(Above) Jason Carter, best known as Marcus Cole on Babylon 5, a science fiction television series that aired from 1994 to 1998. Carter is scheduled to appear as a guest at an upcoming science fiction convention in downtown Chicago.

March 7, 2014 – The science fiction convention that spectacularly withdrew from a River North hotel has found a new home not far away.

“Chi Fi 0” is scheduled for March 29 at Palmer House, a Hilton hotel on East Monroe Street.

“After a mid-flight coordinate correction and much publicity, Chi-Fi is back on course,” announced the convention’s website recently.

The “convention celebrating geekdom” was scheduled for March 27-30 at the Westin Chicago River North on North Dearborn Street. However, in January, the convention’s chairman, James Dobbs, posted a note on their site saying the event would not take place at the Westin due to “concerns about the ability of their staff to create a welcoming and accepting atmosphere towards our attendees.”

Specifically, he said “a senior Westin employee” called his group “freaks.”

Other convention organizers and experts on science fiction fans were skeptical of the claim, saying a more likely story was that the convention did not have enough registrations and wanted out of a contract with the Westin without paying an $84,000 penalty.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chi-Fi to the hotel,” Palmer House general manager Dean Lane is quoted as saying on the convention’s website. “Hopefully, this event is just the start of a long-lasting relationship between Chi-Fi and the Palmer House.”

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