This convention review was prepared for SF² Concatenation, a British seasonal review of science fact and science fiction.

Pemmi-Con, the 15th North American Science Fiction Convention, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, July 20 to 23, 2023.

Science fiction conventions are always friendly, but Pemmi-Con dialed it up to eleven. I’m from the United States’ Midwest, where “Midwest nice” is a thing, but Canadians are nicer, saying “sorry” where we’d say “ope” or “excuse me.” Canada has its own accent, culture with a greater emphasis on nature, political and social trajectory, food, and historic heroes. Pemmi-Con also stressed the presence of First Nations and Métis Nation.

Pemmi-Con was a North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC), which is held when the World Science Fiction Convention takes place outside of North America. This year’s Worldcon will be in Chengdu, China, October 18 to 22, 2023, and next year’s in Glasgow, Scotland, August 8 to 12, 2024.

Pemmi-Con billed itself as a “Journey to the Center of the Continent,” and it located in the middle of North America, surrounded in July by yellow canola fields in bloom, but some of the continent was on fire, so the air quality ranged from smoky to very smoky.

Most of events were in Delta Hotels Winnipeg and the RBC Convention Center, connected by skyway pedestrian bridges. The convention center’s south building Hall D held the Dealers, Art Show, autographing, exhibits, fan tables, and site selection voting for next year’s NASFiC, along with some meeting rooms. They were all spacious and comfortable, but a full block away from the hotel. “I’m getting my daily steps in,” one con-goer remarked cheerfully.

With 509 members on site and 849 members total as of Saturday, the convention drew relatively few people for a North American alternative to the Worldcon. Many of those attending were experienced con-goers, however. Their understanding and their friendly, nice cheerfulness was useful as the convention struggled at the last minute. As we ate and chatted in the hotel bar the day before the convention began, the schedule on the phone app Grenadine was literally changing before our eyes. It kept changing throughout the convention, but experienced con-goers knew how to cope. “We’re here for fun,” one of them explained.

The Opening Ceremony began with native singing and drumming by Heather Bjorklund of Turtle Drum workshops to call the ancestors as part of Pemmi-Con’s land acknowledgment. First Fandom Awards were presented by Vincent Docherty to authors Michael Moorcock and Will Murray for the First Fandom Hall of Fame; and artist Ken Kelly and fan and printer Conrad H. Ruppert for the Posthumous Hall of Fame. David Ritter presented the Sam Moskowitz Archive Award to John L. Coker III.

Programming offered a wide variety of choices and kept its guests of honor busy.

Philip John Currie, a Canadian paleontologist and museum curator, spoke about all things dinosaur: Tyrannosaurs were feathered, especially juveniles to keep warm, and you could not outrun one, especially the agile juveniles. Julie E. Czerneda, a Canadian and author, added cheer to every panel she was on. George Freeman, a Canadian comic book creator, described how to create comic books. Tanya Huff, a Canadian author, provided lively toastmastering. John Mansfield, the fan guest of honor and chair of the 1994 ConAdian Worldcon, died in April 2023 but was still honored as the fan guest. Waubgeshig Rice, an author from the Wasauksing First Nation, described Canadian mythology. Nisi Shawl, a US author, spoke on writing. Lorna Toolis, a Canadian fan, was Ghost of Honor. katherena vermette of the Red River Métis had to withdraw due to a work conflict.

Beyond the Guests of Honor, more than 100 people participated in the programming, with topics on writing, science, social media, human rights, and fan favorites like Star Trek or Doctor Who. A virtual track was available starting Friday.

Although almost no videos were shown, the schedule offered other entertainment: gaming, which included a New Zealand game called Kaupapa to learn the Māori language; a pinball room; cosplay (costuming); and lots of filk (science fiction and fantasy folk songs) performances, panels, and workshops. Kaffeklatsches and spotlight sessions encouraged friendly exchanges. Parties were limited due to hotel constraints, and the lobby bar became a busy social location.

Ten entries participated in the Masquerade, including me as a first-timer. Best in show for performance and for workmanship went to the dancing Hut of Baba Yaga, a house on golden chicken legs. I won a novice-class honorable mention for the story of the Doctor Who scarf my mother made for my husband.

In the Art Show, Robert Pasternak won Best in Show for “Breatharian.”

Voting to select the site of the 2024 NASFiC was held in Hall D, and the first-ever WSFS business meeting at a NASFiC was held on Saturday morning. It lasted fifteen minutes, and most of that time was spent explaining the rules. Buffalo, which was unopposed, won with 129 of 139 votes cast.

Pemmi-Con ended on Sunday afternoon with a procession led by a bagpiper, songs and drumming from Heather Bjorklund to release the ancestors, and a ceremonial passing of the gavel to Buffalo. In a reflection of Canadian culture, the evening’s Dead Dog party, a traditional after-con event, was renamed the Dazed Moose.