Latest News and Site Update History

This page contains a history of all major Renovation announcements and website updates (newest first!).

• Dec 20, 2010 - we will be featuring a performance of Godson, the only musical written by Roger Zelazny, as part of Music Night.

• Dec 13, 2010 - Press Release #16 - Third Progress Report for Renovation Mailed.

• Dec 13, 2010 - Progress Report 3 is now available for download from our publications area.

• Nov 30, 2010 - launched our Artist Showcase introducing the artists who will be taking part in our Art Show.

• Nov 29, 2010 - Press Release #15 - Outreach Initiative Invites Comics and Media Fans to Read a Book.

• Nov 28, 2010 - launched our fourth Worldcon survey, featuring classic Hugo Award winning novels.

• Nov 6, 2010 - our online membership listing now allows you to check whether you are receiving paper or electronic Progress Reports.

• Nov 3, 2010 - would you like to choose the site of the 2013 Worldcon? Learn about the WSFS Site Selection process.

• Oct 23, 2010 - added a new Worldcon Memory from Connie Willis.

• Oct 23, 2010 - you can now apply for space in our Dealers' Room.

• Oct 20, 2010 - announced arrangements for Special Interest and Discussion Groups - please let us know if your group would like to reserve space.

• Oct 4, 2010 - full details of the Hugo base design competition are now available.

• Oct 4, 2010 - Press Release #14 - Renovation announces an open competition for the design of the 2011 Hugo Award base.

• Oct 1, 2010 - we are pleased to announce an extension to our membership installment plan. We will now accept new installment plan applications through December 31, 2010.

• Oct 1, 2010 - Press Release #13 - Renovation Extends its Membership Installment Plan.

• Oct 1, 2010 - our new membership rates have come into effect.

• Sep 20, 2010 - added a page confirming our intent to run a competition for the design of the 2011 Hugo Award Base.

• Sep 15, 2010 - added an HTML version of the Masquerade Rules.

• Sep 15, 2010 - added an HTML version of the Art Show Rules.

• Sep 8, 2010 - Progress Report 2 is now available for download from our publications area.

• Sep 8, 2010 - Press Release #12 - Renovation Invites the World of Science Fiction to Meet in Reno.

• Sep 8, 2010 - Press Release #11 - Second Progress Report for Renovation Mailed.

• Sep 6, 2010 - you can now read about our plans for celebrating Science fiction and fantasy art, and sign up for our Art Show.

• Sep 5, 2010 - rolled out the first stage of a new look for our website - we hope you like it!

• Aug 29, 2010 - confirmed a bus shuttle service to run between the RSCC/Atlantis and Peppermill sites throughout the convention.

• Aug 29, 2010 - as we prepare to become the seated Worldcon, we have published an expanded list of contact addresses to help members to reach the right person on our team.

• Aug 23, 2010 - announced our Academic Program on the subject of "Speculative Frontiers: Reading, Seeing, Being, Going".

• Aug 21, 2010 - standardised the structure and presentation of all FAQ pages.

• Aug 17, 2010 - provided initial information on our Handicapped Services.

• Aug 13, 2010 - visiting from overseas? Overseas members coming to the US under the Visa Waiver Program should get ESTA approval now, while it's free - a charge of $14 per application will be applied from September 8, 2010.

• Aug 13, 2010 - uploaded a updated Reno-Tahoe airport terminal map to the travel page.

• Aug 11, 2010 - released our advertising brochure with prices and submission information for advertising in our PRs and Souvenir Book.

• Aug 11, 2010 - added a new page of frequently asked questions about the Masquerade.

• Aug 10, 2010 - published Chris Roberson's appreciation of Bill Willingham.

• Aug 3, 2010 - read about our plans for programming on comics and graphic novels.

• July 31, 2010 - launched our third Worldcon survey. Over 400 people responded to the last one!

• July 26, 2010 - Press Release #10 - Renovation Increases Attending Membership Rates.

• July 18 2010 - will Renovation be your first Worldcon? Read Stu Segal's introduction to Worldcon.

• July 11 2010 - added a new page of Frequently Asked Questions about Program Participation.

• July 10 2010 - launched our very own YouTube channel!

• July 10 2010 - added a short video of Tim Powers and a tribute to Charles N. Brown by Greg Bear.

• July 1 2010 - Press Release #9 - Renovation Announces Special Guest Bill Willingham.

• Jun 26 2010 - added more information on our Writers' Workshops.

• Jun 20 2010 - Will Space Stay a New Frontier? Read our latest New Frontiers article from Professor David Southwood, Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency.

