It’s that time of year – this week is the annual Official Star Trek Convention out in Las Vegas, and Creation Entertainment who runs the event has just released the five-day schedule of events for the big bash out west (August 1-5), including nearly the entire cast of Star Trek: Discovery making a first-time appearance.

Along with Discovery Terran Empire prop/costume exhibit which will be open for fans to explore all week, the convention will also feature headlining events like a Saturday-night concert led by Trek composers Michael Giacchino, Jeff Russo, and Dennis McCarthy, and multiple Deep Space Nine panels including a look back at “Far Beyond the Stars,” and a look ahead to the upcoming What We Left Behind series documentary!

In addition to the heavy weekend focus on Star Trek: Discovery, there will also be featured panels covering all that’s new in Trek gaming, plenty of actor and behind-the-scenes contributor Q&A sessions, costume contests and — hopefully — news on the state of Star Trek novels and comics with publisher Simon & Schuster and IDW holding sessions during the week.

Saturday and Sunday are the big Discovery days, with five separate panels featuring multiple members of the series cast and crew — with the closing Discovery event a panel with Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, and Anson Mount on Sunday.

Here’s a few other notable events from the week ahead!

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, 1PM — Inside Trek: Star Trek Authors & Their Books (Part 1)
Meet the authors and editors that are expanding the Star Trek universe with new novels and unique (and funny) views of Trek fandom. Hear about their favorite stories, writing Trek and the stories they really want to tell. Moderated by John Van Citters, Panelists: Kevin Dilmore, Star Trek Author; Robb Pearlman, Star Trek Author; Ed Schlesinger, Simon & Schuster; Ian Spelling, Star Trek Magazine

Wednesday, 4:15PM — Inside Trek: Star Trek Ship Design
Meet the Treksperts that bring Star Trek ships to life in games, collectibles and more! Moderated by John Van Citters. Panelists: Joe Beaudoin, ANOVOS; Kevin Dilmore, Hallmark; Thomas Marrone, PerfectWorld; Erin Prince, Disruptor Beam; Ben Robinson, Eaglemoss

THURSDAY

Thursday, 12PM — Replicating the Future: An Archaeological Costuming Expedition
One of the great dangers of archaeology is folklore — and the team at ANOVOS discusses, from concept to creation, how they select and recreate Star Trek’s costumes and inspired-wearable pieces. Panelists: Joe Beaudoin, John Cooley, Maegen Hensley

Thursday, 1:30PM — Inside Trek: Discovery Storytelling
Meet the minds behind Star Trek’s most popular video games, comic books and novels and hear how they develop content based on Star Trek: Discovery. Moderated by John Van Citters. Panelists: Mike Johnson, IDW Publishing; Erin Prince, Star Trek Timelines, Ed Schlesinger, Simon & Schuster

Thursday, 3:15PM —  QMx presents Articulated Star Trek – Building a 1:6 Universe
The QMx 1:6 production team – including the Nanjin Tam (father of 1:6 Star Trek) – will take you behind the scenes of the production process and look back at what has gone before and maybe get a sneak peek at figures yet to come. Panel attendees will get a chance to win QMx Star Trek 1:6 items too. Panelists: Peter Gibbons, Sales & Marketing; David Stephan, Production; Nanjin Tam, Father of 1:6 Star Trek

Thursday, 4:45PM — Women of Trek
Women have always been a driving force in Star Trek fandom, and the women characters of Star Trek have served as inspirations for so many fans over the years. To celebrate the women of Trek, Mary Chieffo and Marina Sirtis will join three women who grew up watching Star Trek for a conversation about women’s roles in the series.

The panel will discuss their early impressions of the characters that inspired them, the way we see these characters today; and how the roles of women on Star Trek have changed over the years. In addition to our guests, the panel will feature Sarah Gulde (Nerd Camp in Portland, OR), Amy Imhoff (Shoes & Starships), Sue Kisenwether (Women at Warp: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast)

FRIDAY

Friday, 9:30 AM — Inside Trek: Star Trek Authors & Their Books (Part 2)
Meet the authors that are expanding the Star Trek comics universe, mapping the Final Frontier and exploring Trek’s impact on technology. Panelists: Mike Johnson, IDW Publishing; Larry Nemecek, Star Trek Author; Ethan Siegel, Star Trek Author; Denton Tipton, IDW Publishing

Friday, 10 AM — DS9 Tribute
Panel with Ira Steven Behr, James Darren, Nicole de Boer, Chase Masterson & Andy Robinson.

