The Society for the Promotion of Fannish Interests, Inc. presents

The Conventional Wisdom tm
Boot Camp

 

A basic workshop on
the organization and management of
science fiction and
fantasy conventions.

 

April 9-10, 2005
DoubleTree Hotel, San Jose


The Conventional Wisdomtm Boot Camp will cover the following topics during the weekend:

*   Starting a Convention

Why do You Want to Start a Convention?

Reasons to Not Start a Convention

*   Convention Mission Statements and Themes

Giving a Convention Purpose

Defining the "Flavor" of the Convention

*   Convention Organization

Hierarchical Organization

Division Structure & Responsibilities

Staff Qualifications

*   Facilities and Site Selection

Space Considerations

Contracts

Food and Catering

Transportation Considerations

*   Marketing, Publications & Publicity

Flyers

Progress Reports

Program Book

Daily Newsletter

Keys to Publicity

*   Budgeting and Record Keeping

Developing and Managing a Budget

Pricing a Membership

Record Keeping and Accounting

*   Convention Operations

Running the Show

Logistics

Security Considerations

*   Managing Staff

Managing Volunteers

Staff Motivation & Discipline

*   Selecting and Inviting Guests

Selecting Guests and Program Participants

Honored Guests and Special Guests

Guest “Perks”

*   Programming Basics

Developing Programming Ideas

Keeping to Your Theme

*   Advanced Programming

How to Build a Schedule

Matching Participants to Panels


Who Are We?

The Society for the Promotion of Fannish Interests, Incorporated (SPFII) is a non-profit "Public Benefit" corporation, chartered to promote Science Fiction and Fantasy (SF&F) fandom via educational activities.  We are a membership organization whose members come from the volunteers who organize our events.

Our instructors have experience as convention chairmen and division managers at events ranging in size from under 50 to over 5,000 attendees.  Many have over 20 years experience working on conventions.  We’ve been leading similar workshops for over a decade.

In addition to Conventional Wisdom workshops, SPFII plans to offer SF&F conventions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Why Conventional Wisdom?

We’ve seen the need to educate future SF&F convention organizers and volunteers about what it takes to run a convention.  Conventional Wisdom workshops are a way to encourage volunteer staff to master new skills in new areas.

Why a Boot Camp?

The "Boot Camp" is the big-picture overview of what a typical SF&F convention looks like from the inside.  It is designed to expose people to areas of a convention that they may not be familiar with and give them a foundation for further understanding.

Are There Other Workshops?

Yes.  We've already planned four "Advanced Topics" one-day workshops that will cover a single focus area in an intensive manner.

·   Management & Leadership
·   Budgeting & Finance
·   Operations
·   Facilities


Membership is $30 until March 1, 2005 • $40 until April 1, 2005.

Please print this page, fill-out the form, and mail it to:
Convention Wisdom * 1757 Peartree Lane * Mountain View CA 94040
Make check payable to "SPFI, Inc."
Date:
Name:
Business Name:  (optional)
Address:
City: State: Zipcode:
Phone: Email:
Privacy Notice: We will publish a list of our pre-supporter's names on our web site and in our publications. If you do NOT want your information to appear, please initial here _______ and date __________.

"Conventional Wisdom" is a trademark of the Society for the Promotion of Fannish Interests, Inc. (SPFII)
Contents copyright © 2004 by SPFII.
Updated 12/08/2004.