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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Announcements

We know you are excited to celebrate twenty amazing years of CONvergence this year at CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty! Here is a list of things to keep in mind to ensure both you and everyone around you have a fantastic convention.

Getting to the Convention

For those of us without the use of transporters, warp drive, or portal guns, click here for a list of current and upcoming road construction projects in the Twin Cities Metro area that my impede, obstruct, or otherwise complicate your vehicular travel to and from CONvergence 2018. You may also be interested in learning about other transit options.

Connie Mark 2, Professor Max, and Connie as Firefly charactersPicking Up Your Badge

Your first stop at CONvergence 2018 will probably be picking up your badge. Head over to the Badge Pick-Up page for Registration’s hours of operation, and everything else you need to know about picking up your CONvergence 2018 membership badge.

Be Aware of Changes for 2018

This year has been filled with many challenges, changes, and updates. We know you’re wondering what exactly is going to be different this year. There are a few changes and a few exciting new features around the convention for 2018.  Here is an overview of things for you to be aware of:

  • Signing up to volunteer has gotten easier than ever! Check out the Signing Up For Volunteer Shifts page for information and tutorials for using CONvergence SignUp Genius!
  • No longer will you need to track your volunteer hours on paper cards.  Instead, we’ve move the volunteer hours tracking system online! Check out the Tracking Your Volunteer Hours page for the complete run-down!
  • Don’t have time for Masquerade or Art of the Dress but want to show off your awesome costume? New this year, you can enter the Hall Costume Contest!
  • CVG-TV has been producing a TV show especially for CONvergence called CON-Link! The show features interviews with CONvergence 2018 Guests of Honor and past and present Convergence Events Board of Director members. Catch episodes on CVG-TV during the convention, on the CONvergence Facebook page, or on Youtube!
  • Cinema Rex, Theater Nippon, and the Teen Room will not be offering snacks or beverages this year. (Cinema Rex will still have an amazing film line-up and comfortable couches; Theater Nippon will still have excellent anime, and the Teen Room will still be a great place for those of appropriate chronological age to gather.)
  • Food or beverages from other locations should not be brought into the Plaza or Atrium rooms. (There will still be water stations in these spaces!)
  • Instead of smoothies, this year Space Lounge will have a very cool sensory bar to appeal to each of your other senses. It will be glowy. So, soooo glowy. Definitely not something to miss!
  • Due to many uncertainties around policies for 2018 that were still in place at the final deadline for placing food orders, ConSuite will not be offering hot soup in 2018. (Soup is expected to return in 2019!)
  • ConSuite will have FOUR new caffeinated soda flavors: Cola, Diet Cola, Lemon-Lime, and Blood Orange Ginger, as well as un-caffeinated fan-favorites Butterscotch Root Beer and Blue Lemonade, among others.
  • 5 of the 29 CONvergence 2018 Room Parties will be offering alcoholic beverages, served by DoubleTree by Hilton bartenders. The bartenders will have tip jars; we encourage you to be kind to the bartenders and to show them how amazing our community is.
  • Room capacity limitations are in place and will be enforced. Specifics have been shared with the party hosts; we anticipate that the effects of this will be minimal for most room parties.
  • To comply with requirements specified by the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Bloomington City Fire Inspector, members may not stand, queue, or otherwise remain stationary in the hallways around the party room cabanas. Members experiencing the party rooms must be in a party, actively moving to a party room, or leaving the cabana areas. The silver lining to this is it should make the hallways much more accessible to those with mobility impairments!
  • In past years, you may have seen police officers from Bloomington PD wandering through the convention. You will see more of them this year. CONvergence has built a strong and collaborative relationship with Bloomington PD over the past 20 years and, while you will see more officers this year, they are very familiar with our event and our community and are collaborating with us and with the DoubleTree to make sure this year’s event is safe and fun for everyone.
  • All-Gender Restrooms are back! For a list of which restrooms are remaining binary and which restrooms are All-Gender, see the Maps page.
  • Programming Operations moved to the Lobby Conference Room in the DoubleTree by Hilton.
  • For the gamers up on the 22nd floor, the VR Suite and Special Events & Open Gaming have swapped rooms.
  • The list of Safe Spaces has been updated for 2018.
  • The CONvergence Photography Policies have been significantly expanded.

The Convergence Events Board of Directors have also published a letter to you, the CONvergence membership, regarding this year’s changes: What’s New and What’s Not at CONvergence 2018.

Lastly, it is a very good idea to look over the CONvergence Member Conduct Policies before you arrive at the convention, as they are revised every year.

Official CONvergence Media

Keep a look out for official CONvergence media during the convention! They photograph, video, and report on the convention to share online, on CVG-TV, on social media, and to create an archive of the event. You can always identify them by their media badges.Photos of official CONvergence 2018 media badges
By registering for CONvergence, you gave consent for the convention to record your image. Depending on the situation, official CONvergence media staff may not always ask before taking a photo or video. Please be understanding as they do their jobs for the convention. If you have any concerns about CONvergence media policy, please contact the Convergence Events Board of Directors.

