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Great job CONvergence Community! You raised $3,460 to fund 40 CONvergence Attendance Grants on Give to the Max Day 2024!!! That’s FORTY new BIPOC fans who will have the opportunity to experience the CONvergence community for themselves this year.

Connie laying in front of the Give to the Max logo

Didn’t get a chance to Give to the Max yesterday? Don’t worry! The fundraiser page will stay open for another two weeks! You can still donate directly to the CONvergence Attendance Grant pilot fund using the button below. The more money we raise, the more BIPOC fans we can invite to experience CONvergence for the first time.

Donate to the fund

You can also add a donation of $10, $25, $45, or $85 to the Attendance Grant fund when you register for CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll. 4-day passes for adults are $95 through January 15, a savings of $40 over the at-the-door price!

Click Here to Register Online

Convergence Events, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your tax-deductible donation will help more people experience CONvergence!

Get Involved This Year

Now that we have a great start to the CONvergence Attendance Grant pilot fund, the work begins!

If you are interested in joining the Attendance Grant committee to review applicants and select grantees, please email diversity@convergence-con.org to be included in future planning. This is a new process and you can help shape it from the ground up.

We would especially like to invite anybody who has experience with this type of program, and/or first-hand experience in BIPOC communities, to lend your expertise to this effort. As always, CONvergence is run by volunteers, which means we need you to make it go, and to ensure the success of initiatives like this!

Other Ways to Volunteer

CONvergence is always seeking volunteers. Always. Really. Yes, really. Head over to CONvergence’s volunteer page and ConCom General Info page to learn more about volunteering to make CONvergence happen.

Connie pushing a broom

As we approach the holiday season, the volunteers who check department emails may not always respond right away, but please do not let that discourage you! If you don’t hear back right away, please email again! We’re all always juggling that work-life-volunteering balance, which is something our volunteer community appreciates. We’d love to have you join us.

You Can Still Submit Panel Ideas

If you missed the panel brainstorming sessions this Fall, we encourage you suggest panels online via our Panel Suggestion Form!

Panel suggestions will be accepted until March 31st, 2025. However, they really should be in by January 31, 2025 to have a good chance of making it onto the CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll schedule.

Panelist sign-ups will open in February 2025, so watch your email. Learn more about the Panel Scheduling process on the Panel Scheduling page.

CONvergence is on BlueSky and Discord

Bskiers, did you hear? CONvergence is on Bluesky. There’s also a Bluesky CONvergence Community feed, which will automatically populate the annual CONvergence hashtag! This year’s hashtag is: #CVG2025

Is Discord more your style? CONvergence has a Discord server too! The invite link can always be accessed via cvgcon.org/discord. Tell your friends!

The Next ConCom Meeting

The CONvergence Convention Committee (ConCom) is a team of over 200 year-round volunteer leaders and staff who plan and orchestrate everything that makes CONvergence what it is! Everyone is welcome to attend ConCom meetings.
Convergence Events, Inc logo

The next ConCom meeting is Sunday, January 12, 2025. Add it to your calendar now!

Whether or not you are currently part of CONvergence ConCom, we’d love to see you there. It’s a great way to stay connected with the CONvergence community throughout the year! Get in-person location information and the remote attendance zoom link when they’re available on the CONvergence Google Calendar.

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Thursday, November 21st is Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s state-wide day of giving, and CONvergence has an exciting announcement to mark the occasion!

Connie laying in front of the Give to the Max logo

This year, all of your Give to the Max Day donation dollars will go directly toward the new CONvergence Attendance Grant fund, being piloted for CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll!

Give to the max

Convergence Events, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Your tax-deductible donation will help more people experience CONvergence!

2025 Attendance Grant Pilot

“Just because something works doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.” — Shuri

This first year, the CONvergence Attendance Grant will be available to help BIPOC (an abbreviation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) fans attend the convention.

  • Year over year, our survey data* shows that over 90% of CONvergence attendees identify as white, yet census data shows roughly 27% of Twin Cities area residents identify as non-white.
  • Additional research and polling of SFF and speculative fiction spaces in general shows significantly higher percentages of non-white fans—closer to 45%.

*Approximately 20% of attendees take the annual CONvergence survey.

We know the fans are out there, and we want to use this grant pilot to help more BIPOC fans come to CONvergence. As we all know, no one can simply tell you what CONvergence is—you have to experience it for yourself.

While the CONvergence Attendance Grant pilot will focus on assisting BIPOC fans in 2025, we may expand the grant to other communities in the future. The best way to ensure that can happen is to donate to the fund so it can be a success! We also look forward to hearing your feedback about this first year of attendance grants on our 2025 CONvergence survey after the convention ends.

More information about how to apply for an attendance grant as well as the selection process and criteria will be available on the CONvergence Attendance Grant page in February of 2025. If you have additional questions about the CONvergence Attendance Grant pilot, please contact the Board of Directors.

How to Contribute

Connie standing with her hand on her hip

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” — Galadriel

There are two ways you can contribute financially:

  1. You can donate through our Give to the Max Day Campaign page, which increases our odds of winning one of the many $500 Golden Tickets provided by GiveMN. All donations made through Give to the Max Day 2024 will go to the CONvergence Attendance Grant fund pilot.
  2. You can add a tax-deductible donation of $10, $25, $45, or $85 when you register for CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll. 4-day passes for adults are $95 through January 15, a savings of $40 over the at-the-door price!

Help Raise $6,000

$6,000 in donations will fund 70 CONvergence Attendance Grants. That’s 70 people welcomed into our community to experience everything that CONvergence is!

 Donate now 

Together, let’s Give to the Max this week and help invite as many BIPOC fans as possible to take the leap and experience CONvergence.

Get Involved

If you are interested in joining the Attendance Grant committee to review applicants and select grantees, please email diversity@convergence-con.org to be included in future planning. This is a new process and you can help shape it from the ground up.

As always, CONvergence is run by volunteers, which means we need you to make it go, and to ensure the success of initiatives like this!

