Sci-fi fans, Trekkies ready to experience Wrath of Con (PHOTOS)

When Panama City attorney Rick Albritton couldn’t find a science fiction convention to attend on the Emerald Coast, he decided to create his own.

“I enjoy media conventions, film festivals — I like the atmosphere,” Albritton, the organizer of this month’s Wrath of Con science-fiction convention in Panama City, told The Log. “I’ve always had an interest in science fiction, and the convention experience is something this area doesn’t get.”

Albritton, whose favorite science fiction authors are Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and Roger Zelazny, decided after putting together the first Wrath of Con last year single-handedly that he wouldn’t do that again. Or so he’d thought.

“The biggest challenge is time-management,” Albritton said. “I got such a positive response (last year) that I got rolling but I could not find a team ... I’m essentially doing this event solo. I’ve got a couple of core volunteers but it’s a one-man show.”

Last year’s convention drew about 500 attendees, Albritton said. He hopes that despite the economy, this year’s May 29 to 31 event will bring more, and said he’s dropped the ticket price to compensate for dwindling budgets.

The guest list this year includes Kevin Sorbo of TV’s “Hercules”; Bonnie Friedericy, who plays General Beckman on “Chuck”; talk-radio host Jerry Doyle, who appeared on one of Albritton’s favorite series, “Babylon Five.” With the name of the convention deriving from the second “Star Trek” film, “Wrath of Khan,” expect to also see John Billingsley, J. G. Hertzler and Chase Masterson, who appeared on various “Star Trek” series.

Albritton said his time as a convention-goer has given him contacts and friends among actors, authors and dealers in science fiction merchandise, which he uses to bring in the guests.

“It takes a lot of blood sweat and tears,” Albritton said. “Specifically planning, money, a lot of phone calls. ... There’s a million tiny details that go into it, negotiations with hotels, negotiations with agents, airline hotels, printing badges and fliers ...”

Albritton said that last year’s Wrath of Con included more authors and some actual science presentations, but this year is oriented more toward actors: “We had a ‘dead dog’ discussion at the end (last year), asking ‘what did you like?’ I’ve learned what the folks are really interested in seeing.”

Wrath of Con runs May 29 and 30. Tickets cost $40 for the weekend, with different prices for one-day visits or special-access passes. For more information, visit wrathofcon.org