Treat Everyone With Respect

CONvergence is serious about providing a safe environment for all members, 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 member. (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. This goes double for elevator monitors, as they are on their own in confined spaces.
  • If you’re not sure which pronouns to use for a new friend at CONvergence, check for a pronoun sticker on their membership 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)

Connie as a red shirtDon’t Overload the Elevators

During CONvergence, the public elevators are running nearly constantly for close to eighteen hours a day, and it is in our best interest to keep them from breaking. Because of this, we have instituted a policy where there are only 8 people allowed per elevator car (7 plus an elevator operator.) Large pieces of luggage and/or props may also be counted as a person because the limitation is about weight, not warm bodies.

Additionally, only five people will be allowed to board the elevator on the 22nd floor (four plus the elevator operator), so that we can pick up people on the in-between floors (4 through 21).

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 con crud! If you’d like regular reminders to self-care, try following Professor Max on Twitter. He’ll be tweeting self care tips all weekend.

Wait To Post Photos of Your Badge Online

When you get your CONvergence 2018 membership‬ 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!

Connie in a power wheelchairBe aware of Members with Disabilities

There are many CONvergence members with both visible and invisible disabilities. Here are a few simple things you can do to help make their CONvergence 2018 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.
  • Keep your mouth visible while you are talking. This is especially important if you are on a panel. Many hard of hearing people lip read in order to understand what is being said, and more people are hard of hearing than you might think. Keeping your mouth visible while you are talking is a huge help!

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

Sign up for the Blood Drive

In the great tradition of blood drives at science fiction conventions throughout the country, the crew of the USS Nokomis is proud to host this year’s blood drive. Please make your appointment to save up to three lives with your donation at www.redcrossblood.org or call Jane at 651-283-6736 to choose your time.

Visit the Blood Drive page for more information.

Don’t Forget Your Fuel

Remember that 6-2-1 rule? A very important part of that is eating. ConSuite is great for snacks throughout the day, but it isn’t a replacement for a real meal.

You may want to check out the CONvergence 2018 Restaurant Guide for your full selection of dining options during the convention. Some are even offering discounts!

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.

Check the CVG-TV Schedule

CVG-TV, CONvergence’s television channel broadcasting on the DoubleTree by Hilton TVs and streaming online during the convention, has posted their broadcast schedule. Head over to check it out so you can plan to catch rebroadcasts of MainStage events from the comfort of your hotel room!

Member Advocates Have Your Back

Do you need ear to listen at CONvergence? Have you found yourself overwhelmed while at the con? Or do you need to connect to a department but don’t know where to go? CONvergence Member Advocates want to help!

Member Advocates are here for CONvergence Members and Convention Committee. They can guide you in the right direction to make sure that issues, ideas, and problems are addressed by the right department or be an ear to listen and connect you to the right resources for support. If you would like to utilize Member Advocates, simply stop by the Member Advocates table next to the Accessibility & Inclusion table in the DoubleTree by Hilton Lobby or email

memberadvocates@convergence-con.org. You can also request a Member Advocate any time by visiting The Bridge.

Lost & Found

Did you know CONvergence has an at-con Lost and Found? If you find something or if you lose something during CONvergence 2018, head over to The Bridge!

Have Fun!

Whatever epic destiny brought you to CONvergence 2018, be it overthrowing an oppressive galactic tyrant or simply a quest through the stars to rescue a space prince or princess, make sure that you have fun while you are here! Volunteer, get your geek on, and don’t forget to party to the max!

 

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Jeffrey Posted in Volunteers

As CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty draws ever more present, you’re no doubt starting to think about the awesome ways you can volunteer to help make this year’s convention a smooth ride for everyone, not to mention earn yourself some exclusive volunteer thank you gifts. Fortunately, there are many options for lending a hand! Here are just a few.

This year, many departments are staffing shifts during the convention using SignUp Genius.  Head over to the Signing Up for Volunteer Shifts page for a very simple SignUp Genius tutorial.

Connie as Uncle SamRegistration Needs You!

Starting Wednesday, July 4, 2018 going all the way through Sunday, Registration needs volunteers to help with membership check-in, badge pick-up, and more. Whether you’re technologically-inclined or simply prefer to be a helpful and friendly force for good, there is something for you to do in CONvergence Registration!

You’ll have to complete a short training and orientation session before you can start your volunteer shift. Contact CONvergence Registration to learn more, or sign-up for shifts on SignUp Genius.

Help Herd those Nerfs!

Interested in helping with badging, elevator monitoring, or managing lines at CONvergence? Sign-ups are now open for Nerf Herder Crowd Management volunteer shifts. It’s one of the most fun, exciting, and easy ways to volunteer during the convention, often right in the middle of all the action. Whether you can spend an entire shift on your feet managing a line, or you need to do your volunteering sitting down, Nerf Herders has a volunteer position for you!

To sign up for Nerf Herding shifts during the convention, head over to SignUp Genius.

Nerf Connie

But wait, there’s more! Before you arrive for your volunteer shift with CONvergence 2018 Nerf Herders, you must first complete a short training session at The Bridge. That way, you will be prepared for all the different scenarios you might encounter while volunteering.