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Are you interested in shaping, developing, and improving panels and programming at CONvergence 2025? Yes? Great! Because our annual Programming Brainstorming Sessions are right around the corner and we’d love to see you there!

Panelists at CONvergence 2024 featuring fem-presenting people and masq-presenting people of multiple races

Join Us And Brainstorm CONvergence 2025: That’s How We roll Programming Ideas

Get your ideas on the panel sign-up for CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll,  a celebration of games and gaming of all kinds! Even though the convention’s theme is gaming, CONvergence will host panels on other topics as well, so please bring any and all ideas that you would like to see happen at the next convention.

Where: Online via Zoom
When:

    • Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. (zoom link)
    • Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. (zoom link)

RSVP to a Programming Brainstorming session on Facebook, or add it to your Google Calendar as a reminder!

Many of CONvergence’s panel and programming ideas each year are generated at this annual brainstorming session. In February, the list of ideas goes live and we invite CONvergence members to volunteer as panelists and moderators. For more information, check out the panel scheduling page.

We are always seeking fresh ideas from new perspectives. The more diverse our programming ideas are, the richer CONvergence 2025’s schedule will be. Please share this invitation with your friends who may not have received it yet!

Can’t make the Brainstorming Session?

If you can’t make it to the Brainstorming Session, we encourage you suggest panels online via our Panel Suggestion Form!

Additionally, If you already have specific ideas for panels that you would like to see, present, or run yourself, please send them to us via the web rather than saving them for the brainstorming session. You are welcome to both submit panel ideas online AND attend the brainstorming session!

Panel suggestions will be accepted until March 31st, 2025. However, they really should be in by January 31, 2025 to have a good chance of making it onto the CONvergence 2025 schedule.

We look forward to hearing all of your ideas!

Audience at a panel, one person is holding up an ASL I love you sign

Other Ways to Get Involved in CONvergence 2025 Right Now

Suggesting panels is not the only way you can get involved with CONvergence right now. Here are some other suggestions:

  • Make sure you are registered! Badge prices increase on January 15, 2025. Get in at the lowest early bird price point while you can, and don’t forget to remind your friends, too!
  • RSVP to the CONvergence 2025: That’s How We Roll event on Facebook, and invite your Facebook friends to get the hype going!
  • Apply to the Dealers Room or Artists Alley. Applications for those close on December 1, 2024!
  • Talk with your fan group, friends, or business partners about sponsoring a Fan-Featured Guest at CONvergence. Fan-Featured Guest applications close on January 1, 2025.
  • Come to CONvergence Convention Committee meetings. They are monthly, and you can attend virtually over Zoom!
  • Reach out to a department to volunteer! Is there something you love, care about, or want to improve at CONvergence? Send an email to the department you’d like to help with.
    • (Since it’s so early in the convention cycle, don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back immediately. It’s possible the volunteers just haven’t been checking email as frequently, and this is also a sign that the department might want some more help. If you don’t hear back for a week, contact CONvergence’s Board of Directors and they will make sure everybody is checking their email!)

The Next ConCom Meeting

The CONvergence Convention Committee (ConCom) is a team of over 200 year-round volunteer leaders and staff who plan and orchestrate everything that makes CONvergence what it is!

Convergence Events, Inc logo

The next ConCom meeting is Sunday, October 20, 2024. Everyone is welcome to attend ConCom meetings.

Whether or not you are currently part of CONvergence ConCom, we’d love to see you there. It’s a great way to stay connected with the CONvergence community throughout the year! Get the zoom link to join the meeting on the CONvergence Google Calendar.

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With yet another CONvergence behind us, we have already begun looking to the future to CONvergence 2025! As part of the transition process, we would like to invite each end every CONvergence 2024 Experience to take the CONvergence 2024 Experience Survey and to evaluate any CONvergence 2024 panels you attended.

Take The CONvergence Experience Survey

Click Here to take the CONvergence 2024 Experience Survey.

Connie sitting with text: Give your feedback. Help us improve CONvergence!

We hope you had a great CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited full of fun memories, some awesome pictures, and new fun experiences you will be talking about for the rest of the year. If you already took the CONvergence 2024 Experience Survey, thank you! If not, please take the survey and tell us what you thought about the convention and help us make CONvergence 2025 the best it can be!

Start your survey

The CONvergence 2024 Experience Survey will be open until 11:59pm on July 21, 2024.

Evaluate CONvergence Panels

Did you attend any panels at CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited? Maybe you were a panelist? Either way, the CONvergence Programming department wants to hear how every panel went!

Click Here for the CONvergence Panel Evaluation Form.

If a panel went very well, please take a moment to tell us why. If a went off the rails for any reason at all, we want to hear about that too! Panel evaluations are CONvergence’s primary year-to-year tool for improving panel programming. Your evaluations can influence who gets asked back as a moderator, as a panelist, and what panel topics end up on next year’s schedule.

Didn’t get your CONvergence 2024 T-Shirt?

Due to overwhelming demand, we have set up a second print-on-demand run of the CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited t-shirt. Order yours while you can, available until July 22, 2024!

CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited T-shirt is dark grey (adult) or light grey (youth) with an image of Connie’s head filled with people

Get your t-shirt

Have thoughts about what CONvergence 2025 merchandise you would like to be able to buy? CONvergence Merchandise has a short survey for you to submit your ideas and feedback! Tell us what you want to add to your CONvergence swag collection next year!

CONvergence 2024 Lost and Found

CONvergence Operations logged approximately 160 found things at con this year. If you did not realize that you lost an item until after the convention, you can contact CONvergence Operations to see if it was brought to Lost & Found, then arrange to pick up your item.

Items turned in to the Lost & Found during CONvergence 2024 will be kept until the end of the 2025 convention, at which time they will be donated to Geek Partnership Society.

$10 Discount on CONvergence 2025

Register TODAY for CONvergence 2025 and save $10 off the regular early registration rate of $95! You have only until Midnight tonight, Monday, July 15 to get your CONvergence 2025 4-day adult badge for just $85.

