Status Active Location(s) North America | Genre Fantasy Inaugurated 2009 | |
The North American Discworld Convention (a.k.a. NADWCon) is a fan-run science fiction convention to celebrate the works of Sir Terry Pratchett, focusing primarily on his long-running series of Discworld novels. It is held biennially on odd-numbered years to accommodate the UK Discworld Convention, which is on even-numbered years. The first NADWCon was held in 2009 and sponsored by Arizona-based LepreCon, Inc. The 2013 convention was held on July 5–8 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel.
Contents
The NADWCon program includes several large-scale events, such as the Gala Banquet, Maskerade (honoring Pratchett's novel of the same name), Charity Auction, and Guest of Honor Interview. The 2009 convention also featured a convention-wide Seamstress Guild Party on the opening night. These large events are mixed with smaller panels, discussion groups, games, guest klatches, and other activities.
History
Discworld Conventions have been held in the UK since 1996, but prior to 2009 one had not been successfully attempted in North America. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, Pratchett did a booksigning and Q & A session for Thud! at Olsson's Books & Records in Arlington, VA, and was asked during the Q & A portion (by the future Vice Chair of NADWCon2009) whether he would be willing to attend a North American convention if one were to be organized for him - to which he heartily answered "yes." Planning for the convention began that night and gained momentum until, after securing sponsorship from LepreCon, Inc. and acquiring a number of experienced convention runners for its chair and committee positions, registration for the 2009 convention opened in November 2007. Registration capped out and closed prior to the 2009 convention, at approximately 1,040 members.
Infrastructure
Following the successful conclusion of NADWCon2009, an oversight and sponsorship committee, dubbed The Guild of Chelonavigators, was formed to decide the location of the next convention and to maintain any archives and assets of the conventions from year to year. The Guild currently consists of a chair, four voting members, and a consulting member. The Guild is not actively involved in planning the biennial conventions; rather, it acts as an advisor to the convention's planning committee, and a sponsor to the convention as needed.
Marks
The logo for NADWCon2009 featured the convention name encircling a stylized turtle and the number '2009.' The motto of the convention was, "The Turtle Moves!" The turtle seal was designed by Emily S. Whitten, Vice Chair and Webmaster of NADWCon2009, who owns the rights to the design. The Guild of Chelonavigators has adopted the stylized turtle, with permission, for its logo.
The logo for NADWCon2011 features a black owl with a white ankh defining its beak and doubling as chest-markings for the owl, sitting on the "2011," and encircled by the convention name in yellow and red. The owl is grasping sausage links in its claws, which trail down to encompass the 2011 convention logo: "More Ankh, Morpork!" The owl seal was designed by Jon Lemerond, Vice Chair of NADWCon2011.
The logo for NADWCon2013 features a traditional disc with four elephants, but the turtle, Great A'Tuin, has been replaced by a Maryland blue crab, which Baltimore is famed for. The crab holds in its claw a banner which reads "The Turtle Moved!" The original concept was conceived by Ben Jarashow and the final design was created by Ray Friesen.