At-Con Trainings

  • Wednesday 10:00am, 1:00pm, 4:00pm
  • Thursday 10:00am, 1:00pm, more as needed
  • Friday  as-needed
  • Saturday as-needed

To attend a training, simply go to the Nerf Herder table at The Bridge and say you’re there for a Nerf Herder Training. Please try to complete the short training as early as possible!

Connie as a Wandering HostJoin the Wandering Hosts

Do you like to have your finger on the pulse of the convention? Do you like to be the smiling face that provides help and solves problems? Do you like to jump right in and be in the middle of the action?

Wandering Hosts, seen all over the convention wearing purple smocks and radios, the visible staff presence and, in many ways, the white blood cells of CONvergence. As a Wandering Host, you will roam convention space as a representative of the convention and be available to assist CONvergence members in answering questions, following policies, ensuring safety, and providing support and help.

If this sounds like the sort of job for you, please contact CONvergence Operations or sign up for Wandering Host shifts on SignUp Genius!

Feeding The Hungry Members

Both Volunteers Den and ConSuite have shifts available throughout the convention to help with food prep, serving, restocking, and more. These are easy jobs that keep you in the middle of the social hub as members stop in for snacks, and they’re a lot of fun! Sign up for ConSuite and VolDen shifts on SignUp Genius.

Panels Can’t Run Without You

CONvergence Programming is looking for General Hosts, at-con volunteers who help with panel staging and quality control, and A/V Specialists, who are available during panels to support the microphones, mixers, projectors, and similar equipment in panel rooms should panelists need assistance.

To learn more about how you can help ensure the quality of CONvergence’s panels, visit the Panelist & Host Info page or sign-up for shifts on SignUp Genius.

Connie in a power wheelchair

Be an Accessibility Ambassador

If you enjoy being friendly, helpful, and have a passion for making sure everyone can be included, then this might be the volunteer position for you!

Staff is needed for CONvergence’s Accessibility Table (located opposite the DoubleTree by Hilton’s front desk) to answer questions and help provide accessibility resources for CONvergence members. Previous experience with ADA issues and diverse communities would be helpful, but is not necessary.

If you are interested in helping at the Accessibility table, please contact CONvergence Accessibility & Inclusion or sign up for a shift on SignUp Genius.

Put those ASL Skills to Use

Did you learn American Sign Language in college? Can you keep up a decent conversation, but maybe aren’t interpreter level? Help with managing CONvergence’s ASL interpreters!

As an ASL assistant, you will help to manage interpreter schedules and respond to the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees. While being fluent in ASL is helpful, you can also use this as an opportunity to improve your fluency while earning volunteer hours.

If you are interested in helping manage ASL at CONvergence, please contact CONvergence ASL!

Connie a #6 from the Prisoner

Staff the Sensory Break Room

Do you have public interface (customer service) skills? Do you prefer, or need, to do your volunteering in a quiet or sensory-friendly space? CONvergence’s Sensory Break Room may be the place for you!

As Sensory Break Room staff, you will simply be present monitor room facilities and activities. As needed, you will ensure rules minimizing distracting stimuli, including visuals, sounds, and smells are followed. This is a sedentary volunteer position, so be prepared to sit during your shift, and it is probably a good idea to bring a quiet activity for yourself.

If you are interested in helping staff the Sensory Break Room, please contact contact CONvergence Accessibility & Inclusion or sign up for a shift on SignUp Genius.

Harmonic CONvergence Needs Crew

Connie as She-Ra with Mic - COLORLove music, bringing people music, managing a stage, or being part of a crew putting on a show? Harmonic CONvergence, CONvergence’s dedicated music and live performance venue, may offer the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! These positions are a great way to earn lots of hours if you’re a night owl or an early bird!

Harmonic CONvergence volunteer positions are:

  • Room Management/Stage Management – Aid our performers by moving gear on and off the stage and into and out of storage. Help audience members locate and access appropriate seating. Run minor errands around the con, and assist with other tasks as needed to support HarmCon’s performers and tech crew.
  • Guard – Are you a sharp-eyed, trust worthy sort who can ensure the safety and security of our performer’s equipment? If so, you may be just the person to help keep an eye on the Gibson room overnight and ensure that no one enters after hours. This is a sedentary position and a chair and table will be provided; bring friends and/or activities to entertain yourself during your shift while earning double hours!
  • Roadie – Roadies make the show happen! Earn double hours by helping load and unload HarmCon technical crew’s van and trailer and assisting in take down of sound and lighting equipment before and after HarmCon performances. Roadies should be able to get on and off a low stage without difficulty, and to lift and carry moderately heavy objects.

Grab a shift on SignUp Genius to become part of the HarmCon crew!

Connie a Harry PotterTeen Room Needs Teens

Are you age 13 – 20? Are you the parent of a teenager? Then you should know that CONvergence Teen Room is looking for volunteers! The Teen Room is run by teens, for teens, and that means it needs teens to step up and help make it awesome.

