Major US & UK Transformers conventions

[griffin]

Aside from BotCon in June, there are some fan-run conventions this year that are worth mentioning, and keeping in mind if you might be travelling to America or England during that time.

The TFCon (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/additional-tfcon-toronto-2015-hotel-block-added-182276/) in Canada - July 17-19.
And the American TFCon (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfcon-usa-2015-announced-october-16th-18th-in-charlotte-north-carolina-182286/), which has joined forces with Charticon - October 16-18.

Auto Assembly (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/auto-assembly-2015-to-be-the-last-auto-assembly-182295/) in England has just announced that this year will be their last - August 21-23.
Roll Out Roll Call (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/roll-out-roll-call-2015-dates-announced-182296/) in England is a joint themed convention that has a partnership with FunPub - October 3-4.

[Pep_87]

Is there anything worth looking out for in aus? Kinda new to conventions.

[griffin]

Is there anything worth looking out for in aus? Kinda new to conventions.

Some Australian Conventions are posted in the Oz News section, and this topic has most of the main ones (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=15726).

[griffin]

The Voice Actor for Blurr (John Moschitta) will be at the Canadian TFCon this year (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/john-moschitta-jr-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2015-182445/), along with Peter Cullen, which could be interesting.

(If John is still doing conventions, I hope he does another BotCon soon, as he's only been to one, and it was way back in 2000, which was the year I slept through my alarm and he was the first panel of the first day, so I missed all but 5 minutes of it... something I'll only feel better about if he's ever a guest at a future convention I go to.)

[griffin]

Auto-Assembly has announced for their final convention (http://www.autoassembly.org.uk/simon-furman-confirmed-for-auto-assembly-2015/), the pairing of iconic UK Marvel comic guests - Simon Furman & Andrew Wildman.

Tickets look to still be on sale, but the hotel at the convention centre is already booked out for that weekend, so if anyone was planning to go and yet to book accommodation, check for nearby alternatives on the Auto-Assembly website.

[griffin]

The American TFCon in North Carolina in October is now open for registration (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/tfcon-charlotte-2015-attendee-registration-is-now-live-182780/)... with only 5 months left until it begins.

Oh wait, that's not last minute at all... ;)

:p

[griffin]

The final Auto-Assembly is on next week (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/08/13/auto-assembly-2015-is-next-week-299648), and it is a shame that I'll be missing it.
Their guests include Voice Actors James Horan (TFPrime Wheeljack), Sumalee Montano (TFPrime Arcee), and Peter Spellos (RID-2001 Skybyte), plus comic people Simon Furman and Andrew Wildman.

TFCon in America in October has updated its guest list (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/08/10/transformers-writer-james-roberts-to-attend-tfcon-charlotte-2015-299521), to include comic writer James Roberts, Windblade artist Corin Howell, and voice actors Gregg Berger and Garry Chalk.


The Voice Actor for Blurr (John Moschitta) will be at the Canadian TFCon this year (http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/conventions-15/john-moschitta-jr-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2015-182445/), along with Peter Cullen, which could be interesting.

(If John is still doing conventions, I hope he does another BotCon soon, as he's only been to one, and it was way back in 2000, which was the year I slept through my alarm and he was the first panel of the first day, so I missed all but 5 minutes of it... something I'll only feel better about if he's ever a guest at a future convention I go to.)

It's funny that with BotCon's reeeeally late announcements this year, John Moschitta was a guest at BotCon and I didn't know until after I had posted that comment above.

[griffin]

After the Auto Assembly convention just ended in England, a new UK convention to take it's place next year has been announced, called TFNation, for August 19-21st 2016 (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/08/28/tfnation-2016-a-new-uk-transformers-convention-300520).

Mark your calendars if you were wanting to do a UK holiday and Transformers convention next year.

[griffin]

In case anyone is going to the TFCon in America next month, a new guest has been announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/09/24/dan-gilvezan-the-voice-of-g1-bumblebee-to-attend-tfcon-charlotte-301834) - Dan Gilverzan, who is the voice of Gen1 Bumblebee, and one of the voices of the new Devastation game (which will be out just before the Convention).

With Gregg Berger (Grimlock) attending as well, it should be an interesting Voice Actors panel.

[griffin]

Some last minute updates to the guests at this months TFCon in North Carolina.
Gary Chalk (BW Optimus Primal among others) had to cancel due to work commitments, and has been replaced with Richard Newman (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/10/03/richard-newman-the-voice-of-rhinox-to-attend-tfcon-charlotte-2015-302321) (BW Rhinox).
Plus, a couple more comic and writer guests as well (http://news.tfw2005.com/2015/10/09/josh-burcham-and-rik-alvarez-to-attend-tfcon-charlotte-302992).

[griffin]

The American TFCon for next year was actually announced in June, for October 2016 (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-conventions-get-togethers/1044619-tfcon-return-chicago-2016-a.html), back in Chicago (right next to the airport)... so for anyone in or out of America wanting to attend both BotCon and TFCon, there will be 6.5 months gap to afford it (or get time off work).

[griffin]

Changing this to an ongoing topic, as we might need one if BotCon no longer exists.

TFCon in Canada this year (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/04/25/dan-gilvezan-voice-g1-bumblebee-attend-tfcon-toronto-2016-314650) (Toronto, July 15-17), has two Gen1 VA guests noted - Frank Welker and Dan Gilverzan (Bumblebee)... plus Ian James Corlett (Cheetor).
That's as impressive as some BotCons, and will be a worthy replacement for many fans.

[griffin]

Well this is certainly something BotCon never offered - get up to 25% off your airfare to the host city of TFCon (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/05/03/tfcon-air-travel-discount-info-toronto-chicago-314902), and in the case of the Chicago TFCon in October, it's from anywhere in the world.

For the TFCon in Canada in July, if you fly with Air Canada, you can get 25% off your flight during certain days (and availability), but you'd just need to get to somewhere first that Air Canada covers.
And for the TFCon in America in October, if you fly with United Airlines from anywhere in the world, you can get 15% off your flights. And they fly from Australia too.
For anyone here planning to go to one of the TFCons this year and are yet to organise travel, go to the link above for the discount codes.

[griffin]

If anyone is thinking of going the the American TFCon in Chicago in October this year, another guest has been announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/05/13/transformers-voice-actor-michael-bell-attend-tfcon-chicago-2016-315489) - Michael Bell (Gen1 Prowl, Sideswipe), who joins Gregg Berger (Grimlock) who was previously announced.

[griffin]

Jim Byrnes (BW Inferno) will be at the Canadian TFCon (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/06/09/jim-byrnes-voice-inferno-attend-tfcon-toronto-2016-316805) next month, while David Kaye (BW Megatron) will be at the American TFExpo in August (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/06/12/david-kaye-attend-tfexpo-2016-316958).

And for anyone who will be in Sweden in April next year, a convention called RetCon will be on (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/06/09/retcon-2017-new-nordic-transformers-convention-316798), which is probably for a range of Retro themes like Transformers.

[griffin]

For anyone in the UK in the next two months, these are two UK Transformers conventions for 2016, filling the void of the popular Auto-Assembly Convention that ended last year...

TFNation (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/07/02/hayato-sakamoto-attend-tfnation-2016-318287) - 19-21st August in Birmingham - with guests Paul Eiding (Gen1 Perceptor), Richard Newman (BW Rhinox), Simon Furman (writer), Jim Sorenson (author), Geoff Senior (artist), James Roberts (artist), Hayato Sakamoto (comic artist), and several other comic writers and artists.

RollOut Rollcall (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/07/02/roll-roll-call-ticket-bookings-deadline-318290) - 8-10th July in London - with guests Neil Ross (Gen1 Springer), Morgan Lofting (Gen1 Firestar), and some comic artists & writers.

[griffin]

About six weeks away until TFcon in Chicago, which could end up being the major Transformers fan convention in America now, and here is the current line up of major guests (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/09/09/transformers-artist-andrew-griffith-attend-tfcon-chicago-2016-324639)...


TFcon Chicago 2016 (http://tfcon.com/) will take place October 21-23, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare with special guests MICHAEL BELL the voices of G1 Prowl, Sideswipe and Swoop, GREGG BERGER the voice of G1 Grimlock, GARRY CHALK the voice of Optimus Primal, RICHARD NEWMAN the voice of Rhinox, Transformers creator BOB BUDIANSKY, JON BAILEY the voice of Optimus Prime in Machinima’s Transformers: Combiner Wars and Transformers Comic Book artists Alex Milne, Sara Pitre-Durocher and Brandan Cahill

[griffin]

The TFNation convention for 2017 in the UK has been announced for August 11-13 (http://news.tfw2005.com/2016/10/28/tfnation-2016-dates-announced-august-11-13-2017-birmingham-uk-328070).

[griffin]

The next American TFCon will be in Washington DC, from September 29th to October 1st, 2017... and the discounted hotel block is now available (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/01/09/tfcon-dc-2017-hotel-block-now-available-330786), if anyone here was thinking of going.
I think it might get a big turnout this year, with the absence of BotCon... so more fans and Dealers might try it out as their annual major American Transformers convention.

Is anyone thinking of going?
I'd like to go, mostly to explore the host city... but I'm not a big fan of 3rd Party toys (which TFCon heavily features), and I think I need the break from American Conventions for at least one year.

[griffin]

Pete Sinclair (from FunPublications and 3H), is hosting his own "Robot Convention (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/petes-robot-convention-june-2324-2017/37483/)" this year, to fill the void left by BotCon.

It will be in Cincinnati on the weekend of June 23-24, which is where BotCon 2008 was held, and is near where Pete lives.
Since it is a fan-run event that doesn't involve Hasbro, it will just be a regular convention that will focus on dealers and fan presentations, including Pete's collection of rarities and pre-production items.

