RED ALERT! ST-CHI: Trek to Chicago 2025 Beams in Just Before the Holidays

You wouldn't think that the holidays and conventions go together. I mean, there's con traffic, some of which kept us from The Breakfast Club even hours before the floor opened, then there's "late November weekend holiday shopping/events" traffic, and never shall the two converge. Not to mention, conventions are a big spend (especially in the merch halls) and we've all got LOTS of shopping to do for the holidays in our very near future.

BUT.

Sometimes, these things do collide. And in fact, one of our favorite things happens to be small winter conventions. Hear us out : a break from family stress and tensions (unless you bring the fam, and even still - a little staycation!) with events contained indoors, unique gifts you can't get anywhere else, and the stars of some of your favorite things from...well, ever.

Trekkies are the lucky fandom this weekend, with ST-CHI: Trek to Chicago officially kicking off tomorrow.

This is a small but mighty event held at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont. If you're someone who's never attended a hotel size convention and always opts for the four-day six-mile walk type, treat yourself to something different. Star Trek conventions and conventions in general got their start on a much smaller scale where it was easier to make friends, meet celebs, and geek out about one specific thing instead of a million different things. Creation Entertainment does a great job of keeping it community focused with plenty of guests and special events that can be unforgettable to fans.

Some of those are organized, ticketed events like dinner with Cirroc Lofton or Todd Stashwick or a PJ Party with Chase Masterson, but some of our favorite memories are of bumping into Klingons in the elevator, casual conversations with Trek celebs out at the merch tables, or simply having a real shot at asking them questions in the panels. Not to mention, narrowed down conventions like ST-CHI let you really fly your fandom flag - and give you an instant conversation starter.

This weekend's event features a hugely impressive lineup of guests that any Trekkie can appreciate - from Shatner himself, to some favorites we've previously seen like Todd Stashwick, the self proclaimed 'dipshit from Chicago' who makes us damn proud to share a hometown, Anthony Rapp, which...start with RENT and then go on ahead and don't love him in Discovery, Bonnie Gordon of Prodigy notoriety, who is every bit as wonderful as you'd hope she was,, and reps Prodigy in the best way, Chase Masterson, a charitable, funny and absolutely indomitable presence, Gates McFadden, a dancing, directing, hilarious, warmhearted wonder, and Doug Jones, who will teach you how to move like an alien and then give you a hug.

There's also Nana Visitor, who we saw at another small convention in Chicago years ago with the late great Rene Auberjonois , and who is funny, witty, energetic and every bit as fierce as Kira Nerys, and Jeri Ryan, who's another icon in the world of Trek women, possessing amazing strength and perseverance in and out of her role that make her top of our "to see list."

Then there's Cirroc Lofton, who we've not been privileged to see at any convention in Chicago just yet, and are so psyched for, the amazing, funny and trailblazing Data (Brent Spiner) and even some Lower Decks reppin' with Gabrielle Ruiz who played T'Lyn, making an appearance, and all of whom are making our must list for this con.

Tim Russ, an incredible person whose wisdom and wit can't be denied, will be making an appearance, and Sandy Gimpel, a star from the original series who played the iconic Talosian from 'The Cage" will also be on site.

That means everyone in the fandom from TOS to Starfleet: Academy has someone to go see, and this is where you do it.

We'd love to do a choose your own adventure, but at a convention like this....If you like Star Trek, dive in. Meet other Trekkies. Go to panels you don't know anything about. Go see The Lower Decks anniversary at 11 am on Saturday and stick around for Doug Jones and Anthony Rapp. Get your phasers set to sign. Beam into special events if you've got the latinum.

Conventions like this are where you'll find that feeling you belong, that bat'leth for your anniversary, that skant for your next away mission, and hopefully, a lot of friends who want to share it all with you.

We'll beam down tomorrow and be on the floor for both days with plenty of updates from the Westin for you.

LLAP.

The Culture Combine Crew