Friday, 11AM — “And the Keepsakes Shall Lead: Hallmark and Star Trek”
Join Hallmark Licensing Creative Manager Christine Taylor and Hallmark Senior Writer Kevin Dilmore for a tour through Hallmark’s 2018 Star Trek products, including Keepsake Ornaments, itty bittys® plush characters and event exclusives. Don’t be surprised if a few sneak peeks and surprises from Hallmark’s plans for 2019 show up as well.

Friday, 3PM — Inside Trek: Designing Star Trek Collectibles
Figures, badges, ships, pins, ornaments, replicas – Star Trek fans collect them all. Meet the people behind your favorite collectibles, see behind-the-scenes photos, and find out what new items are getting ready to launch. Panelists: Joe Beaudoin, ANOVOS; Matt Buss, Titan Merchandise; Peter Gibbons, QMx; Lew Halboth, FanSets; Ben Robinson, Eaglemoss; Christine Taylor, Hallmark

Friday, 4:30PM — DS9 Documentary with Ira Steven Behr & Dave Zappone
The team behind the upcoming Deep Space Nine documentary “What We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” will be joining Creation Entertainment to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the series. Co-Directors Ira Steven Behr (DS9’s executive producer & showrunner) and David Zappone (producer of The Captains, Chaos on the Bridge and For The Love of Spock) will take the stage with their producing & editing team (Kai de Mello-Folsom, Luke Snailham, Joseph Kornbrodt) to answer questions and provide exciting new details about the release of the film (out later this year), along with sharing clips from the documentary and never-before-seen outtakes from the series.

SATURDAY

Saturday, 9:30AM — Behind the Scenes – Doug Drexler, Ronald B. Moore, Mike & Denise Okuda & Herman Zimmerman
Doug, Ron, Mike, Denise & Herman will be signing autographs on a complimentary basis immediately following this panel as their schedule allows.

Saturday, 11AM — Star Trek Film Academy: LAUNCH!
Boldly Go… Film! James Cawley and his team give you an in-depth look at what to expect from the upcoming Star Trek Film Academy. From the all-star Trek alumni faculty, to the Trek tailored curriculum, to the moment when students say “lights, camera, action!” on their own Trek short. Moderated by James Cawley, TOS Set Tour.

Panelists: Daren Dochterman, TOS Set Tour; Doug Drexler, Star Trek Designer; Denise Okuda, Star Trek Designer; Mike Okuda, Star Trek Designer; Marybeth Ritkouski, TOS Set Tour

Saturday, 11:50AM — Illustrating a Universe: The Art of John Eaves
Starting with his work on Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Eaves has worked as a production designer, illustrator and model maker across the franchise. He has been responsible for creating many of the props and ships, and helped develop the Federation design, from the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-E to the U.S.S. Discovery NCC-1031.

This discussion, hosted by John Van Citters, will give fans a unique in-depth look into Eaves’ creative vision and the wealth of his remarkable work at the centre of this spectacular franchise, and John will discuss the making of his new book out this Fall, Star Trek: The Art of John Eaves which represents the most extensive collection of designs and illustrations created by Eaves across the Star Trek Universe.

Saturday, 1:30PM — Eaglemoss: Hero Collector Into the Future
Ben Robinson reveals Eaglemoss’s plans for the next year and provides a sneak peek at some upcoming products, including a new line of books, collaborations with Star Trek Online and of course, the ongoing collection and Star Trek: Discovery.

Saturday, 1:30 PM — Behind the Music
Panel with composers Michael Giacchino, Dennis McCarthy, and Jeff Russo

Saturday, 2:15PM — Discovery Panel – Part 1
Guest include Discovery’s Emily Coutts, Sarah Mitich, Oyin Oladejo, Rekha Sharma & Sam Vartholomeos. Hosted by Matt Mira.