It sounds like fellow FunPub contributor Jesse Wittenrich will also be involved, as he has been posting up some images of what to expect at the convention, including various unused toy concept ideas (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/old-fun-publications-figure-concepts-nightbeat-brainstorm-crosshair-triggerhappy/37579/), like "Nightbeat from Prime Smokescreen, Crosshairs from Generations Sergeant Kup, Brainstorm from Universe Cyclonus, and Triggerhappy from Fall of Cybertron Starscream".

[Trent]

It will be interesting to see how they run it and what the response/attendance will be like without it being officially sanctioned. I don't think they can hope to compete with TFCon.

I can't see you going Griffin?

[griffin]

I wouldn't be going all the way over there for it, as it sounds very small. Even though it will draw out a few familiar faces from the BotCon community, I think that with Pete running it (and having his name on it), there will probably be a lot of the FunPub haters who won't go anywhere near it, just because of him being one of the faces of that business.
Now if the Hartmans were involved... it would be more of a drawcard for fans.

[UltraMarginal]

It looks like there will be a lot of cool stuff to see, I would like to attend. but Alas, I have other priorities :cool:

[griffin]

Voice Actor Neil Ross will be a guest at the American TFCon in October (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/03/27/transformers-voice-actor-neil-ross-attend-tfcon-dc-2017-336327).
Neil Ross voiced Gen1 Springer, Slag, Bonecrusher and Hook (and a few other minor characters).


Pete Sinclair (from FunPublications and 3H), is hosting his own "Robot Convention (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/petes-robot-convention-june-2324-2017/37483/)" this year, to fill the void left by BotCon.

It will be in Cincinnati on the weekend of June 23-24, which is where BotCon 2008 was held, and is near where Pete lives.
Since it is a fan-run event that doesn't involve Hasbro, it will just be a regular convention that will focus on dealers and fan presentations, including Pete's collection of rarities and pre-production items.

It sounds like fellow FunPub contributor Jesse Wittenrich will also be involved, as he has been posting up some images of what to expect at the convention, including various unused toy concept ideas (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/old-fun-publications-figure-concepts-nightbeat-brainstorm-crosshair-triggerhappy/37579/), like "Nightbeat from Prime Smokescreen, Crosshairs from Generations Sergeant Kup, Brainstorm from Universe Cyclonus, and Triggerhappy from Fall of Cybertron Starscream".

Another announcement for this convention (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/reveal-and-competition-of-proposed-botcon-2017-exclusive-skyfall-and-four-other-figures/37643/) has them doing a presentation panel of unused BotCon concepts (probably the same presentation that they did at BotCon 2015), including a look at what would have been this year's BotCon set. One figure is revealed on the advertisement, being Actionmaster Skyfall from the Titans Return Highbrow mould.
Plus, one lucky pre-registered attendee will win the mockup set, including the mockup box.
Looks like the termination of the BotCon license was either quite sudden, or FunPub were planning ahead a couple years at a time, and were shown future toys well before they were released.

[griffin]

Pete has revealed another two figures (https://web.facebook.com/PetesRoboCon/posts/435904766753415) from what was going to be the BotCon 2017 boxset, with Voyager TR Optimus coloured to look like the Actionmaster truck for AM Optimus, and Actionmaster Sprocket (from Deluxe Triggerhappy), who would have a Titanmaster vehicle/accessory coloured to look like the Attack Cruiser vehicle that came with the original AM Sprocket.
He's also giving away a custom painted Titanmaster head that would have been one of the BotCon exclusives, but he hasn't said who it is meant to be, and I can't be sure who it is either.

[reillyd]

The robot mode of the extra head seems to me to be clearly Pretender Starscream shell, but why the weird face I don't know

[griffin]

The robot mode of the extra head seems to me to be clearly Pretender Starscream shell, but why the weird face I don't know

Pretender Starscream was my first thought too, but it didn't make sense... and wrong size... unless it's FunPub comic scale in that the shells are human size, and I think the Titanmasters are human size in the comics.

[CHILENO20]

Those look sweet :) More custom ideas for me :D

[griffin]

Alec Willows (voice of Tarantulas) will be at the Canadian TFCon in July (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/04/21/alec-willows-voice-beast-wars-tarantulas-attend-tfcon-toronto-2017-337599)... which will be a nice treat for fans who were hoping to see him at BotCon last year (he had to cancel at the last minute).

And Hal Rayle (voice of Gen1 Snarl & Shrapnel) will be at the UK TFNation convention in August (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/04/22/hal-rayle-maggie-roswell-attend-tfnation-2017-337672).

[griffin]

Simon Furman is confirming his attendance at the UK TFNation (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/transformers-writer-simon-furman-to-attend-tfnation-2017/38299/) convention in August... which isn't too much of a surprise, as he attends most of the TFs conventions in England.

[griffin]

The Canadian TFCon next month is building up a decent line up of guests, with Scott McNeill announced as a guest (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/06/09/transformers-voice-actor-scott-mcneil-attend-tfcon-toronto-2017-341214)... who voiced Beast Wars Rattrap, Dinobot, Waspinator and Silverbolt.

This adds to the existing compliment of guests...


MICHAEL BELL the voices of G1 Prowl, Sideswipe and Swoop,
ARTHUR BURGHARDT the voice of G1 Devastator,
ALEC WILLOWS the voice of Tarantulas in Beast Wars,
Transformers comic book writer JOHN BARBER,
Transformers Franchise Designer AARON ARCHER
and Transformers comic book artists NICK ROCHE, ALEX MILNE, SARA PITRE-DUROCHER, ANDREW GRIFFITH and JAMES RAIZ.

[griffin]

The American TFCon in October will have David Kaye as a guest (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/07/29/david-kaye-voice-beast-wars-megatron-tfcon-dc-2017-345851) (most known for voicing Beast Wars Megatron, Unicron Trilogy Megatron and Animated Optimus).

[griffin]

TFCon in America has also announced Jack Angel as a guest (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/08/04/generation-1-voice-actor-jack-angel-attend-tfcon-dc-2017-346464), who voiced Cyclonus, Astrotrain, Omega Suprem and Ramjet.


the weekend of September 29th to October 1st, 2017. TFcon USA will take place at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Virginia with special guests DAVID KAYE the voice of Megatron in Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, Energon and Cybertron, as well as Optimus Prime in Transformers Animated, NEIL ROSS the voices of Bonecrusher, Hook, Sixshot, Slag and Springer in Transformers Generation 1, Transformers writer JAMES ROBERTS, Transformers comic book artist ALEX MILNE and CASEY COLLER

Meanwhile, TFNation in the UK is on this weekend, featuring the following guests (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/08/04/tfnation-2017-exclusive-bearricade-teddy-bear-346460).


voice actors Venus Terzo (Beast Wars Blackarachnia), Hal Rayle (Generation 1 Snarl and Shrapnel) and Maggie Roswell (Maude Flanders), and Mark Ryan (Movie Bumblebee, Jetfire, Bulldog, and Lockdown), artists Geoff Senior, Stephen Baskerville, Alex Milne, Jack Lawrence, Kei Zama, and Sara Pitre-Durocher, colourists Josh Perez and John-Paul Bove, writer & artist Nick Roche, fan-favourite writer James Roberts, and last but by no means least, Transformers creators and writers Bob Budiansky and Simon Furman.

[griffin]

For anyone who will be in Germany on October 8th, a fan convention will be on near Dusseldorf, Western Germany (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/09/12/c-o-n-s-ix-german-transformers-fan-convention-8-october-2017-348904), with a couple of IDW artists as guests.

[griffin]

TFCon Canada for 2018 has been announced (http://www.tfcon.ca/tfcon-toronto-2018-hotel-block-online), for July 13-15, at Mississauga, Ontario, and the hotel is now taking reservations.

[griffin]

The UK TFNation convention is on again in 2018 (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/tfnation-2018-1719-august-in-birmingham-uk/39862/), at Birmingham again, from August 17-19.

[griffin]

The 2018 US TFCon has been announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/11/21/tfcon-usa-2018-announced-october-26th-28th-chicago-353915), for October 26-28, back in Chicago near the O'hare Airport again, but a different Hotel/Convention centre this time.

[griffin]

The UK TFNation convention in August have announced their first two guests - DC Douglas from Rescue Bots, and Stan Bush (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/01/05/tfnation-2018-touch-stan-bush-attend-perform-full-concert-356331) who will perform a concert for the fans.

[griffin]

The second convention by Pete Sinclair is on June 9-10 2018 at Cincinatti, and news items so far about it have announced (https://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/petes-robot-convention-2018-news-roundup-customizationclass-figure-announcements/40484/) the return of the Custom Class, but it involves repainting existing toys, not building new ones from scratch (you'd probably have to do some disassembly to paint various parts).
The two toys on offer for the custom class is a Pretender Gears (using up the Pretender Optimus from the last Subscription series), and Shattered Glass Swoop (using the POTP Swoop toy).
Looks like Pete has registered a new company (Night Shining Inc) and new website for this as well.

[griffin]

The UK convention TFNation has another guest announced - IDW comics writer James Roberts (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/01/14/james-roberts-attending-tfnation-2018-356806), who lives in the UK, so it isn't too surprising.

[reillyd]

I can understand the Pretender Shell since it isn't a Hasbro mold/in their factory. But how is Pete managing to get a custom PoTp Swoop toy out of Has/Tak? It can't be they will turn a blind eye, surely?

[griffin]

I can understand the Pretender Shell since it isn't a Hasbro mold/in their factory. But how is Pete managing to get a custom PoTp Swoop toy out of Has/Tak? It can't be they will turn a blind eye, surely?

