Infrequently Asked Questions

There is an often-seen phenomena on the Internet that consists of a list of frequently asked questions. These usually consist of questions that new people tend to ask established communities. There is a less-often seen phenomena on the Internet that consists of a list of infrequently asked questions. These are often humorous, and sometimes misleading. Well, we here at the Des Moines Science Fiction Society have decided to combine the two. What follows is a list of questions that are not often asked, but that we feel should be. Please browse the questions (and answers) listed here. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask us at info@dmsfs.org.

Infrequently Asked Questions

What time does the convention start?

Registration opens at 2:00 PM (14:00) on Friday May 2, 2014. The Opening Ceremonies start at 7:00 PM (19:00) on Friday, but we will have various activities starting around 2:00 PM (15:00), so show up early for maximum fun.

What is the average attendance to DemiCon?

DemiCon enjoys an average attendance of around 500 people.  Our members (attendees) are all ages from all over the United States.

What is "Opening Ceremonies"?

Opening Ceremonies is the official kick-off for the convention. The Guests of Honor will be introduced, along with other attending guests and the convention steering committee (ConCom). This is followed by a performance by the Trans-Iowa Canal Company West™, an amateur theater troupe specializing in science fiction oriented comedy.

Do I have to wear a costume? Can I wear one anyway?

You do not have to wear a costume to enjoy DemiCon. Just show up as yourself and join the fun. Some people choose to wear costumes, and they will run the range from festive party clothing to the bug-eyed monster of the week. You may see Klingons, vampires, pirates, superheroes, steampunk costumes, and whatever else our creative attendees can imagine.

Are there costume contests?

Yes! There are two costume contests at DemiCon — the Hall Costume contest on Friday night, and the Masquerade & Cosplay on Saturday night. Please review the rules for these events. 

Are there activities for all ages?

Most of the activities and events at DemiCon are suitable for all ages. Some special activities will be scheduled for children and also for the youth and teen segments of the population. A separate teen-oriented area will be set aside for both organized and self-directed activities. Activities for specific age groups will be labeled on the event schedule.

What about "adult" themed events?

DemiCon offers a wide range of programming choices. If content of a program or event is intended for "mature audiences only," it will be clearly labeled.

Does DemiCon provide daycare?

No, DemiCon does not provide any daycare.

What about parking at the Holiday Inn Northwest Hotel?

There is plenty of free parking in the hotel’s parking lot.

Do I have to stay at the Holiday Inn Northwest to attend DemiCon?

Of course not! You may come and go as you please from the convention. You are free to stay or not stay anywhere you choose, including but not limited to, your home, your car, a castle, a dragon's lair, an alternate dimension, or a Hobbit hole.  Remember to bring your badge with you each time you return to DemiCon from that alternate dimension, as the badge is required for admission to the con.

What happens at DemiCon?

DemiCon has many activities both planned and unplanned. The planned activities tend to involve entertainment, discussions, and workshops. The entertainment ranges from video to live theater to live musical performance. The discussions range from old and new issues in literature to what to expect from the new television seasons. Workshop topics vary year to year and can cover projects involving writing, costuming, gaming, theater, music, programming, and art. The unplanned activities vary year to year, but generally seem to involve a lot of talking to old friends, making new friends, playing games, and exploring new places to eat lunch, supper, dinner, late dinner, later dinner, latest dinner, and desert. For specific information on planned events, please refer to our Programming page. For more information on how to be actively involved at DemiCon, see our Get Involved page.

What is the cost to attend DemiCon?

  Early registration at the prior year's DemiCon

$42 for an adult for the weekend (full con access)

  Preregistration on-line or via US Mail

Pre-registration rates are available until April 1, 2014.

$50.00 weekend adult (full con access)
$20.00 weekend child 5-12 years of age (full con access)
Free for children 4 and under 

  At-the-door registration 

$60.00 weekend adult (full con access) 

$25.00 weekend child 5-12 years of age (full con access)
Free for children 4 and under
    

These one-day rates are full access for ages 5 and above, and expire at midnight:

$30 Friday
$40 Saturday 
$20 Sunday (free if you purchase DemiCon 26's early registration)

Children 4 and under are free.

Explorer Pass for Friday or Saturday:  $20.

One day only, expiring at midnight.

Same membership rate applies to all ages 5 and above.

May only purchase one during the weekend, but may upgrade.

Not allowed on 5th floor.

Explorer Plus Pass:  $45 

Valid for the entire weekend.

Same membership rate applies to all ages 5 and above.

Not allowed on 5th floor.

Gee, that seems like a lot of money. Can you explain?

The convention begins on Friday at 2:00 p.m. and runs straight through, 24 hours a day, till 3:00 p.m. Sunday. The cost of the regualy membership actually works out to around $1.50 an hour for a whole bunch of fun and entertainment, and includes refreshments available in the ConSuite on the 5th floor.

What are Explorer Passes and Explorer Plus Passes?

Sometimes a person arrives at DemiCon with the specific goal of seeing only the live music talent, or attending only the gaming events.  Or, a person might want just a sample of DemiCon to find out what everyone's been raving about.  We offer the Explorer Pass and Explorer Plus Pass so those folks can see some of DemiCon without paying the full-access membership fee.  An Explorer Pass is your key to all the DemiCon programming that's held in the lower level and first floor of the hotel, and that includes all of the gaming and live music programming.

I purchased an Explorer Pass / Explorer Plus Pass and found out I LOVE DemiCon and I want to go up to 5th floor for the amazing food, beverages and parties.  What do I do?

Upgrade your membership. The amount you spent on your Explorer Pass or Explorer Plus Pass is applied toward your upgrade to a day or weekend membership.

Explorer Pass — You are allowed to upgrade to a full-access day rate of that same day (no bringing in your pass for Friday and expect to upgrade on Saturday).  Or, you may upgrade to an Explorer Pass Plus for the full weekend, but not the 5th floor.  Or, you can upgrade to an all-weekend full-access badge.

Explorer Plus Pass — You are allowed to upgrade to an all-weekend full-access badge.   

Sorry, but the full-access one-day badges — the ones that are $30 on Friday or $40 on Saturday — cannot "upgrade" to an Explorer Plus Pass.  Those two badges have the option of upgrading to the $60 weekend badge.  But, it was very devious of you to wonder about chowing in the ConSuite for a day, and then paying only a few dollars more to come back for the rest of the weekend, so you can be proud of yourself for thinking of it.

Hey, I want to advertise in your program book! How much does it cost?

The program book's advertising rates are:

Inside Front Cover (live area 5" x 8"):  $75
Full Page (live area 5" x 8"):  $60
Half Page (live area 5" x 3 7/8"):  $35
Quarter Page (live area 2 3/8" x 3 7/8"):  $20

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