MerpCon Middle-earth role playing gaming convention for the inland northwest USA, Summer 2005. July 29th, 30th & 31st in Spokane, Washington.

The Summer 2005 event had guest speaker Professor Chris Seeman. Pfr. Seeman has written modules for both [Decipher]? [LotR]? and [Iron Crown Enterprises]? MERP systems, as well as created [Other Hands]? Magazine the International Journal for Role Playing Gamers, and is an editor and contributor to The [Guild Companion]?, among many other contributions to the Middle-earth gaming community. He was also assisting in GMing and playing important [NPC]?s as well.
We had 7 gamers (plus GM) participate for all three days. We had 13 people show up for the Guest Speaker segment of the event on Saturday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The convention schedule overview was as follows: July 29th (Friday) 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm (PDT) Orientation and beginning gaming sessions. July 30th (Saturday) 10:00 am to 12:00 am (PDT) Gaming sessions, guest speakers and events. July 31st (Sunday) 10:00 am to 12:00 am (PDT) Gaming Sessions, guest speakers, and final events.
This event is 100% free to all participants, thanks to the extensive volunteer support from local and international community members.
The event was held the first day in downtown Spokane Washington at Merlyn's Games and Hobbies on 14 West Main Street. Many thanks to Merlyn's business owner for allowing the convention for free to everyone.
Due to the noise and low comfort level of that setting, the convention was moved to the North Spokane County Library on Hawthorne and (just east of) Division, which provided a much more comfortable, quiet and temperate environment than Merlyn's.
There were free memorabilia for those who participated in the convention from start to finish. including full size maps of Numenor (several feet across) drawn my Dr. Thomas Morwinsky,a nd printed and distributed with his permission.

Information on the Merlyn's location: Merlyn's Games & Hobbies
14 West Main Street
Spokane, WA

If you're not in the Spokane area, you get to Interstate I-90, and then take the Division Street (US Highway 2 Newport/Colville, Exit #281) exit heading Northbound on Division.
Main is a one way street heading East, so you have to take a few left turns to get to the building, though we'll have specific parking information coming in the near future.
You turn left (west) onto Spokane Falls Blvd, then left again (South) onto Browne Street (US-2), then one more left (East) onto Main.
Merlyn's is on the South side of the street just before Division.
There is various parking, lots, metered, etc. right by the store, and within a block is some scattered free parking. We'll get information to you on that shortly.

There are many photos, and some reviews from others on this event listed below:

Chris Seeman Report on MerpCon I

[Thomcat Photos of MerpCon I]?

[Other Photos of MerpCon I]?

[Video Highlights of MerpCon I]?

Chris Seeman Speech Audio Only for MerpCon I

Chris Seeman Speech With Video for MerpCon I