JumpCon Boston Convention Cancelled
By T'BonzJuly 16, 2008 - 3:44 AM
After rumblings of financial trouble and cancellations by actors due to contractual responsibilities not being fulfilled, JumpCon cancelled the Boston convention due to take place this weekend.
As reported by SyFy Portal, JumpCon follows FedCon USA as the second Star Trek convention to fail in as many months.
Shane Senter, JumpCon organizer, apologized to fans on the JumpCon website. "I regret to announce the cancellation of our Boston event. Many factors that needed to come together to make it happen simply did not. We tried everything humanly possible and were unable to overcome the insurmountable obstacles."
Senter went on to promise refunds, although he acknowledged that fans would be out-of-luck for other costs such as airfares. "I fully apologize to all the fans who've been inconvenienced by this late announcement and assure them that we're in the process of getting you all refunds. I know there are airfare and other considerations for which you will be liable and for that I am truly sorry."
Signs of trouble appeared before the cancellation. Star Trek: Enterprise's John Billingsley (Phlox) was supposed to have been one of the guests in attendance at JumpCon. He posted a disclaimer on his website located here, several days ago, where he warned potential attendees not to expect him to attend. "I want to announce that I will not be attending JumpCon in Boston on the weekend of the l8th, l9th, 20th of July. I have asked the promoters to take my name and Bonita's name off their website. If our names remain on their website after the 11th JumpCon is clearly engaging in a form of fraudulent advertising."
Star Trek: Voyager's Robert Picardo (EMH) posted a warning to fans on his website where he said, "To all fans seeking information about my Jumpcon status...Contrary to postings elsewhere, I have NOT received 'Half My Fee' from the JumpCon promoter, but only a 10% deposit (6 months ago) as stipulated by our contract. I was due the full balance by July 4th -- ten days ago. Also, contrary to JumpCon's claim, I have NO "scheduling conflict" for JumpCon Boston and have NOT 'cancelled'. JumpCon unilaterally removed me from their website without notifying me that I was cancelled. Why? Perhaps because our contract stipulates that I'm due a 25% cancellation fee if JumpCon cancels me within 60 days of the event."
Vulkon Entertainment, who will be holding a Star Trek convention in Orlando, Florida, on the weekend of July 18-20th, has made a special offer to those holding JumpCon tickets. "While JumpCon was a competing convention to Vulkon this weekend, we do not like to see patrons get hurt when a convention folds. So, for those holding a Boston JumpCon ticket, Vulkon will give you half off either a Bronze reserved seat ticket or half off a general admission ticket. Please bring your JumpCon ticket and ID to the registration table to receive your discount."
To read more, head to the article located here.
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