Starbase Indy
Starbase Indy is an Indianapolis science-fiction convention centered on Star Trek fandom, STEM education, humanitarianism, and inclusive community programming.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Starbase Indy, commonly abbreviated as SBI, is an annual science-fiction convention held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its traditional schedule runs from Friday through Sunday over the Thanksgiving weekend, making the event both a fan convention and a recurring community gathering often described by its organizers as a “Geek Family Thanksgiving Tradition.” Although its audience is concentrated in the Midwestern United States, the convention has attracted visitors from outside the region and from countries including Germany and Australia. The event began after Indianapolis-area Star Trek fans attended a convention in St. Louis and decided to establish a local gathering of their own. The first Starbase Indy took place in March 1988 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, with Michael Dorn and Mark Lenard among its principal guests. It subsequently moved to the Marriott East in Indianapolis and adopted the Thanksgiving-weekend format that became central to its identity. During its early period, the convention used successive generation subtitles: “The Next Generation” in 1989, “The Third Generation” in 1990, and later numbered generations. The initial run concluded with “The Eighth Generation” in 1995. Starbase Indy returned in 2004 after a professional convention company withdrew from the event. A new local, fan-run committee organized a ninth-generation convention and continued developing the event through volunteer labor. Another disruption occurred in 2008, when Vulkon Entertainment withdrew only days before its planned event. Local fans assembled a one-day replacement called Freekon, then began meeting regularly to rebuild Starbase Indy for 2009. The local organizing committee has maintained the convention since then, apart from changes caused by venue schedules and the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention combines entertainment, fandom, education, and participatory activities. Its traditional program has included appearances and question-and-answer sessions with actors and creators, science-fiction and science panels, a dealers’ room, a masquerade, dances, author events, club meetings, and hands-on activities. Past programming has covered subjects such as screenwriting, prop construction, robotics, filk music, and other forms of creative or technical making. Guests have included Star Trek performers and creators as well as scientists, academics, writers, artists, and researchers. The guest roster has included figures such as Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Marina Sirtis, Jonathan Frakes, Denise Crosby, Nana Visitor, Robert Picardo, and many others. In 2017, the organization undertook a broader mission and structural reorientation. It reorganized as a nonprofit public-benefit organization under the name The Starbase and adopted a mission focused on celebrating Star Trek’s vision of the future by promoting humanitarianism and STEM education. The revised approach placed greater emphasis on science programming, public discussion, lectures, practical activities, diversity, and efforts to reduce prejudice and discrimination through intentional inclusion. The convention remains the organization’s principal public event, while badge sales, merchandise, and a silent auction help fund programming, guest participation, and educational activities. Organizing work is carried out by volunteers. Starbase Indy has also developed the Starbase Indy Podcast. The podcast interviews people whose interest in Star Trek or science fiction has influenced work toward a more hopeful future in the real world. Its guests have included performers, writers, artists, directors, scientists, academics, and researchers, many of whom have also participated in the live convention. The 2020 in-person convention was not held because of the pandemic. The live event returned to the Indianapolis Marriott East in 2021, with the venue expected to remain in use through 2026 according to the referenced material.
History
Starbase Indy originated in the Indianapolis Star Trek community. After local fans traveled to a convention in St. Louis, they decided that Indianapolis should have its own Star Trek gathering. The first event was held in March 1988 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. Its principal guests included Michael Dorn, known for playing Worf on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Mark Lenard, who played Sarek on Star Trek: The Original Series. The convention later moved to the Marriott East and settled into a Thanksgiving-weekend schedule. The convention’s early identity was expressed through generation subtitles. In 1989 it was presented as “The Next Generation,” followed by “The Third Generation” in 1990 and successive numbered generations. The first phase ended with the eighth-generation event in 1995. Starbase Indy was revived in 2004 after a professional convention company withdrew. A fan-run local committee organized the ninth-generation edition and restored the convention as a community-led event. In 2008, Vulkon Entertainment was expected to take over the event but withdrew shortly before the convention. Indianapolis fans responded by assembling a one-day event called Freekon. They subsequently began meeting monthly and rebuilt Starbase Indy for 2009. The local organizing committee continued the Thanksgiving-weekend tradition. A hotel scheduling conflict moved the 2011 event to December 9–11, but the convention returned to its customary three-day Thanksgiving schedule in 2012. In 2015, it returned to its original hotel location, then known as the Wyndham Indianapolis West. A significant organizational and mission change began in 2017. The convention’s operating organization reorganized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit associated with The Starbase and adopted a mission centered on Star Trek’s optimistic vision of the future, humanitarianism, and STEM education. The revised organization also articulated goals concerning inclusion, diversity, and opposition to prejudice and discrimination. Its programming continued to serve Star Trek and broader science-fiction fandom while adding more science-oriented lectures, public discussions, and hands-on learning. Starbase Indy programming has included guest Q&As, panel discussions, a dealers’ room, a masquerade, a dance, author and creator sessions, science presentations, club meetings, and practical workshops. Topics have included screenwriting, prop building, robotics, and filk music. Its guests have ranged from performers and writers to scientists, academics, artists, and researchers. Notable guests over the years have included Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Majel Barrett Roddenberry, Marina Sirtis, Jonathan Frakes, Denise Crosby, Robert Picardo, and many other Star Trek and science-fiction participants. The organization has also extended its mission through the Starbase Indy Podcast. The program interviews people inspired by Star Trek or science fiction who pursue constructive work in the real world. Podcast participants have included actors, writers, artists, directors, scientists, academics, and researchers, with substantial overlap between the podcast and the live convention’s speaker community. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented an in-person Starbase Indy event in 2020. The live convention returned in 2021 at the Indianapolis Marriott East, which the referenced material identifies as the expected venue through 2026. Revenue from badges, merchandise, and a silent auction supports convention activities, educational and interactive programming, and compensation for artists and performers. Most organizing work is performed by volunteers.
