SMOFcon 43

What is SMOFcon?

SMOFcon is a convention for people who run conventions, or would like to do so. Most of us run conventions focussed on science fiction, fantasy, horror, and the fantastic as considered from many different angles.

Workshops

We'll have a heavy focus on workshops and other participatory items. The goal is to help develop practical skills that you can take away and use when running your conventions.

Panels and talks

Panels and talks are a great way for people to share their experience, and compare and contrast different viewpoints on the same topic.

Socialising

SMOFcons are a great opportunity to network with other convention runners and make connections. But it's not all business, SMOFcon is also for making and catching up with lifelong friends.

SMOFcons are places where we share expertise, learn from each other and find new convention running friends. We want to expand upon this by also making SMOFcon 43 a place of experimentation. We want to embrace experimentation and learning to see if we can forge new pathways, teach people things they might not know, and provide a space where we can safely find out what works, and what doesn't. This might mean we make mistakes, or that things don't quite work — however SMOFcon 43 aims to make that part of the fun, and to think creatively about new ways to run the events that we love.

VIP Executive Art's Hotel

Modern lobby with egg-shaped chairs, black sofas on a red carpet, and a vibrant abstract painting. Glass wall and stairs create an open, stylish atmosphere.

This year the convention will be in the VIP Executive Art's Hotel. It is located in “Parque das Nações”, Lisbon, Portugal, close to the waterfront. This is the same hotel that the SMOFcon 39 convention was held at in 2021.

Room bookings will open shortly. We will e-mail members when they are available.

It is just 3.2km from the Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) - a major international airport - and 7km from the historical city centre of Lisbon.

The hotel will serve both as function space and as the official convention hotel. We will have a block of rooms available to book shortly, and there are also several other hotel options nearby.

Programme

We want to deliver a programme focussed on audience participation. We believe that SMOFcon provides a unique opportunity for us to learn from each other, and that items such as workshops and roundtables are a great way to facilitate that. However, we'll still have a mix of panels and talks, as well as the Future Worldcons Q&A.

Workshops
Roundtables
Panels
Talks
Mixers
Parties
Future Worldcons Q&A

We really want this SMOFcon to be about what you want and might need from a convention about convention running! If you have suggestions for items, either topics or interesting new structures beyond the traditional panels and talks, please fill in our programme suggestions form.

Programme suggestion form

Online

We aim to make as much of the convention available to people via the Internet as possible. In order to do this, we need to plan carefully in advance and are currently discussing our options with both our team and with the venue. We will update this section as each virtual commitment is confirmed.

Discord

We will have a Discord server where people, both in person and remote, can discuss programme items.
Worldcon Q&A

This will be recorded and live-streamed to members. We are working to ensure that teams who need to give online presentations are able to do this effectively.

Lisbon

History

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in the world, and the second-oldest European capital city.

Lisbon's historical sights offer a journey through Portugal's rich past, with must-sees including the majestic Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, the ancient medieval São Jorge Castle, the grand Praça do Comércio, the historic Alfama district, and the iconic Santa Justa Lift or riding the famous Tram 28 through hilly, winding streets.

Art and architecture

Lisbon is a vibrant tapestry of art and architecture that reflects centuries of history and cultural exchange. Its streets are adorned with azulejos, the iconic hand-painted ceramic tiles that cover façades, interiors, and public spaces, creating intricate patterns and telling visual stories of the city's past. Architectural styles range from the Manueline, a lavish late Gothic style unique to Portugal with its maritime motifs, to the elegant Pombaline buildings that rose after the 1755 earthquake, showcasing early earthquake-resistant designs and neoclassical order.

Lisbon's art scene flourishes in museums, galleries, and street art, where contemporary murals coexist with Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, and the modernist MAAT museum, illustrate a dialogue between tradition and innovation, making Lisbon a living canvas of creativity and historical grandeur.

Food and drink

Lisbon's food scene is famous for seafood like bacalhau (codfish) and fresh sardines, iconic custard tarts called Pastel de Nata, hearty soups like Caldo Verde, garlic-infused pork sandwiches (Bifana), and the sweet cherry liqueur Ginjinha. You'll find traditional tascas, modern Portuguese restaurants, vibrant markets like Time Out Market, and rooftop bars for diverse dining and drinking experiences.