Click Here to Register Online

When you buy your CONvergence 2025 badge, there are a couple new options you can select:

  • Guarantee a CONvergence 2025 t-shirt in your size! Preorder your t-shirt with your CONvergence registration, then head to CONvergence Merchandise after you pick up your CONvergence 2025 badge to get your shirt too.
    CONvergence 2025: That's How We Roll shirt featuring Connie fighting a Mark 2 Beholder
  • Donate to the CONvergence scholarship fund! You can augment your registration with a tax-deductible donation of $10, $25, $45, or $85 towards our scholarship fund. Need-based scholarships will be available to help defray cost of attending CONvergence. Applications will become available in January 2025 and be due no later than March 31, with scholarship recipients being notified no later than May 31, 2025.

If you have questions about either of these new options, please contact CONvergence Registration.

Click here for more information and to register before the discount ends. We can’t wait to see you at CONvergence 2025!

The Next ConCom Meeting

The CONvergence Convention Committee (ConCom) is a team of over 200 year-round volunteer leaders and staff who plan and orchestrate everything that makes CONvergence what it is!

Convergence Events, Inc logo

The next ConCom meeting is Sunday, July 28, 2024. It is the CONvergence 2024 Post-Mortem meeting, where the ConCom discusses how CONvergence went and what we would like to improve. Everyone is welcome to attend ConCom meetings, but especially if you are interested in joining CONvergence ConCom.

Whether or not you are currently part of CONvergence ConCom, we’d love to see you there. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and link up with ConCom departments you may want to get involved with. Get in-person location information and the the remote attendance zoom link when it’s available on the CONvergence Google Calendar.

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CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited is about to kick off! We can’t wait to see everyone this weekend!

Connie winking, wearing her CONvergence membership badge on a lanyardPicking Up Your Badge

Your first stop at CONvergence 2024 will probably be picking up your badge.

  • Badge Pick-up is located on the 2nd Floor in the Greenway Promenade, just at the top of the escalators! Head over to the Badge Pick-up page for hours of operation.
  • Thursday is the 4th of July! This hasn’t happened for 11 years! Due to the holiday, we anticipate longer than average waits at registration. Give yourself adequate time to register and pick up your badge!

For more information about what you will need to pick up CONvergence badges, head to the Badge Pick-up page.

Wait To Post Photos of Your Badge Online

When you get your CONvergence 2024 badge, please DO NOT post a close-up photo of it online or share a close-up photo of it with your friends until AFTER the convention is over. If you see your friends doing this, please ask them to take their badge photo(s) down until Sunday. Convention badge counterfeiting is real and this is something you can do to help prevent it at CONvergence!

Be Aware of Changes for 2024

It is very normal for things to change from year-to-year at CONvergence due to a whole myriad of factors. Sometimes the changes are pretty exciting! Review this before you leave for CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited so you will know what to expect!

Connie wearing an N95 mask with a smile drawn on it, and winking

Recommended Apps

Of course, you will want to download the CVG2024 app for convenient access to the CONvergence 2024 schedule!

Deaf and Hard of Hearing attendees who usually rely on speech reading may not be able to understand you through your face mask or cosplay. A great option is to write down what you want to say, or use a speech-to-text app to automatically transcribe what you say. Here are a few apps to check out!

It’s Not CONvergence Without Volunteering!

It’s easy to schedule time to volunteer at CONvergence, and it is one of the best ways to meet new friends too!  There are lots of volunteer opportunities that you can sign up for online at CONvergence Volunteers SignUpGenius.

First time using SignUp Genius? Head over to the Signing Up for Volunteer Shifts page for video and text tutorials!

Sign Up For Volunteer Shifts

You can exchange volunteer hours you earn for Volunteer Thank-You Gifts such as a CONvergence volunteer T-shirt, bamboo cutting board, zipped portfolio, travel bag, and more. (You must have a CONvergence badge or day pass to volunteer at CONvergence 2024.)

If you find yourself with down time during the convention and want to volunteer without having scheduled a shift, no problem! Just pop in to SignUpGenius and grab a shift from anywhere! Or, head over to the Volunteers Table (2nd floor in Greenway J, right across from Registration Badge Pick-up) and the volunteers there will connect you with a great way to help your fellow CONvergence attendees.

Consider Joining the Convention Committee

If you’ve ever been interested in helping to plan CONvergence, one of these Convention Committee (ConCom) opportunities might be for you!

  • HOTEL RELATIONS: This team works as a liaison with the Hyatt hotel staff. Their at-CON activities include communicating resource needs, identifying cleaning or maintenance issues, and coordinating activities with the hotel staff. The Hotel Relations department has committee openings for this year’s convention where you can get hands on experience learning what this department does and see if you would be interested in joining ConCom for planning next year’s event.
  • CONNIE’S QUANTUM SANDBOX: The Sandbox department is looking to add new ConCom members to assist with planning next year’s event, but this year is the perfect opportunity to volunteer in Sandbox to get a feel for what they do and shadow the current team. You can volunteer for as many hours as you’d like and work directly with this year’s team to learn the ropes and get to know what type of work you’d be planning for next year.
  • ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION: This department handles the convention’s planning for accessibility and inclusion needs. For this year’s convention, we are looking for folks to assist in staffing the Accessibility Table and the Sensory Break Room. We are also looking for folks to help with next year’s planning. If this is an area that you are passionate about, please consider joining the team.

If any of these opportunities sound exciting to you, please contact CONvergence Volunteers and let them know what you’re interested in helping with!

Free Vaccination Clinic at CONvergence

The Minnesota Department of Health and Fairview Health are offering free COVID-19 and mpox vaccinations during CONvergence! Head to the vaccination reception table near Badge Pick-up from 2:00pm – 7:00pm on Saturday, July 6.

