Unicon was an annual science fiction convention held in Maryland and at least once in Washington, D.C. from 1975 through 1989.
Unicon was born in the early 1970s on the second floor of the Stamp Student Union building at the University of Maryland, College Park. Unicon stood for University Convention. The University of Maryland Science Fiction Club was the organizing body. The club originally began as an open university course on science fiction with Stephen Rynas, a university junior, as the instructor.
Unicon I was held at the Interstate Inn on Route 1 in College Park. The Guest of Honor was Frederik Pohl.
Unicon outgrew any facilities in College Park and moved to the Silver Spring Sheraton (now a Hilton, where four Capclaves were held) for a successful run into the 1980s.
List of Unicons NumberYear-Mo-DaysSiteFeatured GuestsChair(s)11975College Park Interstate InnFrederik PohlNatalie Paymer2B1976University of Maryland Student UnionL. Sprague de Camp, Ted WhiteNatalie Paymer31977 7 8-10Silver Spring SheratonClifford D. SimakNatalie Paymer41978 7 7-9Silver Spring SheratonTheodore SturgeonTheodore L. Manekin, Randy Brunk Natalie Paymer51979 7 20-22Shoreham Americana,Washington, D.C.Robert Bloch, Ron Cobb, Dan O'Bannon Natalie Paymer, Theodore L. Manekin, Sue Ruth61980 7 18-20Silver Spring SheratonJames P. HoganClinton Winchester, Theodore L. Manekin1981none821982 7 16-18Silver Spring SheratonHal Clement, Robert A. Madle, Karl KofoedClinton Winchester, Jim Williams81983 7 15-17Silver Spring SheratonJoan D. Vinge, Michael J. Walsh, Teanna Lee Byerts, Jim FrenkelClinton Winchester841984 7 20-22Silver Spring SheratonGene Wolfe, Dawn Wilson, Peggy Rae PavlatClinton Winchester101985 7 19-21Silver Spring SheratonMichael Shea, Val Lakey Lindahn, Arthur W. SahaPaul ParsonsUniContinuity Party1986 7 26Church of the Ascension,Silver Spring871987 7 17-19Annapolis Holiday InnDavid Brin, David Mattingly, Marty GearClinton Winchester121988 7 22-24Annapolis Holiday InnVernor Vinge, Ned DameronClinton Winchester131989 7 14-16College Park Holiday InnTim Powers, Debbie Hughes, Mark MaxwellPaul Parsons
References Don Sakers' con reports at Various WSFA Journals, all available online at Personal communication from Erwin Strauss, Simcha Kuritzky, Don Sakers, and Fred Blonder "Science Fiction Topic of Two-Day Conference," "Baltimore Sun", July 5, 1976, p. B2 "The Falcon, Chewbacca and 1,202 Humanoids", by Joseph McLellan, Washington Post, Monday, July 10, 1978, p. B1, B9