Unicon (Maryland science fiction convention) explained

Unicon
Status:Defunct
Genre:Science fiction
Location:Maryland
Country:United States
First:1975
Last:1989

Unicon was an annual science fiction convention held in Maryland and at least once in Washington, D.C. from 1975 through 1989.

Unicon was born in the early 1970s on the second floor of the Stamp Student Union building at the University of Maryland, College Park. Unicon stood for University Convention. The University of Maryland Science Fiction Club was the organizing body. The club originally began as an open university course on science fiction with Stephen Rynas, a university junior, as the instructor.

Unicon I was held at the Interstate Inn on Route 1 in College Park. The Guest of Honor was Frederik Pohl.

Unicon outgrew any facilities in College Park and moved to the Silver Spring Sheraton (now a Hilton, where four Capclaves were held) for a successful run into the 1980s.

List of Unicons

NumberYear-Mo-DaysSiteFeatured GuestsChair(s)
11975College Park Interstate InnFrederik PohlNatalie Paymer
2B1976University of Maryland Student UnionL. Sprague de Camp, Ted WhiteNatalie Paymer
31977 7 8-10Silver Spring SheratonClifford D. SimakNatalie Paymer
41978 7 7-9Silver Spring SheratonTheodore SturgeonTheodore L. Manekin, Randy BrunkNatalie Paymer
51979 7 20-22Shoreham Americana,
Washington, D.C.
Ron Cobb|Dan O’Bannon|. Natalie Paymer, Theodore L. Manekin, Sue Ruth
61980 7 18-20Silver Spring SheratonJames P. HoganClinton Winchester, Theodore L. Manekin
1981none
821982 7 16-18Silver Spring SheratonHal Clement, Robert A. Madle, Karl KofoedClinton Winchester, Jim Williams
81983 7 15-17Silver Spring SheratonJoan D. Vinge, Michael J. Walsh, Teanna Lee Byerts, Jim FrenkelClinton Winchester
841984 7 20-22Silver Spring SheratonGene Wolfe, Dawn Wilson, Peggy Rae PavlatClinton Winchester
101985 7 19-21Silver Spring SheratonMichael Shea, Val Lakey Lindahn, Arthur W. SahaPaul Parsons
UniContinuity Party1986 7 26Church of the Ascension,
Silver Spring
871987 7 17-19Annapolis Holiday InnDavid Brin, David Mattingly, Marty GearClinton Winchester
121988 7 22-24Annapolis Holiday InnVernor Vinge, Ned DameronClinton Winchester
131989 7 14-16College Park Holiday InnTim Powers, Debbie Hughes, Mark MaxwellPaul Parsons

References