Any attendee under 18 will require the presence and permission of a parent or guardian to receive a vaccination. Thanks to Fairview and the MDH for supporting our community’s health!

Security at CONvergenceSequeerity Logo

CONvergence is dedicated to keeping our community safe. We know many of our attendees have a poor relationship with the police and do not want them in our spaces. As such, we are partnering with Sequeerity, a Minneapolis-based security team, for CONvergence.

Sequeerity is owned and operated by queer and POC womxn with a goal of creating and maintaining safe spaces for everyone, especially the LGBTQIA+ community.

CONvergence is attended by thousands of people, and it is inevitable that security issues will arise. While our volunteers in the Operations and First Advisors departments are trained to assist in many situations, they do not provide convention security services. Sequeerity is here to provide those services.

Be a CONvergence #CONfluencer

Make a video 30 seconds or longer of yourself and/or your friends explaining what you love about CONvergence, and get an exclusive CONvergence #CONfluencer badge ribbon when you submit it to CVG-TV!White badge ribbon with purple printing that says CONvergence #CONfluencer

Treat Everyone With Respect

CONvergence is serious about providing a safe environment for all attendees, and we enforce our Harassment Policy very seriously. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you don’t harsh anyone’s squee.

  • Costumes are Not Consent poster featuring ConnieAsk permission before you take a photo of another CONvergence attendee. (Not only is this polite, but it almost always results in a much better photo!)
  • Costumes are not consent to be hugged, touched, groped, grabbed, or sexually advanced upon. But this is also true for fancy dress, kilts, swimwear, or even just jeans and a t-shirt. It does not matter what gender a person is or what they are or aren’t wearing; harassment is harassment. If someone tells you they do not want to talk to you or do not want you to touch them, respect that and leave them alone.
  • A good rule of thumb is to just explicitly ask for permission before touching any person in any way. Examples include:
    • “May I put my arm around you for a photo?”
    • “May I hug you?”
    • “That fabric on your costume is so interesting. May I feel the texture?”
  • Volunteers are doing a job and it is important to recognize that. If someone is volunteering, it is definitely not an appropriate time to make sexual advances or try to touch them. Just let them do their job.
  • If you’re not sure which pronouns to use for a new friend at CONvergence, check for a pronoun sticker on their CONvergence badge. If they don’t have a sticker, it’s always OK to just ask. You do this by saying, “What pronouns do you use?” It really is just that simple! If you don’t have a good opportunity to find out a person’s preferred pronouns, you’re generally safe using the gender-neutral pronoun, “they”.
  • Restroom policing is very uncool. People know which restroom they belong in. Trust them to do their business in the place most comfortable for them and leave it at that.

If You See Something, Say Something

Part of being a community is taking responsibility for protecting that community. We’ve all got to look out for each other, and it really is quite simple!

  • If you spot someone who looks like they are in distress, ask them if they would like you to contact Operations or First Advisors for them.
  • If you witness someone being harassed, do not stay silent. Speak up and defuse the situation. If that doesn’t help, please report the harassment.
  • If you witness someone breaking the rules outlined in the CONvergence Policies, try to educate them. It’s possible they are just ignorant of the policy. If that doesn’t help, contact Operations via The Bridge.
  • If you spot someone whose prop weapon has not yet been Peace Bonded, suggest that they head to The Bridge for “The Talk”. They get a badge ribbon for doing it!

And contacting Operations at The Bridge is easier than ever with their text number: 651.800.1.OPS (651-800-1677)

Getting From Floor to Floor

Connie and Mark 2 ride the escalators

At the Hyatt, CONvergence takes over the first six floors of the hotel. To get from floor to floor, you have to know what goes where. Here is a quick overview!

There are two banks of elevators and one set of escalators. There will also be one set of stairs open to floors with convention spaces. If you are able, please use either escalators or stairs to access floors 1–6.

  • The Conference Elevators (two elevators near the escalators) serve convention spaces on floors 1–6.
    • The 6th floor can only be reached via the Conference Elevators or the Open Stairwell.
  • The Guest Elevators (five elevators near the front desk, and in various locations on upper floors) serve guest rooms on all floors, with indirect access to convention spaces on floors 1–5
  • The Escalators (centrally located) serve convention spaces on floors 1-5
    • When boarding the escalators, please leave a gap of 1-2 steps between riders.
    • Cosplayers or attendees with long articles of clothing should take care to avoid becoming entangled in the equipment.
    • When exiting escalators, step off promptly, and immediately move clear of the escalator exit area. Do not stop to talk or look around. Other passengers may be behind you.
  • The Open Stairwell (near the escalators and conference elevators, on the Nicollet Mall side of the hotel) provides access to all floors, but not the lobby; it exits onto the street.
    • The 6th floor can only be reached via the Conference Elevators or the Open Stairwell.
  • The Room Party Stairwell (near parties HQ in room 418) provides access between room party floors 3 through 5 in the evenings from 8:00pm to 1:00am.
    • Do not travel below floor 3 or above floor 5 in this stairwell; doing so could cause its closure.

Note that other stairwells will provide egress to the ground floor but will not allow access to intermediary floors.

Remember the 6-2-1 Rule

The 6-2-1 Rule is:

  • 6 hours of sleep per night
  • 2 meals per day
  • 1 shower per day

Practice self care while at CONvergence, and try to remind your friends to do the same. Also, remember to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and con crud!

Connie in a power wheelchairBe aware of Attendees with Disabilities

There are many CONvergence attendees with both visible and invisible disabilities. Here are a few simple things you can do to help make their CONvergence 2024 as awesome as yours!

  • Keep paths clear. Don’t stand in the middle of a hallway or doorway. Always ask yourself, is there room for a wheelchair to get through? If not, make some. If everyone does this, it makes a big difference!
  • Never assume ability. Many, many disabilities are “invisible”. This means that you can’t tell a person has the disability just by looking at them. It’s a good idea to never assume a person you don’t know is able-bodied. Don’t criticize them for their elevator, escalator, or chair use; they know their limitations much better than you do!
  • Bathroom policing is never ok! You cannot determine a person’s disability or gender just by looking at them.
  • Treat mobility aids as extensions of a person’s body. Never touch a person’s wheelchair, scooter, walker, crutches, or cane without their permission.
  • Use a speech-to-text app to help you communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing attendees. There is a list of apps earlier in this post!

