DemiCon venues are specific rooms or areas of the hotel that are dedicated to a popular subject for the entire convention weekend.
Anime Room
Konnichiwa! The Demicon Anime department wishes to welcome Anime fans one and all the room that is just for you! Join us for anime screenings, games, and crafts that either tie in to the Demicon theme, or the Japanese Anime fandom in general. Each year we strive to bring you something new. Perhaps it’s Animes you’ve never heard of, or a Studio Ghibli/Miyazaki film you haven’t had the chance to see. Trivia games such as ‘Anime Jeopardy’ and ‘Um, actually Anime Edition’ have been played in the past. And let us not forget ‘Jankenpon’ (Japanese Rock, Paper, Scissors). Last year we introduced crafting hour, and we aim to bring it back with something new this year.
As a side note, if anyone has ideas for an Anime related panel for Demicon do not hesitate to reach out to us at anime@demicon.org. We are always looking for new ideas. Remember: just because your panel is anime related, does not mean it has to be in the Anime room . You can submit your Anime panel ideas to programming by March 15, 2024. Please let anime@demicon.org know if you wish to be in the anime room, with the desired date and time slot, so we can work you into the schedule.
See you all at Demicon! Sayonara!
Art Show
The DemiCon Art Show is open to all interested artists and allows artists to share their work with our attendees while simultaneously promoting Fantasy and Science Fiction art by helping artists to display and sell their work.
The Art Show is divided in to several categories.
The art show consists of an exhibition floor, a print shop, and a combination auction and charity auction.
Convention attendees may purchase art at the auction or during exhibition and print shop hours.
Like many sci-fi & fantasy convention art shows, DemiCon’s art show is run entirely by volunteers. All convention attendees who visit the art show are asked to check their bags and drinks outside the door. Volunteers also help check in artists, set up artist displays, facilitate sales, and check out artists.
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to help out, consider signing up to be the Art Show volunteer. It is both fun and easy!
Art Show Hours for Convention Attendees:
The exhibition floor and the print shop will be open to convention attendees to view and purchase items:
- Friday, May 3 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday, May 4 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday, May 5 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The auction/charity auction will be:
- Saturday, May 5 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
If you purchase any art you can pay for and pick it up from at the auction Saturday night, or on Sunday from 8AM to 12PM.
All times listed are US Central Time.
Information for Artists
The exhibition floor is limited to 20 items per artist.
The print shop is limited to 30 unique pieces, with up to 15 copies of each unique piece. I.E. If you place the maximum amount in the print shop you would be bringing 450 print copies of your art. You may display copies of print shop items in the exhibition area, but each displayed item counts against your limit of 20 exhibition items.
You may donate an unlimited number of items for the charity auction.
To ensure the art show is successful for everyone involved (artist, convention attendees, and volunteers), please pay careful attention to the following information.
Hours
Artist check in and artist check out will take place separately from when the exhibition floor and print shop are open to convention attendees.
If you, or an agent representing you, are planning to be there in person for check in and check out, and the listed times will not work, please email artshow@demicon.org to make alternate arraignments.
All hours are US Central Time.
Artist check in will be:
- Friday, May 3 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM
- Saturday, May 4 from 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM
Artist chek out will be:
- Sunday, May 5 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Sales
Print shop sales are handled on a cash-and-carry basis.
Unless you have listed an item as NOT FOR SALE, exhibition sales will be handled as follows:
- All items will start at the minimum bid price set by the artist.
- Convention attendees may bid on items until 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 4 at which time any item that has received three or more bids will go to auction. The auction price will start at the highest bid. Items with one or two bids will sell to the highest bidder without going to auction.
- At any time, if an item does not yet have any bids, then the item may be purchased outright for the quick sale amount without going to auction.
- Any item not sold by the close of the auction at 7:00 PM on Saturday, May 4 may be purchased as a quick sale on Sunday.
Types of art accepted
All art should be science fiction, fantasy, gaming or fannish in nature. We reserve the right to refuse any artwork that does not meet our guidelines.