Saturday, 3PM — Discovery Panel – Part 2
Guests include Jayne Brook, Mary Chieffo, Clint Howard & Kenneth Mitchell. Hosted by Matt Mira.

Saturday, 9PM — Creation Entertainment Presents: The Saturday Night Gala
The fabulous Nevada Pops Orchestra returns to headline with the incredible Maestro Richard McGee at the helm. With never before heard selections, Creation is proud to present three special guest conductors: Michael Giacchino (Star Trek Into Darkness, and Beyond Suite), Dennis McCarthy (Deep Space Nine Suite) and Jeff Russo (world premiere orchestral performance of Star Trek: Discovery  score).

SUNDAY

Sunday, 12:15 PM — Discovery – Part 3
Guest include Wilson Cruz, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp & Mary Wiseman. Hosted by Matt Mira.

Sunday, 1:45 PM –Discovery – Part 4
Guests include Glenn Hetrick and Gersha Phillips. Hosted by Matt Mira.

Sunday, 3:15 PM — Discovery – Part 5
Guests include Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, and Anson Mount. Hosted by Matt Mira.

Sunday, 5PM — Far Beyond the Stars After-Panel
Following a screening of the episode, with guests Ira Steven Behr, Marc Zicree, Cirroc Lofton, Aron Eisenberg, Jeffrey Combs, JG Hertzler, Terry Farrell, Marc Alaimo, Rene Auberjonois, Armin Shimerman & Nana Visitor!

UNOFFICIAL EVENTS

Outside of the official events, there are also a few after-hours festivities scheduled throughout the week, hosted by fan groups not affiliated with Creation Entertainment.

Larry Nemecek’s Portal 47 returns for the 9th Annual Landing Party on Tuesday, July 31 at 9PM at the Rio’s Masquerade Bar for early convention arrivals.

The two-hour trivia contest will feature prizes from the Roddenberry Podcast Network, TrekRadio.net, Bye Bye Robot, Geek Nation Tours, and more to help kick off the week-long event in Las Vegas.

Nemecek will also be hosting a Portal 47 meetup on Saturday at 5PM, and a “Con of Wrath” meetup at 8PM.

FanSets will be hosting their second annual STLV convention party on Friday, August 3 at The Otheroom inside the Caesar’s Palace mall on the Las Vegas strip, in partnership with the Trek Geeks podcast team. The party will run from 8PM – 11PM without cover charge, but all attendees must have STLV credentials to gain entry.

FanSets will also be doing several giveaways during the event — from framed Star Trek pin sets, to autographed Trek artwork from John Eaves, to signed books by Trek novelist Dayton Ward.

Fan-run podcast network The Tricorder Transmissions will host their the inaugural “Night of Diversity” Celebration on Saturday, August 4 from 8PM – 12AM at the KISS Mini Golf Course inside the Rio Hotel. The event will be a safe space for all to attend and celebrate infinite diversity in infinite combinations.

Night of Diversity is free to attend, and all proceeds from the evening’s raffles will benefit The LGBTQ Center of Las Vegas and The Night Ministry’s Crib LGBT Homeless Shelter in Chicago, IL; prizes donated for raffle giveaways include “Star Trek: Discovery” artwork from artist Laz Marquez, FanSets pin sets, original “Star Trek” art by Lee Sargent, “Star Trek Online” prize packs, and a Captain Kirk duty tunic signed by William Shatner.

LGBTQ+ fan group Gaaays in Spaaace hosts their “Live Long & Be Fabulous” event on Saturday, August 4 at the Piranha Nightclub in Las Vegas starting at 7PM. It will be another unforgettable gathering of fans and celebrities alike.

Approximately 10 minutes away from the Rio Hotel (by car), the third annual party expects to host several “Star Trek” celebrities at the nightclub, and the group will also be providing a free shuttle service to the venue. Tickets for entry are $30 online and $40 at the door.

If you’re heading out to Las Vegas, have a great time — and if you haven’t bought tickets yet, there are still a number of highly-discounted purchase options available for last-minute buyers over at Goldstar Events, some up to half-off the Creation price!

if you can’t make it this year, be sure to follow our team on Twitter and Facebook as we’ll be covering the whole convention all week with news, photos, and all the latest info from the Rio Hotel from Tuesday through Sunday evening!