Harry Potter Conferences in 2008

While J.K. Rowling may have finished writing the Harry Potter series, the Harry Potter fan phenomena is far from over. The United States will see two major Harry Potter fan conferences this summer, Portus 2008 in Dallas, TX and Terminus 2008 in Chicago, IL. Additionally, The Leaky Cauldron, the leading Harry Potter fan site is already planning a conference for 2009.

Portus, the Harry Potter conference sponsored by HPEF, will take place from July 10 - 13 and include workshops, panels and round tables on a range of Harry Potter related topics. Two Harry Potter fan films will also be screened. Special guests at the Harry Potter conference include Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter audio books; Dr. Henry Jenkins, the head of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program and frequent writer on Harry Potter related subjects; and Monique Trottier who was a key part of developing the online marketing campaigns for the Harry Potter series. Other events at Portus include a day-long pre-conference symposium on Severus Snape, a masquerade ball and a vendor room. Registration is currently $220 per person, with some special events incurring an extra fee.

Terminus, the Harry Potter conference sponsored by Narrate, will take place August 7 - 11 and focus on the full seven book arc of the Harry Potter series. With programming ranging from academic papers to fan-based workshops, Terminus will also have two high profile keynote speakers: popular young adult literature author Tamora Pierce and Cheryl Klein who was the continuity editor on the last three Harry Potter books. In addition, Terminus will feature a full day wizard rock concert that will showcase over 25 bands, including several chosen by Harry Potter fan vote. Additionally activities include a ball, a Quidditch tournament and a trivia competition. Registration to this Harry Potter event currently costs $160, with some special events incurring an extra fee.

LeakyCon from The Leaky Cauldron will take place in Boston May 21 - 24, 2009, but few other details are currently available, although podcasts and wizard rock are definitely slated to be part of the program. Cost for the event is not yet know, but proceeds will benefit Book Aid and The Harry Potter Alliance.

Historically, Harry Potter conferences have largely been geared towards adult and sometimes teen fans. Each has a different policy about teens and children, so those interested should make sure to research the regulations at the Harry Potter conference they are interested in attending.

I was a program participant at Narrate's Phoenix Rising last year and had a blast, and will be giving several papers, a workshop, a fanfiction reading and participating in a panel at Terminus in August.