Sci-fi conventions become suburban hotel fantasies.(Brief Article)

Shows help fill business-travel void

Whether they have their heads in the clouds or their fangs at your throat fans of fantasy and horror are coming to Seattle in increasing numbers.

This is good news to the area's convention and tourism business at a time when the flattening of the high-tech sector and a slowdown in the rest of the economy has resulted in a cut back of business travel and the number of people attending the high-profile conventions.

While it poses no threat of overtaking the software or biotech industry events, the various flavors of fantasy, science fiction, sword-and-sorcery and horror are providing an entertaining lift to the area's economy.

Recently, Seattle played host to the World Horror Convention, held in SeaTac during the Memorial Day weekend. The convention, which also is the site for …