About BayCon

BayCon’s 1982 DBA Announcement. (Credit: John McLaughlin)

BayCon’s story is one of passionate vision, dedicated volunteerism, and an ever-evolving celebration of speculative fiction. Founded in 1982 as “BayCon: The San Francisco Bay Area Regional Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention” by John McLaughlin and Randall Cooper, the convention was born out of a desire to unite the Bay Area’s science fiction and fantasy fans—and it has grown into the region’s longest-running fan-run event.

From its early days as a modest Thanksgiving‐weekend gathering in San Jose, BayCon quickly built a reputation for quality programming and a warm, inclusive atmosphere. Pioneering figures like Michael Siladi and Jay Freeman lent their early expertise by handling vital roles and later providing guidance and leadership, ensuring that the foundation was as solid as it was imaginative.

Throughout the 1990s, BayCon flourished under the contributions of industry professionals, authors, artists, and an army of dedicated fans. BayCon has hosted luminaries whose names have become synonymous with speculative fiction—including Joe Haldeman, Harlan Ellison, Steven Barnes, Larry Niven, Peter S. Beagle, and Brandon Sanderson—whose Guest of Honor appearances enriched the programming and inspired countless attendees. Equally, the creative energy of artist guests such as Bob Eggelton, Tom Kidd, and Mary Hanson-Roberts, and more recently John Picacio, Galen Dara, and Elizabeth Leggett, helped shape a visual legacy that resonates with the con’s imaginative themes.

In the new millennium, BayCon’s evolution continued as it transitioned from its longtime home at the Red Lion Inn in San Jose (now DoubleTree) to larger, more modern spaces like the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and the San Mateo Marriott, until moving to its current home, the Santa Clara Marriott. This expansion mirrored the con’s growing reputation and the increasing contributions of volunteers and creative minds—from the tireless efforts of its founding staff to the regular involvement of fan icons like Forrest J. Ackerman, Jan Price, and Mike Glyer as well as genre legends such as Mercedes Lackey, Seanan McGuire, and David Gerrold.

BayCon’s themed events—beginning in 1997 with “Space Flights of Fancy”, continuing with “Alternate Universes and Other Possibilites” (1998), “The Magic of Now” (2002), “Women of Wonder” (2015), “Pure Imagination” (2024), or the upcoming “A Convenient Parallel Dimension” in 2025—carries the imprint of a community that has come together to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the boundless possibilities of speculative fiction.

BayCon’s recent partnership with the West Coast Science Fantasy Conference (Westercon) marks a significant milestone in West Coast fandom. This year will be held as a combined event with Westercon 77. This collaboration unites BayCon’s over four-decade legacy as the Bay Area’s longest-running fan-run speculative fiction convention with Westercon’s storied history as premier fandom events. Historically, the BayCon name was associated with a Westercon event in the Bay Area as early as 1961 and reappeared during the 1968 Worldcon in Berkeley. This longstanding connection underscores both conventions’ commitment to celebrating speculative fiction and building vibrant fan communities. By joining forces, BayCon and Westercon shall combine their passion to create an innovative event that honors this shared, rich heritage while paving the way for the future of fan-run conventions.

Building on this collaboration, Westercon 78 – set for July 3–6, 2026 – will also be hosted by BayCon at the Santa Clara Marriott.

Today, BayCon’s legacy remains a tribute to the visionary leadership of its founders and the creative excellence of its celebrated guests but also as an innovator in fan-run events. Through its forward-thinking collaborations and the unwavering dedication of countless volunteers, BayCon continues to be a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s cultural landscape—paving the way for an even more innovative and inclusive future.

Credits & Thanks: John McLaughlin & Randall Cooper, Wikipedia, Fancylcopedia 3, Fanlore, and File 770.

Service Marks

BayCon is a service mark of the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction (spSF), a federally-registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All logos, symbols, and design elements associated with BayCon are the exclusive property of the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction and are protected under applicable federal and international trademark and service mark laws. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of the BayCon service mark or any confusingly similar variant is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Society for the Promotion of Speculative Fiction. All rights reserved.