About Gatecon

[Richard]

  "They took the seed of an idea and planted it - and out grew Gatecon"   Don S. Davis, Vancouver 2000

Don was talking during the closing ceremony of our very first convention back in 2000, and he delivered the amazing line above that has stuck with us, and become a mantra for Gatecon ever since.

Gatecon 2000 was a very special event for us. It was our very first event. It was supposed to be our one and only event. It was far from perfect. We learned so much as organisers....and we were asked to do it again. How could we refuse!

So began a run of ten conventions - eight in Vancouver and two in the UK - that saw nearly every member of the cast and crew up on stage over the years. We forged a great relationship with the Bridge Studios who overwhelmed us with their generosity in donations for our charity auctions, in loaning us larger items from the show to create magnificent stages and for allowing us to be the first convention ever to organise studio tours to the Stargate set.

So how did it all begin?

In 1998 a small group of fans of a relatively new sci-fi series called Stargate SG-1 were discussing in an internet chat room the lack of merchandise available for our favourite show. It was suggested that maybe as fans we should start producing a few items to sell - this was in the days when licensed merchandise wasn't so heavily enforced as it is now. But that plan was quickly replaced when the idea of staging a convention crept into the conversation.

It was a crazy idea yet everyone instantly agreed it was what they wanted to do. Our biggest problem was that not one of us had even been to a convention before, let alone organised an event of such magnitude. However, we set about contacting the Bridge Studios in Vancouver where the show was filmed. Quite rightly, perhaps, the studio did not take us seriously. After all, here was a bunch of inexperienced fans saying they wanted to showcase their treasured product.

Almost a year later and the group now calling themselves Gatecon had almost, but not quite given up. Some of the team had fallen by the wayside as we weren't really getting anywhere, but the core group still continued to pester the studio. Finally the green light was given and along with studio support, Gatecon was a go.

With that core group of four living in the UK, Australia and the US, planning online was a long and meticulous procedure and it was a further year before Gatecon launched onto the convention circuit in September 2000. Cast and crew were booked and ready to appear at a venue not far from the studios, and by this time news of this determined band of fans had reached MGM itself with the result that Hank Cohen, then President of MGM Home Entertainment, announced he wanted to see what all the fuss was about and would be attending the convention. No pressure then!

The degree to which MGM and the Bridge Studios supported Gatecon has always been appreciated and we in turn have been proud to support and promote Stargate from its infancy right through to it becoming the longest running sci-fi franchise in history (so far at least).

There was really only ever supposed to be one convention, just to prove we could do it. Things like the registration lines needed serious attention and improvement but yes, we did it, and by the end of the weekend fans were imploring the organisers to consider a second event the following year. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jump forward ten years and Gatecon had become stronger and bigger than any of the core group could have imagined. It had become a firm favourite with fans and guests alike. It had also become a hugely successful fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation and the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and latterly the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. For Make a Wish alone, Gatecon was the single biggest donor for the British Columbia chapter in 2003, raising more than the likes of Disney and Microsoft. Pretty impressive when you consider the fundraising that year was done over a three hour period in a room of 500 people.

All whilst being organised across three continents and without corporate sponsorship, showing that a quality product can be achieved with the right mindset, and that quality over quantity was the way forward. It also created an entity none of the organisers could have envisaged. One of Family.

People from all corners of the globe use their annual vacations to return to Vancouver, or wherever the convention is held, to reunite with like-minded people who have forged friendships as strong as any family bond. People have met at Gatecon and later married. Proposals have taken place at the event, as has a wedding ceremony. Some who met at Gatecon have since travelled around the world to support friends in times of happiness and sadness.

It is this unique strength of family values that makes Gatecon what it is, and creates an atmosphere that astounds the cast, crew and guests who arrive as strangers but leave after three days as part of the extended Gatecon family.

Despite us taking a five year break from conventions the demand for more has always been there and we are so pleased to be able to fulfil that demand in 2016.

So who comes to Gatecon?
Absolutely Everybody!

Over the years the list of nationalities represented at Gatecon continues to grow, and illustrates the worldwide phenomenon that is Stargate. Even though the show is (currently) no longer in production, enthusiasm from the fans never wanes.

So thank you to our supporters from:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bahamas, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Gran Canaria, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, USA and Wales.

Here's hoping we can add some new countries to that list soon.

[Richard]

A Brief History of Gatecons

20-24 September 2000
The Radisson Hotel, Burnaby, Vancouver

Guests: Don S Davis, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Teryl Rothery, Tony Amendola, Jay Acovone, Peter Williams


20-23 September 2001
The Best Western Richmond Inn, Vancouver

Guests: Amanda Tapping, Alexis Cruz, Peter Williams, Virginia Hey, Don S Davis, Brad Wright, Robert C Cooper


11-16 September 2002
The Best WesternRichmond Inn, Vancouver

Guests: Amanda Tapping, Corin Nemec, Don S Davis, JR Bourne, Alexis Cruz, Peter Williams, Colin Cunningham, Brad Wright, Martin Wood


11-14 September 2003
The Best Western Richmond Inn, Vancouver

Guests: Michael Shanks, Corin Nemec, Teryl Rothery, Don S Davis, JR Bourne, Frida Betrani, David Palffy, Douglas Arthurs, Steve Makaj, Alex Zahara


14-19 July 2004
The Best WesternRichmond Inn, Vancouver

Guests: Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Christopher Judge, Corin Nemec, Teryl Rothery, Don S Davis, JR Bourne, Colin Cunningham, Erick Avari, Gary Jones, Dan Shea, Steve Bacic, David Palffy, Douglas Arthurs, Alex Zahara, Andrew Jackson, Dan Payne, John Novak, Frida Netrani, Peter Williams, Virginia Hey, Jason Schombing, Christian Bochet, Brent Stait, Andrew Kavadas, Jerry Rector, David Winning


