Sci-fi convention! Help me with ideas plz!

[Quilt12]

Hi OS! It's been so long since I've been back. I got a new job, an apartment, host a club, and assist with a convention! Anyways!
What comes to mind when you guys think of a Sci-fi convention? Like anything, panels, events, things people are selling? I'm trying to get ideas and feedback since this convention has an aging fan base. I want to include Sci fi anime, artists, and honestly anything fun! So anything at all helps. Thanks guys! Love you all

[Tiotsh]

Hey man, nice to see you here! Welcome back : )

First of all my knowledge of Sci-Fi in general is extremely limited, and I admit I've never been to a proper convention before. However if you're wishing to get out-of-the-box ideas, that might not be bad altogether eheh.
I will let my fellow otakus learned in light novels to share the latest trends in the field, but surely there's a lot to be found.

I have classic tastes myself: always up for a good adaptation like that of 'a scanner darkly'. (old planet of the apes, some Kubrick films, or less serious ones like Re-animator ..). We have so many subgenres nowadays that it's difficult to completely harmonise Sci-Fi as a whole. So why not envision a particular theme and make some analogical research on it?

Might be cool to have some kind of 'obake yashiki' with a Sci-Fi vibe. That's a lot of work, but definitely worth it.

Also thinking of classics, there are lots of games (escape games, board games... But not only). I would totally recommend the Lovecraft themed 'Fluxx' card game, which takes 40 seconds to explain, and it's a lot of fun. Love those, and so long as you've got a group of at least 3 people, you're not limited. (Wish we could easily get our hands on films like 'Dagon' and screen them)
Drifting to anime and manga I think the past years were generous enough with Lovecraft's revival. Tanabe Gou has been making a truly exceptional piece of work that I hope you have looked into, as if you want posters and whatnot, it would be grand to put it forward.
Then in this community we have a morbid love for tentacles and (... Okay I'll stop there)
Joke aside, Bungou Stray Dog's use of literature, Lovecraft included, is particularly brilliant and gives new wings on how to mingle and stretch perspectives on Sci-Fi.

Then if you want to have a mecha vibe, what I love about it is that it's both old-fashioned and avant-guard at the same time. Why not look into the Steins / Robotics;Notes series and make some kind of (escape?) game like the littles challenges to unlock mysterious files and crack a code at the end (yes yes I wonder where that came from indeed :v)

I'll keep you posted if anything else comes to mind.

Also, don't forget to keep us posted what seems relevant, wife-material, and also send us pics and stuff of the event afterwards, that'd be awesome : )

Edit: I also find that Sci-Fi has this synthetic vibe ringing to my ears. A workshop constituted of only sci-fi *sounds*, like a dark room with neon lights or whatever, would be cool. You can design games around it, like trying to find the references, or even have some chill / relaxing loop for those who need a rest. At least working with just the sounds is something the genre makes possible as they can be easily recognised and that would make good use of 7.1 technology.

*sends love*

Tiot

[Quilt12]

Thanks so much! I can post pics of this past weekend. I am trying to help with next year's set up right now :)