It notes somewhere in that long news posting (or one of the follow-up posts), that the Swoop toys will be bought from retailers/wholesalers before the convention.
And I think the Optimus/Gears with Shell might be from the FunPub clearance sale, as people noted that over a hundred of them disappeared on one day... which could have been Pete buying them for his convention's custom class (or small number are for the custom class, while the rest of them are to be repainted as an exclusive toy for the show).

[reillyd]

Well that would probably work as long as Hasbro doesn't enforce its IP, but there is a Shattered Glass autobot logo on the sample copy.... For Pete's sake I hope it goes smoothly. He has some awesome custom ideas over the years... shame they couldn't tap some of that talent for a new club

[griffin]

Voice Actor Hal Rayle (best known for Snarl, Shrapnel and Pipes), will be at the Canadian TFCon, July 13-15 (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/01/24/transformers-voice-actor-hal-rayle-attend-tfcon-toronto-2018-357218).

[griffin]

IDW artist Nick Roche will be a guest at the UK convention TFNation (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/01/27/nick-roche-attend-tfnation-2018-357349), 17-19 August.

[griffin]

David Kaye (BW Megatron, Unicron Trilogy Megatron, Animated Optimus) and will be a guest at the Canadian TFCOn in July (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/02/22/transformers-voice-actor-david-kaye-attend-tfcon-toronto-2018-359919).

[griffin]

There haven't been too many people who have voiced the character of Megatron over the years, and only a few of those have been a guest at Transformers conventions.
This year, the 2001 Robots In Disguise Megatron voice actor Daniel Riordan will be a guest at the UK fan convention TFNation (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/03/17/daniel-riordan-attend-tfnation-2018-360929), in August.
A treat for the UK fans, and anyone keen enough to travel there later this year.

[griffin]

Despite the demise of BotCon, which would feature a lot of first-time guests, we look to be having another first-time Transformers guest at a major fan convention this year with the Gen1 voice actor Stephen Keener appearing at the American TFCon in Chicago this year (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/03/22/361170-361170).
Keener voiced a number of very late season 3 and season 4 characters, so didn't get much screen time or lines, so probably isn't a very familiar name in the fandom (and as such, probably wasn't a priority Voice Actor for major fan conventions like BotCon). His characters were Fortress Maximus, Scorponok, Hungrrr, Hardhead, Scattershot and Mindwipe.

[griffin]

The voice actor for Daniel from the 1986 movie, David Mendenhall, will be a guest at this year's Canadian TFCon (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/05/10/transformers-voice-actor-david-mendenhall-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2018-363628), July 13-15.
This year TFCon also have David Kaye and Garry Chalk as guests, which should be a lot of fun for the attendees, as they voiced the two leaders during Beast Wars and the Unicron Trilogy.

And the UK TFCon has announced having former Hasbro designer Aaron Archer as a guest this year, August 17-19 (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/05/04/transformers-creator-aaron-archer-to-attend-tfnation-2018-363375), along with Daniel Riordan (RID 2001 Megatron), DC Douglas (Rescue Bots Chase), and an odd obscure guest, the one who voiced TF2 Sideswipe for just two or three lines (Andre Sugliuzzo).

[griffin]

The Canadian TFCon next month has another Gen1 guest, with cartoon writer David Wise attending (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/05/31/transformers-g1-writer-david-wise-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2018-364668).
That makes it a great line up of guests this year, comparable to what we'd see with BotCon... so probably worth the trip, if you can afford it, and want to check out Canada & USA at the same time.

[griffin]

The second "Pete's Robot Convention" was on two weeks ago, and I just came across this youtube video of the 3H reunion panel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN5GshV2dvU) - the two Hartmans with Glen Hallit, for the first time doing a panel together since 2002.
It goes for an hour, and I haven't watched it yet, but I'm hoping that they talk a bit about their time doing BotCon together (1997 to 2002), and some stories we haven't heard before.


A group photo on facebook of the four people (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2251466091545403&set=a.1031258323566192.1073741826.100000461019115&type=3&theater) who have been involved in most of the BotCons in its 22 years - Jon Hartman, Karl Hartman, Pete Sinclair, Glen Hallit.


Heaps of photos on the PRC facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PetesRoboCon/), and some comments and photos of the weekend on TFW (from post #61) (http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/threads/petes-robot-convention-2018.1132065/) and Allspark (from post #257) (https://www.allspark.com/forums/topic/145413-the-second-annual-petes-robot-convention-and-dab-academy-june-9-10-2018/page-13#entry3744284). (including the Custom Class toys, using actual Hasbro toys, and they had another presentation panel of unused concepts (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO91jjaCnhQ), that had some more items not revealed before, including being told that Hasbro had developed new heads for CW Devastator to release it as RID Build King with two new team members of Gen1 Scoop & Quickmix, but obviously decided against producing it)


From the Allspark topic, of the panel of unused concepts & insight into dealing with Hasbro...



SG Knights of Unicron (https://i.imgur.com/m1a2wfD.jpg) – Checkpoint, X-Brawn, Autotroopers

Checkpoint was gonna use the Offroad mold with the Trailbreaker head. The Autotroopers were gonna be the same mold with the unreleased Hoist head. They were originally going to be the custom class toys for BotCon 2016, but Hasbro wanted them to use the First Aid version of the mold with then-unused Ratchet head instead.

X-Brawn was gonna use the Brawl head that was the original pretool for Rook. He would have been another 2016 figure before the theme of the con became "Dawn of the Predacus".

All these characters did make it into the "Another Light" comic story, though.

Hasbro's CW Computron giftset was originally going to have the Rook mold with the Brawl head as "Ironclad", who was G1 Ironfist(!) as a new Technobot.

One of the last subscription service proposals (https://i.imgur.com/1DIwIEI.jpg) was Liege Maximo from Straxus, Alchemist Prime/Maccadam from RtS Perceptor, and Solus Prime from Arcee with a possible head reuse as Override Prime. Did not come about due to Hasbro already planning to make the Prime Masters at the time.

The Thirteen were going to be the focus of a new storyline set after the merging of the Classics and Shattered Glass universes and after the doing-away with the Singularities concept. They were gonna introduce the new Thirteen of that merged SG/Classics universe and they would have been the focus of that new story. SG Rodimus Prime would have attempted to seize the slot of the Thirteenth Prime for himself.

Ironfist as Ironclad was entirely a Hasbro thing.

Surprise revelation: Titan class Devastator had alternate Hasbro-tooled heads as the Build Team from RiD 2001, with Gen1 Scoop and Quickmix as the remaining too!

CW Sideswipe (had Fun Pub made him) would have been a straight redeco of CW Breakdown. No retooled head.

The SG and Wings Universe era of Fun Pub fiction was an odd time when Hasbro didn't want Fun Pub doing anything that resembled what Hasbro was doing at retail.

Hasbro actually once wanted Fun Pub to do Liokaiser before Hasbro did it themselves. But Pete and co. were hesitant since there was no guarantee that Liokaiser from them (rather than Hasbro) would have a new head.

Hasbro also once suggested that Fun Pub do the G2 deco for Titan Devastator, and even once offered them to do a reissue of G1 Grand Maximus after Takara had brought back that mold for Encore Fort Max, but both of those were way beyond any doability by Fun Pub since those molds had too high of a markup for Fun Pub to be able to sell them as exclusives. The sales prices for such exclusives would have been astronomical. They did get to use the Grand Max Pretender shell, though.

[Paul Agnew]

The second "Pete's Robot Convention" was on two weeks ago, and I just came across this youtube video of the 3H reunion panel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN5GshV2dvU) - the two Hartmans with Glen Hallit, for the first time doing a panel together since 2002.

For those who attended, the convention overall really wasn't that bad. (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1686840088020171&set=p.1686840088020171&type=3&theater)

[ChlorHex]

...that Hasbro had developed new heads for CW Devastator to release it as RID Build King with two new team members of Gen1 Scoop & Quickmix, but obviously decided against producing it.

This ^ would've been so cool.
It would've been very expensive and shipping here would be a killer!

All the mention of reusing the Devastator mould... if only :o

[Galvatran]

Who'll be attending SDCC this month?

[griffin]

The voice actor for Cheetor (Ian James Corlett), will be at TFCon in October (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/07/24/transformers-voice-actor-ian-james-corlett-to-attend-tfcon-chicago-2018-368825), joining an already impressive Gen1 guest list of Bud Davis and Stephen Keener, who were both never BotCon guests, so will be the first time for many fans to see and hear the voices of some legendary 80s characters.

[griffin]

The 2018 TFNation convention in the UK has just ended, and they have announced the dates and location of their 2019 event (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/08/20/tfnation-2019-announced-16-18-august-2019-370384) - August 16-18 at the Hilton in Birmingham, England.

[MayzaPrime]

The 2018 TFNation convention in the UK has just ended, and they have announced the dates and location of their 2019 event (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/08/20/tfnation-2019-announced-16-18-august-2019-370384) - August 16-18 at the Hilton in Birmingham, England.

Might see if I can convince the Wife to go to England for a holiday around that time :D

[griffin]

The TFCon in Chicago at the end of October has another guest announced - Alec Willows (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/08/25/transformers-voice-actor-alec-willows-to-attend-tfcon-chicago-2018-370620) (voice of BW Tarantulas).
He's getting old, so this could be the last Transformers fan convention he could be at.
Designer Aaron Archer will be there too, as he was doing a couple of fan conventions this year.

[griffin]

Something vaguely related, but probably not worth it's own news topic, a very short video clip of Frank Welker (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/08/22/entertaintment-weekly-how-legendary-voice-actor-frank-welker-brought-the-characters-to-life-370458) (voice of several Megatrons), talking about his time doing voice roles, including a mention about Transformers.

