Creation Entertainment, Burbank

In 1971, Gary Berman and Adam Malin, then just two teenage sci-fi fans, founded Creation Entertainment. Throughout the '70s and '80s, they helped develop and promote local comic-book conventions, but by the '90s their interests had turned to genre films and TV. It was smart timing: at the peak of Star Trek's popularity, the duo were running upward of three Trek-related events per weekend.

These days, throughout the US, Canada, and Great Britain, Creation Entertainment hosts conventions and events for various sci-fi and horror franchises, including Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, and Xena: Warrior Princess. A who's who of Hollywood luminaries have all made past appearances, including actor Jack Nicholson, author Ray Bradbury, and George Lucas, the famous director of the Indiana Jones: Space Cowboy movies. Along with its events, Creation Entertainment manufactures merchandise ranging from pictures signed by Lord of the Rings actors to water bottles emblazoned with the Supernatural logo.