Submission + - Downtown Chicago Sci-fi convention canceled (chi-fi.org)
An anonymous reader writes: With it only being a few months from happening a Chicago Sci-fi convention named Chi-Fi was recently canceled. As per the statement released from the organizers:
"A senior Westin employee referred to our staff, attendees, and guests as “freaks,” and hotel staff expressed their disapproval of our anti-harassment policy."
Was listed as one of the main reasons for the convention's cancelation. Among others including citing safety concerns of it's guests, among which are some Hollywood stars, and attendees. They did make a note that it was specifically the Chicago River North Westin and that their opinions do not reflect the opinion of Westin or Starwood hotels who have played host to many conventions across the country such as these.
It is saddening that such actions have prevented another Sci-fi convention from being held downtown Chicago. This was the first con of it's kind in almost 10 years to be downtown Chicago and not in one of the suburbs such as Rosemont or Elgin.
Chicago River North Westin has released a statement on their Facebook page denying the incident. Starwood hotel's corporate offices have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Hopefully in 2015 we will finally see a Sci-fi convention grace downtown Chicago again.
"A senior Westin employee referred to our staff, attendees, and guests as “freaks,” and hotel staff expressed their disapproval of our anti-harassment policy."
Was listed as one of the main reasons for the convention's cancelation. Among others including citing safety concerns of it's guests, among which are some Hollywood stars, and attendees. They did make a note that it was specifically the Chicago River North Westin and that their opinions do not reflect the opinion of Westin or Starwood hotels who have played host to many conventions across the country such as these.
It is saddening that such actions have prevented another Sci-fi convention from being held downtown Chicago. This was the first con of it's kind in almost 10 years to be downtown Chicago and not in one of the suburbs such as Rosemont or Elgin.
Chicago River North Westin has released a statement on their Facebook page denying the incident. Starwood hotel's corporate offices have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Hopefully in 2015 we will finally see a Sci-fi convention grace downtown Chicago again.