[griffin]

Next year's TFCon in Canada has been announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/09/10/tfcon-toronto-2019-dates-announced-july-12th-14th-371585) - July 12-14 in Toronto.

[griffin]

With the US TFCon now over for another year (a couple weekends ago), the 2019 event has been announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/10/30/tfcon-usa-2019-dates-announced-march-15-17-in-los-angeles-generation-1-reunion-375557), and it isn't at the end of the year this time, nor is it in Chicago or eastern half of the country.
Next year it will be really early - March 15th to 17th - and be in Los Angeles... which is good for Australians who have been thinking about doing a TFCon, or missed out on BotCon and would like to do the next best thing.
It is also being hyped up as a 35th anniversary convention, by having some sort of Gen1 voice actor cast reunion... but yet to announce any confirmed guests or details.
The fact that it is in Los Angeles, supports their claim that it will be a reunion of some kind, as many voice actors are located in LA, where a lot of the film studios and their recording studios are located.



fans from around the world will converge on the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel & Convention Center (2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505, USA) to participate in TFcon USA 2019 (https://www.tfcon.com/); a 3-day colossal Transformers event to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Transformers franchise (March 15-17, 2019). The show will feature a myriad of guests, voice actors, artists, writers and toy designers that contributed to the Transformers universe since 1984. There will also be a variety of Q&A panels, autograph sessions, workshops and costume contests all weekend long.



Not only that, LA is the perfect destination for a foreign tourist, with themeparks and Hollywood studios to visit before or after the convention.


The location is about as far from the LAX airport as the Pasadena Convention Centre was (the location of four BotCons), so it might be worth looking at a rental car or see if there is a shuttle bus to the Hotel.
Also, it looks like there is a really big sale on flights at Flight Centre at the moment (according to a TV ad I saw today), with return flights from East Coast Australia to LAX just costing $999. That's well below half price... but I don't know if it covers March next year.


For the record... I might end up going to this, but will need to think it over a bit first.
Being at the start off the year, it doesn't give as much time to decide, plan, and save, as it would for the October ones (which would have given us an extra 7 months to plan and save up).

[griffin]

The first five Gen1 voice actor guests for next year's US TFCon have been announced...


Alan Oppenheimer (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/13/transformers-voice-actor-alan-oppenheimer-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376493) - Beachcomber, Seaspray, Warpath, Powerglide.


Neil Ross (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/14/transformers-voice-actor-neil-ross-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376507) - Bonecrusher, Hook, Slag, Sixshot, Springer.


Michael Bell (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/15/transformers-voice-actor-michael-bell-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376594) - Prowl, Swoop, Sideswipe, Bombshell.


Paul Eiding (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/16/transformers-voice-actor-paul-eiding-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376737) - Perceptor, Quintesson.


Arthur Burghardt (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/17/transformers-voice-actor-arthur-burghardt-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376781) - Devastator.


Most of these are regulars on the Transformers Convention scene, but are still some small fry for a "Gen1" reunion... so expect the bigger names to be revealed towards the end of the guest announcements as they continue to build up hype for this big fan event.

[griffin]

Another two Gen1 cartoon guests announced for TFCon...

Morgan Lofting (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/19/transformers-voice-actor-morgan-lofting-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376883) - Moonracer, Firestar

Michael Horton (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/18/transformers-voice-actor-michael-horton-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376854) - Chip Chase

I really hope that all of these people end up being on one big panel, and it is filmed for public release... it could probably go for hours, and be full of character voices.
(I also hope that the big names that are yet to be announced will include Cullen, Welker, Berger, Gilverzan, Burton and Blu)

[UltraMarginal]

This looks like an awesome convention for guests!
I wish I had the time and budget to go, if the kids were a few years older I'd consider making it a whole family trip and take in the theme parks on the same trip.

maybe for the 40th anniversary con, if they have one...

[griffin]

I'm back on the fence... they suddenly stopped announcing Gen1 Voice Actors as guests, and started announcing writers/artists... some of whom weren't involved in the original cartoon (or comic). :(

Jack Lawrence (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/20/transformers-artist-jack-lawrence-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376985) (IDW artist) - Flint Dille (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/21/transformers-writer-flint-dille-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377086) (Gen1 cartoon writer) - Alex Milne (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/26/transformers-artist-alex-milne-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377418) (IDW artist) - Donald Glut (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/27/transformers-writer-donald-f-glut-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377514) (Gen1 cartoon writer)
I expected some non-VAs as guests, but the whole "reunion" gimmick was being hyped up to expect several more VAs, including some big names (which may yet be left until last).

[KELPIE]

Flint Dille is awesome though.

Maybe they will get the writers to put together an original script for the voice actors to read?

[griffin]

Flint Dille is awesome though.

Maybe they will get the writers to put together an original script for the voice actors to read?


The original writers and creators are indeed great guests, because their panels are often filled with stories or info that we've never heard about before.
Bob Budiansky would be a good guest... he only had two BotCon appearances, and I missed one, so he would have a lot of interesting things to say (as the creator of much of Gen1 - characters, story concepts and comic outline).


Oddly enough, TFCon have announced another Voice Actor guest (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/29/transformers-voice-actor-laurie-faso-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377622) - Laurie Faso (Skydive, Divebomb, Rampage and Orion Pax)... so maybe they are not done yet with the Voice Actors.


They also have tickets on sale (https://www.tfcon.com/tickets) now, plus hotel reservations (http://www.tfcon.com/hotel) at the Marriott.

[griffin]

Some more voice actors have been announced...
- Dan Gilverzan (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/15/transformers-voice-actor-dan-gilvezan-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378964) (Bumblebee/Goldbug, Hotspot, Skids, Snapdragon)
- Jack Angel (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/13/transformers-voice-actor-jack-angel-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378849) (Astrotrain, Cyclonus, Omega Supreme, Ramjet, Smokescreen)

- Melendy Britt (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/12/transformers-voice-actor-melendy-britt-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378777) (Alana - from the episode Sea Change)


Melendy voiced a really obscure character that was only in one episode (I had to look it up), but she voiced the original She-Ra, so people will probably be seeing her more for that role than her Transformers role.


The writer of the original Transformers Movie, Ron Friedman, will also be there as a guest (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/30/transformers-the-movie-writer-ron-friedman-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377804).

[KELPIE]

Melendy voiced a really obscure character that was only in one episode (I had to look it up), but she voiced the original She-Ra, so people will probably be seeing her more for that role than her Transformers role..

It doesn't hurt that they also have the voice of Skeletor, Man-At-Arms and Merman there also (Oppenheimer).

Speaking of, with the guests announced so far, we almost have all of the Voltron pilots too.

[griffin]

Peter Spellos (voice of Skybyte in the first RID cartoon series) will be a guest at the UK convention TFNation in August next year (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/21/peter-spellos-robots-in-disguise-sky-byte-to-attend-tfnation-2019-379382).

[griffin]

The huge line up of guests for the US TFCon continues with Hasbro designer Eric Siebenaler being announced (http://news.tfw2005.com/2019/01/13/transformers-designer-eric-siebenaler-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-380867).

[KELPIE]

Yeah I'm really tempted to go to this.

Flights are fairly cheap at the moment coming in at just under a grand.

Anyone else contemplating?

[griffin]

Another voice actor for TFCon (http://news.tfw2005.com/2019/01/22/transformers-voice-actor-jerry-houser-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-381251), and it is another obscure one who has never been a guest at a Transformers Convention before - Jerry Houser, who voiced Gen1 Sandstorm, a Junkion and a Sweep.

[griffin]

Another original series writer will be at the TFCon in March - David Wise (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/01/25/transformers-writer-david-wise-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-381578).

[griffin]

A big Gen1 Voice Actor has been announced for TFCon, so maybe they are winding up their guest announcements with the big names - Gregg Berger (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/01/transformers-voice-actor-gregg-berger-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382069) (voice of Grimlock, Outback, Long Haul, Skyfire).
It notes that he's only there for 3 hours on Friday though, just for Autographs... which should mean that he won't be part of any panel, and there will probably be a limit placed on the number of people who can see him for an autograph.
(also - the autograph format at TFCon is like most conventions, in that each guest/autograph costs money, unlike BotCon, which usually had free Autographs... so the larger the guest list gets for TFCon, the more expensive it will get if you wanted autographs from all of them)

[griffin]

so maybe they are winding up their guest announcements with the big names


And maybe not....
Two more guests announced - Jon Bailey (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/06/transformers-voice-actor-jon-bailey-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382300) (voice of Soundwave & Shockwave in the Bumblebee Movie), and David Sobolov (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/04/transformers-voice-actor-david-sobolov-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382185) (voice of BW Depth Charge, TFPrime Shockwave, and Blitzwing in the Bumblebee Movie).

[KELPIE]

They don't really fit the "G1 Reunion" motif, do they.

[griffin]

They don't really fit the "G1 Reunion" motif, do they.


To be fair, they do need to appeal to fans of as many eras as possible, not just first 3 years of the 35 years of Transformers... even if that was the main theme of this convention.
I'm just amazed at how many guests they have lined up for this event, both Gen1 and non-Gen1... for a convention that isn't as big as BotCon. There will be a lot to see and do if most of them have presentation panels.
Unfortunately, if you wanted to get all of their autographs, it would cost several hundred dollars (apparently they are usually about US$25 each at TFCon).



Another guest announced - IDW writer Mairghread Scott (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/08/transformers-writer-mairghread-scott-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382394).