If you want more information about accessibility at CONvergence, check out the Accessibility & Inclusion page.

Connie as a space marineHave Props? Make sure to have “The Talk”

If you have a prop of any kind—even a fictional weapon—please bring it to The Bridge to be peace bound. An Operations volunteer will have “The Talk” with you, and you’ll walk out with a snazzy badge ribbon! Even if your prop weapon is just plastic and foam, getting it peace bound is a great signal to everyone around you that your weapon is safe. Your prop will not be damaged in the peace binding process!

Check out the CONvergence Props policies by clicking here.

Lost & Found

Did you know CONvergence has an at-con Lost and Found? If you find something or if you lose something during CONvergence 2024, head over to The Bridge!

Have Fun!

CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited promises to be a celebration of fun and fashionable proportions, and it is our hope that we all help one and other stay safe and have fun! CONvergence IS IMMINENT!

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CONvergence 2024 Souvenir Book coverThe CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited souvenir guide is now available for download in a handy PDF format to read on your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Print copies of the guide are available at the convention during Badge Pick-Up.

The Souvenir Guide features Guest of Honor perspectives and schedules, a programming guide, maps, information about sponsors, and tons of other useful information for CONvergence 2024!

If you have any questions about the 2024 Souvenir Guide, please contact CONvergence publications. (You may not get a reply until after the convention.)

Programming Schedule PDF

You can download a PDF copy of the CONvergence 2024 Programming Schedule to print out or read on your tablet or mobile device.

Be aware that convergence2024.sched.com or the CVG2024 mobile app always has the most up-to-date schedule information.

More to Review…

As you embark upon your CONvergence 2024 journey, you may also want to review some of the following.

Additionally, the hours of operation for free services and activities at the convention can easily be found by navigating the “At The Con” section of our website! Just give it a try!

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CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited… starts on Thursday in downtown Minneapolis, MN and those of us without a Transporter or a Warp Drive may need to rely on overland travel.

Many CONvergence members will be using Metro Transit to get to the con. If you are planning on taking a bus or a train, head over to the Bus and Train page.

Of course, some people will be driving to the convention and parking Downtown.

If you want to avoid flying right through a star or bouncing too close to a supernova, here is a list of current and upcoming road construction projects in the Twin Cities Metro area that may impede, obstruct, or otherwise complicate your travel to and from CONvergence.

MNDOT Closures and Detours

Please refer to the MNDOT website for additional updates or closures or use the 511 app to plan your travel.

  • MN 5 westbound: Exit ramp closed
    At Exit ramp to I-494 E. The exit ramp is closed. Road construction work is in progress. Consider using an alternate route. Until November 1, 2024 at about 5:00PM CDT.
  • MN 13 in both directions: Road closed
    Between Dakota County Road 45 and Sylvandale Road (Mendota Heights). The road is closed. Look out for emergency maintenance activities. Until August 3, 2024 at about 9:00PM CDT. Closed for Slope Failure along TH. 13 (Follow the signed detour in place.)
  • MN 55 in both directions: Major construction project.
    Between MN 5 and MN 62 (Mendota Heights). Major construction project. Bridge maintenance work is in progress. Until November 9, 2024 at about 11:59PM CDT. For additional information on this project, click here.
  • I-494: Major construction project
    Between Exit 71: Pilot Knob Road and Minnesota River Bridge (Eagan). Major construction project. Until July 31, 2026 at about 11:59PM CDT.
  • I-494: Major construction project
    Between MN 77 (near Richfield) and Exit 8: East Bush Lake Road (Bloomington). Major construction project. Until October 30, 2026 at about 11:59PM CDT. For additional information on this project, click here.
  • I-494 eastbound: Entrance ramp closed
    At Entrance ramp from CH 32 / Penn Ave. The entrance ramp is closed. Road construction work is in progress. Until November 16, 2024 at about 5:00AM CDT. Comment: Detour: Penn Ave to WB I-494, exit at France Ave and take ramp to I-494 EB.
  • I-494 eastbound: Entrance ramp closed
    At Entrance ramp from CR 17 / France Ave N. The entrance ramp is closed. Road construction work is in progress. Until September 13, 2024 at about 11:45PM CDT. Comment: France Ave NB detour uses 494 WB to TH 100 ramps to 494 EB.
  • I-494 in both directions: Roadway reduced to two lanes
    Between the start of I-494 (near Eagan) and 24th Avenue South (1 mile east of Richfield). The roadway is reduced to two lanes. Road construction work is in progress. Truck restrictions are in force. No vehicles over 80,000 lbs. Until November 1, 2024 at about 5:00PM CDT. Reduced to two lanes from 24th Ave to Pilot Knob Road.
  •  I-494 eastbound: Exit ramp closed
    At Exit 5A ramp to I-35W N. Exit ramp closed. Road construction. Until October 15, 2024 at about 5:00AM CDT.
  • MN 100 northbound: Left turn lane closed
    At 50th Street (Edina). The left turn lane is closed. Look out for construction work. Until October 31, 2024 at about 3:00PM CDT. Comment: NB 100 Exit Ramp, Left Turn Lane Closed to NB 50th St. (Detour in place.)
  • MN 62 westbound: Roadway reduced to one lane
    Exit 116: MN 55 (near Minneapolis). The roadway is reduced to one lane. Look out for construction work. Width limit 10’0″. From 9:00AM CDT to 3:00PM CDT daily. Until July 7, 2024 at about 3:00PM CDT. Daily Lane Closure WB 62 Between TH 55 and TH 5 for construction work.
  • I-394 westbound: Roadway reduced to two lanes
    Between Dunwoody Boulevard and Exit 7: Penn Avenue (Minneapolis). The roadway is reduced to two lanes. Bridge maintenance work is in progress.
  • I-94 westbound: Entrance ramp closed
    At Entrance ramp from White Bear Ave. The entrance ramp is closed. Road construction work is in progress. Until November 2, 2024 at about 11:00PM CDT. Ramp Reconstruction.
  • I-94: Major construction project
    Between Century Avenue (Woodbury) and Heggen Street (1 mile east of Lakeland). Major construction project. Work zone is active. Until November 1, 2024 at about 11:59PM CDT. Comment: For additional information on this project, click here.
  • US 169 southbound: Entrance ramp closed
    At Entrance ramp from 63rd Ave. The entrance ramp is closed. Bridge construction work is in progress. Until October 31, 2024 at about 5:00PM CDT.

