MarsCon has a long and proud history of taking a somewhat "low key" approach to the convention trope of guest. Like most conventions, we typically have lots of them (a list that will begin to grow dramaticallyas we get closer to the convention dates) and they're usually a wildly diverse group of folks, spanning many different facets of Science-Fiction, Fantasy, and Fannish interest. They'll range from nationally (or internationally) recognized names to local talents, and we're pleased as punch to be visited by all of them. What we dopn't do though is lock them away in rigidly structured (read this as "boring") panels all day with no time or chance to interact with the people they actualy came to the convention for (that's you by the way). So, while they all spend a few sessions "behind the panel table," you're just as likely to find them lounging in the con-suite, signing stuff and meeting folks at the autograph tables, wandering the dealers room, or just hanging out in the lobbies shooting the breeze with fans.
Is this unusual for a convention? Yep.
Do we like it? You betcha!