Des Moines' 33rd Annual Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gaming Convention
May 6 - 8, 2022
Guests of Honor: Author Cory Doctorow; Artist Andy Brase; Fan John Johnson; Toastmaster Tadao Tomomatsu
Deadlines: Early registration discount ends April 1, 2022; Early registration ends April 24, 2022 - must now register at the door; Hotel Room Block closes April 13; Sweded Movie Trailer entries due April 19
Health officials urge citizens: "Play your part, vaccinate!" Library of Congress, CIA to rebrand as "CIC" after merger, privatization Tessier-Ashpool create powerful new AI named Wintermute DHS: "Surveillance State" necissary amid continuing threat of terrorism Mysterious hacker "Mik3y" creates XNet Mathematician Dr. Gunter Janek found dead Ellingson Mineral Company supercomputer "Gibson" purported target of cyber attack
Registration
Getting your badge and registration packet
Your registration is picked up at the convention. We do not mail the memberships to you. Remember to bring your Photo ID so you can pick up your badges. If you do not have your photo ID, we cannot give you your badge to attend DemiCon.
You will also be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test from no more than 48 hours prior. See our policies for details, including what forms of proof will be accepted.
We reserve the right to adjust our COVID-19 policies and requirements as public health guidance is revised.
At the door registration and pre-registration badge pickup officially opens at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 6, 2022.
Online Registration
Online Membership Rates BEFORE April 1, 2022
$55.00 weekend adult (full con access)
$20.00 weekend child 5-12 years of age (full con access)
Free for children 4 and under
Online Membership Rates BEGINNING April 1, 2022
$65.00 weekend adult (full con access)
$25.00 weekend child 5-12 years of age (full con access)
Free for children 4 and under
For at-the-door prices please see our at-the-door registration section.
Hotel Information
A group room block with special rates is reserved for the convention. The special room rates are:
A Standard Double Room or a King Executive Room is $102 per night + tax.
A Junior or Extended Suite is $132 + tax.
Family or Parlor Suite rate is $162 + tax.
Please make your reservation as soon as possible to ensure you get a room. Historically we fill the hotel. If you wait until the last minute there may be no rooms available. The absolute latest to get a room in our room block is April 13, 2022.
Reminder that if you use your debit card the hotel will put a hold and pre-charge your rooms. This could cause money you think should be there to be unavailable throughout the weekend. Due to this common hotel practice, we suggest the use of a credit card if this would be an issue.
There are other hotels around that you can stay at if you wish.
The Holiday Inn does allow animals on 1st floor only. They cannot be taken to other levels/floors.
How do I reserve my hotel room?
Option 1) Make your reservation online using the room block code D22.
Option 2) Call the hotel directly at 515-278-4755 and ask to be placed in the “DemiCon 33 in 2022″ room block (room block code D22).
(Important: Do not call the corporate Holiday Inn 1-800 number. Corporate customer service will tell you that there are no rooms available because they don’t’ understand how the convention room block works. If the front desk at the hotel is busy, there is a chance your call might roll over to the 1-800 number. If this happens, kindly ask that they transfer you back to the hotel front desk.)
Please let us know if you encounter any difficulties making your room reservation.
At the door Registration
You can purchase your convention memberships at the door if you miss pre-registration. There will be weekend rates, day rates and Explorer Passes. Please bring your Photo ID to register.
Full Weekend Memberships
$65.00 weekend adult (full con access)
$25.00 weekend child 5 to 12 years of age (full con access), must be accompanied by an adult
Free for children 4 and under (full con access), must be accompanied by an adult
Day Memberships
$30.00 Friday (full con access) expiring at midnight
$45.00 Saturday (full con access) expiring at midnight
$25.00 Sunday (full con access) expiring after closing ceremonies*
*Sunday Day Membership is FREE with pre-registration for DemiCon 34 in 2023.
Explorer Memberships
$20.00 Friday explorer (access to programming, excludes 5th floor and hospitality suite) expiring at midnight
$30.00 Saturday explorer (access to programming, excludes 5th floor and hospitality suite) expiring at midnight
$20.00 Sunday explorer (access to programming, excludes 5th floor and hospitality suite) expiring at midnight
Credit card, cash or checks may be used at the door. See the FAQ page for additional information about registration (about half-way down the FAQ page under the heading “What is the cost to attend DemiCon?”).
Register as an Artist for the Art Show
Registration for the Art Show is open! Please use the Art Show Registration form linked below.
