DemiCon

Last updated
DemiCon
StatusActive
GenreMulti-genre
VenueHoliday Inn Northwest, 4800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50322
Location(s)Des Moines, Iowa
Coordinates 41°38′56″N93°42′00″W / 41.6489°N 93.6999°W / 41.6489; -93.6999
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1990
Organized byDes Moines Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc.
Filing status501(c)(3), Nonprofit
Website demicon.org

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

Contents

DemiCon's host organization is the Des Moines Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc. (DMSFFS), 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]

In addition to the staples listed above, DemiCon offers parallel-programming (also known as multiple-track sessions) that can include many diverse topics from A nime to Z ombies. 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]

Venues

DemiCon has always made its home in the metro area of Des Moines, Iowa, US. [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 HonorMusic Guest of HonorToastmaster
202334Starbase DemiCon: A New World Rachel Aukes Carter Allen(none)Cheshire MoonMitch Thompson
202233The After Cory Doctorow Andy Brase John Johnson Tadao Tomomatsu
202132Super Manga Graphic Novels Comics AnimationLettie PrellAlison Johnstun; David PancakeOrlando Winters; Dana Hinterleitner and Bruce HinterleitnerSusan Leabhart; Mitch Thompson
202031Legion of DemiConLettie PrellDavid PancakeDana Hinterleitner and Bruce HinterleitnerMitch Thompson
201930It's About Time Gail Carriger -- with Timeless GOHs Gay & Joe Haldeman John Picacio Becky Kinnamon & David WintertonSusan Leabhart
201829Down the Rabbit HoleChristina HenryChristine MitzukSusan LeabhartMitch Thompson
201728Heroes Shall Rise Lars Pearson Ron Wagner Richard HarperSusan Leabhart
201627Zombies Always Ring Twice Adam J. Whitlatch Alan M. Clark Gary and Erin Wickering Tadao Tomomatsu
201526The Magical World of DemiCon Jim C. Hines Megan Lara Michelle Clark Tadao Tomomatsu
201425Hi-Yo, Silver! Celebrate Away!Tee Morris Lojo Russo Kevin Roche and Andy TrembleySusan Leabhart
20132424-Karat DemiCon: Celebrating the Golden Age of Science Fiction David Weber Scott Ross Mitch and Mary ThompsonDennis Lynch
201223Full Moon Fantasy Patricia Briggs Allen Williams Ange and Brian Anderson Tadao Tomomatsu
201122Here Be Dragons Sarah Prineas Sarah Clemens John and Denise Garner Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
201021Everything is Better with Pirates Karl Schroeder Don Maitz Gregg Parmentier Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200920All My Cons Remembered Joe Haldeman Sara Butcher Roger Tener Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200819Back Where We Belong Steven Barnes Mitchell Davidson Bentley Joe and Inger Myers Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200718You Can Go Home Again...Just Use Your Imagination Catherine Asaro Theresa Mather Steve Houle (aka Wookie) Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200617Enter the Twilight Zone of Imagination Frederik Pohl Janet Chui Ted Poovey and Darice Schirber-Poovey Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200516Life, the Universe, and DemiCon Brad Linaweaver Mike Cole Sheila Lenkman and Scott Corwin Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200415DemiCon-A-Fan-alistic-XV-Fun-A-Liscious Emma Bull and Will Shetterly Alan Gutierrez Rusty Hevelin Tadao Tomomatsu
200314Contemplating the FUTURE Octavia E. Butler Lubov Lynda Sherman Rusty Hevelin
200213Con of the Living Dead F. Paul Wilson Alan M. Clark Dennis Lynch Rusty Hevelin
200112DemiCon 2001: A Con Oddity Harry Harrison Sergey Poyarkov Tadao Tomomatsu Rusty Hevelin
200011Y2K Compliance is Futile. This One Goes to Eleven. Lois McMaster Bujold Susan Van Camp Alois and Wendy Tschampl Rusty Hevelin
199910Generation X: Too Old to be Neos...Too Young to be Nostalgic! Spider Robinson and Jeanne Robinson Néné Thomas Bill Broughton Rusty Hevelin
19989Plan Nine from Des Moines George Alec Effinger William J. Hodgson Marshall and Dee Willis Rusty Hevelin
19978Sorry, But We've Chosen Not to Become Evolved - Supporting Your Eternal Right to Entropy Barbara Hambly Mitchell Davidson Bentley Charles Piehl Rusty 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 Budrys Keith BerdakOtto and Ruth Sheller Rusty Hevelin
19956The Undiscovered Con Roger Zelazny Wilson Tucker Rusty Hevelin
19945The Fifth of DemiCon: The Smoothest Convention Around Glen Cook David Lee Anderson Pierre and Sandy Pettinger Rusty Hevelin
19934The Dawn of Fan Mickey Zucker Reichert Erin McKeeMark Moore Rusty Hevelin
19923My God! - It's Full of Stars Rob Chilson David Cherry Myrna Logan (The Dragon Lady) Rusty Hevelin
19912The Voyage Continues Joe Haldeman Lucy Synk Gay Haldeman Rusty Hevelin
19901Witness the Birth C. J. Cherryh J.R. Daniels Rusty Hevelin

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 DMSFFS home page
  2. 1 2 3 4 "DemiCon Archives". Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  3. 1 2 "DemiCon 23, May 4 to 6, 2012". Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
  4. DemiCon home page