- 2021
Live convention returns
[1]The in-person event returned at the Indianapolis Marriott East.
- 2020
In-person event suspended
[1]No live convention was held because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2017
Mission and nonprofit reorganization
[1]The organization began operating under a revised nonprofit structure and adopted a mission emphasizing humanitarianism, STEM education, diversity, and inclusion.
- 2015
Return to original hotel site
[1]Starbase Indy returned to its original Indianapolis hotel location, then known as the Wyndham Indianapolis West.
- 2012
Return to Thanksgiving weekend
[1]The convention restored its traditional three-day Thanksgiving-weekend schedule.
- 2011
Temporary date change
[1]A hotel scheduling issue moved the event from Thanksgiving weekend to December 9–11.
- 2008
Freekon emergency event
[1]Local fans created a one-day event after a planned organizer withdrew shortly before the convention.
- 2004
Fan-run revival
[1]A new local committee revived the event after a professional convention company withdrew, presenting a ninth-generation edition.
- 1995
End of the initial convention run
[1]The local organizing committee concluded the first cycle with Starbase Indy: The Eighth Generation.
- 1989
Adoption of generation naming
[1]The convention began using “The Next Generation” as part of its name and later continued with successive generation subtitles.
Products and positioning
A volunteer-led, inclusive science-fiction convention that uses Star Trek fandom as a platform for community, humanitarian values, STEM education, creative participation, and discussion of a hopeful future.
Science-fiction convention · 1988
Starbase Indy annual convention
The core Starbase Indy offering is a recurring three-day Indianapolis convention traditionally held over Thanksgiving weekend. It combines Star Trek and science-fiction fandom with guest appearances, Q&A sessions, panels, author and creator programming, a dealers’ room, a masquerade, a dance, club meetings, and educational activities. The event increasingly emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through lectures, public discussion, and practical programs.
Podcast
Starbase Indy Podcast
The Starbase Indy Podcast extends the convention’s mission beyond the annual live event. It features interviews with actors, writers, artists, directors, scientists, academics, and researchers whose work reflects the hopeful, socially constructive ideas associated with Star Trek and science fiction.
Fan merchandise and fundraising
Convention merchandise and auction
Merchandise sales and a silent auction support the nonprofit convention’s programming. Proceeds help fund interactive and educational activities and support artists and performers participating in the event.
Brand decisions
2020
Suspension of the 2020 in-person conventionOtherBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted live events and made the planned convention impractical.
Action taken
Starbase Indy did not hold an in-person event in 2020.
Aftermath
The live convention resumed in 2021 at the Indianapolis Marriott East.
2017
Shift toward humanitarianism, STEM, and inclusionStrategyBackground
The organization sought to formalize its broader purpose beyond fandom programming and to connect Star Trek’s optimistic future-oriented themes with real-world education and social values.
Action taken
It reorganized as a nonprofit public-benefit organization, adopted a revised mission, expanded science programming, and emphasized diversity, inclusion, and opposition to prejudice and discrimination.
Aftermath
Starbase Indy continued its traditional convention format while adding more STEM-related lectures, public discussions, and hands-on activities.
Recent events
- 2021
Starbase Indy returns to the Indianapolis Marriott East[1]
Other
The live convention returned to the Indianapolis Marriott East after the pandemic interruption, with the venue identified as the expected home of the event through 2026.
- 2020
Starbase Indy cancels its 2020 live event because of the pandemic[1]
Other
No in-person Starbase Indy event was held in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2017
Starbase Indy begins nonprofit reorganization and mission update[1]
Other
The organization began a rebranding and structural transition associated with The Starbase, adopted a humanitarianism and STEM-focused mission, and increased the emphasis on science and inclusion in convention programming.
- 2015
Starbase Indy returns to its original Indianapolis venue[1]
Other
The convention returned to its original hotel site, which was then operating as the Wyndham Indianapolis West.
- 2008
Local fans rebuild Starbase Indy after a planned organizer withdraws[1]
Other
After Vulkon Entertainment withdrew shortly before the planned convention, local fans created a one-day event called Freekon and later organized a continuing local committee.
- 2004
Starbase Indy resumes under a new fan-run committee[1]
Other
A new local committee revived the convention after a professional convention company left the event, presenting a ninth-generation edition.
Sources2 sources
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