Teen room volunteer positions are:

  • Housekeeper – Clean up messes and converse with members and make them feel welcome.
  • Greeter – Greet people when they enter or leave the Teen Room, and check badges to make sure they are allowed inside.

Please don’t sign up for more than two shifts in a row without a break. Members must be age 13 – 20 to volunteer in CONvergence Teen Room. This is a good way to get involved with the convention and meet other members in your age group!

Sign up as a Teen Room volunteer on SignUp genius.

Illustration of Professor Max Misfittle holding test tubes and wearing a lab coatConnie’s Quantum Sandbox

Do you love arts, crafts, or science activities? Then Connie’s Quantum Sandbox is the place for you!

Connie’s Quantum Sandbox is the CONvergence Art, Craft, and Science Activity room. Volunteers assist the Head-On-Duty or Activity Leaders with setup, operation, and cleanup of activities (may be art, craft, or science-related).

Volunteers may also assist fellow CONvergence members with activities, and may be asked to do some basic crowd control (such as lining up guests, assisting children, etc.) No special skills are required, but we may take advantage of any art, craft, or science skills you choose to offer!

Help out in Connie’s Quantum Sandbox by signing up for a shift on SignUp Genius.

Staff Masquerade to See The Costumes Up Close And Personal!

Do you like seeing the costumes in the Masquerade? How would you like a chance to see them up close? Masquerade needs volunteers for registration and during the show.

Volunteers are needed Thursday afternoon and Friday morning and afternoon to aid with Masquerade and Art of the Dress registration. These volunteers should be familiar with the basic production concepts behind Art of the Dress Runway Show and Masquerade.

During the Masquerade show, Saturday 5:00pm to about 9:00pm, Den Mothers/Costume Assistants are needed to help Masquerade participants line up for their presentations and assist with whatever else they may need, be it a safety pin, a band-aid, or just keeping cool.

Contact Masquerade to help out!

CVG-TV

CVG-TV LogoCVG-TV needs volunteers to help with recording panels and general video production support. No previous technical skill is required but you will certainly learn a few things as you help record the official CONvergence 2018 media!

To volunteer, please contact CVG-TV.

Hang CONvergence Posters and Signage

CONvergence has hundreds of official posters and signage to hang all around the convention with blue tape. There is a Facebook Event set up to rally volunteers who want to help hang posters. Check it out for more information!

Help with Move-In

CONvergence starts moving into the DoubleTree by Hilton Bloomington as early as Tuesday, July 3, 2018 and there will be a need for volunteers to help all the way through Thursday. Almost every department does some sort of set up, so now is your chance to see how your favorite department comes together.

In particular,

But there is plenty to do to help with move-in all over the convention, so if you turn up at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Tuesday or Wednesday, you won’t have any trouble finding somewhere to help! Sign up for a move-in shift on SignUp Genius or just stop by the Volunteers Table.

More Information about Volunteer Positions

If you are curious about any of the volunteer positions above, or would like to see what else you could do to help out at CONvergence, check out the Volunteer Positions Page or contact CONvergence Volunteers and ask how you can help.

Sign Up for Shifts!

If you are ready to sign up for volunteer shifts during the convention, head over to the Signing Up for Volunteer Shifts page for tutorials, or go directly to CONvergence Volunteers SignUp Genius. Volunteering is so easy, and fun!

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Jeffrey Posted in Announcements

CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty starts on Thursday in Bloomington, MN and those of us without a Ring of Teleporation or a Phantom Steed  may need to rely on overland travel.

If you want to avoid random encounters and difficult terrain that might slow you down, here is a list of current and upcoming road construction projects in the Twin Cities Metro area that my impede, obstruct, or otherwise complicate your vehicular travel to and from CONvergence.

