TROPICON XVIII

The South Florida Science Fiction Convention

Sponsored by the South Florida Science Fiction Society (SFSFS)

November 19-21, 1999

Guest of Honor Artist Guest of Honor
Mike Resnick
(Tropicon XIV Toastmaster)
Ron Walotsky

Mike Resnick and Ron Walotsky Headline South Florida SF Convention

Mike Resnick, award winning author, editor, fan, and award winning SF Artist Ron Walotsky are this year's Guests of Honor at South Florida's only general interest science fiction convention.

Mike, who was Toastmaster at Tropicon XIV, is the author of such novels and stories as Santiago, A Miracle of Rare Design, Ivory, Kirinyaga, "The 43 Antarean Dynasties," and "Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge," He has also edited numerous theme anthologies including Alternate Presidents, Alternate Kennedys, several volumes of Alternate Worldcons, Sherlock Holmes in Orbit, and Dinosaur Fantastic. Beyond being an excellent writer and editor, Mike is also a TruFan. For many years he and his wife, Carol, were very much into costuming and convention masquerades. They continue to attend many conventions every year, hanging out with fans, as well as with his professional colleagues. Mike has been a good friend to Florida Fandom, attending Tropicon and other conventions, supporting FANAC's Fan History Project, and helping programming. So come to Tropicon on November 19-21, and help us thank him.

The same can be said for Ron Walotsky. Ron has been illustrating science fiction and fantasy books and magazines since 1967. His work has also included surreal posters, "Horseshoe Crab Masks," album covers for RCA, Polydor, Nonsuch, and United Artists records and music videos for notable names such as Billy Joel and The Romantics. Recent covers include SF book club editions of Starplex, Hyperion, and Houston, Houston, Do You Read, as well as Conan the Defender  for Tor Books.

Ron's work has been exhibited all over the world, and hangs in many fine art collections, both public and private.

To see more of Ron's art, please check out INNER VISIONS - The artwork of Ron Walotsky, the official website of fantasy and science fiction artist Ron Walotsky.

Media Guest

Tropicon XVIII is pleased to announce that the Actor, Writer, Producer Peter Woodward will be attending as as our Media Guest.

Peter has appeared in a number of movies and television programs. He's currently best known for his role on the SF TV show Crusade as the Technomage Galen. In addition, he will soon be shooting a film called The Patriot with some guy named Mel Gibson. In 1997, he wrote, produced and starred in the feature film The House of Angelo with his father, Edward Woodward. For a more extensive filmography please go to Mr. Woodward's other Web Page.

Filmography data courtesy of The Internet Movie Database.

Peter is currently scheduled to attend Tropicon 18 on Sunday, November 21, 1999. Programming details to be determined.

Filk Guest

Joe Ellis (aka RoboFilker) hails from the Orlando area and is best known for his songs about the space program. He has a couple of CDs out, The Dream is Alive - Music Of The Space Shuttles, and The Synthetic Filker, which sport songs such as: Enterprise, Columbia's Children, On The Middeck, No Strings Attached, The Challenge of Space, Dawn of Discovery, Atlantis Rising, A Vision of Tomorrow, Endeavour: Dreamlifter, RoboFilker, Vanguard, Harbors. He has also written The Dream is Alive, which is a 4 movement instrumental suite based on a typical space shuttle mission.

Joe plans to do his famous, Sing-A-Long with the Oldies concert, so it s time for all you closet filkers to come out and join the rest of us.

Other Confirmed Guests

Other confirmed guests are:

Programming

Art Show & Auction Alien Casino & VIP Party Dealers' Room
Saturday Banquet Panel Discussions &
Other Goodies
Gaming
Con Suite Video Room Charity Auction

Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive Filk Returns to Tropicon

If you have any suggestions or requests for programming, or if there is some program that you think that we should avoid, please drop us a line (see Registration) or send e-mail to tropicon§sfsfs.org.

Program Book Advertising Rates

In addition to features and articles about our guests, artwork, the list of charity auctions, and local spots you can get a bite to eat at, there will be space for publishers' and dealers' ads, and assorted other advertising.

Program Book Ads:
Full Page: $100.00
Half Page: $60.00
Quarter Page: $35.00
Business Card: $25.00

All ads must be in black and white only, camera ready, and to size. Payment must be made out to "SFSFS" and accompany ad copy. Deadline for ads is November 1, 1999. Please see Registration for the address for ad submission.

Hotel

Tropicon has a new hotel


The Clarion Hotel

This year, Tropicon will be held in the beautiful Clarion Hotel on Hollywood Beach (which is just across the street). Located on the Intracoastal Waterway between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, the Clarion has two types of guest rooms, each with its own balcony, cable TV, and coffee pot. The Standard Deluxe Room, which has 2 double beds, is going for only $60.00 per night. The Clarion Business Class Rooms, which have a king-size bed, plus a microwave oven, refrigerator, iron, ironing board, hair dryer, and data port, are only $79.00 a night. These prices cover up to four people per room. Rollaway beds and refrigerators are also available for a nominal fee.

The room rates are much lower than at the last few Tropicons, so please come and spend the night. If you've never stayed over at a convention, you're missing half the fun!

