DemiCon

DemiCon is an annual volunteer-run science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention held in Des Moines, Iowa, in early May. The convention was first held in 1990.[1]

DemiCon
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueHoliday Inn Northwest, 4800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50322
Location(s)Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates41.6489°N 93.6999°W / 41.6489; -93.6999
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1990
Organized byDes Moines Science Fiction Society, Ltd.
Filing status501(c)(7), Nonprofit
WebsiteDemiCon 30 in May 2019

DemiCon's host organization is the Des Moines Science Fiction Society (DMSFS), a nonprofit group that promotes literacy, science, and the arts, especially through the enjoyment of science fiction and fantasy.[1]

Inception

DemiCon was founded in 1990 by fans who learned the trade from the likes of Joe Haldeman and graduates of his University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. These fans had formed the Des Moines Science Fiction Society in 1989, and at their first meeting, included a convention among their goals.[1]

The event's name, DemiCon, is derived from the words "Des Moines Convention." [1]

Programming and Activities

DemiCon's decades of growth have led to a wide variety of programming, but some of the offerings remain consistent from year to year. The following programming is standard fare at each DemiCon:[1][2]

  • Opening Ceremonies, including a performance by Trans-Iowa Canal Company
  • Gaming
  • Masquerade & Cosplay (a structured and staged costume contest)
  • Hall Costume contests (informal, no staging)
  • Art show
  • Dealers' room
  • Panels with the Guests of Honor
  • Presentations by musical guests and professional guests
  • Consuite
  • Room parties
  • Closing Ceremonies

In addition to the staples listed above, DemiCon offers parallel-programming (also known as multiple-track sessions) that can include many diverse topics from Anime to Zombies. DemiCon is a family-friendly event, and offers a wide range of activities with appeal across generations of sci-fi and fantasy fans. A DemiCon member (attendee) might experience:[2][3]

  • Music room featuring filking
  • Gaming competitions with prizes (from board games to electronic games)
  • Live Action Role Playing (LARP)
  • Fhannish Film Festival
  • Venue D (open-mike entertainment)
  • Discussions of literature, television, movies, media
  • Panels on science, technology, and the future
  • Steampunk and alternate history activities
  • Anime programming and cosplay
  • Children's programming
  • Teen Lounge
  • Presentations pertaining to a wide variety of hobbies and activities, such as:
    • needlework show-and-tell
    • home-brew tasting and judging
    • belly dancing
    • defending the world against zombies
  • Demonstrations of costume and prop construction
  • Iowa's Writers Forum
  • Live theatrical performances, such as "TICC After Dark"
  • Video room
  • Blood drive
  • Scavenger hunt

Venues

DemiCon has always made its home in the metro area of Des Moines, Iowa, USA.[1][2]

DemiCon 1 through DemiCon 7 in 1990 to 1996 were held at the Howard Johnson (which is now the Holiday Inn Northwest) on Merle Hay Road. This was also the venue for DemiCon 9 in 1998.

The Inn at University was the venue for DemiCon 8 and 10 in 1997 and 1999.

For DemiCon 11 in 2000 through DemiCon 13 in 2002, the location was the University Park Holiday Inn in West Des Moines (which is now Sheraton).

The Hotel Fort Des Moines in the downtown area was the site of DemiCon 14 through 20 in 2003 through 2009.

In 2010, DemiCon 21 returned to its original location at the Holiday Inn Northwest. This is slated to be the convention's site through DemiCon 35 in 2024.

