This summer, Rio Hotel and Casino is once again playing host to the world's largest Official Star Trek Convention. Celebrating a decade in Sin City, the annual gathering is expected to lure over 15,000 fans from around the globe. Packed with attractions, concerts, meet-and-greets, celebrity panels and a massive vendor hall, this year's Trek Con promises to be the biggest and best yet. 

There are plenty of great reasons for you to freshen your Starfleet uniform and head to Rio's Convention Hall. Here are the top five:
Meet Celebrities Face to Face
Star Trek conventions can bring encounters with famous actors that are up close and personal. Aside from panel discussions and Q&As, celebrities pose for photo ops, sign autographs and have personal conversations with you. In addition to cast members from all of the Trek movies and series, you can hobnob with actors like Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law), Wesley Eure and Kathy Coleman (Land of the Lost), Jeffrey Combs (the Re-Animator films), Doug Jones (Hellboy, The Shape of Water) Clint Howard (Austin Powers, Apollo 13) and dozens more.

Cosplay is Halloween for Grown-Ups
You don't have to wait until the end of October to dress up and have a blast. Trek Con fans are famous for their elaborate get-ups. Keep in mind that this isn't limited to Starfleet attire. Fantasy characters from Mad Max to Chewbacca, Captain America to Frodo Baggins are likely to make appearances. So make sure to bring your camera (or a back-up charger for your smartphone) and snap away. Better yet, join in on the fun and enter the official Costume Contest and Parade. Emergency costume repairs will be available to all participants for free.

Memorabilia of Every Kind
In 2019, it's absolutely cool to collect those lunchboxes, posters, comic books and trading cards that you so desperately wanted as a child. Better yet, add to your existing collection or replace something you lost through the years. The event’s Vendor Hall is massive, and the celebrities will be right there with you, scanning through collectibles or manning their own booths of merchandise and photos. 

The Fun Carries On Well Into The Evening
Fans will be entertained long after the stars come out. Eccentric actor Brent Spiner (Independence Day and its sequel) will present a concert with his band on Saturday. There are fan gathering, dinners, wedding packages, "Klingon Karaoke," a Star Trek Rat Pack show and an after-hours dance hosted by ST: Voyager actor Tim Russ.

Engage All Five of Your Senses
There are so many things to see, hear, taste, touch and smell that your senses will be sent into Warp 10. Step onto recreations of the transporter pad, Enterprise bridge, Ten Forward Bar and Borg regeneration chambers. Enter a scientific or medical ethics debate with experts from NASA's propulsion lab and various universities. Prepare for the upcoming CBS All Access series Picard by visiting “Jean-Luc: The First Duty Artifact Exhibit.” Take a stroll down the Creation Promenade with citizens from dozens of alien races. When you're ready to rest and regroup, stop by Quark's Bar (recreated from the Las Vegas Hilton's Star Trek: The Experience) for out-of-this-world food and libations.

The Official Star Trek Convention takes place at Rio Las Vegas July 31st through August 4th. The event is family-friendly. Tickets are available at www.creationent.com or at the door. Hours are Wednesday and Thursday 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.