User:Delaney07/The North American Discworld Convention

The North American Discworld Convention, a.k.a. NADWCon, is a biennial science fiction convention held in North America on odd-numbered years. This is done to accomodate the UK Discworld Conventions, which are held on even-numbered years. The first NADWCon was held in 2009 and sponsored by LepreCon, Inc. (which also sponsors Leprecon and other Arizona conventions). The next is planned for 2011.

The NADWCon is a fan-run convention designed to celebrate the works of Sir Terry Pratchett, and focusing primarily on his long-running series of Discworld novels. The program includes several large-scale events, such as the Gala Banquet, Maskerade (spelled in this manner due to Sir Terry'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 of 2007. Registration capped out and closed prior to the 2009 convention, at 1,040 members.

NADWCon2009

NADWCon2009 ran from Sept. 4 - 7, 2009. There was also a pre-convention event on Sept. 3, and a library appearance by Sir Terry (made possible by NADWCon, but not part of the official convention) at the Glendale, AZ library on September 8th.

The convention was considered a great success by all, and Sir Terry Pratchett declared it "the best Discworld Convention" he'd ever been to.

NADWCon2011

NADWCon2011 will be held in Madison, Wisconsin, on July 8-11, 2011, at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club.

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, who owns the rights to the design. The Guild of Chelonavigators have adopted the turtle, with permission, as their logo.

The logo and motto for NADWCon2011 are pending.