SS Chinook Records Outstanding Return to Calgary Expo!

Calgary, AB. - When COVID-19 locked down the world in 2020, it also dry-docked USS Chinook for the duration of the pandemic.

Comic Expos in Calgary and Edmonton were history, as was the annual Vul-Con convention in Vulcan and any chance of visiting among ourselves in person.

But the pandemic did not dampen the ship's spirit. Through Zoom calls, the phone, Instant Messengers, and text messages, we made do.

Plenty of plans were laid for our next convention appearance once restrictions were lifted.

The careful plotting paid off in spades April 21-24 as the Chinook recorded one its most successful Calgary Expo appearances in its history.

Fueled by a robust social media campaign and inclusion in the Expo's official programming, we ran a panel that attracted a standing-room-only audience!

More than sixty people listened raptly as members of the Starship Chinook crew highlighted their favorite Star Trek episodes.

The Commanding Officer of Edmonton's new USS Cerberus, also helped facilitate our panel, and highlighted his ship's efforts in the Capital city.

It was truly gratifying to answer the many questions people had about our ship and the Starfleet International fan club.

Hundreds of people throughout the weekend visited us, bought Tribbles, books, and other Trek swag, and accepted our invitation to learn more.

Some of our crew members ran on adrenaline, stoked by so much positive energy.

Critically, our efforts attracted a dozen new members with potentially more to come.

Meanwhile, our campaign also attracted the attention of CBC Calgary, whose reporters interviewed us three times for the radio network and website.

Tik Tok and a You Tube correspondent followed suit.

To paraphrase a certain Vulcan of our acquaintance:

We live long and prosper!