Captain's log: Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas

Thousands of wannabe Klingons, Vulcans, and Trekkies have set their sights on one destination: Las Vegas, for the eighth annual Star Trek Convention. It's been a big year for the Sci-Fi series, with the new Star Trek movie being one of 2009's biggest blockbusters.

Commander Dy-Kar and Crum Su-Tie Or-Isik of the KV Widowmaker have been involved with Star Trek for nearly 40 years. And they're happy to pass the tradition along to their grandchildren.

"We decided to come down for our fellow earth people. Understand that the Klingon universe is no different then any other universe. The strength of Star Trek is the messages it carries on. Unlike some others, they do approach today's problems."

With the recent closure of Star Trek: The Experience, Adam Malin with Creation Entertainment thought the annual convention would slow. However, the enthusiasm is still there.

"In troubled financial times, people are looking for low-cost entertainment, maybe looking to get away from some of their financial problems."

And like Comic-Con in San Diego, the Hollywood embrace of Science Fiction and comic books has allowed this form of entertainment to grow and flourish despite a tough economy.

"I think that emotional link gives them not only a need to be part of it, as to spend money in a tight economy, but it gives them everything from a social aspect of things to a way to be part of something," explains Trevor Roth, Roddenberry Productions.

The Star Trek Convention at the Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center runs through Sunday. The event also has 75 Star Trek celebrities in attendance, including Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.

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