[griffin]

And a guest for the Animated fans for TFCon - Marty Isenberg (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/11/transformers-writer-marty-isenberg-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382498) (writer for the Animated cartoon, and apparently did some work on Beast Machines as well).


TFCon is certainly looking like a celebration of the Transformers Brand, not just its first series (with the emphasis being on the "Gen1 reunion")... neither of which BotCon delivered with their 30th Anniversary convention, despite early promises that it would be an event to commemorate the milestone.

[griffin]

Another Original Series cartoon writer, Bryce Malek, will be at TFCon next month (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/12/transformers-writer-bryce-malek-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382720).

[UltraMarginal]

I wish I could afford (the time mostly) to attend this. it's so rare to have so many G1 people at a convention at the same time, even if some of them are just for Autographs. And there is potential that this may be the last or only convention for some of them.

As far as the Transformers fandom goes this is a big deal.

[griffin]

CLIVE REVILL revill, the voice of KICKBACK kickback, will be a guest (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/14/transformers-voice-actor-clive-revill-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382800) at TFCON con... ;)

[griffin]

IDW artist Josh Perez is also a guest at next month's TFCon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/18/transformers-artist-josh-perez-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-383575).

[griffin]

Two more guests for TFCon - Bob Skir (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/20/transformers-beast-machines-story-editor-bob-skir-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-383831) (writer for Beast Machines and Prime) and David Kaye (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/22/transformers-voice-actor-david-kaye-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-383996) (voice of BW Megatron and Animated Optimus)

[griffin]

Another two guests announced for TFCon - Daran Norris (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/24/transformers-voice-actor-daran-norris-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384046) (voice of Prime Knockout) and Danny Mann (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/26/transformers-voice-actor-danny-mann-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384137) (voice of Gen1 Cloudraker, Freeway, Lightspeed).

It's only two weeks away now, with a massive lineup... I really wish I was going, but going to Melbourne Toyfair the week before, made it pretty much impossible, in terms of getting time off work and the budget (the entire cost of my 3-day trip to Melbourne will be a little over a grand, which is enough out of my budget to rule out a quick trip over to LA).

[griffin]

Still two weeks away, and we haven't really seen any A-list Voice Actors (really just Dan Gilverzan, as Gregg Berger is only there for 3 hours)... and by now it would be too late to use new big names to convince too many more people to attend at just 14 days away (unless they were already within driving distance).

But a quick recap on their huge guest list, which is bigger than any previous Transformers convention, and bigger than many generic conventions like Supanova and Comic-Con in Australia...

GEN 1
- Alan Oppenheimer (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/13/transformers-voice-actor-alan-oppenheimer-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376493) - Beachcomber, Seaspray, Warpath, Powerglide.
- Neil Ross (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/14/transformers-voice-actor-neil-ross-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376507) - Bonecrusher, Hook, Slag, Sixshot, Springer.
- Michael Bell (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/15/transformers-voice-actor-michael-bell-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376594) - Prowl, Swoop, Sideswipe, Bombshell.
- Paul Eiding (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/16/transformers-voice-actor-paul-eiding-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376737) - Perceptor, Quintesson.
- Arthur Burghardt (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/17/transformers-voice-actor-arthur-burghardt-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376781) - Devastator.
- Morgan Lofting (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/19/transformers-voice-actor-morgan-lofting-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376883) - Moonracer, Firestar
- Michael Horton (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/18/transformers-voice-actor-michael-horton-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376854) - Chip Chase
- Clive Revill, the voice of KICKBACK
- Danny Mann (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/26/transformers-voice-actor-danny-mann-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384137) (voice of Gen1 Cloudraker, Freeway, Lightspeed).
- Laurie Faso (Skydive, Divebomb, Rampage and Orion Pax)
- Dan Gilverzan (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/15/transformers-voice-actor-dan-gilvezan-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378964) (Bumblebee/Goldbug, Hotspot, Skids, Snapdragon)
- Jack Angel (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/13/transformers-voice-actor-jack-angel-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378849) (Astrotrain, Cyclonus, Omega Supreme, Ramjet, Smokescreen)
- Melendy Britt (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/12/12/transformers-voice-actor-melendy-britt-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-378777) (Alana - from the episode Sea Change)
- Jerry Houser, who voiced Gen1 Sandstorm, a Junkion and a Sweep.
- Gregg Berger (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/01/transformers-voice-actor-gregg-berger-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382069) (voice of Grimlock, Outback, Long Haul, Skyfire) ONLY FOR 3 HOURS.

OTHER
- David Kaye (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/22/transformers-voice-actor-david-kaye-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-383996) (voice of BW Megatron and Animated Optimus)
- Daran Norris (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/24/transformers-voice-actor-daran-norris-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384046) (voice of Prime Knockout)
- Jon Bailey (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/06/transformers-voice-actor-jon-bailey-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382300) (voice of Soundwave & Shockwave in the Bumblebee Movie),
- David Sobolov (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/04/transformers-voice-actor-david-sobolov-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382185) (voice of BW Depth Charge, TFPrime Shockwave, and Blitzwing in the Bumblebee Movie).

CREATIVE GUESTS
- IDW artist Josh Perez
- Bob Skir (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/20/transformers-beast-machines-story-editor-bob-skir-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-383831) (writer for Beast Machines and Prime)
- Jack Lawrence (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/20/transformers-artist-jack-lawrence-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-376985) (IDW artist)
- Flint Dille (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/21/transformers-writer-flint-dille-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377086) (Gen1 cartoon writer)
- Alex Milne (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/26/transformers-artist-alex-milne-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377418) (IDW artist)
- Donald Glut (http://news.tfw2005.com/2018/11/27/transformers-writer-donald-f-glut-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-377514) (Gen1 cartoon writer)
- Ron Friedman - writer of the 1986 Transformers Movie
- Hasbro designer Eric Siebenaler (http://news.tfw2005.com/2019/01/13/transformers-designer-eric-siebenaler-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-380867)- David Wise (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/01/25/transformers-writer-david-wise-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-381578) (original series writer)
- IDW writer Mairghread Scott (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/08/transformers-writer-mairghread-scott-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382394).
- Marty Isenberg (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/02/11/transformers-writer-marty-isenberg-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-382498) (writer for the Animated cartoon, and apparently did some work on Beast Machines as well)
- Bryce Malek (original cartoon writer)

[Galvatran]

With the US TFCon now over for another year

Next year it will be really early - March 15th to 17th - and be in Los Angeles... which is good for Australians who have been thinking about doing a TFCon, or missed out on BotCon and would like to do the next best thing.

For the record... I might end up going to this, but will need to think it over a bit first.

Anyone plan on going to TFCon this month?

[griffin]

Still more guests being announced for TFCon, which starts tomorrow week.
Peter Renaday (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/01/transformers-voice-actor-peter-renaday-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384296) - voice of Gen1 Grapple.
Brandon Easton (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/03/transformers-war-for-cybertron-writer-brandon-easton-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384446) - writer of the upcoming War for Cybertron series on Netflix.
Jason Marnocha (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/05/transformers-voice-actor-jason-marnocha-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384523) - voice of Combiner Wars Megatron.
Frank Todaro (https://www.tfcon.com/transformers-voice-actor-frank-todaro-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019) - voice of Combiner Wars Starscream.

[griffin]

Derrick Wyatt (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/08/transformers-character-designer-derrick-j-wyatt-to-attend-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384693) - writer for Animated - also a guest at TFCon next weekend.
Also some Gen1 writers as well - Buzz Dixon (https://www.tfcon.com/transformers-writer-buzz-dixon-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019) and Douglas Booth (https://www.tfcon.com/transformers-writer-douglas-booth-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019).

[griffin]

Well, the US TFCon has now started in America, and they announced one more guest earlier in the week - Marlene Aragon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/10/transformers-voice-actor-marlene-aragon-joins-the-g1-reunion-at-tfcon-los-angeles-2019-384783), who voiced Elita-1 in the original cartoon.
Apparently she hasn't been a guest at a Transformers convention before, which is nice to see this event getting a few new guests in... but will she be there to speak about her time on Transformers (which might be difficult for her to remember much to talk about, after so long, for such a small role), or just be there for autographs and photos by fans.

We didn't end up getting Cullen or Welker (and only 3 hours of Gregg Berger), but with a few significant Gen1 voice actors and the large number of guests, spread across the generations (and a heavy focus on a series that is now 35 years old), it is still a great achievement. It's just a shame that TFCon has such a heavy focus on unauthorised toys, as Hasbro would have probably been involved as well in some way (to cash in on the anniversary, as they aren't likely to have a HasCon this year).

I still wish I was there, to at least see or meet more of the original voice actors that I hadn't seen before (from many botcons).

[griffin]

It's looking like the "G1 Reunion" TFCon in LA last week was just a one-off special event, not their annual American convention.... as they have just announced their "2019" America Convention being in October (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/20/tfcon-dc-2019-announced-october-25-27-in-reston-virginia-385669) (the usual part of the year), in Washington DC. (actually in Virginia, some distance from the territory of Washington of DC)

October 25-27 2019, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia.

[KELPIE]

I'm probably wrong, however I thought TFCon was always twice a year?

[griffin]

I'm probably wrong, however I thought TFCon was always twice a year?

Yep, usually 2... one in Canada (where it started) around August, and one in America (since the downfall of botcon) around October. The one this month in LA looks like it could be a one-off in addition to the regular one in America.

[KELPIE]

Ahh, gotcha.

Thanks for the explanation.

[griffin]

The Canadian TFCon in July has Bob Budiansky as a guest (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/08/transformers-creator-bob-budiansky-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-386814) (writer of the original series comic and creator of all of the early character bios).

[KELPIE]

Hasbro has started revealing their SDCC stuff for Star Wars. Transformers can't be too far behind?

