DemiCon: Outpost 37

Des Moines' 37th Annual Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gaming Convention

Holiday Inn & Suites Des Moines–Northwest, Iowa

May 1–3, 2026

Venues & Special Interest Areas

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! Welcome to the room entirely dedicated to all things Anime!

Expect panels, games, prizes, and viewings.

Check back closer to the convention for more details.


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 into 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, 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 1 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Sunday, May 3 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

The auction/charity auction will be:

  • Saturday, May 2 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

If you purchase any art you can pay and pick it up from 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 1 from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Saturday, May 2 from 8:00 AM to 9:45 AM

Artist check out will be:

  • Sunday, May 3 from 1:00 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 5:00 PM on Saturday, May 2 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 2 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: 

Note: It's not required, but some attendees have asked in the past if artists will include more information with their work, such as medium, materials, etc., especially for any original items.

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, April 29, 2026.

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.

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 form.

Art Show Registration Form

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.


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 such delicacies of the Fhannish world as sweets & salty snacks, fruits, veggies, 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.


Dealer Room

Information for Convention Attendees

Once again, we will have plenty of dealers selling a vast assortment of riches and treasures at DemiCon. The Dealer 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

Please check back later for vendor information, including how to apply to be included at DemiCon 37. We are targeting to have this information published by October 2025.


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 dealer registration page for details.
  • You are welcome 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

Our game room features a robust game library for your enjoyment during DemiCon. We also have badge ribbons and prizes! Our prize pool will be on display in the game room so you can scope out your favorites. Make sure to stop by and get your game on!

You can expect a wide variety of gaming, including:

  • Games for all ages
  • Tabletop games
  • Role playing games
  • Single player games
  • Cooperative/team games
  • Learn to play games
  • Play to win games

Check back closer to the convention for more details.


Music Room

Once again we have a wonderful slate of artists returning to the music room for DemiCon.

Check back closer to the convention for more details.

If you are interested in performing contact 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.

Room Party Sign-up

GUIDELINES FOR PARTY HOSTS:

The legal drinking age in Iowa is 21.   This means that your birthday must be on or before May 1, 2005, 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.).