Date:	December 4, 1996
	Contact:	Laurie Mann
		Press Relations Area Head
		LoneStarCon 2, PO Box 27277, Austin, TX 78755-2277
		lauriem@dpsinfo.com
		http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/

The 55th World Science Fiction Convention, LoneStarCon 2, will take place in San Antonio, Texas, from August 28-September 1, 1997, at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. The Worldcon is the annual gathering of science fiction writers, artists, publishers and readers. The Worldcon attracts about six thousand attendees from around the world. In addition to the traditional art show, Hugo Awards, book-filled dealer's room and masquerade, this Worldcon will display its Texan roots by sponsoring a Chili Cookoff.

The guests of honor for the 1997 Worldcon are Algis Budrys and Michael Moorcock, the guest artist is Don Maitz, the fan guest is Roy Tackett, and the toastmaster is Neal Barrett, Jr.

Membership Information

LoneStarCon 2 is open to the public. Here are the rates for memberships in LoneStarCon 2:

	Attending	$120	includes admission to all events and exhibits, voting rights and all publications
	Supporting	$25	includes voting rights and all publications
	Children, 3-12	$40	includes admission to all events and exhibits

These rates are good through December 31, 1996.

From January 1, 1997-July 31, 1997 the rates will be:

	Attending	$135	includes admission to all events and exhibits, voting rights and all publications
	Supporting	$25	includes voting rights and all publications
	Children, 3-12	$40	includes admission to all events and exhibits

Full convention and day rates will be available at the door.

Chili Cookoff

LoneStarCon 2 will be the site of a Chili Appreciation Society International-sanctioned Chili Cookoff. The Chili Cookoff will have three categories:

• CASI-sanctioned chili (no fillers)
• fun fan chili
• commercial chili

The LoneStarCon2 Chili Cookoff will take place at 8:00p.m. on Friday, August 29, 1997 at La Villita. The public is invited to attend the Chili Cookoff. Funds raised by the Chili Cookoff will be donated to the San Antonio Public Library.

Hotel Reservations

The LoneStarCon hotels are the Marriott Rivercenter and the Marriott Riverwalk. Reservation forms will be mailed to all LoneStarCon 2 members in February with Progress Report 5. The hotels will not accept LoneStarCon 2 registration requests until late February.

Upcoming Progress Reports

Progress Report 4 and the Hugo nomination ballots will be sent to all LoneStarCon 2 members in December. Progress Report 5 will include hotel information and reservation forms and will be sent to all LoneStarCon 2 members in February.

Dealers' Room

For information about selling books or other items in the Dealers' Room, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Steve Francis, 5503 Matterhorn Drive, Louisville, KY 40216-1326.

Art Show

Space is still available in the Art Show - the main mailing should go out in January. To receive Art Show mailings, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Pegasus Management, 2501 W. Sublett #890, Arlington, TX 76017. Artists may also request information by sending E-mail to pegasus@bab.com.

Volunteers Needed!

LoneStarCon 2 is one of the largest annual events in America to run almost exclusively on volunteer labor. Worldcons always need more volunteers. To help out at the next Worldcon, write to Volunteers c/o the LoneStarCon box.

Press Information

Press releases will be mailed to major media outlets several times before the Worldcon. The press is invited to use any information at the LoneStarCon 2 Web site (http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/). Additionally, an online press area has been established at http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/press/

Press credentials will be extended to professional journalists and photographers who have been assigned to cover LoneStarCon 2 for newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations and new media outlets. Due to the large number of free lance writers, photographers, and Web developers in fandom, press credentials cannot be extended to everyone. If you have any doubt about your ability to be credentialed, please write to Laurie Mann, c/o the LoneStarCon 2 box, or send E-mail to lauriem@dpsinfo.com.

Ways of Reaching LoneStarCon 2

Address	LoneStarCon 2, PO Box 27277, Austin, TX 78755-2277
Voice	512-472-9944
FAX	512-472-4290
E-mail	alamo@alamo-sf.org
URL	http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/

LoneStarCon 2, is a service mark of Austin Literary Arts Maintenance Organization (ALAMO), Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit literary, educational corporation. All rights reserved.
"World Science Fiction Society", "WSFS", "World Science Fiction Convention", "Worldcon", "NASFiC", and "Hugo" are registered service marks of the World Science Fiction Society, an unincorporated literary society.

Reference Web URLs

	LoneStarCon2 Internet Information Center	http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/
	LoneStarCon2 Press Page	http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/press/
	LoneStarCon2 Guest Biographies	http://www.alamo-sf.org/lonestarcon2/
	San Antonio	http://www.tristero.com/usa/tx/sa/
	Marriott Rivercenter	http://www.marriott.com/marriott/tx-185.htm
	Marriott Riverwalk	http://www.marriott.com/marriott/tx-186.htm
	Chili Appreciation Society International	http://www.bigbend.com/casi/
	World Science Fiction Society	http://www.wsfs.org

Return to the LoneStarCon 2 Press Page.