Omnicon

Omnicon was a South Florida science fiction media convention started in 1979 by Paul Cordsmeyer. It was held in Miami for about eight years before trying to move to Orlando, Florida. In its later years it had some financial difficulties. Eventually it tried a couple of times to to run as a convention cruise.

The convention focused primarily on Doctor Who although it had many guests and programs on other media areas. It also kept a focus on literary science fiction by having an author guest each year. Information supplied by Tracey Rich:

Convention: Omnicon II

Dates: Feb 6-8 1981
Location: Oceanside Holiday Inn, 2nd floor
	3000 E. Las Olas Blvd
	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Guests: Kirk Alyn (original motion picture Superman)
	Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett, also appeared in a John Pertwee Doctor Who episode)
	Terrance Dicks (Doctor Who writer)
	Mike Jittlov (the Wizard of Speed and Time)
	C.C. Beck (creator of Captain Marvel)
	Dave Cockrum (comic artist for Star Trek and X-Men)
	Kerry O'Quinn (publisher of Starlog)
	David Kyle (co-founder of Gnome Press)
	F.G. MacIntyre (SF writer)
	Jay Morton (writer of Superman cartoons)
	Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith from Doctor Who)
Activities: films, fantasy games (D&D), writing workshops, lectures, demonstrations, a dealer room
Admission: $6 to $30
Attendees: Anticipated 1500+ (never saw an actual number)
Sponsors (Hosts): Sandi March, Paul Cordsmeyer, Bob Millard, Alfred Zequeira
Notes 
a one-day shindig was held the previous year at the Omni Hotel in Miami and drew several hundred fans
This is the first convention of its kind in South Florida since a similar affair bombed seven years ago in Miami Beach (not sure if that's the one mentioned above)
Kirk Alyn mentions that he did a situation comedy movie called Bigfoot Meets the Martians but I’ve found no evidence of any such thing

Convention: Omnicon III
Dates: Feb 5-7 1982
Location: Oceanside Holiday Inn, 2nd Floor
	3000 E. Las Olas Blvd
	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Guests: 
Terrance Dicks (Master of Ceremonies for convention; Doctor Who writer)
David A. Kyle (writer, publisher and illustrator of SF stories, co-founder of Gnome Press)
Frank Kelly Freas (artist)
Bill Hickey (of Star Trek)
Mike Jittlov (The Wizard of Speed and Time)
Robert Scheckeley (author)
Gil Kane (comic artist)
C. C. Beck (creator of Captain Marvel)
Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett, also appeared in a John Pertwee Doctor Who episode)
Brad Linaweaver (author)
Kerry O'Quinn (publisher of Starlog)
Dick Preston (Star Foundation, an advocate for the space program)
John Nathan-Turner (Doctor Who producer)
Nicholas Courtney (the Brigadier from Doctor Who)
Activities: panel discussions, lectures, film showings, costume contests, informal meetings; two models used in The Empire Strikes Back displayed
Admission: $20 for three days; $15 for two days; $10 for one day
Attendees: Anticipated up to 600 (never saw an actual number)

Convention: Omnicon IV
Dates: Feb 4-6 1983
Location: Oceanside Holiday Inn, 2nd floor
	3000 E. Las Olas Blvd
	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Guests: Judson Scott (The Phoenix; he had also been in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)
Bjo Trimble (fan who drove the campaign to save Star Trek for 3rd season)
Peter Davison (5th Doctor from Doctor Who)
John Nathan-Turner (Doctor Who producer)
David Kyle (co-founder of Gnome Press; master of ceremonies)
Activities: continuous films, meet the stars luau, art show, auction, costume contest, dealer room, lectures
Admission: $7.50 - $14.50
Attendees: by Saturday, 500 had shown up 
Sponsors (Hosts): Paul Cordsmeyer (founder of the convention)
Notes: 
they lost money on the first three conventions but will break even if they get 600 at this one; they had 500 by Saturday

Convention: Omnicon V
Dates: Feb 3-5 1984
Location: Biscayne Bay Marriott
	1633 N. Bayshore Dr
	Miami, FL
Guests: 
Jay Morton(writer of Superman scripts)
	John Nathan-Turner (Doctor Who producer)

Convention: Omnicon VI
Dates: Feb 2-3 1985
Location: Biscayne Bay Marriott
	1633 N. Bayshore Dr
	Miami, FL
Guests: 
	Mark Lenard (Spock’s father Sarek)
Attendees: 600 

Convention: Omnicon VII
Dates: Jan 31-Feb 2 1986
Location: Miami Airport Hilton
	5101 Blue Lagoon Dr
	Miami, FL
Guests: 
	Robert Shayne (Inspector Henderson from TV’s Superman, and many other things)
Attendees: 600 
Admission: $13 daily for entire show; $5 daily for dealer room and memorabilia only

Convention: Omnicon VIII
Dates: Feb 5-8 1987
Location: Oceanside Holiday Inn
	3000 E. Las Olas Blvd
	Fort Lauderdale, FL
Guests: 
	Jack Horkheimer (astronomer known for PBS show Star Hustler)
	John Nathan-Turner (Doctor Who producer)
	Eric Hoffman (Doctor Who historian)
	SF artists and writers
Activities: screening of Doctor Who episodes, including episodes not yet seen in the US with Colin Baker, as well as Blake’s 7 and Japanese animation; costume contest, dealer room, cabaret show with SF authors and TV stars, meet-the-stars buffet
Admission: $15 for one day, $20 for Saturday and Sunday, $30 for all days, extra to attend a cabaret and meet-the-stars buffet

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