[griffin]

TFNation (UK 16-18 AUG) - Brian Drummond (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/16/brian-drummond-to-attend-tfnation-2019-387104) (voice of BM Jetstorm)


TFCon (Canada 12-14 JULY) - Stephen Keener (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/15/transformers-voice-actor-stephen-keener-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-387040) (voice of Gen1 Fort Max, Hardhead, Mindwipe, Scorponok)

[griffin]

Another major guest for the Canadian TFCon in July - Ron Friedman (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/04/22/transformers-writer-ron-friedman-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-387327) (writer of the 1986 Movie).

[griffin]

The voice of Tigatron is still around (Blu Mankuma), and will be a guest at the July TFCon in Canada (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/05/13/transformers-voice-actor-blu-mankuma-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-388123).

[griffin]

It's looking like the "G1 Reunion" TFCon in LA last week was just a one-off special event, not their annual American convention.... as they have just announced their "2019" America Convention being in October (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/03/20/tfcon-dc-2019-announced-october-25-27-in-reston-virginia-385669) (the usual part of the year), in Washington DC. (actually in Virginia, some distance from the territory of Washington of DC)

October 25-27 2019, at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia.


Tickets are now on sale (https://www.tfcon.com/tickets).

[griffin]

The Canadian TFCon has a Transformers Voice Actor whom I don't think has been a guest at a Transformers convention yet - Colin Murdock (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/07/02/transformers-voice-actor-colin-murdock-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-390674), the voice of Beast Wars Quickstrike.

[KELPIE]

The Canadian TFCon has a Transformers Voice Actor whom I don't think has been a guest at a Transformers convention yet - Colin Murdock (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/07/02/transformers-voice-actor-colin-murdock-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2019-390674), the voice of Beast Wars Quickstrike.
My favourite BW character.

Loved the toy, looking at how the show was going I thought he'd never make an appearance. Boom, when he popped out of the stasis pod I was so happy.

[griffin]

Another Beast Wars VA for TFCon, but this time for the US one in October - David Sobolov (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/08/16/transformers-voice-actor-david-sobolov-to-attend-tfcon-dc-2019-394677) (Depth Charge)... who also voiced Shockwave in TFPrime, and Blitzwing in the Bumblebee Movie.

[griffin]

Meanwhile, over in the UK this weekend, the TFNation convention had a special treat for fans at the event, particularly those who are fans of the Animated cartoon series.
The writer Marty Isenberg did up an "outline" based on the first three episodes of what would have been Season 4, and apparently managed to get the original voice actors who worked on the cartoon to record various their lines individually and edited it together.
Details are limited, and it isn't known how much detail was actually put into this "outline", as it was noted that it wasn't a script, so I'm not sure how much was read by the Voice Actors, or how many of them did lines for this... because recording of this event was prohibited, so we might not ever see/hear it.
But for now all we have are some bullet points from one of the people who attended it (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/08/17/transformers-animated-season-4-information-394682)... and note that if Season 4 did get produced 7 years ago, these details may or may not have been part of it, as the writer had a fair bit of time to come up with new ideas to weave into what we already knew was planned for Season 4.




The Protoforms are handed over to the Cyber Ninjas and their new sensei, Dai Atlas.
Sari is not one of the protoforms. She’s something else.
A wake is held for Prowl.
Ultra Magnus dies and names Optimus Prime as his sucessor.
Sentinel Prime bribes Bumblebee with a spot on the Elite Guard to endorse him as Ultra Magnus’ successor. This drives a wedge between him and the rest of the team. He later reconciles by refusing to follow along with Sentinel’s bribery.
Ratchet and the other science bots build Sentinel Prime a “Powermaster” armor suit.
Ironhide and Jazz become members of Team Prime.
Omega Supreme has a hard time fitting in on Cybertron as people view him as a weapon of mass destruction. Omega decides to dedicate himself to saving lives.
The Decepticons attack the Energon farm Bulkhead came from. Obsidian leads the attack. A later raid sees Team Prime sans Bumblebee fight Strika’s Team Charr.
Sentinel gets played by Megatron, first leading the Elite Guard on a wild goose chase then distracting everyone with a public trial.
Rattrap (here named Rattletrap) is Megatron’s defence attorny. He gets Megatron off all charges.
Megatron launches Trypticon Prison into space.
Optimus (using the Powermaster armour) leads his team on Omega Supreme in pursuit. Bulkhead stays behind on Cybertron to fix the damage Trypticon launching caused.
Omega VS Trypticon leads to Omega being damaged and remaining in ship mode.
Optimus and crew (minus Ratchet) break into Trypticon prison and knock the rocket city’s power offline by overloading the power grid.
Megatron throws his soldiers into the city’s reactor in a desperate bid to keep the prison powered (Lugnut jumps in willingly)
After a showdown with Optimus Prime, Trypticon prison crashes to Earth – landing on top of Dinobot Island.

[griffin]

Some more info from (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/08/19/more-transformers-animated-information-from-tfnation-2019-394793) the Animated event at the TFNation convention...




Powermaster Prime was a Hasbro request to allow Hasbro to release a larger size / priced character. Marty worked it into the premiere.
Hasbro also requested flames on Optimus, movie-style. This would have been a repaint on the toy. It popped up in the outline as signifier of a high honour awarded to Optimus.
Focus would have been on Mini-Cons, but the other Decepticons would have eventually come back.
Megatron was completely losing it at this point in the story. Described as “not quite Beast Machines genocidal, but on the way there”
Marauder Megatron was a Hasbro request, they wanted a triple changer design. Intended to make Megatron a huge threat to the point he didn’t need minions.
Writers never figured out exactly where Sari was going. But her journey was the story of Transformers Animated – idea was the finale would have been the end of her journey.
Beachcomber was intended for Season 3. He was supposed to catch Longarm turning into Shockwave. His reaction? “Dude, not cool”. Then Shockwave kills him. This was cut for time.
Beachcomber was then intended for a scene in Season 4. Blackout would have killed him.
If the Beachcomber scene hadn’t happened in Season 4, he’d have died in Season 5. Marty didn’t like Beachcomber.
Unicron considered “too big for Animated”
No plans to have had Megatron become Galvatron in Animated.
Shattered Glass episode was intended for Season 3. It got bumped when the Season 3 opener was made into a three party.
Marty doesn’t remember who would have been on Slipstream’s own team of Decepticons.
Optimus as a young leader was Marty’s idea. He likes writing underdogs and characters with something to prove rather than big heroes.
Blitzwing as a character was born from Marty wanting to write a character who turns into anything. Because that didn’t work as a toy, Derrick Wyatt suggested using a triple changer. Marty then came up with three personalities. Derrick was then inspired by He-Man’s Man-E-Faces. In-show origin would have involved Blackarachnia and been told in Season 4.
There was a running joke about having a transforming character called “Tractor”. He’d have been an Energon farmer.
Blurr was not intended to come back – he was “gone and dead” as far as Marty was concerned. But, the Botcon story where Blurr is revived “is canon. Sure. Why not?”
Team Charr were not specifically planned to be used (no stories built around them) but Marty thinks they would have “inevitably” been used.
Ratchet probably ran off with Omega Supreme as the Ark, and nobody else knew rather than him being intentionally given to Optimus.
Characters like Red Alert and Rodimus would have been recurring characters.
Marty thinks Obsidian in the treatment may have been a slip on his part, and could have been Strika in the final cut.
No plans for more flying Autobots.
Human villains were phased out – “fell by the wayside” – as the series progressed. Not a Hasbro pushback.
The timeslot for the Unicron Trilogy and Animated was based on a deal. The first run was on a decent timeslot but if the ratings were not good, it’d be moved to an earlier timeslot.
Cartoon Network wanted Marty and the crew to “age up” the show for season 3, to reflect the network’s other shows at the time (specifically the new Ben 10 and Clone Wars)
Bulkhead was the first character Derrick Wyatt designed.
Lockdown was based on wanting a version of Death’s Head that Hasbro could own.
Chances of actually seeing a new season “slim to none”. Comic a smaller investment, but up to IDW to decide if they want to do it. Marty would be happy to write it.
Marty says if you want to know more, get the Allspark Almanacs

[griffin]

And with the end of this year's UK TFNation convention comes the announcement of next years - August 14-16, 2020 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/08/20/tfnation-2020-announced-14-16-august-2020-394964)... once again at the Hilton Birmingham.

[griffin]

Voice Actor Michael McConnohie (Gen1 Tracks and Cosmos) will be a guest at next month's American TFCon convention (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/09/10/transformers-voice-actor-michael-mcconnohie-to-attend-tfcon-dc-2019-396341).

A nice line-up so far...


Special guests include Dan Gilvezan the voices of G1 Bumblebee, Goldbug, Hot Spot, Outback, Rollbar, Scamper, Skids and Snapdragon as well as Paul Eiding the voices of Perceptor and Quintesson in Transformers Generation 1 in addition to David Sobolov the voice of Blitzwing in the Bumblebee Movie, Depth Charge in Beast Wars and Shockwave in Transformers Prime, Generation 1 writer Donald F. Glut, former Transformers Franchise designer Aaron Archer, former Transformers Creative Manager Rik Alvarez, plus Transformers comic book artists Alex Milne, Jack Lawrence, Casey Coller and more TBA.

If the TFCon's weren't so heavily focussed on unauthorised toys, I'd be more tempted to go... and Hasbro would probably be a guest as well to show off or reveal some new items.

[griffin]

Another "Gen1" guest for the American TFCon - Vince Dicola (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/07/transformers-the-movie-composer-vince-dicola-to-attend-tfcon-dc-2019-398119).

