The problem, of course, is that fan cons usually operate very close
to the financial edge, because they're *not* about making money. Which is
good on one level, on several actually...but the problem you run into is
when you then have to bring in guests from overseas. Traveling from the
US to the UK costs a LOT of money, plus hotel, food, on and on. Most of
the smaller fan-run cons can't afford to do that in general, or for only
one person; a profit con really represents the only chance most people will
ever have to see several people from a given show, though Wolf 359 is doing
a bit more in that area.

jms

As it happens, I've had occasion to have several long talks with the
Babcom organizers, and have nudged them more in the direction of doing more
of the things one might expect at a fan-con: more interaction, more
personalization, breaking down the walls a bit. Some of the things now
under discussion: a more relaxed social situation, close to an ice cream
social sort of thing, so it isn't all just a presentation; a personal
Q A session about breaking into TV; Peter has spoken to them about letting
folks watch as the Optic Nerve people make him up into Londo; and others.
Again, these are still in the conversation stage, but my sense to try and
encourage them toward a more personalized and fan-responsive format.

jms