28-31 July 2005
The Best Western Richmond Inn, Vancouver

Guests: Kevin Sorbo, Robert Picardo, Dirk Benedict, Richard Hatch, Colin Cunningham, JR Bourne, Gary Jones, Steve Bacic, Jason Schombing, Fulvio Cecere, David Franklin, Lani Tupu, Aaron Douglas, Jason Toddipson, Lisa Ryder, Gwyneth Walsh, Barbara March, Herb Jefferson, Aidan Drummond, Peter Kent, Andrew Kavadas, David Winning, Bruce Woloshyn, Dan Payne, Douglas Arthurs, Tahmoh Penikett, Jerry Rector, Alan vanSprang, Ellen Dubin, Chris Kramer, Paul Campbell, Lorena Gale, Alan Peterson, Alonso Oyarzun, Nathaniel Arcand, Chris Heyerdahl, John Novak, Alan Scarfe, Alex Zahara, Andrew Jackson


10-13 August 2006
University of Gloucestershire, UK

Guests: Corin Nemec, Erick Avari, Colin Cunningham, Steve Bacic, Suanne Braun


19-21 October 2007
The Renaissance Hotel, Reading, UK

Guests: JR Bourne, Colin Cunningham, Cliff Simon, Suanne Braun, Michael Welch


21-24 August 2008
The Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver

Guests: Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Andee Frizzell, Corin Nemec, Gary Jones, Deam Haglund, Dan Payne, Garwin Sanford, Bruce Woloshyn, Cliff Simon, Peter Williams, Alex Zahara, David Winning, Capt. Paul Watson, Simon Ager, Barry Campbell


8-11 July 2010
The Sheraton Wall Centre, Vancouver

Guests: Paul McGillion, John de Lancie, Andee Frizzell, Steve Bacic, Colin Cunningham, Vanessa Angel, Dylan Neal, Dan Shea, Corin Nemec, Cliff Simon, Erick Avari, Barry Campbell, Garry Chalk, Jay Acovone, Simon Ager, Bruce Woloshyn, Jerry Rector, Sabine Bauer, Musetta Vander, Martin Wood, JR Bourne, Dean Aylesworth, Scott Schwartz


8-12 September 2016
The Sheraton Vancouver Airport

Guests: Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, Jay Acovone, Tony Amendola, Carmen Argenziano, Douglas Arthurs, Erick Avari, Steve Bacic, Sabine Bauer, Barry Campbell, Garry Chalk, Colin Cunningham, Lexa Doig, Diane Dru Botsford, David Hewlett, Chris Heyerdahl, Andrew Jackson, Gary Jones, John De Lancie, Rachel Luttrell, Tom McBetah, Mike McLean, Sally Malcolm, Corin Nemec, Dan Payne, Teryl Rothery, Jacqueline Samuda, Garwin Sanford, Dan Shea, Cliff Simon, Jill Teed, Emelie Ullerup, Kayla Ward, Peter Williams, Bruce Woloshyn, Martin Wood, Alex Zahara.

[Highlander II]

Richard - there's a typo in Alex's name: Alezpx Zahara

Though, if he likes it, he may start spelling it that way. XD

[Atlantia]

Richard - there's a typo in Alex's name: Alezpx Zahara

Though, if he likes it, he may start spelling it that way. XD

Awww, now I've lost the pool. We were waiting to see how long it took him to notice! 😂😂😂😂

[Highlander II]

Richard - there's a typo in Alex's name: Alezpx Zahara

Though, if he likes it, he may start spelling it that way. XD

Awww, now I've lost the pool. We were waiting to see how long it took him to notice! 😂😂😂😂

It probably would've been about this time next year. =)  Richard's a little busy getting all the things together.

(( or... someone paid me to tell him so he'd win the pool... ))  j/k =)

[Richard]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

[Atlantia]

*Snort* *cough* 😂😂😂😂

[Highlander II]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

[Richard]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

Yes. Yes you do. You have won a date with
Robbin
Dan and
Allan

Congratulations!!

[Highlander II]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

Yes. Yes you do. You have won a date with
Robbin
Dan and
Allan

Congratulations!!

*smh*  again, i must ask... what am i gonna do with you, Richard?

[Mags]

[/quote]

*smh*  again, i must ask... what am i gonna do with you, Richard?
[/quote]

Really?  You need to ask? LOL    Oh so many ideas.

[Highlander II]

*smh*  again, i must ask... what am i gonna do with you, Richard?

Really?  You need to ask? LOL    Oh so many ideas.

Exactly... the question is, of course, about narrowing down from the very long list.... =)

[Highlander II]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

Yes. Yes you do. You have won a date with
Robbin
Dan and
Allan

Congratulations!!

For the record - you totally welched on this... Robbin wasn't there.

[Richard]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

Yes. Yes you do. You have won a date with
Robbin
Dan and
Allan

Congratulations!!

For the record - you totally welched on this... Robbin wasn't there.

There were "other" Robins there though

[Highlander II]

And there I was wondering how long it would take for someone to notice the, ahem, intentional mistake 😜

Congratulations you passed my test 😝

Do I win a special date w/ RDA now?  XD

Yes. Yes you do. You have won a date with
Robbin
Dan and
Allan

Congratulations!!

For the record - you totally welched on this... Robbin wasn't there.

There were "other" Robins there though

You specifically mentioned the Robbin w/ two b's - so it's not the same.  You owe me, man! =P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~