Works may be original or prints, but they must be entirely the work of the artist whose name appears on the pieces. Resales, hand-colored copies of commercially available art, and similar copyright violations will not be accepted.
The exhibition area is where art is displayed to convention attendees. Gridwall for hanging pieces, as well as tables and floor space, will be provided. Items must be ready to display. We will not assemble frames, mount jewelry, etc.
The print shop contains pieces for immediate sale. Pieces in the print shop are usually prints or reproductions of published artwork (book covers or magazine illustrations).
Labeling and identifying your art
Every exhibit floor item must be clearly labeled with the following information:
- Artist name
- Piece title
- Minimum bid and quick sale price if item is for sale
- “Not for Sale” if item is not for sale
Every copy of every print shop item:
- Artist name
- Piece title
- Sale price
DemiCon volunteers will not label your items and unlabeled items will be rejected.
For your convenience we have some label templates available:
https://static.demicon.org/shared/Print+Shop+Labels.pdf
https://static.demicon.org/shared/Exhibition+Floor+Labels.pdf
Getting your art to DemiCon and unsold mail-in art
You, or a designated agent, may bring your art to DemiCon in person, and then set up and take down your own exhibition art.
You may also mail your art.
Mailed art must arrive by Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Mail your art to:
DemiCon Art Show
c/o Craig Leabhart
915 25th Street
Des Moines, IA 50312
You must email artshow@demicon.org with shipping confirmation and tracking information. Please include “Art Show Shipping Confirmation” in the email subject line. Once your art has delivered you will receive a reply confirming that we have it.
You must include sufficient return postage to cover any unsold art. If you do not, your art will be returned cash COD. Prepaid shipping labels are preferred.
We will return your art to you in the same box(es) received. If your box is not sturdy enough the shipping company may require purchasing a better box. If all your art is sold, we will not return your box, unless you request otherwise.
Return art will be sent by UPS. Requests to use a different service, such as U.S. Mail, will be accepted, but may result in a delay in return.
UPS offers loss and damage protection (Declared Value) up to $100. If you want more coverage you must tell us in advance and provide the funds to cover it.
Fees & Payments
To offset the costs of running the art show, we charge fees for the display and sale of your work. In exchange we try hard to sell your work and to pay you as quickly as possible.
Hanging fees:
- Each exhibition item displayed is charged a hanging fee of $0.50 if delivered in person, or $0.75 if mailed.
- No hanging fee is charged for pieces submitted to the print shop.
Commission fees:
- Exhibition floor and auction sales are subject to a 10 percent commission.
- Print shop sales are subject to a 15 percent commission.
We do not collect sales tax. Artists are responsible for their own Iowa sales tax, if applicable.
Unless we receive specific instructions to the contrary, all payments will be made directly to the artist. If payment is to be rendered to another person, such as an agent, we must receive a release form signed by the artist.
Payments to all artists will be sent no later than two weeks after the convention.
We’ve made a Google Sheets “calculator” that you can use to help you calculate your fees. To use the calculator download a copy of it and enter your information into the “yellow” cells. You can access it at the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vHXG6GzKoMWERqGJ12Y_IXifK2JSlJ9Av1IZtN8sOgI/edit?usp=sharing.
How to register
Please electronically complete your art show registration using the Art Show Registration link.
Alternately, you may use these PDF registration forms. Choosing to use the PDF forms instead of the registration link above will result in additional data entry work for our volunteers and you will be assessed an additional data entry fee of $5. Either print and mail the completed PDF forms to the art show mailing address listed above, or email the completed PDF forms to artshow@demicon.org.
- https://static.demicon.org/shared/DemiCon+Art+Show+Registration.pdf
- https://static.demicon.org/shared/DemiCon+Art+Show+Items.pdf
ConSuite
The ConSuite (aka Hospitality Suite) is on the 5th floor. Follow the signs when you exit the elevator. It is a place to refresh, rest, recharge and find quality banter to stimulate your senses.