Metro Transit Closures and Detours

If you are a regular or semi-regular Metro Transit rider, you will also want to check the Rider Alerts feed for closures and detours. The best way to do this is the Rider Alerts feed on the Metro Transit website.

We strongly recommend that you consider all of your options to safely travel to the convention, including but not limited to tauntauns, wormholes, or Minneapolis’s downright futuristic electric busses. Find more information on the Getting to the Convention page.

Save travels to CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited!

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Many different posters on the wall at CONvergence 2023

At the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, CONvergence attendees may hang family-friendly signage advertising parties, panels, performances, events and more in CONvergence event spaces on floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, in party hallways on floors 3, 4, and 5, and the guest room elevator waiting areas on floors 2 through 24.

CONvergence 2024 attendees may begin hanging posters:

  • in CONvergence event spaces on floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 at 6:00pm on Wednesday, July 3, 2024
  • in party hallways on floors 3, 4, and 5, guest room elevator waiting areas on floors 2 through 24 at Noon on Thursday, July 4, 2024

Posters in party hallways must be removed by 1:00pm on Sunday. Posters in other areas must be removed no later than 8:00pm Sunday. Members who hang posters are expected to also remove them. If the hotel needs to remove posters, charges may apply.

DO NOT Hang Posters:

  • At the Hyatt front desk, Hyatt Marketplace, Fireside Lounge, the Prairie Kitchen & Bar, or from railings overlooking any of these
  • In stairwells, escalators, elevators, or elevator doors
  • In the Skyway bridge connecting the Hyatt with the Millenium
  • On storefronts or in businesses co-located with the Hyatt, including the Fedex, Vitali’s Cafe, and Salon Blu
  • On glass surfaces
  • On doors or door frames
  • Anywhere outdoors, including The Grove, the Loring Greenway, or any parking ramp

DO Hang Posters:

  • Virtually anywhere around CONvergence function space, as indicated on the maps
  • In room party hallways on floors 3, 4, and 5
  • In elevator waiting areas for guest room elevators on floors 2 through 24
  • On the walls of your own party room

If you are unsure whether you should hang your poster in a particular location, please find a CONvergence Operations volunteer or stop by The Bridge and ask!

All posters must be secured with the ONE TAPE: Low-tack blue painter's tape   Blue Tape poster in the style of Blue Sun Corporation from Firefly
Remember to use the One True Tape! Anything affixed to the wall or other surfaces at the Hyatt Regency Hotel MUST be secured with low-tack blue painter’s tape. All brands and models of true blue tape are permitted.

Any posters found to be secured using other kinds of tape will be taken down without notice. Low-tack blue painter’s tape can be found at most hardware stores. If you run out of tape during the convention, stop by The Bridge—they may have some available.

Poster Hanging Blitz

Looking for an easy and fun way to volunteer on Wednesday Evening? Come to the Volunteers HQ on the second floor and help hang up official CONvergence posters and signage!

When: Wednesday at 5:00pm
Where: Volunteers HQ (2nd floor in Greenway J, right across from Registration Badge Pick-up)
What to bring: Yourself and any friends who want to help! Wear comfortable shoes. If you have a roll of blue tape, even better!

This is a great, fun opportunity to get some pre-con volunteer hours clocked and have a look around all the convention spaces before everything kicks off! You can sign up to help with the Poster Hanging Blitz on SignUpGenius, but you can also just show up to help, too!

Remember, if you are planning to hang your own posters at CONvergence, you can begin doing that at Noon on Thursday. The Poster Hanging Blitz on Wednesday evening is for official CONvergence signage only.

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The CONvergence 2024 schedule has been checked against the Matrix, beamed through subspace, synced up with the timestream, and is now ready for you to start planning your CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited! You can view the schedule on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet by simply visiting cvgcon.org/schedule.

Make an account, connect with your CONvergence friends, and start planning all the cool things you are going to do at the convention before you even arrive at the hotels!

Screenshot of CVG2024 appDownload the Mobile App

Keeping track of your CONvergence schedule during the convention is easy with the Native CVG2024 app or the Sched mobile schedule app for both iOS and Android!

CVG2024 App:

The CVG2024 app downloads the schedule to your local phone storage, meaning it will not use your mobile data in the background. Because of this, you will need to manually refresh the app data in order to see schedule updates. We recommend doing this at least once per day during the convention. Simply go to “My Account” and select “Refresh All Data” any time you would like to refresh the schedule.

Sched App:

If you are using the Sched app, search for “CONvergence 2024”. Use the “My Sched” link at the top to create or login to an account, connect with your CONvergence friends, and start planning all the cool things you are going to do at the convention before you even arrive at the hotels!

If your mobile device is something other than iOS or Android, or if you don’t want to download an app, you can still access the CONvergence 2024 schedule on your mobile device by navigating to convergence2024.sched.com in your browser app.

If you have any questions about the mobile app or the CONvergence 2024 schedule, please contact CONvergence Programming.

Cinema Rex LogoCinema Rex Schedule

Due to the license agreement bringing an amazing line-up of fine films our way at CONvergence 2024, Cinema Rex will not publish the entire movie schedule online.

