ThunderCon 's Big risk may see big rewards

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Hundreds of geeks, nerds and fans attending this weekend’s ThunderCon event at the Valhalla Inn will be coming from outside of city.

This year ThunderCon organizers put significant effort into attracting internationally recognized keynote guests, including Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager; Stargate), along with making other event improvements. These efforts may pay off, as nearly half of the online pre-registered attendees are coming from outside the city.

“Going into the third year we knew we had to take the risk and go big, or become a stagnant event that inevitably dulls over time,” said Rob Kilgour, Chair of ThunderCon Executive. “With the help of City Tourism Manager Paul Pepe and the City of Thunder Bay, ThunderCon has garnered so much attention beyond our borders. It’s pretty darn exciting when you have Klingons from Minnesota coming to your Con!”

Kilgour adds the event’s improvements couldn’t have been possible without the Northern Ontario Heritage Corporation, which generously contributed a $12,300 grant.

“I’m thrilled that through the NOHFC, our government is able to support thriving independent events like
ThunderCon that help bolster tourism here in the Northwest and provide unique opportunities forNortherners that would otherwise be unavailable,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines and Chair of the NOHFC.

“Congratulations to the organizers of Thundercon on their third annual event,” said Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan. “It continues to grow and exceed the expectations of the organizers themselves. It’s events like this that help build community and strengthen our local economy. I’m pleased that our government was able to provide a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation grant to support this great weekend.”

ThunderCon takes place this SATURDAY Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and SUNDAY Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Valhalla Inn.

For additional information, or to arrange interviews during ThunderCon please contact:
Scott Paradis,
Media coordinator, 807-630-8366.

ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
Media passes for your organization will be set aside for your reporting staff. Please instruct staff covering the event to check in at the front desk at anytime Saturday or Sunday to retrieve a weekend pass.