The bar is well stocked, homebrew is tapped, and we also offer a small selection of non-alcoholic beverages. If you have suggestions for a particular concoction, be sure to bring your ideas to the ConSuite! We can’t guarantee anything, but we’ll certainly take all requests under consideration.
You can also expect to see grab and go snacks, plus a few surprises. Be sure to find your way to the 5th floor from time to time (wearing your con badge, of course). While the companions you’ll find there are consistently delightful, the ConSuite’s yummy selections will vary throughout the day.
If you want to be a ConSuite Collaborator or if you’re feeling particularly generous, we’d be happy to help put that good feeling to use! Drop off your donations of cash or checks at the ConSuite. Everything will go towards making an even better spread, and we’ll let everyone know just how COOL you are!
Please note that the ConSuite will not be accepting donations of food or beverage at the con. If you wish to donate or have questions about sponsoring, please contact consuite@demicon.org.
Dealers’ Room
Information for Convention Attendees
Once again, we will have plenty of dealers selling a vast assortment of riches and treasures at DemiCon. The Dealers’ Room is located on the hotel’s main level, and will be open for business during these hours (subject to change):
- Friday — 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Saturday — 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday — 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Information for Vendors
For DemiCon 35 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 at DemiCon 35.
Dealer tables are $35 per table (strict limit of 3 tables), and a convention membership will be required for workers at your table.
DUE DATE: Applications for Dealers’ Room must be received before 11:59 PM Central Time on Thursday, February 1, 2024.
Selections will be made during the two weeks following. An email will be sent advising if they have been selected or if they are being placed on the waiting list.
Dealers are required to pay for both convention memberships and for dealers’ table spaces. If selected, your selection is not final until we receive payment for the membership and table spaces. The confirmation email will include a summary of the application to confirm information. Once confirmed, you will be contacted with payment details.
The acceptance confirmation email you receive will contain a payment deadline. If you do not make your payment by the deadline, we will open your table space to the next vendor on our waiting list.
It is no secret that DemiCon would not be what it is without the help and support of all our vendors! As a small token of our gratitude, all dealers will receive the benefit of a reduced price adult membership rate of $45 per adult. This price will be extended to yourself and any additional employees needed to staff your dealer’s table. The price of your registration does not include the price of the tables. The price per table will be $35. We do have a limit of three (3) tables per dealer. We hope you can come join us at DemCon in 2024.
DEALERS’ ROOM RULES & 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
Fan Tables
Fellow Fans and DemiCon Guests:
- Fan tables are available free to fan clubs and other related organizations on a first-come-first-served basis, with a limit of one table per group per day
- You do not have to have a fan table the whole weekend. If you can only join us on one day that is fine.
- DemiCon memberships are not required for persons who are only staffing fan tables. However, if you choose to see/participate in other parts of the Con, you will need a DemiCon membership.
- You can not sell merchandise.
- If you have merchandise to sell, please apply to be a dealer. Go to our our dealer’s registration page for details.
- You are welcomed to also host a panel to talk about your group but it is not mandatory for a fan table. If you wish to host a panel, go to programming and sign up.
Thank you for your cooperation. To reserve a fan table contact fantables@demicon.org. We look forward to seeing you at the convention. If a day is filled we will have a waiting list in case someone cancels.
Gaming Rooms
Be sure to visit the Game Room. We are located in the Wisconsin Room on the lower level. We have all kinds of fun game shenanigans planned for the weekend.
DemiCon has a game library available for your entertainment. There are a variety of games and puzzles for all ages and gaming styles. Each game has a check out/game log card attached. Just fill out the card, drop it in the check-out basket, and play away. Once you finish just return the game to headquarters in the game room and claim your badge ribbon.
As always, we have contests.
Play to Win is back and bigger and badder than ever! We have gathered an astounding line up of 13 games available to win.
The winners are selected by drawing at closing ceremonies on Sunday so make sure everyone signs in on the play sheet! Once you finish your game collect your Play to Win badge ribbon. You must be present at closing ceremonies to win the game.