Guests of Honor and Themes

The following table lists the annual themes, and the guests that have honored DemiCon since the event was founded.[1][2][3][4]

YearNo.ThemeAuthor Guest of HonorArtist Guest of HonorFan Guest of HonorToastmaster
202031Legion of DemiContbatbatbatba
201930It's About TimeGail Carriger -- with Timeless GOHs Gay & Joe HaldemanJohn PicacioBecky Kinnamon & David WintertonSusan Leabhart
201829Down the Rabbit HoleChristina HenryChristine MitzukSusan LeabhartMitch Thompson
201728Heroes Shall RiseLars PearsonRon WagnerRichard HarperSusan Leabhart
201627Zombies Always Ring TwiceAdam J. WhitlatchAlan M. ClarkGary and Erin WickeringTadao Tomomatsu
201526The Magical World of DemiConJim C. HinesMegan LaraMichelle ClarkTadao Tomomatsu
201425Hi-Yo, Silver! Celebrate Away!Tee MorrisLojo RussoKevin Roche and Andy TrembleySusan Leabhart
20132424-Karat DemiCon: Celebrating the Golden Age of Science FictionDavid WeberScott RossMitch and Mary ThompsonDennis Lynch
201223Full Moon FantasyPatricia BriggsAllen WilliamsAnge and Brian AndersonTadao Tomomatsu
201122Here Be DragonsSarah PrineasSarah ClemensJohn and Denise GarnerTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
201021Everything is Better with PiratesKarl SchroederDon MaitzGregg ParmentierTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200920All My Cons RememberedJoe HaldemanSara ButcherRoger TenerTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200819Back Where We BelongSteven BarnesMitchell Davidson BentleyJoe and Inger MyersTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200718You Can Go Home Again...Just Use Your ImaginationCatherine AsaroTheresa MatherSteve Houle (aka Wookie)Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200617Enter the Twilight Zone of ImaginationFrederik PohlJanet ChuiTed Poovey and Darice Schirber-PooveyTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200516Life, the Universe, and DemiConBrad LinaweaverMike ColeSheila Lenkman and Scott CorwinTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200415DemiCon-A-Fan-alistic-XV-Fun-A-LisciousEmma Bull and Will ShetterlyAlan GutierrezRusty HevelinTadao Tomomatsu
200314Contemplating the FUTUREOctavia E. ButlerLubovLynda ShermanRusty Hevelin
200213Con of the Living DeadF. Paul WilsonAlan M. ClarkDennis LynchRusty Hevelin
200112DemiCon 2001: A Con OddityHarry HarrisonSergey PoyarkovTadao TomomatsuRusty Hevelin
200011Y2K Compliance is Futile. This One Goes to Eleven.Lois McMaster BujoldSusan Van CampAlois and Wendy TschamplRusty Hevelin
199910Generation X: Too Old to be Neos...Too Young to be Nostalgic!Spider Robinson and Jeanne RobinsonNéné ThomasBill BroughtonRusty Hevelin
19989Plan Nine from Des MoinesGeorge Alec EffingerWilliam J. HodgsonMarshall and Dee WillisRusty Hevelin
19978Sorry, But We've Chosen Not to Become Evolved - Supporting Your Eternal Right to EntropyBarbara HamblyMitchell Davidson BentleyCharles PiehlRusty Hevelin
19967God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days...DemiCon VII. We may have taken 6 years with DemiCon, but on the Seventh Con, We'll Party.Algis BudrysKeith BerdakOtto and Ruth ShellerRusty Hevelin
19956The Undiscovered ConRoger ZelaznyWilson TuckerRusty Hevelin
19945The Fifth of DemiCon: The Smoothest Convention AroundGlen CookDavid Lee AndersonPierre and Sandy PettingerRusty Hevelin
19934The Dawn of FanMickey Zucker ReichertErin McKeeMark MooreRusty Hevelin
19923My God! - It's Full of StarsRob ChilsonDavid CherryMyrna Logan (The Dragon Lady)Rusty Hevelin
19912The Voyage ContinuesJoe HaldemanLucy SynkGay HaldemanRusty Hevelin
19901Witness the BirthC. J. CherryhJ.R. DanielsRusty Hevelin

References
  1. DMSFS home page
  2. "DemiCon Archives". Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  3. "DemiCon 23, May 4 to 6, 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  4. DemiCon home page

See also
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