Bucconeer Programming
by John Pomeranz

Two years before the convention is too great a distance to predict specific program items or particular program participants. However, now is the time to define the basic ideas that will guide us in creating a great program for our guests at Bucconeer. Here are some of our early thoughts about what Bucconeer's program will be...

• Interesting. We will create programming that will attract both newcomers to fandom as well as jaded old trufen who have "seen it all before."
• Eclectic. Bucconeer won't have program "tracks" in the traditional sense ó there won't be many items that are just for hard science fans, or costumers, or Trekkers, or filkers, or.... There will be plenty of items to attract fen with all of these interests and more, but we'll be creating items that deliberately weave together the many threads of fandom in new patterns.
• Participatory. We hope to have a lot of program items that won't simply be an audience passively watching a panel talk. We'll have writing, arts, and crafts workshops; demonstrations where you can actually play with new technologies; and other program items where you play an active role.
• Diverse. As the worldcon, it is our obligation and pleasure to present a taste of fandom from all around the world. We would like to recreate your favorite program item from your local convention. Please send us a description of a program item that you think came off particularly well and that you feel typifies your fannish community. We will highlight these items at the convention, with full credit to the convention and fans that created them.
• On-line. As Bucconeer comes closer, you'll be able to watch the program grow day by day. Starting in the coming months, watch for program information on our web site. We hope that as you watch the program mature it will help you plan your time at Bucconeer and generate suggestions to help us improve the program.

One note for those who would like to be program participants: Thank you for your interest! We will send an acknowledgment to anyone who contacts us, but please don't expect to hear anything substantive until after the 1997 Worldcon in San Antonio. If you do write to us, please tell us a little bit about yourself ó your work, your interests, and anything else that would help us decide where you best fit into the program. (Nobody can keep up with everyone in the field these days...)

We have many talented and creative people around Baltimore helping us create a terrific program for Bucconeer. But to make the convention a real success we'll also need your ideas. If you have suggestions for specific program items or more general ideas about how we should run programming, please let us know. You can reach us at the Bucconeer addresses listed at the front of this progress report.