Convention Registration


What’s included with membership?

There are two areas of the convention that are open to the public: the art show and the dealers’ room. Everything else is restricted to convention members. For this reason, please display your badge prominently at all times.

Your badge gets you access to:

  • Opening and closing ceremonies
  • Masquerade, cosplay, and the Hall Costume contest
  • Workshops
  • The music room featuring live performances and jam sessions
  • Board gaming and the game library
  • The anime room with viewings, discussions, games and other all anime, all the time fun
  • Panels, discussions, author readings and other programming spanning an eclectic mix of genres and topic areas
  • Room parties on the 5th floor*
  • The hospitality suite, including refreshments and the bar*
  • And much more!

*Explorer memberships do not include access to the 5th floor or access to the hospitality suite.


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.

At the door registration and pre-registration badge pickup officially opens at 2:00 PM on Friday, May 2, 2025.


Online registration, full weekend memberships

Full weekend memberships allow access to all convention areas and activities for the entirety of the weekend.

Membership TypeDiscounted before April 1, 2025Beginning April 1, 2025
Adult, full convention$55$65
Child between 5-12 years old on May 2, 2025, full convention$20$25
Child 4 year old and under on May 2, 2025, full conventionFreeFree

For at the door prices, as well as one day memberships, please see our “at the door registration” section. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Register Now


At the door registration

You can purchase your convention memberships at the door if you miss online registration. There will be weekend rates, day rates and Explorer Passes. Please bring your Photo ID to register.

Full weekend memberships

Full weekend memberships allow access to all convention areas and activities for the entirety of the weekend.

Membership TypePrice
Adult$65
Child between 5-12 years old on May 2, 2025$25
Child 4 year old and under on May 2, 2025Free

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Day memberships

Day memberships expire at midnight. They allow for access to all convention areas and activities for that day, including the 5th floor and the hospitality suite.

Membership TypePrice
Friday$30
Saturday$45
Sunday$25*

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Day memberships may be upgraded to a full weekend membership.
*Sunday day memberships are free with the purchase of a full membership to DemiCon 37 in 2026.

Explorer memberships

Explorer memberships expire at midnight. They allow for access to programming areas and activities, except for the 5th floor and the hospitality suite.

Membership TypePrice
Friday$20
Saturday$30
Sunday$20

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Explorer memberships may be upgraded to a full weekend membership.


Other sign-ups and registrations for things taking place at the convention

Artist registration to participate in the art show

The DemiCon art show is open to all interested artists, including students, amateurs and professionals.

We promote fantasy and science fiction art by helping artists to display and sell their work to convention attendees.

For more information, including PDF registration forms that you can use instead of the online registration, visit the Art Show section of the Venue page and scroll down to the “Information for artists” section.

If you have any questions or problems please contact artshow@demicon.org.

Art Show Registration


Dealers’ room registration

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 vendor space.

Dealer tables are $35 per table (strict limit of 3 tables), and a convention membership will be required for workers at your table.

Our Dealers’ Room coordinator can be contacted at dealers@demicon.org if you have questions.

Dealer Application


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 Guidelines for Party Hosts.

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.

You must schedule your room party with the room party coordinator before the room block closes.

If you need anything for your party our room party coordinator can be reached at parties@demicon.org.

Room Party Sign-up


Masquerade, cosplay, and Hall Costume 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

On 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 Things to Do page under Masquerade and cosplay.

If you have questions or need more information contact masquerade@demicon.org or join our Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/demiconmasqueradeandcosplay/.

Masquerade & Cosplay Sign-up

Hall Costume

On Friday night, 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.

Sign-up will take place in person at the convention. For more details go to Contests on the Things to Do page.


Other contests

Information about other contests and activities and how to participate in them can be found on the Things to Do page.


Request a 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, panels, readings, and discussions. 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 36, please fill out this form to let us know.

Request to be a Professional Guest at DemiCon 36


DemiCon - Des Moines' Annual Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention
Hosted by DMSFFS - Des Moines Science Fiction & Fantasy Society, Inc.
Holiday Inn & Suites Des Moines-Northwest, 4800 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, IA
©2024 - Des Moines Science Fiction & Fantasy Society, Inc. All Rights Reserved.