The function space is just right for Tropicon. We'll have the second floor almost to ourselves. Registration will be on the second floor, right in front of the elevators, with the rest of our meeting rooms just down the hall including the Con Suite, which has its own outside terrace.

If you just hate being torn away from the convention to go in search of food, never fear! On the first floor, is a small Food Court featuring Pizzeria Uno, Nathan's Hot Dogs, Healthy Choice Deli, I Can't Believe It's Yogurt, Nestle Cookie Cafe and Sark's Gourmet Coffee! You can nip down there for a quick bite before heading back to the next amazing panel or slide show. The food court is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Other hotel restaurants include Silks, for more upscale dining, which is open from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. Entrees average around $15.00. Then there's the Palm Court breakfast buffet for $7.95. This runs from 7:00 to 10:00 AM.

There's an excellent outdoor swimming pool with a Tiki Bar (open noon till 4:00 pm), tennis and shuffle board courts. The pool-side terrace is elegant and spacious. This is where we plan to hold the famous "Velvet Comet Alien Casino & Meet the VIPs Party" (weather permitting).

The Hotel has plenty of free parking with easy access to I-95. Fort Lauderdale International Airport is just 7 miles to the north, and Miami International Airport is 22 miles to the south. Simply take I-95 to Hallandale Beach Blvd. then head East. When you reach Ocean Drive (A1A), make a left and the Clarion will be on your left.

Please reserve rooms by 11/5/99 to ensure availability.

4000 South Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019-3010

(954) 458-1900
(800) 329-9019
(954) 458-7222 (FAX)

For additional information about the Clarion hotel please visit their web page at http://www.clarion-hollywood.com. Thank you.



Registration

What?! You haven't sent in your registration yet?! C'mon, what are you waiting for?

Price List

Three Day Advance Memberships:
$24.00 till 10/31/99
Three Day Memberships:
$28.00 at the door
Children's Memberships (ages 5-11)
$10.00
SFSFS/Tropicon XVIII Combo
$35.00
Banquet Tickets:
$29.00 per person
Room Rates:
$60.00 - Standard
$79.00 - Business
Make resevations directly with the hotel
Dealer's Tables:
$45.00 each
Includes 1 membership
Dealer's Assistant:
$15.00 (1 per table)
Art Show:
Full panel/table: $25.00
Half panel/table: $15.00

In case you decide to wait until you actually show up to Tropicon to register, the registration hours are as follows:

Friday: Noon to 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 7 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 3 PM

To register, submit copy for program books ads, or for more information, including Dealer's Room or Art Show information, please contact our Chairman, George Peterson, at:

TROPICON XVIII
c/o SFSFS
PO Box ×××××
Fort Lauderdale, FL ×××××-××××

Or call:

Broward:(×××) ×××-××××
Dade:(×××) ×××-××××
Palm Beach:(×××) ×××-××××

Or send an e-mail message to tropicon§sfsfs.org.

You may also use the TROPICON XVIII Registration form.

Please make checks payable to SFSFS.

Volunteers Needed

Running a science fiction convention is a lot of work, and an extra pair of hands sure comes in handy. A lot of the "work" is also FUN! And you earn a lot of egoboo, too.

So, if you've ever wanted to get in on the behind the scenes stuff and make things happen, or just wanted to lend a hand, then volunteer.

Here are some of the areas where we need on-site assistance:

And there's more! If you want to help out, there's always a job waiting. Contact us by snail-mail or phone (see Registration) or send e-mail to tropicon§sfsfs.org.

The South Florida Science Fiction Society

Are you sad when Tropicon comes to an end? Do you miss the programs, or hanging out with people who share your interests? Don't you wish it could keep right on going year 'round? In a sense, it can; just become a member of the South Florida Science Fition Society!

Founded in 1985 to support Tropicon, SFSFS quickly developed a life of its own. We are one of only four SF clubs in the country to have its own clubhouse (located in Fort Lauderdale). We publish a bi-monthly newsletter, The Shuttle, hold monthly meetings, book discussions, media research and gaming meetings, an annual dinner and an annual picnic, and access to our lending library of several thousand books. Ask about our additional perks.

General Memberships are only $15.00, but if you act now, you can get a special Tropicon/SFSFS Combo deal: just send $35.00 by Halloween, and get both a membership to Tropicon, and a one year general membership to SFSFS.

Weapons Policy

No, nein, nej, non, nee, ei, okhee, nei, nie, nao, nyet, ne, lo, neyn, and NO WAY JOSE!!!!!! Get the idea? The only sharp things you'll need at Tropicon are your wits. There is only one exception to this policy. Some weapons may be allowed as part of a costume but they MUST be peace-bonded. There is no exception to this requirement.


Please continue to watch this space for information regarding TROPICON XVIII. We will be posting the latest and greatest news here as our plans develop.

Constructive suggestions for programming, panel discussions, and the like will be gratefully received.

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TROPICON XVIII is sponsored by the South Florida Science Fiction Society, a nonprofit literary society recognized by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3).


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Copyright© 1999, The South Florida Science Fiction Society