Activities

Activities are the special things that make CONvergence so much fun to go to. After attending a panel or two, you can relax and listen to live music or watch the Masquerade at Mainstage, CONvergence's free espresso bar, chat with newfound friends, or cruise the myriad of room parties on your way to Consuite to grab some munchies. And if you're still awake after all that fun, why not head over to Gaming, or COF2E2?

Guests of Honor

2009 Guests of Honor:

• Brian Keene - Author of The Rising, Ghost Walk, and The Conqueror Worms.
• Kelly McCullough - Author of WebMage, Cybermancy, CodeSpell, and the upcoming MythOS.
• Dwayne McDuffie - Writer for Comics and Animation; Creator of Static Shock & Milestone Media
• Pat Rothfuss - Author of The Name of the Wind.

To find out more about this year's Guests of Honor, please visit our Guests section.

Programming

Programming items at CONvergence are as varied as its attendees. There are discussion panels, workshops, "how-tos", and other formats. A programming item is three to five people talking about, or demonstrating, something that they know. Programming slots are an hour in length, with half an hour between each panel to allow for times when the conversation is so interesting that it just can't be contained in 60 minutes. Panels are informal, and audience participation is encouraged.

To find out more about this year's Programming, please visit our Programming section.

Music and Entertainment

Does a funky beat get you moving? Do good vocals get to you? Does electronic music flip your switch? You're in luck. CONvergence has not one, but several music venues to match your mood. Check out Mainstage for live bands such as Psychopop and Zurround. Connie's Space Lounge features the latest in electronic and body paint technology. And if that's not your style, check out COF₂E₂ for a wide variety of music from folk rock to experimental, with filking somewhere along the way.

To find out more about all the ways to entertain your brain, please visit the following sections:

• COF₂E₂ - Free coffee bar
• Connie's Space Lounge - Electronic music and glow-in-the-dark things
• Mainstage - Everything from dances to concerts
• Harmonic CONvergence - Acoustic/a capella music performances, spoken word, and comedy
• Cinema Rex - Comfy chairs, free snacks, and movies galore
• Masquerade - Costuming fun
• Theater Nippon - For the anime lover in you

Socializing

Conventions are wonderful new ways to meet new people. Chat with a newfound friend in the hot tub, check out the dozens of poolside room parties, or exchange ICQ numbers over a bowl of M&M's at Consuite. The wide variety of ways to make new friends is one of the reasons that CONvergence is justly described as "a gathering with 1,700 of your closest friends you haven't met yet."

To find out more about how to meet new people at the convention, please visit the following sections:

• Parties - Almost world-famous hosts and hostesses
• ConSuite - Free food and drink
• Krushenko's - Scifi discussion groups
• Gaming - Everything under the sun
• Volunteering - The most FUN way to meet people!

Shopping

To make your weekend complete, CONvergence offers a dealers' room stocked with all the science fiction and fantasy-related merchandise a fan could desire. From period clothing to ceremonial daggers, vintage Dr. Who figurines to the latest Neal Stephenson novel, the dealers' room has it all.

And what better way to remember your wonderful weekend than by purchasing the essential swag otherwise known as official CONvergence merchandise? Show your fannish pride all year round with a commemorative CONvergence t-shirt.

And last but not least, satisfy your consumer cravings at the art show. Here you can purchase any number of science fiction and fantasy-related merchandise, including one-of-a-kind items as well as prints from well-known artists and fellow fans.

To find out more about how to spend money freely at CONvergence, please visit the following sections:

• Official Merchandise - Official swag
• Dealers' Room - Dealers from all over the country
• Art Show - Take home a piece of CONvergence
• Silent Auction - Wide variety of items available

Other Activities

And we offer more than that! If you're still awake after all that fun, we have even more activities so you can fill every moment with entertainment:

• Literary Lounge - A quiet place to read and listen to readings
• Mark Time Awards - Listen up! LIVE radio drama and more, right here at the con.
• Science Room - Sights and sounds to astound and amaze