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

  • MN 5 westbound: Right lane closed.
    Between North Forest Street and US 61; North Arcade Street (near Saint Paul). The right lane is closed. Until July 10, 2018 at about 3:00pm CDT.
    Comment: Daily closure for installation of fiber optic line. Lane closure will be taken down daily.
  • MN 7 in both directions: Right lane closed.
    Between Baycliffe Drive and Fox Glove Circle (Victoria). The right lane is closed. The right turn bay is closed. Until July 12, 2018 at about 6:00pm CDT.
    Comment: No permit restrictions. Turn lane and acceleration lane construction.
  • MN 13 southbound: Right lane closed.
    Between MN 913A; Sibley Memorial Highway and Centre Pointe Curve (Mendota). The right lane is closed. Until Friday, at about 5:00pm CDT.
  • I-35W in both directions: Roadway reduced to two lanes.
    Between Exit 13: 46th Street and Exit 16A: I-94 (near Minneapolis). The roadway is reduced to two lanes. Major road construction work is in progress. Until October 15, 2021 at about 5:00pm CDT.
    Comment: For project and detour information Click Here.
  • MN 41 in both directions: Flooding.
    Between US 169; Chestnut Boulevard (near Carver) and East 6th Street (Chaska). Look out for flooding. The road is closed.
    Comment: Highway 41 will remain closed until the water recedes and any damage to the road can be repaired.
  • MN 41 in both directions: Road closed.
    Between Hundertmark Rd. and Pioneer Trail Trail (Chaska). The road is closed. Follow the detour signs. Major road construction work is in progress. Until September 3, 2018 at about 5:00pm CDT.
    Comment: For project and detour information Click Here.
  • MN 65 northbound: Exit ramp closed.
    At I-94 (Minneapolis). The exit ramp is closed. Major road construction work is in progress. Until September 30, 2021 at about 11:59pm CDT.
    Comment: Ramp from northbound I-35W to westbound I-94 closed through the fall of 2021. For detour map Click Here. For more information Click Here.
  • I-94 westbound: Roadway reduced to two lanes.
    Between Exit 233C and 3rd Avenue (Minneapolis). The roadway is reduced to two lanes. Major road construction work is in progress. Until October 22, 2018 at about 5:00pm CDT.
    Comment: Reduced to two lanes between Chicago Ave to Nicollet Avenue. For more information Click Here. No OSOW Restrictions.
  • MN 149 in both directions: Bridge closed.
    Between West George Street and West Goodrich Avenue (Saint Paul). The bridge is closed. Bridge construction work is in progress. Until December 27, 2018 at about 5:00pm CDT.
    Comment: For detour and project information Click Here.
  • I-494 eastbound: Right lane closed. (Starts July 9, 2018)
    Between Exit 6B: France Avenue (near Bloomington) and Exit 5A-B: I-35W (Richfield). Right lane closed. Night time construction work. Starting July 9, 2018 at 8:00pm CDT until July 10, 2018 at about 5:00am CDT.
    Comment: Overnight roadway mapping.
  • I-494 eastbound: Right lane closed. (Starts July 8, 2018)
    Between Exit 11A: Prairie Center Drive (near Eden Prairie) and Exit 6B: France Avenue (near Bloomington). Right lane closed. Night time construction work.Starting July 8, 2018 at 8:00pmp CDT until July 9, 2018 at about 5:00am CDT.
    Comment: Overnight roadway mapping.
  • Diffley Road westbound: Road closed.
    At 77. The road is closed. Bridge construction work is in progress. Until July 7, 2018 at about 7:00am CDT.
    Comment: No restrictions.

Please refer to the Parking Page for overflow parking information. We strongly recommend that you consider not driving to the convention if that is an option for you, and instead take a taxi, ride share, bus, or carpool. Find more information about all of your options on the Getting to the Convention page.

Save travels to CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty!Illustration of Connie riding Catbus

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Hotel, Policies

 

Posters at CONvergence 2017

As in recent years, CONvergence members may begin hanging posters around the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at 6:00pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.

DO NOT Hang Posters:

  • In the center of the escalator
  • In the elevators
  • On elevator doors or frames
  • On first floor lobby walls
  • In the hotel restaurant
  • On the hotel light fixtures
  • In hotel entryways
  • On room doors
  • On door frames
  • On the 8 narrow pillars in CONvergence Central
  • In party rooms other than your own (unless you have permission)
  • In the Sheraton Bloomington

DO Hang Posters:

  • Virtually anywhere around pool-side/garden court/cabanas
  • On the walls and windows of your own party room
  • On the walls in the North tower plaza
  • On the walls outside elevators (except in the main hotel lobby)
  • On the walls in the public restrooms
  • On the walls in CONvergence Central
  • On the 2 wide pillars in CONvergence Central
  • On the walls connecting the North and South tower on the second floor

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

One True Tape PosterBlue 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 DoubleTree by Hilton 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.

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Jeffrey Posted in Guests of Honor

CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty is will be rolling out shortly, celebrating the first 20 unforgettable years of CONvergence! But, before we kickoff the celebration, we thought we’d check in with the CONvergence 2017 Guests of Honor to see what they have been up to since last July!

Photo of Lois McMaster Bujold at the WorldCon 75 Hugo AwardsOn August 11, 2017, at WorldCon75 in Helsinki, Lois McMaster Bujold won the first ever Hugo Award for Best Series for her Vorkosigan Saga. The award was her sixth Hugo to date. She followed up that win with a nomination in the same category for 2018 for her series World of the Five Gods.  Lois McMaster Bujold lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children. You can find more about Lois McMaster Bujold on her website, www.dendarii.com. Follow her on Facebook and on her GoodReads blog.

The fall of 2017 saw the release of Batman vs. Two-Face with Kristopher Carter, along with Dynamic Music Partners, providing Batman’s musical backdrop. The trio, once again, provided the score for the caped crusader in 2018’s Scooby-Doo & Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Additionally Karter, and partners composed for the animated series Wacky Races and Avengers Assemble as well as the feature film, Give Till It Hurts. Carter and Dynamic Music Partners are also attached to once more provide music for Young Justice as it returns in 2019 on DC’s new digital platform. This summer, Kristopher Carter has also launched his new EDM project, The Kr Protocol, which he is premiering at CONvergence MainStage this year. For updates on Kristopher Carter’s work, checkout www.DynamicMusicPartners.com and Kristopher’s IMDB page. You can also follow Kristopher on Twitter as @utadeer.

