History of SWOC

conventions - past chairs - updates

Westercon 50 SWOC history page.

Conventions

SWOC was founded in 1990, with the purpose of both bringing together disparate groups within Seattle fandom to work together on a Westercon bid, and also to provide a separate corporate umbrella for the Westercon to protect other groups from any liability or deficit that might arise. Since then, it has organized the following conventions and bids:

Seattle in 2011 Worldcon bid (2006-present)

Chair: Bobbie DuFault
For the 50th anniversary of Seacon, the 1961 Seattle Worldcon, SWOC is bidding to bring the Worldcon back to Seattle! The bid was announced at LACon IV in 2006. Launch parties will be held at Norwescon, Archon/NASFiC, and Nippon 2007.

ConComCon (1994-present)

Chair: Sally Woehrle
Location: Holiday Inn Seattle &emdash; Seatac Airport
ConComCon is an annual convention for convention organizers held in the Pacific Northwest; in recent years it has been in Seattle, Portland, and Cle Elum.

Cascadia Con (2005)

Chair: Bobbie DuFualt; Vice Chairs: Pat Porter, Susan Robinson
Location: Seatac Airport Hilton and Conference Centre
Cascadia Con was the 8th North American Science Fiction Convention (or "NASFiC") held under the auspices of the World Science Fiction Society. The NASFiC showcased Pacific Northwest authors and fandom to members from across the United States and Canada, and served as a rehearsal for a future Worldcon.

Westercon 56 (2003)

Chair: William Sadorus
Location: Seatac Doubletree

Seattle in 2002 Worldcon bid (1996-1999)

Chair: Pat Porter

In 1996, SWOC launched a bid to bring the Worldcon to Seattle in 2002. Unfortunately, the bid was withdrawn when facilities became unavailable. The 2002 Worldcon, ConJose, was held in San Jose.

Westercon 50 (1997)

Chair: Sally Woehrle
Location: Seattle Sheraton

Westercon 46 (1993)

Chair: Richard Wright
Location: Bellevue Red Lion

Past SWOC Chairs

  • 2007: Jerry Gieseke
  • 2006: Jerry Gieseke
  • 2005: Shawn Marier
  • 2004: Sally Woehrle
  • 2003: Shawn Marier
  • 2002: Sally Woehrle
  • 2001: Sally Woehrle
  • 2000: Marjorie Rosen

    • Site Updates

  • Westercon 50 web site restored (posted July 7, 2007)
  • New board members elected June 10, 2007 (posted June 14, 2007)