For more information, including PDF registration forms that you can use instead of the above link, visit the Art Show page and scroll down to the “Information For Artists” section.
The DemiCon Art Show is open to all interested artists, including students, amateurs and professionals. The Art Show allows artists to share their work with our attendees. We promote Fantasy and Science Fiction art by helping artists to display and sell their work.
The DemiCon Dealers’ Room capacity is 28 table spaces. We will be holding a juried selection for our vendors. This means that all prospective dealers will need to submit a Dealers’ Room application to be considered for having a space for vending.
Dealer tables are $35 per table (strict limit of 3 tables), and a convention membership will be required for workers at your table.
Dealers’ Room Rules and Guidelines
Permit and Sales Tax: The state of Iowa requires that all dealers collect and remit Iowa sales tax on dealer table purchases. Please have your tax permit with you during the convention as you will be asked to provide this information.
Weapons: All edged weapons and other sharp, breakable, or potentially hazardous merchandise must be displayed in a safe and appropriate manner. Do not sell swords, knives, etc., to minors without the permission of the minor’s parent.
Display: Please display any adult-themed merchandise in a tasteful manner.
Safety: No open flames allowed (e.g. no burning of candles, incense, illudim 348, lit canons, etc.). Do not “flow” your merchandise and displays into the aisles or other dealer spaces.
Sound: Music and video are permitted in your dealer area. However, please keep the sound to a volume that does not annoy your neighbors. If it is too loud, you will be asked to turn it down.
Food Vending: Dealers cannot sell food items because of hotel regulations on corkage and food vending.
Membership: DemiCon membership is not included with your table(s). Every person who will work your table must have a membership, and badges must be worn at all times.
Set-Up and Tear-Down: You must vend all three days of DemiCon. You must be set up and ready for business on Friday at 2 p.m. and continue to conduct business during all of the Dealer’s Room hours until 2 p.m. Sunday. You cannot dismantle your tables until Sunday after 2 p.m.
Dealers’ Room Schedule (subject to change)
Friday Set up: 9 am – 2 pm Business: 2 pm – 6 pm
Saturday Room opens for Dealers: 9:30 am Business: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday Room opens for Dealers: 9:30 am Business: 10 am – 2 pm
Host a Room Party
If you or your organization is interested in hosting a room party on Friday, Saturday, or both nights of the convention please review our Drinking Policy and the below guidelines.
All room parties must be registered and will be placed on the 5th floor of the hotel.
No parties are permitted anywhere outside the 5th floor.
Guidelines for Party Hosts
The legal drinking age in Iowa is 21. This means that your birthday must be on or before May 6, 2001, in order for you to consume alcohol. Minors caught with alcohol or adults caught serving alcohol to minors need to be aware of the consequences of their actions. Please drink responsibly and act accordingly.
When posting signage for your party please use blue painters tape and be mindful not to damage the room or its contents.
If you have any issues, questions or concerns during your party, look for the roaming Rangers (identified by the bright yellow/green vests) or the Room Party Department Head.
Please post or otherwise provide information regarding potential allergy issues (nuts, etc.).
Masquerade and Cosplay Participant Registration
Part of the fun of any con is the freedom to dress up as your favorite character, or archetype, or as some completely unique and original concept spawned from your own very creative brain. We at DemiCon like to encourage that freedom further by offering you the chance to show off your clever ideas and talented handiwork through our costume contest events.
Masquerade and Cosplay Contest
On con Saturday, the main stage masquerade and cosplay event lets you thrill our audience with not only your spectacular costume creations, but your skilled (or not-so-skilled – we don’t care, we love just watching everyone try!) mini-performance. More details can be found on the Programming page under Masquerade and Cosplay.
On con Friday, the Hall Costume Contest allows you to immortalize your amazing apparel via our fabulous official photographer’s portrait service (it’s free!), while our mystery judges mingle among the attendees to quietly select the best-of-the-best.
For more details go to Contests on the Programming page.
Request Pro Invitation or Suggest a Pro Guest
We have many local, regional, and national professionals that attend DemiCon. They contribute to many areas of the convention, such as the art show, the music venue, and programming. Professional guests that contribute in this way may be eligible to be featured in our programming book, as well as receive a free membership to the convention for themselves and a guest.
If you would like to be considered as a professional guest, or if you know a professional that we should invite to DemiCon 33, please fill out this form to let us know.
