Trekkies have a new reason to hope the coronavirus pandemic recedes by the summer.
The Sci-Fi Summit will be coming to Vancouver in July. The three-day event (July 16-18) will see the likes of William Shatner, Jeri Ryan and Marina Sirtis take the stage. While the summit is focused on Star Trek, Giancarlo Esposito from Star Wars and The Boys (and Breaking Bad) will also be on hand.
Gary Berman, the CEO of Creation Entertainment, says the company has been behind past Star Trek events in Vancouver, though this is the first Sci-Fi Summit; the plan is to bring in more actors from other franchises, but Creation is still actively booking people.
The date is set for mid-July, but if the pandemic is still a problem then Creation is prepared to rebook for a later date, Berman says. The company, which holds similar events across North America almost every weekend, is prepared for that.
"We've postponed about 30 shows so far," Berman says.
There's a bit of a gap in their schedule right now, but with more conventions planned for mid-March he says they're preparing to postpone those.
"We’re not going to run them until that time (that they are safe)," he says.
However, by July he's hopeful the Vancouver event will be able to go forward as people get vaccinated.
"The fans have so much pent up desire to come to one of our events it's crazy," he says.
Whether it happens in July or on a later date, Berman says attendees can expect a theatrical presentation with the guests on stage. Panels, performances and question and answer periods are expected, along with chances to get autographs with the celebrities. There'll be a vendor space as well.
Shatner's appearance will be a highlight, he notes, as the famed Canadian actor is turning 90 this year.
British Columbians! Pencil me in during July 16-18 for the @CreationEnt Sci-Fi Summit! pic.twitter.com/DvuYb34f5V
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 5, 2021
"We’re presenting a documentary of his life," Berman says. "It’s kinda a 'welcome back to Canada' for his 90th birthday."
Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's life will be celebrated as well, as he'd have turned 100 this year.
Tickets will go on sale when Creation has a fully booked slate of guests, Berman adds; that should happen within the next month.
"We’re looking forward to seeing everyone when it’s safe," he says.
