Star Trek Las Vegas Convention Recap

If you’ve followed me the last few years, you already know that Creation’s Star Trek Las Vegas (STLV) Convention in August has been one of my greatest tools to help shake the funk of those post-SDCC blues. This year was no different, as thousands of Trek fans from across the globe filled the Rio inLas Vegas.

First off, this was the second year that STLV spent in their new home at the Las Vegas Rio Casino and Resort. They have continued to make the most of the change in venue from the Las Vegas Hilton. Bigger panel rooms and a larger exhibitor hall make for a very comfortable show. After having had the show at the Hilton for so long, it was a brazen move to change spots but I commend the Creation team for doing so. This is a move that more cons should consider, as sometimes the discomfort of the move are well worth it in the longrun. As I stated last year, what theRio lacked in nostalgia, it made up for in most everything else. The greater space, improved accommodations, and better food options added to what has always been a fun convention experience.

It is always important to remind people that Creation shows are a very different type of con. These shows are normally extremely focused on a specific franchise and they handle activities much more like a cruise ship than a traditional con. There are constantly updates going out to the attendees as to what parties, activities and signings are going on at that exact moment. For those that have not attended a Creation event recently, I do recommend the experience. In total, the customer service they provide is something often missing at other cons. Their guarantee of a seat for each attendee in their main showroom is a very unique feature. For those that have attended events like San Diego Comic-Con or Star Wars Celebration, you know the stress of waiting hours for little more than a chance at a seat at your favorite panels. The comfort that comes with knowing that a seat is guaranteed cannot be overstated. Less time in line means more time enjoying other aspects of the show.

Beyond the usual fun of Star Trek Las Vegas, this year also had some unique highlights. One of my favorite memories for this year was the 25^th anniversary Star Trek: The Next Generation panel. As always, the cast was full of humor but the special nature of this particular year made for an even more reflective time. A particularly fun time was when the cast was asked to reflect back on their character and encapsulate them into a single word. In addition to the TNG panel, another personal favorite was the Voyager panel. Often seen as a step-child in the Trek universe, Voyager has become a personal favorite of mine and seeing the cast reflect back on favorite memories was really enjoyable. In addition to my personal favorites, there were a number of other panels featuring the top stars and writers of Star Trek history that kept fans riveted throughout the weekend.

So, another year and another successful STLV is in the books. Next year will pose an interesting challenge for some (like me!) as STLV will take place the same weekend as Disney’s D23 Expo. I’ll cover more aspects of this choice as we get closer to the two shows, but for now I suggest stopping by www.creationent.com and looking for the next show in your area.