Program Participant

A Program Participant is someone — fan or pro, it doesn't matter — who is on the program of a convention. It is common but not at all universal for program participants to get their membership fee reimbursed. Some cons provide a gratis membership in advance, some refund after the con, some refund only if the budget allows it, and some don't refund program participant memberships at all. It depends on the state of the con's finances and local custom.

It is very rare at SF conventions to pay an honorarium or expenses for program participants who are part of the SF community who are not guests of honor of the convention.