I used to get in trouble because I wanted to watch reruns of the 1st series instead of coming to the dinner table.
As an adult, I went to many ST conventions, eventually taking my child with me. We were privileged to meet James Doohan, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, George Takai, Mark Lenard and then many from STNG as well.
Back before the internet and even before many people had DVD players, going to the conventions was the only way to get your ST fix after the show had gone off the air.