catering to the different science fiction interest areas. It's also unusual in that participation in discussions and panels is often not just the "usual suspects", but includes first time attendees all the way to grizzled old-timers (and SMOFs). There's normally a fairly busy disorganised programme of gaming, socials, parties and restaurant excursions during the con with the opportunity to make new friends (and enemies!).

Some of the more fiscally-challenged members prefer GenghisCon, though of course there is no reason (other than cost) not to attend more than one con. There are plenty of people who go to both.

UniSFA has intermittently booked a hotel room for members who cannot afford a room of their own to sleep in. This room often becomes alarmingly (and quite probably illegally) overcrowded. There are also incidents of people having sex while the room is full of sleeping people, with varying degrees of success at hiding this from the other occupants.

Swancon memberships will often be available from the UniSFA Treasurer, or local genre book shops. Ask at the clubroom or consult the SwanCon website.

UniSFA: SwanCon (last edited 2009-12-23 14:59:30 by localhost)