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As someone who watches this convention closely, this is something I have been witnessing the last couple of months and think needs to have a light shed on the controversy. Current members of staff may try to delete it to save face.
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In September of 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. released a new [[Articles of Association]] document <ref name="Geek.Kon AoA">{{cite web|title=Geek.Kon AoA|url=http://www.geekkon.net/documents/GeekKonAoARevision5Amendment3.pdf|publisher=Geek.Kon|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>. In the original document, this elected a team of new Officers, which would be the primary business owners for five years. This was done, according to staff members, without a mass staff approval. There is question as to if a [[quorum]] was achieved to make these new [[bylaws]]. This also alienated any staff member in which did not live in the Madison, WI area as well as staff members who had stepped down from a head position for whatever reason, be it health, workload, or just simple burnout. Due to this, many staff members have spoken out against the convention and its new officers and called for changes <ref name="Geek.Kon Drama Master Post">{{cite web|title=Geek.Kon Drama Master Post|url=https://geekkondrama.tumblr.com/post/167199018313/master-post|publisher=Geek.Kon Drama|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>. Other than four revisions of the original document, last of which occurring October 8, 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. has not stated anything publicly about these other staff members speaking out against the convention. Many have since speculated whether or not an event in 2018 will even occur due to two entire departments stepping away (Security and Guest Services/Relations) and other members of staff stepping away and speaking publicly about it.
In September of 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. released a new [[Articles of Association]] document <ref name="Geek.Kon AoA">{{cite web|title=Geek.Kon AoA|url=http://www.geekkon.net/documents/GeekKonAoARevision5Amendment3.pdf|publisher=Geek.Kon|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>. In the original document, this elected a team of new Officers, which would be the primary business owners for five years. This was done, according to staff members, without a mass staff approval. There is question as to if a [[quorum]] was achieved to make these new [[bylaws]]. This also alienated any staff member in which did not live in the Madison, WI area as well as staff members who had stepped down from a head position for whatever reason, be it health, workload, or just simple burnout. Due to this, many staff members have spoken out against the convention and its new officers and called for changes <ref name="Geek.Kon Drama Master Post">{{cite web|title=Geek.Kon Drama Master Post|url=https://geekkondrama.tumblr.com/post/167199018313/master-post|publisher=Geek.Kon Drama|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>. Other than four revisions of the original document, last of which occurring October 8, 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. has not stated anything publicly about these other staff members speaking out against the convention. Many have since speculated whether or not an event in 2018 will even occur due to two entire departments stepping away (Security and Guest Services/Relations) and other members of staff stepping away and speaking publicly about it.


===Event history===
==Event history==
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Revision as of 17:45, 6 November 2017

Geek.Kon
Geek.Kon logo
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueMarriott Madison West Hotel and Convention Center
Location(s)Middleton, Wisconsin
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2007
Attendance2,585 (in 2016)
Organized byGeek.Kon, Inc.
Filing statusNot-for-profit
Websitewww.geekkon.net

Geek.Kon is a multigenre convention in Madison, Wisconsin, United States.[1]

History

The convention was started by UW students Louise Behnke, head of the SciFi Club, and Jackie Lee, head of the Anime Club.[2] The two groups and the Madison Academics’ Gaming Enthusiast Society were planning the convention by March 2007.[3] Geek.Kon was first held began in October 2007 at the University of Wisconsin–Madison's George L. Mosse Humanities Building as a two-day free convention. Expecting hundreds, it received over 1800 attendees.[4] In 2008, the convention expanded to include one of the upper floors of nearby Vilas Hall. In 2009 the convention separated from the University of Wisconsin, went private, moved to the Madison Sheraton Hotel, expanded to three days, and began charging admission.[5] Beginning in 2010, the convention moved to the Marriott Madison West Hotel in Middleton[6] and has been there ever since.

New Management and Controversy

In September of 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. released a new Articles of Association document [7]. In the original document, this elected a team of new Officers, which would be the primary business owners for five years. This was done, according to staff members, without a mass staff approval. There is question as to if a quorum was achieved to make these new bylaws. This also alienated any staff member in which did not live in the Madison, WI area as well as staff members who had stepped down from a head position for whatever reason, be it health, workload, or just simple burnout. Due to this, many staff members have spoken out against the convention and its new officers and called for changes [8]. Other than four revisions of the original document, last of which occurring October 8, 2017, Geek.Kon Inc. has not stated anything publicly about these other staff members speaking out against the convention. Many have since speculated whether or not an event in 2018 will even occur due to two entire departments stepping away (Security and Guest Services/Relations) and other members of staff stepping away and speaking publicly about it.

