Conduit (convention) facts for kids

Conduit, also known as CONduit, was a yearly event for fans of science fiction and fantasy. It was held every May in Salt Lake City, Utah.

CONduit started in 1989, but it took two years to plan the very first convention. While Utah has other events for these genres, CONduit was the biggest one for general interests. It was a great place for writers, artists, and other professionals to meet. It also let fans gather and enjoy their shared hobbies.

Every year, CONduit held a special auction to raise money for a local charity. This auction first helped an organization called Reading for the Future. This group encouraged reading through science fiction and fantasy stories. CONduit also helped with a writing and art contest for students in Utah. Reading for the Future stopped working in 2010. CONduit was also a founding member of the Utah Speculative Fiction Council.

Many famous local authors and artists attended CONduit. These included Brandon Sanderson, L.E. Modesitt, Jr., Tracy Hickman, Anne Wingman, Dan Willis, Bradley Williams, Eric James Stone, James Dashner, Dave Wolverton, Paul Genesse, Kevin Wasden, and Howard Tayler.

History of CONduit Events

CONduit held many exciting conventions over the years. Each year had a special theme and featured interesting guests. Here's a look at some of them:

1. CONduit, 1991: Guests included author Barbara Hambly, artist Derek Hegstead, and gaming expert Erick Wujik.
2. CONduit 2: Son of CONduit, 1992: Featured author Roger Zelazny, artist Liz Danforth, and gaming expert Mike Stackpole.
3. CONduit 3: Bride of CONduit, 1993: Guests were author Larry Niven, artists Frank and Laura Brodian Kelly Freas, and filk musician Cat Faber.
4. CONduit 4: King CONduit, 1994: Welcomed author C. J. Cherryh, artist Liz Danforth, and author Jennifer Roberson.
5. CONduit 5: CONduit the Barbarian, 1995: Guests included authors Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, ElizaBeth Gilligan, and Katharine Kerr, plus artist David Cherry.
6. CONduit 6: Captain CONduit, 1996: Featured author Fred Saberhagen, artist Leonard Parkin, and author L. Dean James.
7. CONduit 7: CONduit of the Gods, 1997: Guests were author Timothy Zahn, artists Phil and Kaja Foglio, and gaming expert Steve Jackson.
8. CONduit 8: Pirates of CONduit, 1998: Welcomed author David Brin, artist Arthur Roberg, and media guest D. C. Fontana.
9. CONduit 9: Deep Space CONduit, 1999: Featured author Terry Brooks, artist Michael Goodwin, and media guests Bjo and John Trimble.
10. CONduit 10: Night of the Living CONduit, 2000: Guests included author Charles de Lint, artists Brian Durfee and MaryAnn Harris, and gaming expert Steve Jackson.
11. CONduit 11: A Space Oddity, 2001: Welcomed author Alan Dean Foster, artist Larry Elmore, and the band Three Weird Sisters.
12. CONduit 12: CONduit of the Rings, 2002: Featured author Christopher Stasheff, artist Newton Ewell, and media guest Jack Donner.
13. CONduit 13: The Nightmare CONtinues, 2003: Guests were author Harry Turtledove and artist Lynne Goodwin.
14. CONduit 14: Reloaded, 2004: Included authors Steve Miller and Sharon Lee, gaming experts Tracy and Laura Hickman, and science guest Jordin Kare.
15. CONduit 15: Dragons of CONduit, 2005: Featured author Tim Powers, artist Charles Vess, anime expert Susan J. Napier, and rising author Shannon Hale.
16. CONduit 16: Wizards of CONduit, 2006: Guests were author L. E. Modesitt, Jr., conceptual artist James M. Carson, and film director/producer Sam Longoria.
17. CONduit 17: Shadows of CONduit, May 25–27, 2007: Welcomed author David Weber and artist Mike Dringenberg.
18. CONduit 18: Chronicles of CONduit, May 23–25, 2008: Featured author Michael A. Stackpole and artist Theresa Mather.
19. CONduit 19: Evil Overlords of CONduit, May 22–24, 2009: Guests included author David Farland/Dave Wolverton and Howard Tayler, who created the webcomic Schlock Mercenary.
20. CONduit 20: Space Pirates of CONduit, May 28–30, 2010: Welcomed author Barbara Hambly and artist Kevin Wasden.
21. CONduit 21: Caped CONduit, May 27–29, 2011: Featured author Carole Nelson Douglas and filk musician Joey Shoji.
22. CONduit 22: Time Lords of CONduit, May 25–27, 2012: Guests were author Tamora Pierce, media guest Tim Russ, and costuming expert Mary Ellen Smith.
23. CONduit 23: The Dark Guilds of CONduit, May 24–26, 2013: Included author/scholar Heather Joseph-Witham, media guest Alexis Cruz, and author Paul Genesse.
24. CONduit 24: WesterCONduit, July 3-7, 2014: This event was held together with Westercon 67. Guests included authors Brandon Sanderson and Cory Doctorow, artist and author Howard Taylor, and author and puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal.
25. CONduit 25: There and Back Again, May 22-24, 2015: Featured author Jane Lindskold, media/fan guest Larry Nemecek, and artist Jessica Douglas.