The full Cinema Rex schedule will be printed in the CONvergence Programming Guide, and posted on Cinema Rex fliers around the hotel. You can also visit Superior Rooms A&B on the 5th floor of the Hyatt Regency at any time during the convention to see what’s playing for the day.

If you use the online schedule or app, you’ll notice that there are time blocks for Cinema Rex film screenings that do not list the movie name or description. This way, after you see the fun line up events and films slated for your viewing pleasure, you can still use the online schedule or app to add Cinema Rex to the legendary journey that is sure to become your convention weekend.

Convergence Events, Inc. Open Meeting

Attend the annual open meeting for Convergence Events, Inc. during CONvergence. Get an update on the latest with the organization that runs CONvergence with members of the Convergence Events Board of Directors, ask questions, and give feedback. If you’re interested in joining the CONvergence ConCom, this is a great at-con opportunity to catch a board member and ask them about that!

Convergence Events, Inc logo

When: Friday at 5:00pm
Where: Hyatt 4 Minnetonka
What to bring: Curiosity, kindness, and caffeine!

Head to the Convergence Events, Inc. website to learn more about CONvergence’s parent organization.

Fancy Bastard Pie Competition

Greg Weisman photoshopped to be a Victorian gentleman in a room full of piesDo you enjoy at baking deserts? Are you a fan of Greg Weisman’s TV shows or comics? Then this is the event for you!

The Greg Weisman Fancy Bastard Pie Competition returns to CONvergence for its third year on Friday at 8:30pm in North Woods Promenade, outside ConSuite. It is open to all CONvergence attendees who wish to participate!

The goal is to make a pie that CONvergence 2024 Guest of Honor Greg Weisman, herein to be known as “Fancy Bastard”, likes best. There is no advance registration. Simply bring your pie to the competition to be judged. Winners will receive an exclusive photo with Greg Weisman and other celebrity judges with a sign that says, “Preferred Pie-Maker of All Fancy Bastards Everywhere!”

In the interest of full disclosure, Fancy Bastard would like all to know that he especially likes the following pies: Apple, Berry, Peach, Apricot, Pumpkin, Banana Cream (herein to be known as the funniest pie); Combinations of some of the fruit pies can be great. Contestants are welcome to try other pies at their own risk.

Fancy Bastard does NOT especially like the following pies: Pecan, Anything with Chocolate, Raisins in Apple Pie, Almost never Cherry (though he has tasted the rare exception!)

We’ll see you with your pie(s) at the third Greg Weisman Fancy Bastard Pie Competition!

Schedule Your Volunteering

Connie volunteering

While you are planning your CONvergence 2024 and all the fun things you want do during the con, don’t forget to schedule some time to volunteer at CONvergence. The entire convention is run by volunteers just like you, and CONvergence needs your help to keep everything running! There are lots of volunteer opportunities that you can sign up for online at CONvergence Volunteers SignUpGenius.

First time using SignUp Genius? Head over to the Signing Up for Volunteer Shifts page for video and text tutorials!

Sign Up For Volunteer Shifts

You can exchange volunteer hours you earn for Volunteer Thank-You Gifts such as a CONvergence volunteer T-shirt and more. (You must have a CONvergence 2024 badge or day pass to volunteer at CONvergence 2024.)

If you find yourself with down time during the convention and want to volunteer without having scheduled a shift, no problem! Just pop in to SignUpGenius and grab a shift from anywhere! Or, head over to the Volunteers Table (in Volunteers HQ on the 2nd floor in Greenway J, right across from Registration Badge Pick-up) and the volunteers there will connect you with a great way to help your fellow CONvergence attendees.

Poster Hanging Blitz

Roll of blue tape with elven script on it like the one ring

Looking for an easy and fun way to volunteer on Wednesday Evening? Come to the Volunteers HQ on the second floor and help hang up official CONvergence posters and signage!

When: Wednesday at 6:00pm
Where: Volunteers HQ (2nd floor in Greenway J, right across from Registration Badge Pick-up)
What to bring: Yourself and any friends who want to help! Wear comfortable shoes. If you have a roll of blue tape, even better!

This is a great, fun opportunity to get some pre-con volunteer hours clocked and have a look around all the convention spaces before everything kicks off! You can sign up to help with the Poster Hanging Blitz on SignUpGenius, but you can also just show up to help, too!

Discounted Twins Tickets

New this year! CONvergence has worked with the Minnesota Twins to offer Discounted tickets to Twins Baseball games July 2nd through July 7th! While you are in downtown Minneapolis for CONvergence, take a break to enjoy some Baseball at Target Field. Each game will include exclusive giveaways to the first fans through the doors.

Connie throwing a baseball

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Connie standing with her hand on her hipDo you have your 4-day pass for CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited yet?

After Wednesday, May 15, 2024, CONvergence 4-day weekend badge prices will increase by $20. Register before Midnight on May 15, 2024 to get your Adult 4-day pass for just $115; Teen passes are just $55 and Kids are $35.  You can still save $20* per adult and teen registration.

Register Now

Use the $20 per badge* you will save to grab awesome stuff in the Art Show, Artists Alley, Dealers Room, CONvergence Merchandise, GPS Charity Auction, or just order more badge ribbons!
*At the door 4-day registration price is $135 for adults and $75 for teens.

After you register for CONvergence 2024, don’t forget to remind your friends about the upcoming price increase! Plus, if you are planning to be there, they probably will want to know that!

CONvergence 2024 Policies

CONvergence has published its 2024 convention policies on the policies page.  Be sure to read through them so you can know what will and will not be allowed at CONvergence!

Meet Our CONvergence 2024 Guests of Honor

Have you had a chance to learn about the awesome Guests of Honor that CONvergence will be welcoming to the con in 2024?