Event history

Dates Location Atten. Guests
October 6–7, 2007 University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, Wisconsin		1,800Blame Society Productions,[2][3][9][10] Luke Ski,[3][9][11] Monte Cook,[3][9][12] Joan Vinge,[9] Sarah Monette, Aaron Pavao, Studio AntiThesis
September 27–28, 2008 University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, Wisconsin		1,144Luke Ski, Chad Vader, David Salo, Sarah Monette, Aaron Pavao, Steam Century, Studio AntiThesis
October 23–25, 2009 Madison Sheraton Hotel
Madison, Wisconsin		1,036[13]Kyle Hebert, Raven Software, Chad Corrie, Steam Century, Aaron Pavao, The Spoony Bards, Fermata, Studio AntiThesis.[14]
September 3–5, 2010 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		1,211Christopher Ayres, Eric Vale, John Kovalic, Raven Software, Jim Frenkel, Bill Bodden, Matt Forbeck, Aaron Pavao, Monica Valentinelli, Matt McElroy, The Spoony Bards, Dr. Cancer and the SKAmbies.[15]
September 9–11, 2011 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		1,625Bill Bodden, Troy Denning, Matt Forbeck, Jerry Jewell, John Kovalic, Aaron Pavao, David Salo, Sonny Strait, Monica Valentinelli, I Fight Dragons
September 7–9, 2012 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		1,800Elaine Cunningham, Caitlin Glass, Jerry Jewell, Matt McElroy, Aaron Pavao, Michael Stackpole, Eric Stuart, Monica Valentinelli[16]
August 23–25, 2013 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		2,018Bill Bodden, Tim Buckley, Bridget Landry, Matt M. McElroy, John Jackson Miller, Chris Patton, Aaron Pavao, Ryan Reynolds, David Salo, Alexis Tipton, Monica Valentinelli, Rob Wieland
August 22-24, 2014 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		Tia Ballard, Martin "LittleKuriboh" Billany, Alex Bledsoe, Bill Bodden, Chris Cason, Christopher Jones, John Kovalic, Matt M. McElroy, Marianne Miller, Aaron Pavao, Joseph Scrimshaw, Mark Stegbauer, Monica Valentinelli
August 21-23, 2015 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		Greg Weisman, Jan Scott-Frazier, Ned the Dead, Matt Greenfield, Emma Bull, Mark Stegbauer, Alex Bledsoe, Christopher Jones, Tiffany Grant, Bill Bodden, Matt M. McElroy, Monica Valentinelli, Aaron Pavao, Will Shetterly
August 26-28, 2016 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		2,585Jerry Jewell, Ryan Reynolds, Christina Kelly, Jason Carter, Bill Bodden, Matt M. McElroy, Monica Valentinelli, Aaron Pavao, Alex Bledsoe, Mark Stegbauer, Briana Lawrence, Catie Pfeifer, Enrica Jang, Jennifer Smith, Jessica Walsh, John Jackson Miller, Melissa Olson, Peter Liethen.
August 25-27, 2017 Marriott Madison West
Middleton, Wisconsin		TBDJeff Nimoy, Robert Axelrod (actor), Brad Swaile, Eloy Lasanta, Neall Raemonn Price, Ryter Rong, Linkara -- More to be announced [17]

References

  1. ^ Miller II, Stanley A. (2009-10-22). "Geek.Kon freak is on". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Journal Sentinel Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2009-10-22. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b Greenway, Katie (2007-10-05). "Get your Geek.Kon with weekend fest". The Badger Herald. Vol. XXXIX, no. 25. The Badger Herald. p. 3. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Dar, Stephanie (2007-10-05). "First Geek.kon sci-fi convention to draw hundreds to UW campus". The Daily Cardinal. The Daily Cardinal. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ VanEgeren, Jessica (2008-09-29). "Hundreds embrace their inner geek". The Capital Times. Capital Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Geek.Kon 2009". UpcomingCons.com. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  6. ^ "Geek.Kon 2010". Geek.Kon Inc.
  7. ^ "Geek.Kon AoA" (PDF). Geek.Kon. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  8. ^ "Geek.Kon Drama Master Post". Geek.Kon Drama. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  9. ^ a b c d Denaro, Emily (2007-10-01). "Better geek than meek: Geek.Kon invades Madison". The Daily Page. The Isthmus. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Willems, Kelsey (2007-10-01). "Meet Your Geek: 'Chad Vader' Creators". Wisconsin State Journal. Capital Newspapers. pp. A3. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Willems, Kelsey (2007-10-03). "Meet Your Geek: Singer Of Comedy Songs". Wisconsin State Journal. Capital Newspapers. pp. A1. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Willems, Kelsey (2007-10-04). "Meet Your Geek: Dungeons And Dragons Guru". Wisconsin State Journal. Capital Newspapers. pp. A1. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved 2017-01-29. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Geek.kon 2009 Information". AnimeCons.com. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  14. ^ "Geek.Kon". Geek.Kon. Archived from the original on 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2009-10-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Geek.Kon". Geek.Kon. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  16. ^ "Geek.Kon". Geek.Kon. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  17. ^ "Geek.Kon". Geek.Kon. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
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