The Meeple-Lorian
Our Game-Geek score contest is also back. This year we are going to see who will be the Meeple-Lorian! The winner will receive a custom Meeple-Lorian trophy and first pick from the prize pool!
The Meeple-Lorian will be the one that has the highest cumulative Game-Geek score for the weekend. You can play a game from the DemiCon Game Library, a Play to Win game, join one of the learn and play sessions or other events in the game room, or play a game you or another brought along. In other words, any game played during the convention may count toward your score. Games do not have to be played in the game room to qualify. You will need to visit the game room headquarters to have your game scores recorded and updated throughout the weekend. Convenient forms will be available. You can pick up the forms, play your game, and drop the forms off to the headquarters at your convenience during the weekend. If you played a game and didn’t have a form, no problem, we can still calculate and record your score.
The Game-Geek score is calculated by using the game weight rating from BoardGameGeek.com, the number of players and the winning position of each player. Cooperative games, games with one winner, RPGs, etc. can be counted too. Complete details available at the game room headquarters. All scores must be reported no later than 2 pm Sunday.
Villains Assemble! – Saturday’s feature contest is a Villainous-polusa starting at 11 am.
All 42 currently released characters from the Ravensburger Villainous games will be available for play. There are 22 Disney Villains (2-6 players per game), 12 Marvel Masterminds (2-4 players per game) and 8 scum and villainy from Star Wars (2-4 players per game). Players will receive badge ribbons, and be eligible for special Villain prizes. This isn’t a tournament just a fun time playing the Villainous games. Play once, twice, as many times as you like. Prizes will be awarded at closing ceremonies. Don’t forget to count these games toward your Meeple-Lorian score!
In addition to the contests, we will have some Learn and Play events.
Sign-ups are available in advance. Participants will receive badge ribbons and be eligible for prizes at closing ceremonies
Wyrmspan – Friday starting at 9 pm 5 slots available (observers welcome) Wyrmspan is the newest release from Stonemaier Games. Players of Wingspan will recognize some of the game mechanics. Wyrmspan features several new and interesting twists. This is also one of our play to win games.
Marvel Splendor Saturday starting at 5 pm 4 slots available (observers welcome) Marvel Splendor uses Splendor’s core rules and high-quality materials. it has a different color structure, a new endgame trigger, and new victory conditions. You can also gain Infinity Points with the Avengers Assemble tile that can be passed from one player to another several times during the game!
7 Wonders Architects with the Medals expansion Saturday starting at 9 pm 7 slots available (observers welcome) Medals brings new elements to the table for the 7 Wonders: Architects base game, without adding anything to the game’s playing time. This expansion includes two new wonders Ur and Rome
Castles of Mad King Ludwig Collector’s edition with the Renovations expansion Sunday starting at 11 am 5 slots available (observers welcome) Renovations feature special double room type tiles that you can use to renovate your castle…while you build it! Get double the completion rewards and fulfill favors twice as fast with a wide variety of renovations in every size.
We will also have the following RPG sessions that you can sign up for online:
Call of Catthulhu (multiple sessions) is a rules light, role-playing game that follows the misadventures of a group of cats as they explore a Lovecraftian world. All cat characters will be made at the table. Game Master: Coda Skeffington-Vos
- FRIDAY 6PM – The Buzzing Downstairs: It’s 1930 rural Britain and the cats of a small manor house are confronted with a buzzing coming from somewhere downstairs that won’t go away. Can they band together to stop the threat to their food providing caretakers before its too late?
- SATURDAY 1PM – RATS!! 1960s Suburban life suits cats. Life is easy until rats begin moving into the neighborhood. These aren’t ordinary rats either, they seem to move with… purpose?
Dread (multiple sessions) is a rules light horror roleplaying game that uses Jenga instead of dice for action resolution. You will be taking on a character in a deadly situation, but where there is fear, there is hope. Content warning: violence, horror. Game Master – Aaron Guerra
- FRIDAY 3PM – Zombie Supply Run: You are a member of a community of survivors in the zombie apocalypse. Your group has built up walls in a suburban neighborhood. Your name and some others have been pulled out of the hat to do a supply run into town. Simple supply run. Bring back food, gas, and water. In and out. What could go wrong?
