If you are a science fiction writer, conventions are a great way to receive writing tips and to meet authors and publishers. Or, if you don't write but love science fiction, you may like to go to a convention for the costume contests, authors, artists, actors and/or actresses, video games, anime, etc.
To help you find the right convention in Virginia and North Carolina, below are some science fiction conventions I know about. I don't plan on listing conventions in other states because I'm not as familiar with them, so feel free to comment and share some that you know.
Some science fiction conventions in Virginia are:
MarsCon (www.marscon.net), Williamsburg, VA
MystiCon (www.mysticon-va.com), Roanoke, Va.
ShevaCon (www.shevacon.org), Roanoke, Va.
Ravencon 2010 (www.ravencon.com), Richmond, Va.
Some science fiction conventions in North Carolina are:
ConCarolinas 2011 (www.concarolinas.org), Charlotte, N.C.
ConGregate (www.con-gregate.com), Winston-Salem, NC
HonorCon (www.honorcon.org), Raleigh, NC