[griffin]

Next year's TFNation convention has announced their first guest (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/18/tania-gunadi-to-attend-tfnation-2020-398578) - Tania Gunadi (the voice of Miko from TFPrime).

[griffin]

The American TFCon has announced their 2020 location and date (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/05/tfcon-usa-2020-dates-announced-march-20-22-in-orlando-florida-400091) - The Hilton at the entrance of the Orlando Florida Universal Studios themepark, on the weekend of March 20-22.
There's no mention of why it is in the first half of the year, unless they are planning to do two a year now, or they are swapping the seasons with their Canadian convention.
What it does mean though, is people who are wanting to go, now have 7 months less to plan and save, compared to the usual October dates.

[griffin]

And TFCon have also announced their 2020 Canadian event (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/17/tfcon-toronto-2020-dates-announced-july-10th-12th-400743) - July 10-12, at Mississauga/Meadowvale in the city of Toronto.

[griffin]

Next year's TFNation convention has announced their first guest (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/18/tania-gunadi-to-attend-tfnation-2020-398578) - Tania Gunadi (the voice of Miko from TFPrime).

The UK fans have a treat on their hands next year with the announcement of Peter Cullen as a guest at TFNation (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/23/peter-cullen-the-voice-of-optimus-prime-to-make-uk-convention-debut-at-tfnation-2020-401068).

[griffin]

Gen1 voice actor Gregg Berger (Grimlock, Outback, Skyfire, Longhaul) will be at the next TFCon in Orlando Florida, in March (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/12/04/transformers-voice-actor-gregg-berger-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-401634).

[griffin]

Here's an obscurity for the fan convention scene - Victor Caroli, the narrator for the Original series and 1986 Movie, as well as a number of toy commercials - will be a guest at the American TFCon in March next year (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/12/20/transformers-narrator-victor-caroli-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-402656).

I'm not sure if he'll be able to tell much about Transformers from back then, or if he was even with any of the voice actors, as he wouldn't have needed to record his lines with any of the cast. I think he would just be a checklist guest for the hard-core fans of the original series, to say that they saw him, and maybe an autograph on their DVD cases.

[griffin]

The 2017 TFNation convention in the UK produced at special Animated Graphic Novel (comic) called Trial and Error, which was exclusive to attendees (and cost a fortune on the secondary market later). Since the book wasn't licensed, and it wasn't an official convention, the book was kept limited and exclusive to attendees.

Now two years later, the TFNation people have decided to make it available to everyone else (https://tfnation.com/blog/2020/A%20present,%20from%20TFNation%20to%20you), online for free (in pdf format).

High res version (https://tfnation.com/media/tfnation-2017/TrialandError300dpi.pdf) - low res version (https://tfnation.com/media/tfnation-2017/TrialandErrorweb.pdf).

[griffin]

Here's something different... one of the artists who did the box-art of a number of the early Transformers toys, will be at the American TFCon in March (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/12/31/transformers-box-artist-mark-watts-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-403152).
Mark Watts is said to have done the box-art for - Bumblebee, Cliffjumper, Brawn, Huffer, Gears, Windcharger, Shockwave, Jetfire, Bonecrusher, Scavenger, Mix Master, Long Haul, Scrapper, Hook, Motormaster, Breakdown, Wildrider, Dead End, Dragstrip and Menasor.
It says that he will be there to sell prints and give autographs... so hopefully he shows off unused artwork, like alternate colours and poses (or even toys that didn't end up being released by Hasbro).

(oddly though, the promo picture released by TFCon for this guest, has the artwork of two character that aren't in the list)

[griffin]

Venus Terzo, the voice of Blackarachnia, will be at the American TFCon in March (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/10/transformers-voice-actor-venus-terzo-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-403415).

[griffin]

Bob Budiansky will also be at the Florida TFCon in Marc (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/12/transformers-creator-bob-budiansky-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-403537)h.

[griffin]

Still seven months away, the TFNation convention in the UK has announced more guests, including Author Jim Sorenson (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/18/jim-sorenson-to-attend-tfnation-2020-403820).


guests including Transformers (2019) series author Brian Ruckley (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/11/brian-ruckley-to-attend-tfnation-2020-403477), artist Kei Zama (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/03/kei-zama-to-attend-tfnation-2020-403220), Nick Roche (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/12/14/nick-roche-to-attend-tfnation-2020-402324) (writer and artist), John-Paul Bove (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/12/09/john-paul-bove-to-attend-tfnation-2020-401955) (writer, artist, and colorist), Sumalee Montano (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/29/sumalee-montano-to-attend-tfnation-2020-401420) (Transformers Prime Arcee’s voice), the legendary Peter Cullen (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/23/peter-cullen-the-voice-of-optimus-prime-to-make-uk-convention-debut-at-tfnation-2020-401068) (voice of Optimus Prime), Sarah Stone (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/22/sarah-stone-to-attend-tfnation-2020-401066)(IDW’s first Transformers series artist), Beth McGuire-Smith (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/21/beth-mcguire-smith-to-attend-tfnation-2020-400949), Anna Malkova (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/15/anna-malkova-to-attend-tfnation-2020-400712) (artists for IDW’s Transformers (2019) comics), Jack Lawrence (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/14/jack-lawrence-to-attend-tfnation-2020-400606) (Transformers: Lost Light artist), James Roberts (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/11/13/james-roberts-to-attend-tfnation-2020-400562) (Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye and Lost Light writer), Lee Sullivan (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/28/lee-sullivan-to-attend-tfnation-2020-399706) (original artist from the days of Marvel’s UK Transformers run), & Tania Gunadi (https://news.tfw2005.com/2019/10/18/tania-gunadi-to-attend-tfnation-2020-398578) (voice actor for Bulkhead’s best buddy Miko Nakadai) at Europe’s largest Transformers convention. Scheduled for August 14-16, 2020, the convention happens at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole

[griffin]

Gen1 Voice Actor Hal Rayle (Snarl, Shrapnel, Pipes) will be at the American TFCon next month. (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/01/28/transformers-voice-actor-hal-rayle-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-404309)

[griffin]

Looks like Vince DiCola is still around doing the convention scene, as he's another guest at next month's Florida TFCon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/02/18/transformers-the-movie-composer-vince-dicola-to-attend-tfcon-orlando-2020-405393).

[griffin]

Despite all of the rapidly increasing number of announcements of cancelled events around the world, this one still surprised me for some reason - the Florida TFCon next weekend has been cancelled (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/03/13/tfcon-orlando-2020-has-been-canceled-407972).
Just like other events that have been cancelled at the last minute, there will be a lot of people losing money over this. People will be getting refunds of any packages or dealer tables they pre-paid, but those who pre-paid any of their trip or paid for cheap non-refundable tickets, lose out... as do all of those vendors and dealers who need these events to earn a living or pay staff. Not to mention dealers who would have bought up extra stock, to sell at the event, now have to move that extra stock some other way.

And this was one that I almost went to as well, if certain things had gone my way last year. Glad I didn't, as I probably would have been flying over this weekend, to spend the week at the themeparks before the convention next weekend. There were a number of guests I wanted to meet, and it was in the city that I've been to twice before, and would love to go back again for Disneyworld and Universal Studios.
I hope they try to do it again there next year, as I should be more able to go next year.

[griffin]

It was interesting reading the time-line of live cancellations of the guests over a matter of hours before the official cancellation of the Florida TFCon, suggesting that it was just the lack of guests forcing the decision as it was before the virus had become a serious concern in America.
And it looks like the organisers of TFCon must be believing what the White House is telling the public, in that the virus will be eradicated very quickly, because they have announced a new American TFCon in October, in Chicago (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/03/22/tfcon-chicago-2020-announced-october-23-25-408723).
There is no way this will go ahead. The virus will still be around in October, and government restrictions on how many people can be allowed to be in a group will prevent all conventions until next year.

It makes you wonder what is going to happen with SDCC this year. July is still a little over 3 months away, and the extravagant exhibits and exclusives take months to prepare and produce, so I think there would be a lot of companies already deciding that they will not be able to be involved, particularly if the virus may not have reached its peak by then.
Hasbro always sells their extras on their website, so if there is no SDCC, they will just sell all of their exclusives on their site... and us non-Americans just have the usual hassle of going through a secondary source (or get them from an Asian source).

[griffin]

And it looks like the organisers of TFCon must be believing what the White House is telling the public, in that the virus will be eradicated very quickly, because they have announced a new American TFCon in October, in Chicago (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/03/22/tfcon-chicago-2020-announced-october-23-25-408723).
There is no way this will go ahead. The virus will still be around in October, and government restrictions on how many people can be allowed to be in a group will prevent all conventions until next year.

With month passing since I made this comment, the rapid recovery of Australia and the fact that New York was past its own peak, had me thinking that October is still so far off, that this could still be a possibility.
However, in recent days I've been keeping an eye on the infection rates in America, and even though numbers are dropping in New York, just about every other state is still climbing, particularly the middle states, which are only now getting their first surges of virus cases. Five months is still a long way off, but my money is that the October event will be cancelled due to ongoing restrictions, even if the state is "re-opened", as people will still be afraid of going (and the organisors would be forced to take measures to limit the number of people in rooms, which could make it impossible for it to be financially viable).

Meanwhile, their Canadian TFCon for 2020 has been postponed from July to September (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/04/28/tfcon-toronto-2020-rescheduled-to-september-4-6-410602)... but I'd say wait and see if it goes ahead, closer to its date.

[griffin]

The UK TFNation fan convention scheduled for August has now been cancelled (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/05/13/tfnation-2020-event-abandoned-ticket-refund-rollover-guidance-forthcoming-on-may-18th-411245).

