I’ve worked
alongside enough event planners to know just how frustrating it can be
when speaker candidates refuse to follow simple instructions.
And I’ve
also seen the best of them buckle when a star name has sought to circumvent the
oh-so-tedious business of filling in an application form.
All potential
speakers are born equal, but, in practice some are more equal than others.
So, hats
off to the team at Worldcon – the sci-fi
conference being held in Glasgow next month – who held the procedural line
against a literary giant!
George RR
Martin’s fantasy novels have sold 90m copies, been translated into 47 languages, and spawned the hit TV series
Game of Thrones, but that wasn’t enough to secure the esteemed writer a
place on the programme, despite his best efforts.
In a blogpost,
the author says he suggested taking part in a panel discussion, hosting an
event for new writers, or chairing a memorial for the short-story writer Howard
Waldrop, and wrote to the programming chair asking for a phone number so they
might discuss his suggestions further.
However, to
ensure ‘fairness to everyone’, the event organisers insisted that all potential
speakers go through the same online application process. And while other authors
– including the legendary Iain M. Banks – were willing to follow procedure, it
appears Martin declined the offer.
“No phone
number was forthcoming, alas, just a form letter with a link to an application
and a warning that while I was welcome to apply, I could not be guaranteed a
place on the programme,” he complained to his fans.
While making
an admirable stand for greater equity in programming, it was nevertheless a brave
move by the organisers, who risked the wrath of Martin’s legion fans by not making
room for him on the programme.
But their
rigid sticking to procedure also struck a blow for those hard-pressed conference
producers working to a tight schedule who need everyone to play ball,
regardless of their fame or status.
In any
event, it appears Martin won’t be too sorely missed.
An event
spokesperson said: “All of the programming at Glasgow 2024
has been proposed by our members. To ensure fairness to everyone, all proposed
programme items must be submitted through our application process. About 2,000
members submitted proposals, and we are delighted to be hosting nearly 1,000
participants for more than 1,000 hours of programme items covering everything
from books, movies and games to science, technology and culture.”
More than
9,000 people are expected to attend the convention – being held August 8 -12 –
which is being held in Glasgow for the third time following events in 1995 and
2004.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