- SATURDAY 10AM – Spector Inspectors: You are a member of a group of urban explorers with a Youtube channel. Your crew is heading to a Spite House that another group claims is haunted and no one has footage of the inside. Interior video could be worth millions of views. Drive out, spend the night, upload the footage and then people will be DYING to see more and more of you. Your fans will follow you to the grave after this.
- SATURDAY 3PM – To Steal a Key: It’s 1927 and Mr. Smith has hired you for a simple B&E job. Your crew is to break into an old man’s house, open the safe and bring him the Key. Anything else of value you can have. There should be money, jewelry, and antiques. You are promised $100 to get started and another $500 each when you hand over the key. It’s an old house with no security. In and out, easy money. A Milk run.
- SATURDAY 8PM – Bio Hack: The year is 3037. Mega Corps have become the de facto governments and now wage corporate war against each other in the form of espionage carried out by deniable, disposable assets known as runners. These runners are the forgotten of society just trying to hit that one big score that will set them up for life or are chasing a thrill. In either case they will do the most dangerous job possible, go head-to-head with a Mega Corp. It’s time to live fast and die broke in the shadow of this sci-fi dystopia.
- SUNDAY 10AM – #Hunt: The year is 2024 and it’s time to make some money by hunting monsters. Things are mostly as you know them except that monsters are real. Vampires, werewolves, ghosts yeah all that stuff. Generally, they are seen as pests and not treated with equal rights. Monster Hunter apps have sprung up. Much like Uber, etc. anyone can sign up and take a job to remove a warlock or drive off a witch. It is time to hunt monsters in the gig economy. If the monsters don’t kill you then your debt will.
Racoon Sky Pirates is a hilarious rules light game that bridges between board game and RPG. You play as a rag-tag group of animals from the local landfill trying to make it into suburbia on your cobbled together sky ship to search for sweet, sweet trash before the locals catch you. Saturday starting 6pm
Check the program schedule for specific times and more details. You can also reach out to gaming@demicon.org with any questions, suggestions or requests.
Music Room
We have a dedicated Music Room with live bands, music jams and so much more! This room is all music, all the time.
The current lineup (subject to change) is:
| Day/Time | Name |
|---|---|
| Friday after opening ceremonies and TICC | Microphone Misfitz |
| Friday 10 PM | Adam Stemple |
| Friday 11 PM | Bryan Baker |
| Friday Midnight | Orckes & Trolles |
| Saturday 1 PM | CW Smith |
| Saturday 2 PM | Michael Nixon |
| Saturday 3 PM | Dave Stagner |
| Saturday 4 PM | Beth Kinderman |
| Saturday 5 PM | Random Fractions |
| Saturday 6 PM | Cheshire Moon |
If you are a musician and you are interested in joining us, or if you just have questions about the Music Room, please email music@demicon.org.
Room Parties on the 5th Floor
You can’t have DemiCon without room parties.
If you are new to DemiCon, you might not know what a room party is. On Friday and Saturday nights of the con, some of our attendees will host parties in their own fifth floor rooms (on the same level as the ConSuite).
Information for Party Hosts
Only rooms in the designated party area of the hotel will be allowed to hold parties. Please let us know if you wish to host a room party so that we can ensure your room will be located on the correct floor. If you let us know which night you are holding your shin-dig, and the theme you’ve chosen for your revelry, we will post that information on this page.
Room parties are typically assigned to the ConSuite wing of the fifth floor of the hotel.
No room parties will be allowed outside of the designated area.
If you would like to host a room party, please read the below guidelines as well as our Drinking Policy. You must schedule your room party with the room party coordinator before the room block closes.
GUIDELINES FOR PARTY HOSTS:
The legal drinking age in Iowa is 21. This means that your birthday must be on or before May 3, 2003, 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.).