Hurrcane Who 2010 - PLEASE READ.
Wednesday 21st April 2010, 9.00am GMT
Dear All, Last year's Hurricane Who convention in Florida was one of the highlights of my convention year, and I was more than happy to agree to return for the 2010 convention in October. I class Jarrod Cooper, the convention organiser as a friend and was very much looking forwards to it.
However over the last few weeks there have been unsettling developments coming to light, of guests from the 2009 convention still not being paid, of debts being owed and Jarrod has disappeared from the Internet, not replying to emails, phone calls and messages leaving behind countless fans and friends worrying for his safety and unsure of whether the 2010 Hurricane Who convention will even be happening. As the rumours circulate, committee members leave and additional debts come to light, the likelihood of the convention keeping to its schedule lessens every day,
Although I wish Jarrod all the best and hope he can weather this storm, one thing has concerned me immensely - and that is that the Hurricane Who website is still actively accepting bookings for this convention, monies from fans that in all probability won't be recuperated by them if the convention does fail, not to mention the hundreds of dollars in plane flights and hotel fees that the fans will never regain if the event does fall through.
But more importantly, it concerns me that my name (as one of the guests) is one of the factors convincing people to do so.
Because of this, I am sorry to say that until this unfortunate situation is resolved for the better, I will not be attending Hurricane Who and have emailed Jarrod, informing him so and asking to be removed from the guest list. I hope that something can be resolved down the line, but until then feel that I cannot in good faith advertise and be part of an event that is causing so many problems to so many people.
I will however be at other conventions in America in the future and hope to see many of my fans and friends at those.
I will of course alter this decision if a suitable solution can be found, and if the new organisational team so request.
But until then I wish all involved with Hurricane Who the best and hope that they can come out of this darkness and stand once more in the light, as last year's Hurricane Who was the best 'first time' convention that I have ever attended.
Regards Tony Lee
Writer, 'Doctor Who', IDW Comics.