With Tulsa Trek Expo Canceled, Some Fans Peeved At Lack Of Refund

For more than two decades, science fiction fans from across the Green Country have beamed themselves down to Tulsa for a huge convention.

The Trek Expo was supposed to be held later this month. Some fans are so devoted, they purchase their tickets almost a year in advance. Many of those fans say they weren't only shocked by the cancellation, but now they can't get their money back.

For the last 25 years, thousands of klingons, Jedi and all sci-fi beings in between have descended on Tulsa for one weekend.

"The event itself had almost been as much of an attraction as the stars we were able to bring to the expo," said R.A. Jones.

Jones is the manager of Starbase 21 in Tulsa, a comic book store that, up until a few years back, was the primary sponsor and hub of information for the Expo.

6/26/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Star Trek Convention Attracts Fans From All Ages

Jones said fans will pay top dollar for reserve tickets for a chance to get close to actors like William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.

"When we leave that year, we put our down payment to start paying for next year's tickets," said Cindy Breece.

She and her husband have traveled from Arkansas to attend the event the last seven years. She said they had already paid a total of $562 for this year's tickets when they learned it was canceled.

"And we buy the mid-level tickets. There are gold-level tickets that are $200 or $300 more a piece," Breece said.

She said the reserve tickets go fast, and she's heard of similar complaints from her fellow fans.

"I've noticed on several different websites where people are talking about it, saying, 'What do we do? We've spent all this money on tickets and now we have nothing,'" Breece said.

Breece said she's tried everything to get in touch with the new organizer, hoping to get her money back, but with no luck.

Jones said he's heard the same things from his customers here in Tulsa.

"I would say dozens, possibly even as many as 100," he said.

But for hardcore fans like Breece, it's as much about the loss of something she loves, as it is the loss of money.

"Unless somebody steps up to the plate and starts organizing it, it's done for," Breece said.

We contacted the hotel where the convention was supposed to be held this year, and they say they too were unable to contact the organizer.

Our emails to the organizer were also not returned.