• Jun 20 2010 - launched our second Worldcon survey. Over 220 people responded to the first one!

• Jun 6 2010 - launched our Worldcon survey.

• May 14 2010 - added more information on Stroll with the Stars.

• May 3 2010 - added a page for our Film Festival including entry form and conditions.

• May 3 2010 - Press Release #8 - Renovation Announces Independent/Fan Film Festival.

• May 1 2010 - added new Worldcon Memories from Ginjer Buchanan, Paul Cornell, Ellen Datlow and John Douglas.

• May 1 2010 - our revised membership rates have now taken effect.

• Apr 24 2010 - expanded our Guest material and created a separate page for each Guest of Honor. Also added a page listing all previous Worldcon Guests of Honor to the "About Worldcon" section.

• Apr 17 2010 - added an introduction to our plans for the fan program.

• Apr 12 2010 - added new Worldcon Memories from Esther Friesner, Louise Marley and Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

• Apr 11 2010 - we now have a range of downloadable web site banners for use on your web site, blog or social network. Help us get the word out - Renovation is coming!

• Apr 11 2010 - added a new At a Glance page with a topic index for the whole site, to complement the existing site map and search facility.

• Apr 7 2010 - Progress Report 1 is now available for download from our publications area.

• Apr 7 2010 - Press Release #7 - First Progress Report for Renovation Mailed.

• Apr 6 2010 - restructured the facilities and hotel sections of the site to improve the user experience.

• Mar 31 2010 - launched our Worldcon Memories feature page, with initial contributions from Cory Doctorow, Joe Haldeman, David Levine and Robert Silverberg.

• Mar 28 2010 - Renovation is pleased to announce that Oz Drummond, assisted by Traci Castleberry, will run the Writers Workshops for Renovation. More information available here.

• Mar 15 2010 - Press Release #6 - Renovation Increases Attending Membership Rates, Expires Pre-Supporter and Voter Discounts.

• Mar 7 2010 - the Masquerade Rules are now available.

• Feb 1 2010 - Press Release #5 - Renovation Announces Reduced Membership Rates for Young Adults.

• Dec 18 2009 - Press Release #4 - Reno Worldcon Announces Evening of Music with Tricky Pixie.

• Nov 23 2009 - Press Release #3 - Reno Worldcon announces spectacular setting for Hugo Award Ceremony and Masquerade.

• Nov 11 2009 - you can now register online for Renovation. Why not join today?

• Nov 4 2009 - Congratulations to Renovation Guest of Honor Ellen Asher, who has been recognised as one of the two World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award winners for 2009. Ellen collected her award at the World Fantasy Convention in San Jose this weekend. Renovation's Deputy Division Head for Exhibits, Michael J Walsh, was also honored, receiving a Special Award for the Howard Waldrop collections he has published through Old Earth Books. Check out this photo of all the happy award winners.

• Oct 21 2009 - Happy Birthday Ursula! Renovation is pleased to join science fiction fans and friends around the world in celebrating Ursula K Le Guin's 80th birthday today, as well as the 40th anniversary of The Left Hand of Darkness.

• Sep 21 2009 - Renovation raises a mug o' grog to Guest of Honor Tim Powers this week after Tim confirms that Disney has optioned his 1988 novel On Stranger Tides and will use elements of the story in the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will be released in summer 2011, just a few weeks before Tim's appearance in Reno.

• Sep 7 2009 - Our list of members has now been updated with all memberships processed at Anticipation.

• Sep 7 2009 - Renovation confirms its policy on Press Passes and Press Credentials.

• Aug 23 2009 - We have discovered an error on our part with processing credit card payments for site selection, and a few people who voted by mail using credit cards have mistakenly been charged twice. We are putting through refunds of the extra charges, and everything will be corrected soon. We are sorry for the error.

• Aug 21 2009 - Can you help find our Lost Souls?

• Aug 19 2009 - Ellen Asher has been recognised as one of the two World Fantasy Lifetime Achievement Award winners for 2009.

• Aug 16 2009 - Voter information has now been added to the list of members.

• Aug 9 2009 - Our initial list of members is now available online.

• Aug 9 2009 - Press Release 2 - Chesley Awards to be Presented at Renovation.

• Aug 9 2009 - Progress Report 0 is now available for download from our publications area.

• Aug 9 2009 - Launch of the Renovation website.

• Aug 9 2009 - Press Release 1 - Renovation has been elected as the 69th World Science Fiction Convention!