DemiCon has a Memorial Book were we keep cherished memories of DemiCon
guests, attendees and Des Moines Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc.
members that are no longer with us.

When the pandemic began we continued this tradition and created virtual pages. We have added all those virtual pages to the physical Memorial Book which will be available at the convention, but we wanted to make those pages available here for anyone who isn’t able to join us in person.

These are the pages for those we have lost since last DemiCon: https://static.demicon.org/33/DemiCon33Memorial.pdf.

We are happy to announce the programming grid is now available so you can start planning your cyberpunk adventure. Head over to the programming page for all the details or check out just the grids using the below links.

Programming Grid (by day/time)

Programming Grid (by panelist)

As some of you may already know, the vendor we’ve worked with in the past for our t-shirts has retired.

During the virtual conventions in 2020 and 2021 we wanted to continue to offer t-shirts and DMSFFS table items for sale and created a RedBubble account. Because RedBubble offers a wide variety of t-shirt styles and colors to choose from we are going to use them again this year for the official DemiCon t-shirt.

This means we will not have t-shirts available for sale at the DMSFFS table during the convention. Instead, t-shirts you order will be shipped directly to your home. Order now to receive your shirt before the convention!

Our RedBubble can be found at https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/106770694.

After much discussion and careful review of current guidance from Polk County Health, Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control, we have decided that at this time we will not require individuals to wear masks at the convention.

Voluntary wearing of masks, especially in crowds or closed spaces, is still encouraged.

We reserve the right to update and revise this policy at any time based on changes to public health guidelines.

Deadlines:

• Early registration discount ends April 1. Link to registration page: https://demicon.org/33/register#online
• Convention room block closes April 13. Book your room as soon as possible to ensure you get a room. Once the room block closes it’s possible the hotel could fill up with muggles! Link to website that is pre-filled in with room block code: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels…
• Sweded Movie Trailer videos are due by April 19. Rules and other info: https://demicon.org/33/contests/#sweded
• Early registration ends April 24. After this you must now register at the door. At the door rates can be found here: https://demicon.org/33/register#door
• Art Show registration is open. You can register for the art show as late as day of, but if mailing your art instead of brining it in person we have to receive it by Wednesday, May 4. More info is here: https://demicon.org/33/venues/#art.

Other things to highlight:

• Room party sign-up! No official deadline but the sooner the better! Sign-up is here: https://demicon.org/33/register#party
• Masquerade and Cosplay sign-up is open. More info is here: https://demicon.org/33/contests/#masquerade

ConCom has been closely monitoring state and local rules, as well guidance from the CDC, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Polk County Health Department, related to masking to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

At this time we have not made a decision on our mask policy for DemiCon 33. We are currently hoping to make that decision by April 1. Once we have made a decision we will post it here and add it to the convention Policies.

ConCom is so excited to be planning for an in person convention in 2022.

We have been considering guidance from the CDC, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Polk County Health Department, as well as monitoring how other conventions, conferences, and large events across the country are handling the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

DemiCon has always strived to provide a safe environment for volunteers and convention attendees. With this in mind we are requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a negative test within 48 hours prior to the event, along with a valid photo ID.

Per the CDC, fully vaccinated means it has been two weeks since your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after your single-dose Johnson & Johnson. Accepted forms of vaccination proof include vaccination card, photocopy of vaccination card, or electronic picture of vaccination card on your phone.

Accepted forms of a negative COVID-19 test include printed copy of negative test result, or electronic copy of negative test result on your phone, with sample date of the test clearly visible and sample date no more than 48 hours prior to picking up your badge at registration. This means we will NOT accept rapid home self-test kits, such as “BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test,” that are not processed by a lab and do not include the name of the person who was tested.

If electing to show proof of negative COVID-19 test, please keep in mind that depending on the type of test you take it can take a couple days to receive your test results. Please plan your test accordingly and ensure you schedule your testing appointment with enough time to receive your results in time for registration badge pickup.

We reserve the right to adjust our COVID-19 policies and requirements as public health guidance is revised.

The Des Moines Science Fiction & Fantasy Society and DemiCon are 100 percent volunteer run. Whether you are a volunteer, a DMSFFS member, or a convention attendee you are part of our big family.

The coronavirus pandemic has challenged all of us in different ways: mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially to name a few.

Each day the pace of vaccinations quickens. We are heartened and encouraged to see more and more of you, our family, getting vaccinated.

DMSFFS and DemiCon would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us through this trying time. While there is still a way to go before the pandemic ends, we are looking forward to a return to some semblance of normalcy, including a return to in-person events. After holding virtual conventions in 2020 and 2021 we fully expect the 33rd annual DemiCon to be an in-person event.

The After: DemiCon 2022 will take place May 6 through May 8, 2022 at the Des Moines Holiday Inn Northwest with a theme that draws on elements of cyberpunk, technology, and futurism.

The cyberpunk genre is frequently dark, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian. While post-apocalism is certainly fitting for a post-coronavirus world, we want to make it clear that our intent is not to make light of the pandemic and the terrible toll it has taken on the world.

For many, life will never be the same. Jobs have been lost. Friends and loved ones have been taken before their time. The way we work, the way we play, and the way we gather with friends has moved into cyberspace. Technology both unites us and divides us more than ever before. Please know that you are loved and that you are an important part of us. Be kind to each other always and forever. And we cannot wait to see you in person at DemiCon.