This is the official design made by Frank Johnson of Edmonton. The base is of Canadian Maple; the metal pieces are of Canadian Aluminum; the design is evocative of the Aurora Borealis ("the Northern Lights"); the Canadian Maple Leaf can be seen through the intersection of the three metal pieces and when looked down on from the top the design of the three pieces make the letters S and F.
The banner art in the masthead is by Brian Hubenig of Gibsons, BC
WHAT'S INVOLVED IN HOSTING CANVENTION ?
The primary function of Canvention is the selection and presentation of the annual Canadian Science Fiction & Fantasy Association Awards (Prix AURORA Awards). The other function is to hold the annual CSFFA business meeting. Anything else is an optional extra. Some Canventions have held a Canvention Banquet at which the Auroras are presented.
WHO MAY BID ?
Anyone, with preference being a Canadian sf convention, may host Canvention. (One year, SF Canada, the Canadian SF and Fantasy Writers' Association, hosted the Auroras)
There are some restrictions. For bidding purposes Canada is split into 2 zones, with the Manitoba-Ontario border being the divider. When the Canvention business meeting held in one zone considers bids for the next year, only those bids from the opposite zone are first considered. If no bids from the opposite zone have been received bidding is opened to all. If no bid is placed at the meeting, the Aurora Awards Committee is charged with the duty of finding a host.
WHAT'S REQUIRED TO BID ?
At a minimum, name of the bidding Convention, contact person for the bid, location of the Convention, dates of the proposed Convention are required.
Desired information from the bidding cons would be a short proposal describing the Convention (things like location, guests, special programming promoting the Auroras). Plus contact addresses (both regular mail and e-mail) and membership info.
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR CANVENTION?
Up until 2009 the responsibility and authority for CanVention and the Auroras was put onto the host Convention's ConCom, but changes in CSFFA's bylaws have handed the responsibility and authority to the Aurora Awards Committee. It has become their job to handle the nominations and balloting, to order the Awards and arrange to pay for them, and to arrange for publicity for the Awards.
The ConCom's job is to celebrate the Auroras with displays, programming, helping to put on the Awards Ceremonies (and Banquet - if there is to be one) and to arrange time and space for the Business Meeting ...The only reservation that the Aurora Awards Committee makes is that the Awards Ceremonies be open to all attenders at the Convention.