Norman Cates continues to live and work in Wellington, New Zealand. Along with acting as president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand, Norman serves as chair on the newly formed SFFCONZ Inc (Science Fiction & Fantasy Conventions Of New Zealand Incorporated) and is currently running a bid to bring the 78th World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, to New Zealand in 2020. Keep up with Norman by checking out his IMDB profile or follow him on Facebook.

Eric Chu continues to work out of Paranoid Delusions Inc, a Vancouver-based Design Company he founded in 1985, developing and incubating new and exciting creative works. He is currently working on multiple projects in various stages of development, including working with Anderson Entertainment on the upcoming Gerry Adams-inspired, puppet-based science fiction series, Firestorm! Learn more about Eric Chu on his studio’s website, www.paranoiddelusionsinc.com, and follow him on Facebook and on Twitter as @TheCylonGod.

Catalysts, Explorers & Secret Keepers: Women of Science Fiction coverIn the past year, Naomi Kritzer contributed to Catalysts, Explorers & Secret Keepers: Women of Science Fiction, a  collection of new and reprinted works, framed as a take-home exhibit from the Museum of Science Fiction. Her stories “Paradox” appeared in the 2017 issue of Uncanny, and “Evil Opposite” appeared in the September/October 2017 issue of Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine. She continues to do science and occasional pop-culture blogging for the web site Bitter Empire and posts on her own blog at www.naomikritzer.com. Naomi lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband and two daughters, and (currently) three cats. You can find more about Naomi on her website and follow her on Twitter as @naomikritzer and on Facebook.

Shortly after CONvergence 2017, Tracy Lee Cocco reprised her role as Khuhl in the second installment of Renegades: The Series, an independently fan funded sci-fi web series, executive produced by Sky Conway. Tracey is also appearing in the upcoming feature film Night Mistress and the upcoming short Civil War 2020. Keep up with Tracee Lee Cocco on her website www.ltjae.com and her IMDB page. Follow Tracee on Facebook or on Twitter as @realtraceecocco.

X-Men Gold Annual #2 cover artSeanan McGuire, as prolific as she is talented, has been very, very busy since last time we saw her! In September, she released the 11th book in the October Daye series, The Brightest Fell and has two more (Night and Silence and The Unkindest tide) scheduled to be released within the next year and a half. In January she released the third book in her Wayward Children Series, Beneath the Sugar Sky with the fourth, In an Absent Dream to follow next year. In March, She released Tricks for Free, the seventh book in the in the funny and fast-paced InCryptid urban fantasy series and In just a few weeks, the second book in her Ghost Roads series, The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, is due to hit shelves! Finally, it was recently announced that Seanan was tapped by marvel to pen (along with Marco Failla)  X-Men Gold Annual #2, which promises to tell the story of Kitty Pryde’s summer-camp hijinks, mutant angst and Kitty’s first Kiss! To learn more about Seanan and all the amazing things she manages to squeeze into her already busy life, visit her website, www.seananmcguire.com, and follow her on Facebook or on Twitter as @seananmcguire.

November saw the release of Chasing Hitler, a collaboration between Jai Nitz and his niece Hayley. In June, the first collected volume of Jai Nitz and Wesley St. Claire’s Fu Jitzu hit the shelves of your friendly local comic book store. The adventures of the world’s smartest 100 year old boy debuted in October of last year.  Find a complete list of Jai Nitz’s comic book works on the Comic Book Database Website. Follow Jai on his Facebook page and on Twitter as @JAINITZ1.

Teleios poster artIan Truitner spent the last 12 months winning award after award for his scifi feature film Teleios also known as (Beyond the Trek), including the American Movie Awards  for Film Directing, Best Feature Film at the Imaginarium Film Festival, the Forrest J Ackerman Imagi-Movie Award at the Silver Scream Festival, and the Maverick Movie Award for Best Special FX. Teleios is due to be released on DVD and VOD on September Learn more about Ian and his work on his website, www.iantruitner.com.  Ian also dedicated his time teaching a program called “Minors Making Movies” focused on  younger kids in the inner-city and underprivileged areas of Orange County in Santa Ana that film-making is a potential career path for them.

Saymoukda Vongsay had a deservedly wonderful year full of artistic accomplishments that included major grant/fellowship awards for theater and poetry/ She also signed a contract for her first poetry book for children. She recently won the Jerome Foundation Travel and Study grant to travel to Nong Khai, Thailand and Luang Prabang, Laos to retrace and write about her family’s journey after the Laotian Civil War. Additionally, the Emerging Artist Project and the Knight Foundation awarded her a grant to produce “In the Camps: A Refugee Musical” which will tell the story of the Lao people who resettled in St. Paul musically! To learn more about Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay and her work, visit her website and follow her on Facebook or on Twitter as @REFUGENIUS.

That wraps up our overview of what the CONvergence 2017 guests have been up to since last July. We’re definitely looking forward to having Kristopher Carter, Lois McMaster Bujold and Naomi Kritzer join us again this year!

Now that you’ve caught up with all of last year’s Guests of Honor, why not check out our exciting slate of  CONvergence 2018 guests?