[griffin]

The UK TFNation fan convention scheduled for August has now been cancelled (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/05/13/tfnation-2020-event-abandoned-ticket-refund-rollover-guidance-forthcoming-on-may-18th-411245).

TFNation will be doing an online "convention", with seven of their guests being signed up to do something online (https://tfnation.com/big-broadcast) during that weekend of August 14th & 15th (probably an online interview/panel for fans, which might be free). Details at the link, for those interested in being part of the audience of a foreign Transformers fan convention, from the comfort of your own home.

[griffin]

Both of the TFCons for this year (Canada and US) are now officially cancelled (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/07/16/tfcon-toronto-and-tfcon-chicago-2020-cancelled-414895) for this year.

[griffin]

TFCon have bravely announced a date and location for their 2021 American convention - October 22-24 in Baltimore Hilton, at Baltimore, Maryland (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/08/01/tfcon-baltimore-2021-announced-october-22-24-416268).

[Paulbot]

TFNation will be doing an online "convention", with seven of their guests being signed up to do something online (https://tfnation.com/big-broadcast) during that weekend of August 14th & 15th (probably an online interview/panel for fans, which might be free). Details at the link, for those interested in being part of the audience of a foreign Transformers fan convention, from the comfort of your own home.

This is underway. I'm watching at the moment. I had very unconfirmed plans of going until this year became this year.

[griffin]

Following the trend of others, the American TFCon that was planned for the last weekend of October, is having an online event (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/09/13/tfcon-online-the-virtual-transformers-convention-announced-419459).

[griffin]

TFCon America has announced their 2021 dates and location - Hilton Baltimore (Maryland), October 22-24 2021 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/11/15/tfcon-baltimore-2021-hotel-block-online-424152).

[griffin]

Pete's Robocon has recently announced (https://www.facebook.com/PetesRoboCon/posts/1343295432681006) that it is still going ahead this year, on June 18-19, at the location they had planned for last year (which was cancelled) of Louisville Kentucky (same hotel as the final BotCon in 2016).
Pre-registration packages can be found on the Night Shining website (https://nightshiningllc.com/).

Doing some research on this, I noticed that Night Shining have two websites... without anything obvious between the two other than the logo.
There is an "inc" website (https://nightshininginc.com/home) that features their 2020 Robocon info and non-Transformers things, while the "llc" website (https://nightshiningllc.com/) features their 2021 Robocon (and lists a third cover version of their BotCon Toy/Product guide - the first two had either Gen2 Breakdown or Apelinq on the cover, while this one (https://nightshiningllc.com/collections/frontpage/products/botcon-beyond-the-convention-the-ultimate-product-guide-volume-1-pre-order) has Mirrorverse Optimus on the cover).

Still no word on if and when a BotCon (https://www.facebook.com/BotConOfficial/) will be happening this year as they had planned (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php/26939) (their website still not updated (https://www.botcon.com/index.html) from last year), but the 2021 Robocon is still promoting itself as a BotCon preview.

[griffin]

The annual UK fan convention TFNation is still some 5 months away, but is going to be an online event again this year (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/03/06/tfnation-the-big-broadcast-of-2021-announced-429687).

[griffin]

The Canadian TFCon for this year has been announced for December 10-12 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/04/23/tfcon-toronto-2021-rescheduled-to-december-10-12-432214).

[griffin]

The West Coast American TFCon for early 2022 has been announced (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/05/24/tfcon-los-angeles-2022-announced-march-11-13-434093) - March 11-13, at the Marriot at Burbank Airport, Los Angeles. (the north side of the city, like Pasadena and Hollywood)

[griffin]

TFCon America has announced their 2021 dates and location - Hilton Baltimore (Maryland), October 22-24 2021 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2020/11/15/tfcon-baltimore-2021-hotel-block-online-424152).

The first guest to be announced is David Kaye (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/06/16/transformers-voice-actor-david-kaye-to-attend-tfcon-baltimore-2021-435602) (best known for his voicing of Beast Wars Megatron).

[griffin]

Another big guest for the October TFCon - Bob Budiansky (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/07/24/transformers-creator-bob-budiansky-to-attend-tfcon-baltimore-2021-438118) (writer & bio creator).

[griffin]

Garry Chalk (voice of the original BW Optimus Primal) will also be at the October TFCon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/07/31/transformers-voice-actor-garry-chalk-to-attend-tfcon-baltimore-2021-438450).

[griffin]

Gregg Berger is also expected at the October TFCon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/08/14/transformers-voice-actor-gregg-berger-to-attend-tfcon-baltimore-2021-439426).

[griffin]

An interesting guest for the December Canadian TFCon event - Lee Tockar, who voiced Ravage in the Beast Wars cartoon (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/10/26/transformers-voice-actor-lee-tockar-to-attend-tfcon-toronto-2021-443857).
With the PulseCon Ravage 2-pack out this year, I think a lot of people will be wanting him to autograph the pack... and do a lot of retelling of his more memorable lines from the cartoon.

[griffin]

The return of the main UK convention (TFNation) has been announced for the second weekend of August 2022 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/11/07/tfnation-2022-announced-12-14-august-444521), after it was cancelled for 2021.

[griffin]

The end of year US TFCon has been announced for Chicago in October 21-23 (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/01/03/tfcon-chicago-2022-announced-october-21-23-447661).

[griffin]

If only covid didn't exist... I would have been seriously considering hopping over for the Los Angeles TFCon on the second weekend of March (https://www.tfconla.com/guests), as they have a massive line-up of Transformers guests (it is easier to do in Hollywood-land, but it still takes money to book them).

The guests listed so far (which depends on their covid status on the actual weekend), and more could still be announced with four more weeks to go...


Alan Oppenheimer the voices of Warpath, Beachcomber, Breakdown, and Seaspray in Transformers Generation 1
Dan Gilvezan the voices of Bumblebee, Goldbug, Hot Spot, Outback, Rollbar, Scamper, Skids, and Snapdragon in Transformers Generation 1
Gregg Berger the voices of Grimlock, Skyfire, Long Haul, and Outback in the Transformers Generation 1
Michael Bell the voices of Prowl, Sideswipe, Bombshell, Brainstorm, First Aid, Scrapper, and Swoop in Transformers Generation 1
Paul Eiding the voices of Perceptor and Quintesson in Transformers Generation 1
Neil Ross the voices of Bonecrusher, Hook, Sixshot, Slag, Pointblank, and Springer in the Transformers Generation 1 cartoon
Morgan Lofting the voice of Firestar and Moonracer in Transformers Generation 1
Jerry Houser the voices of Sandstorm, Junkyard, and a Sweep in Transformers Generation 1
Ian James Corlett the voice of Cheetor in Beast Wars and Beast Machines
David Kaye to TFcon Los Angeles 2021. Transformers fans will recognize him as the voice of Megatron in Beast Wars, Beast Machines, Armada, Energon, and Cybertron, as well as Optimus Prime in Transformers Animated.
Grey DeLisle the voice of Arcee in the Bumblebee Movie as well as Arcee, Chromia and Elita-One in Revenge of the Fallen, and Glowstrike in Robots in Disguise
André Sogliuzzo the voices of Sideswipe in Transformers Revenge of the Fallen and Clawtrap in Transformers Robots in Disguise (2015)
Daniel Riordan the voice of Megatron, Galvatron, and Omega Prime in Robots in Disguise (2001)
Jeff Bennett the voices of Angry Archer, Captain Fanzone, Grandus, Mixmaster, Prowl, Soundwave and Ultra Magnus in Transformers Animated, as well as Axiom and Theorem on Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015)
Robin Atkin Downes the voices of Jacknab, Pilfer and Flamesnort on Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015) as well as Prime #3 in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Sandy Fox the voice of T-AI in Robots in Disguise (2001)
Dan Woren the voice of Crosswise in Robots in Disguise (2001)
Brook Chalmers the voice of Impactor, Comms Officer and Sparkless bot in the Netflix Transformers War for Cybertron Trilogy
Jon Bailey the voices of Soundwave and Shockwave in the Bumblebee Movie, and Optimus Prime in Combiner Wars
Greg Berg the voice of Igor in Transformers Dark of the Moon
Melendy Britt the voice of Alana in Transformers Generation 1
.
rock musician Stan Bush
composer Vince Dicola
Jim Sorenson writer of The Ark, The AllSpark Almanacs and The Art of Transformers Packaging book
The Transformers: The Movie (1986) writer Ron Friedman
(and a number of comic book writers and artists)

[1AZRAEL1]

I would love to go to that too. Always wanted to meet Michael Bell, not just because of Transformers, but also he was a lead voice in one of my all time favourite games series.

[griffin]

Less than a week away and they are still adding more guests....

John Moschitta Jr - Gen1 Blurr
Josh Keaton - TFPrime Jack & Tailgate
Ed Bosco - WFC Ultra Magnus
Bill Rogers - WFC Wheeljack

[griffin]

The second TFCon for the year is at Chicago in October, and they have announced their next big guest - Peter Cullen (https://www.tfcon.com/peter-cullen-the-voice-of-optimus-prime-to-attend-tfcon-chicago-2022).

Other guests so far announced (https://www.tfcon.com/guests) include David Kaye, Paul Eiding (Perceptor) and Ron Friedman (wrote 1986 Movie).

[griffin]

Next year's West Coast TFCon has been announced (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/10/08/tfcon-los-angeles-2023-announced-march-10-12-467583), for March 10-12, in Los Angeles (Burbank Airport Marriott).

[griffin]

Next year's East Coast American TFCon has been announced (https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/10/28/tfcon-orlando-2023-announced-october-20-22-469024) - Orlando Florida (Seaworld), October 20-22 2023.