- Geek.Kon
Infobox Convention
name = Geek.Kon
caption = Geek.Kon logo
status = Active
genre = Multi-genre
venue = George L. Mosse Humanities Building
location =Madison, Wisconsin
country = United States
first = 2007
last =
organizer = SciFi Club and Anime Club, UW Madison
filing =
attendance =
website = http://www.geekkon.netGeek.Kon is an
anime ,science fiction , and gaming convention inMadison, Wisconsin ,United States . The convention is organized by aUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) student organization Geek-Kon Planning Group. [cite web | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SNVGjoDi | title = Organization's Information | work = RSO Directory | publisher = Student Organization Office -University of Wisconsin-Madison ]The 2007 inaugural Geek.Kon was co-sponsored by the East Asian Studies department at the UWcite web | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMmngWJy | title = Better geek than meek: Geek.Kon invades Madison | date = 2007-10-01 | last = Denaro | first = Emily | work = The Daily Page | publisher = The Isthmus ] , Lynn’s Craft Shop, and Four Star Video Heaven. It ran from 9:00 AM until 11:00 PM Saturday,
October 6 2007 , and 9:00 AM and until 5:00 PM Sunday,October 7 2007 . Activities includedcosplay , a special "Geek Cranium,"Warhammer and DDR tournaments. Approximately 600 to 1,000 attendees were expected for the 2007 event.Citation| last = Rath | first = Jay | year = 2007 | date = 2007-10-05 | title = A gaggle of geeks to gather | publisher =Capital Newspapers | periodical =Wisconsin State Journal | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMlrVClp ] cite web | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMupQkgU | title = First Geek.kon sci-fi convention to draw hundreds to UW campus | date = 2007-10-05 | last = Dar | first = Stephanie | work =The Daily Cardinal | publisher = The Daily Cardinal ] The final number of registered con goers was "almost 2,000" according to the convention.cite web | url = http://geekkon.net/ | title = Geek.Kon.08 | language = English | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeekkon.net%2F&date=2008-03-11 | archivedate = 2008-03-11 ] Later reports indicates that there were 1,800 attendees.cite web
url = http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/306882
title = Hundreds embrace their inner geek
accessdate = 2008-10-02
date = 2008-09-29
last = VanEgeren
first = Jessica
work = The Capital Times
publisher = Capital Newspapers
archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.madison.com%2Ftct%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F306882&date=2008-10-02
archivedate = 2008-10-02]In 2008, the convention ran September27 and 28, 2008.The convention grew enough that two buildings were required. [cite web
url = http://www.fox47.com/artman/publish/article_465.shtml
title = People Get Their Geek On
accessdate = 2008-10-02
date = 2008-09-28
last = Angileri
first = Jeff
work = Fox 47
publisher =WMSN
archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fox47.com%2Fartman%2Fpublish%2Farticle_465.shtml&date=2008-10-02
archivedate = 2008-10-02] Preliminary attendance was 900 attendees.Geek.Kon's Mission
Though there are several other conventions in the Madison area, Geek.Kon exists as a neutral ground for all things to geek out over. From gaming, science fiction, fantasy, and anime to costuming, artwork, and writing, Geek.Kon exists to introduce new geekdoms to anyone looking to expand their interests, take existing hobbies to new levels, or just try something new.
Events
* Anime Viewingcite web | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMmyInE7 | title = Collecting MadVideos -- Get ready for Geek.Kon in Madison | date = 2007-06-06 | last = Knutsen | first = Kristian | work = The Daily Page | publisher = The Isthmus ]
* SciFi Viewing
*Anime Music Video Contest
*Artist Alley & Art Show
* Board Games - Will feature an on stage competition of Geek.Kon's own "Geek Cranium" on Sunday.
* CCG/ Tournament
*Cosplay Contest and Masquerade
*Dance Dance Revolution tournametCitation | last = Greenway | first = Katie | year = 2007 | date = 2007-10-05 | title = Get your Geek.Kon with weekend fest | periodical =The Badger Herald | publisher = The Badger Herald | publication-date = 2007-10-05 | volume = XXXIX | issue = 25 | pages = 3 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMnI0pFu ]* Guitar Hero tournament
* LAN Games
*Live action role-playing game s
* Mixer - Music and possibly dancing
* Panels
*Role-playing game s
* Vendors
* Video Gaming Tournaments
*Warhammer - There will be both a Warhammer 40k tournament and a fantasy Warhammer tournamentGuests
Guests scheduled for 2007 included the creators of "
Chad Vader "Citation | last = Willems | first = Kelsey | year = 2007 | date = 2007-10-01 | title = Meet Your Geek: 'Chad Vader' Creators | publisher =Capital Newspapers | periodical =Wisconsin State Journal | pages = A3 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMmCmrkd ] , musicianLuke Ski Citation | last = Willems | first = Kelsey | year = 2007 | date = 2007-10-03 | title = Meet Your Geek: Singer Of Comedy Songs | publisher =Capital Newspapers | periodical =Wisconsin State Journal | pages = A1 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMmKLVUc ] , role-playing game designerMonte Cook Citation| last = Willems | first = Kelsey | year = 2007 | date = 2007-10-04 | title = Meet Your Geek: Dungeons And Dragons Guru | publisher =Capital Newspapers | periodical =Wisconsin State Journal | pages = A1 | url = http://www.webcitation.org/5SMmGIQjU ] and authorJoan Vinge .Origin
The convention was started by UW students Louise Behnke, head of the SciFi Club, and Jackie Lee, head of the Anime Club. The two groups and the Madison Academics’ Gaming Enthusiast Society were planning the convention by March 2007.
Convention Name
Being a con hoping to provide "all things geeky," Geek.Kon's name was difficult to select, because it had to represent gaming, Anime and SciFi equally. It was eventually decided that "Geek" had to be included, but that was too short on its own. And "Geek Con" just didn't look right. In the end, the choice of Geek.Kon was inspired by members of the Madison gaming community. The slogan of "Geek.Kon: Get Your Geek On" was added at the same time.
References
External links
* [http://geekkon.net/index Geek.Kon]
* [http://www.dane101.com/adventure/2008/09/30/geek_kon_2008_photos_from_cosplay_contest Geek.Kon 2008: Photos from Cosplay Contest]
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