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Announcements, Guests of Honor, Performers, Programming

It’s become a tradition that whenever Greg Weisman is a Guest of Honor at CONvergence, he produces an original radio play during the convention and casts it with you, the CONvergence members! Here is the play that he produced in 2016.

Greg plans to continue that tradition this year. Want to be involved?

CONvergence 2018 Radio Play

Coming to CONvergence 2018, Greg Weisman and CONvergence are pleased to announce: Radio Play, the Musical!

This year, Greg is collaborating with Alumni Guest of Honor, Kristopher Carter, to turn his Radio Play into a musical.  Five songs will be performed during the hour-long-exclusive-for-CONvergence Radio Play. Songs will include “Reach for a Reach” and “Hello, Megan!” from Young Justice, the return of Black Manta’s Celebrity Hot Tub, and The Spectacular Spider-Man theme song—Plus one new, original song, written just for this year’s Radio Play.

Greg and Kristopher need singers as well as actors to audition this year. To qualify for a singing role, you must:

  • Sing during the audition.  (Any song will do.)
  • Be able to learn a new piece of music well enough to sing it solo (with our back-up singers) in less than 1 day.
  • Note that some singing roles will also require acting.  Some will only require singing.  (And, of course, there are still plenty of roles that will only require acting.)

Radio Play Auditions are Thursday, July 5, 2018 at 3:30pm and Friday, July 6, 2018 at 5:00pm in Doubletree Plaza 3. There is usually a long line for auditions, so please show up early.

If cast as one of the play’s four lead singers, you’ll be given sheet music and an audio file to make it easier for you to learn your part. You will also be required to attend a special music rehearsal at 11:00am, the run-through rehearsal at 12:30pm and the performance at 2:00pm, all on Saturday, July 7, 2018.

If you’d like to hear a few of the RadioPlay songs in advance, you can find them at this Dropbox link.

Kristopher Carter’s EDM/DJ World Premiere

In addition to collaborating with Greg Weisman this year on Radio Play, the Musical! Emmy-winning composer and 2017 CONvergence Guest of Honor Kristopher Carter is presenting the world debut of his EDM project, The Kr Protocol, at CONvergence 2018. Come dance as Kristopher spins a series of Kryptonite-fueled sci-fi and superhero EDM remixes to open the Friday Night Rave. Information Society‘s Kurt Larson DJs immediately following.

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Harmonic CONvergence, Mainstage, Programming, Screening Rooms

CONvergence 2018 in the Sched app

The CONvergence 2018 schedule has been calibrated in the time stream, adjusted for laws of probability, and is ready and available to help you plan all quantum states applicable to your celebration of CONvergence’s 20th year! You can view the schedule on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet by simply visiting schedule.convergence-con.org or navigating there from the Schedule page.

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!

Mobile App

Keeping track of your CONvergence schedule during the convention is still easier than ever with the  Native CVG2018 app or the Sched mobile schedule app for both iOS and Android!

Download the App

CVG2018:

Sched:

If you are using the Sched app, search for “CONvergence 2018”. 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, you can still access the CONvergence 2018 schedule on your mobile device by navigating to schedule.convergence-con.org in your browser app.

If you have any questions about the Sched mobile app or the CONvergence 2018 schedule, please contact CONvergence Programming.

Cinema Rex LogoCinema Rex Schedule

Due to the license agreement bringing an epic slate of fine films our way at CONvergence 2018, Cinema Rex Cinema Rex will not publish the entire movie schedule online.

The Cinema Rex schedule will of course be in the printed CONvergence Programming Guide, Grid, and posted on Cinema Rex fliers around the hotel. You can also, as always, just drop by the DoubleTree by Hilton’s Plaza 4 at any time during the convention to see what’s playing for the day!

If you use the online schedule or Sched app, you’ll notice that there are time blocks for Cinema Rex movies that do not list the movie name or description. This way, after you see the fun line up events and films celebrating themes of every past CONvergence 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.

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Volunteers

CONvergence is a volunteer-run event and couldn’t exist without countless hours of work from hundreds of dedicated CONvergence members. Want to get involved with making CONvergence happen, but not sure where to get started?

Celebrate National Volunteer Week this year with CONvergence!

Come to the Second Annual CONvergence Volunteer Rally

Whether you’re a CONvergence member who has never volunteered and want to learn more about getting involved, or you’re already a perennial volunteer and want to learn about other areas to offer your talents, this is the event for you.

Date and Time

April 22, 2018 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Location

Geek Partnership Society Room 107
1121 Jackson St NE,
Minneapolis, MN 55413

CONvergence’s Volunteers Department will be on site, as well as representatives from many other CONvergence departments. Take this opportunity to enjoy some snacks with other CONvergence volunteers, ask questions, find out what sorts of skills are in demand, and what jobs need doing to make CONvergence 2018 happen.

One of the things that makes CONvergence unique is the powerful volunteer culture that has grown around the convention. CONvergence itself is 100% run by volunteers, from the over 200 members of the year-round convention committee to the over 800 members who volunteer during the convention to make CONvergence the amazing event that it is! Come to this year’s Volunteer Rally and become part of the fabric of our unique volunteer culture.

