The National Irish Science Fiction Convention | 9th – 11th October 2020
We’ve had loads of brilliant programme suggestions and participant applications for 2020 – thank you to everyone who’s been in touch!
We’re well into our final planning stages now however, so the programme application will be closing on Tuesday 18th August at 11:59pm Irish time.
Last chance to apply to be a programme participant for Octocon 2020 (Google form)
We have exciting news: Octocon is going Virtual!
This will be a first for the National Scifi Convention and was something only dreamed of as possible at the first Octocon 30 years ago.
We plan to bring you a range of panels, interviews and fan chats online for free on Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of October. We are currently investigating which platforms will suit best and hope you will join us via the screen of your choice.
If you have suggestions for panels or would like to take part please complete the appropriate forms.
We will also need people to help out over the Virtual Convention. If you would like to do so please contact Volunteers@Octocon.com
As Octocon is going Virtual this means we can have attendees from all over the world.
So make sure you tell your fandom family they can join us, for free, on the 10th and 11th of October.
More updates as we have them!
As you all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused a lot of changes to the world. The committee and I have been tirelessly working these past few months to make sure that Octocon happens safely and responsibly in 2020.
Unfortunately, the pandemic is not going away soon and our venue has informed us that they will not be able to safely accommodate the number of members we expect to attend Octocon, due to the social distancing measures that they will need to put in place.
So with a heavy heart, I have to inform you that there will not be a physical convention in 2020.
It’s not all bad news! We are currently looking at alternative ways to run Octocon in 2020, making use of your suggestions for panels and the work that’s already been done by our programming team. We will have more news for you soon.
Exciting plans for next year’s convention are already underway and your membership for 2020 will automatically be rolled over to our next planned physical convention in 2021. If you are getting this email you were a member of Octocon 2020 and are now a member of Octocon 2021.
If you would rather avail of a refund for this year, we will gladly accommodate your request – please contact members@octocon.com. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you at our next in-person event in October 2021.
Thank you for your continued support of Octocon!
Raissa, Octocon chair
Octocon is 30 years old this year! We really really really want to celebrate our festival of Irish SFF fandom in as many ways as possible – and we need your help!
Email anniversary@octocon.com if you can help with any of the following…
Octocon’s programme typically includes panel discussions, workshops, presentations, and chats with guests and other fans (on specific topics), as well as special events such as book launches and demonstrations.
Our surveys are now open for you to:
Apply to be a programme participant for Octocon 2020 (Google form) – this also includes an area for suggestions
Suggest programme items you’d like to see at Octocon 2020 (Google form)
If you apply to be a participant, you probably won’t hear back from us until mid to late April at the earliest. If you don’t hear back by the end of May, please do nudge us at programming@octocon.com.
Suggestions for programme items are added to our large pot of ideas, and we’ll be in touch if there’s anything further we like to know (for example, if you offer to run a workshop).
Octocon strives to have a varied and lively programme of events, panels, workshops, talks and chats, centred around our guests and programme participants, with typically between 50 and 60 hours of items over the weekend.
Putting together the programme requires a team of enthusiastic, creative people, who are willing to contribute ideas and energy and a couple of hours a week. For 2020, we want to expand our team to make our programme better than ever!
If you:
Then email programming@octocon.com and let us know you’re ready, willing and able!
The Octocon 2020 membership prices have been fixed for online registration:
Buy FIVE memberships at the same time and pay NOTHING for the cheapest!
Supporting memberships can be upgraded to Adult Attending, Concession, Teen or Friend at any time in advance of the convention weekend. Email members@octocon.com.
NOTE: If you have already purchased a membership and are due a refund (either as a Teen or because the Concession rate was higher for a short time), we will be getting in touch shortly. If you haven’t heard from us by the end of the year, please email members@octocon.com.
Membership prices at the door will be higher. Details will be published closer to the convention.
Octocon returns for its 30th birthday! Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin, with Guest of Honour Michael Carroll.
