LoneStarCon 3 Names New Chair

Randall Shepherd announced today he is the new chair of LoneStarCon 3, the 2013 Worldcon now less than six months away.

He takes the place of original co-chairs Laura Domitz and Bill Parker who are continuing in the role of vice-chairs.

Shepherd has held various titles while serving on the LSC3 con committee — most recently vice-chair. A change of this magnitude means more than just swapping titles but the only insight Shepherd offered in his announcement was this: “As the convention heads into its final six months, a decision has been made by the ALAMO Board, in discussion with all affected parties, to streamline the organization and decision making processes.”

ALAMO is the nonprofit corporation behind LoneStarCon 3.

Shepherd’s statement ends:

For the team as a whole, our aims are unchanged. We will continue to focus on promotions to bring in more members, and on delivering an exciting convention which we can all be proud of and which showcases the best that Texas and Texas fandom has to offer, as we welcome the world to San Antonio.

LoneStar Con 3 Announces Guests

The Texas bid for the 2013 Worldcon was officially declared the winner at Renovation’s Saturday business meeting. It had been essentially unopposed and received 694 of the 760 votes cast, with 14 other choices receiving votes.

Co-chairs Laura Domitz and Bill Parker announced the con will be called LoneStar Con 3 and will be held in San Antonio from August 29-September 2, 2013.

The guests of honor will be James Gunn, Norman Spinrad, Darrell K. Sweet, Ellen Datlow, and Willie Siros. Toastmaster will be Paul Cornell. There also will be two Special Guests, Leslie Fish and Joe R. Lansdale.

At this time a new adult attending membership costs $160, young adult (under 21) $110 and Child $75.   

The detail of Site Selection voting is: Texas 694, None of the Above 14, and write-ins — Xerpes 6, Minneapolis in ’73 5, Denton, the Happiest Place on Earth 4, Boston 2020 Christmas 3, and the following each received 1 vote, Antartica, Babylon 5, BSFS Clubhouse, Chicago, Cincinnati, Fred Duarte’s House, Peggy Rae’s House, Spuzzum, Unalakleet (AK). There were also 14 invalid ballots submitted.

The full press release follows the jump.

[Thanks to Patrick Molloy for a copy of the voting stats.]

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2013 Worldcon Site Voting Opens

Voting to select the site of the 2013 Worldcon has opened. Members of Renovation are eligible to cast a ballot.  Only one bid filed in time to appear on the form — Texas in 2013, chaired by Bill Parker. However, write-in votes are allowed and there’s something about seeing an unopposed bid that always inspires fans to the highest levels of creativity…

Ballots submitted by postal mail must reach Renovation by July 31. Votes may be cast in person at the convention up until 6 p.m. PDT on Friday, August 19, 2011. All ballots must be accompanied by an Advance Membership (Voting) fee of $60, which will automatically be converted to a Supporting membership in the 71st Worldcon.

The full press release follows the jump.

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Texas Files for 2013 Worldcon

Bill Parker

Texas in 2013 bid chair Bill Parker reports they have filed the required paperwork with the Site Selection Administrator for the Reno Worldcon. Meeting these requirements by the deadline assures that the bid appears on the mail ballot.

The committee proposes to hold the Worldcon in San Antonio, Texas over Labor Day Weekend, August 29 through September 2, 2013.

San Antonio in 2013 Bid

I’m also overdue to report that the Texas in 2013 committee chaired by Bill Parker announced at Anticipation they’re bidding for San Antonio.

Gary Shelton told readers of the September NASFA Shuttle that San Antonio’s bid party at Anticipation served “Texas-sized chicken or steak fajitas. They were outstanding to say the least.” I’m sorry to have missed that party.

San Antonio has added convention facilities since LoneStarCon 2. Now there is a Grand Hyatt Hotel near the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, in addition to the Marriott Rivercenter and Marriott Riverwalk hotels used in 1997.