Thom Adcox-Hernandez

Selfie of Thom Adcox smiling. He is a white man with short hair and a goatee, both peppered with gray. He has sparkling blue eyes.Thom Adcox is an actor and dancer. Thom toured with the biggest names in the dance world and featured in some of the most memorable music videos of all time with artists like Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. As a voice actor, you have heard him as Lexington in Gargoyles and Gargoyles – The Goliath Chronicles, Dipstick in 101 Dalmatians, Simon in Steven Spielberg’s Invasion America (a role personally cast by Mr. Spielberg), Sammy in W.I.T.C.H, Phineas Mason in The Spectacular Spiderman, Klarion the Witchboy in Young Justice, Milo in Sophia the First, and many others.

Read more about Thom Adcox-Hernandez…


Brigitte Bako

Brown-haired, brown-eyed woman smiles aspirationally looking at the sky. She has many jeweled rings on the middle fingers of both hands.Brigitte Bako is a Canadian Oscar, Emmy, and Writers guild award nominee. She is the creator, writer, star, and executive producer of the hit Canadian cable series, G-spot. The show is one of the most loved and popular shows in Canada. It has been sold all over the world and has garnered numerous award nominations and including Best Comedy Series—three years in a row; Best Comedic Actress in a series; and Best Comedy Ensemble. As a voice actress, fans should recognize Brigitte as the voice of Angela in Gargoyles and Monique Dupre in Godzilla: The Series.

Read more about Brigitte Bako…


Keith David (Thursday Only)

Headshot of Keith David. He is an older Black man with short white goatee-style facial hair and streaks of white hair at his temples and on the top of his short curly hair. He is smiling warmly, with twinkling eyes.

© Jonny Marlow / CPi Syndication

Keith David is a classically trained, multiple Emmy award winning actor. He is currently shooting a new series for producer JJ Abrams and HBO Max entitled Duster. He recently shot The Gray House, a drama series produced by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. Keith was featured in Jordan Peele’s latest film Nope. He also recently starred in Black As Night for Blumhouse / Amazon. Keith’s work as a voice actor has made him a household name. His rich and powerful voice has been featured in national commercials, award shows, documentaries, video games, and animation. Voice acting credits include countless fan favorites such as Adventure TimeBojack HorsemanRick & MortySpawn, and Gargoyles.

Read more about Keith David…


Zehra Fazal

Headshot of Zehra Fazal smiling slightly. She is a desi woman with short brown hair and big, dark brown eyes. She is wearing no jewelry which makes all focus on her eyes and smile.

Zehra Fazal is an actor, singer and voice artist who hopes to ignite and nurture the inner strengths, passions and imaginations of young people through storytelling. She has portrayed animated characters for many different beloved series. Notable animation credits include AmphibiaBig Hero 6 The SeriesMy Adventures with SupermanYoung JusticeBatman: A Death in the Family, Bojack HorsemanVoltron Legendary DefenderShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Star Trek Prodigy, and Beavis and Butthead.

Read more about Zehra Fazal…


Carlos Hernandez

Carlos Hernandez smiles slightly. He is wearing a dark blue turtleneck sweater, has short brown hair and a slight 5 o'clock shadow. His caramel-colored eyes are topped by thick brown eyebrows.

New York Times Bestseller Carlos Hernandez is the author of the critically-acclaimed short story collection The Assimilated Cuban’s Guide to Quantum Santeria (Rosarium, 2016), the novel Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (Disney Hyperion, 2019), which won the 2019 Pura Belpré Award from the American Library Association, and its sequel, Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe (2020). He’s also written dozens of short stories, poems, and works of drama, usually in the SFF mode, which have found homes in magazines such as UncannyLightspeedStrange Horizons, and many others.

Read more about Carlos Hernandez…


Susanna Malak

Susanna Malak stands casually with folded arms. She is wearing a pink button-down shirt and smiling big. Her hair is braided tightly to her head and pulled back.

Susanna Malak is a regular player in the incredible Star Wars franchise. She has co-starred in three seasons of The Mandalorian as various creature characters. She played as a member of The Lucky Three in the very first episode “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian.” She also played one of the Melitto, a species of insect-like humanoids as seen in the episode “Chapter 21: The Pirate.” She can also be seen as Gas Mask in The Book of Boba Fett, but she might be best known for her roles playing one of the infamous Jawas in numerous episodes of both series.

Read more about Susanna Malak…


Miss Shannan Paul

Miss Shannan Paul smiles, holding hands in front of her making an inviting gesture. She is a Black woman with large curly black hair with blue streaks throughout it. She is wearing very bright colors and strikingly-contrasting jewelry.

Miss Shannan Paul is a Comedian, Radio and Television host, Keynote Speaker, Benefit Auctioneer, Voice Actor and Event Host. She has appeared on Nick Mom’s Night OutLaughs TV, Hulu and as part of the SXSW Comedy and Music Festival. She has performed with Louie Anderson, Sinbad, and Christopher “Kid” Reid. She regularly brings her wit, whimsy and pop culture expertise to Twin Cities television as part of The Jason Show. You can hear Miss Shannan weekly on MyTalk 107.1, 830 WCCO, and on her podcast, Be Our Geek.

Read more about Miss Shannan Paul…


Greg Weisman

Headshot of Greg Weisman smiling casually. He is a white man with a full head of very short hair and a short beard with bits of gray on its edges.

Greg Weisman is best known for his work in animation, creating and/or showrunning on such series as Gargoyles, W.I.T.C.H., The Spectacular Spider-ManStar Wars Rebels, and Young Justice. Greg wrote both Gargoyles and Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic books; The Amazing Spider-ManStarbrand & Nightmask and The Spectacular Spider-Men for Marvel Comics; New York Times’ Bestselling Star Wars Kanan for Marvel and Lucasfilm; Young Justice and Young Justice: Targets for DC Comics, and the new GargoylesGargoyles: Dark Ages and Gargoyles Quest comics. Gargoyles #1 was Dynamite’s best-selling comic ever.

Read more about Greg Weisman…


We can’t wait for you and your friends to join the party at CONvergence 2024: Everyone’s Invited! Who are you most excited to see?

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Connie reclining