Philcon is the annual Philadelphia-area conference of science fiction and fantasy, and the oldest continuously-operating SF convention in the world. It the major event conducted by PSFS, the Philadelpia Area Science Fiction Society. It's a generalist gathering, with tracks devoted to SF/fantasy/horror in books/TV/film/comics/anime/art; plus science, gaming, costuming, and music (filk); it has an art show, dealer's room, children's program and LEGO open build. (I run the last two functions.)
The 2006 edition will be held on the weekend of 17-19 November, at the Sheraton Center City (formerly the Wyndham Franklin Plaza) at 17th & Race Streets, a few blocks to the northwest of City Hall. Further information, contact, registration and hotel details are available at www.philcon.org.
I spoke briefly about Philcon at the 9/10 meeting (and received that totally unsolicted but very welcome comment of concurrence). If you like Make:Philly, there's a good chance you'll like Philcon. Tech-gadgety-wise, in 2005 we were visited by a local high schoo's First Robotics League team and their robot, and we had a hands-on demo of theremins and related instruments; this year there may be a "Critter Course" robotics event using LEGO Mindstorms. If a contingent of Makers show up and enjoy the convention, something more formal can be arranged for 2007.
Please feel free to ask questions.
Just a reminder: Philcon 2006 starts TODAY, this evening (afternoonish - we start slow and then accelerate), and runs through Sunday. Location: the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel. This year: some programming simulcast into Second Life! A weekend-long meeting of Lojban speakers, plus Lojban-speakers vs. Klingon-speakers! Lots of LEGO bricks!
All the information you could want, probably: www.philcon.org