Can’t make the Volunteer Rally?

Even if you can’t make it to this year’s Volunteer Rally, you can still browse volunteer positions online on the Volunteer Positions page, or contact the CONvergence Volunteers Department and ask how you can help!

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Programming

4 panelists sitting at a table with a CONvergence banner across it

Have you ever been in the audience for a panel and found yourself wanting to add more to the discussion? Can you offer fresh ideas, a unique perspective, real-world experience, or professional expertise to the CONvergence convention scene? Then you should be a CONvergence panelist—but sign up soon for your best chance at being selected for your preferred panels!

Sign Up For Panels at CONvergence 2018

Volunteering to be a panelist is very easy, and anybody can do it. Head over to the Panelist sign-up form, select the panels you’re interested in being a part of, and tell us a little bit about yourself including any credentials, experiences, or perspectives you can offer on the panel topics you’ve selected.

Click here to sign up for panels at CONvergence 2018.

You must be a registered member of CONvergence in order to be a panelist. Panel sign-ups for CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty are open right now and panel suggestions are open through March 31, 2018.

Get your Applications in!

Applications for CONvergence 2018 room parties close after March 31, 2017. There is no time like the present to create an amazing experience with your friends, or talk to your club or performance group about promoting yourselves through a room party at CONvergence!

Applications for CONvergence 2018 Fan Tables are currently open! Fan tables are a great way to get the word out to CONvergence members about your club, organization, event, cause, or project!

Have you ever thought about hosting a game at CONvergence? In addition to being a lot of fun and giving you the chance to invite a new group of players into one of your stories, you can get volunteer hours for it! Head over to the Host a Game page for more information.

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Posted on by CONvergence Webteam Hal Posted in Artists, Artists Alley, Connie's Quantum Sandbox, Gaming, Harmonic CONvergence, Invited Participants, Music, Panels, Parties, Performers, Programming, Registration & Badges

Happy new year and welcome, CONvergence members, to 2018. We hope you are ready to celebrate, because this year is CONvergence’s 20th anniversary! We’re celebrating the full 20-year history of CONvergence with a huge slate of new and Alumni Guests of Honor in addition to special programming that will look back at our history as a convention and a community. And to top it all off, this year’s convention theme is the past 20 years of CONvergence. If you usually turn to the convention’s annual theme to plan your party, cosplay, panels, performances, and more, know this: at CONvergence 2018 it’s ALL on the table—every theme we’ve had in the past 20 years. Was there a year you missed? Was there a great idea that came too late or the resources weren’t there? Now’s your chance!

Of course, now is the time make sure you are a registered member of CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty! This is your annual reminder that CONvergence 2018 registration prices will increase after January 15, 2018.

That means you have precious little time left to register for CONvergence 2018: Natural Twenty at the lowest price available, significantly lower than the at-the-door price, and be entered into the CONvergence 2018 hotel lottery. Don’t forget to remind your friends to register, too!

Get your Applications in!

Applications for CONvergence 2018 room parties are already open, and there is no time like the present to create an amazing experience with your friends, or talk to your club or performance group about promoting yourselves through a room party at CONvergence.

Applications for CONvergence 2018 Fan Tables are already open! Fan tables are a great way to get the word out to CONvergence members about your club, organization, event, cause, or project!

Applications to be featured as an Invited Participant at CONvergence 2018 are open! Head over to the Invited Participants Applications page for more information.

Applications for CONvergence 2018 Harmonic CONvergence are open! Head over to the Musicians/Performers page for more information.

Applications for CONvergence 2018 Artists Alley are open! Head over to the Artists page for more information.

Submit your Panel Suggestions, Sandbox Activity and Game Ideas

Got great panel ideas after checking out a recent film release, TV show, or new book? Fortunately, there’s still time to submit CONvergence 2018 panel ideas to the programming department. But you’d better do it soon!

Do you have an amazing idea for an art, craft, or science activity that would be perfect for Connie’s Quantum Sandbox in 2018? Click here to submit your Quantum Sandbox ideas!

Have you ever thought about hosting a game at CONvergence? In addition to being a lot of fun and giving you the chance to invite a new group of players into one of your stories, you can get volunteer hours for it! Head over to the Host a Game page for more information.

Come to the Convergence Events, Inc. Annual Meeting and Election

Convergence Events, Inc logo

The 2018 Convergence Events, Inc. annual meeting and board election will be held Sunday, January 20, 2018 after the January CONvergence Convention Committee meeting. Click here for more information on the Convergence Events, Inc website.

This is a great opportunity to check out how we choose our leaders, and find out more about the nuts and bolts of CONvergence. Plus, attending this meeting will count towards your CONvergence member voting rights in 2019!

But Don’t forget to Register!

Just remember, register before the end of the day of January 15, 2018 to get the best rate on your CONvergence membership! You’ll be able to spend the money you save on cool stuff in the Dealers Room, Artists Alley, and Art Show!

So don’t hesitate. Start planning your CONvergence anniversary festivities now, and click here to register for CONvergence 2018.

Connie reclining