In this world of increasing threats from mass surveillance and automation, how can we continue to be nerds and skeptical of the technology around us? What can the history of anti-technological movements tell us? Participants: Elizabeth Merritt (mod), John Thomas Bliss, David Carlson, Satish Jayaraj, Sarah Keuper
Get ready for a fan panel! Um, actually, let's Make Some Noise about all our Dirty Laundry, discuss Very Important People, say hi to Intrepid Heroes, and more! We've been here the whole time. Participants: Mark (mod), Lunate8, Danielle McKay, Jo Thrace, TK
Get your questions answered about participating in the Masquerade by the Masquerade director and staff. Participants: Patrick Cool, Donald Kaiser, Kori Kontz, Briar Livingston
Let's talk everything pro wrestling, and especially its intersection with other forms of nerd-dom! Who are some of your favorite geeky wrestlers? What storylines are so fantastical that they break the bounds of conventional kayfabe? Participants: Victor Adeola (mod), Ben Ellis, Mark Goldberg, Shanna Jansen, Andrew Snell
Books, movies, podcasts, streaming--we'll try to talk about it all! What are some of the horrors you've enjoyed since 2025's CONvergence? Meet up for a fun, lively look at the horror scene. Participants: Scarlet Overkill (mod), T. Aaron Cisco, Charlene Holm, Chris William Malone, Stephanie Olson
Ham radio has been around a long time and might sometimes seem old fashioned, but it's also full of innovation with people creating new platforms and working with satellites. We'll look at the old, the new, and see if it fits in with geek culture. Participants: Melanie Reap (mod), Edward Eastman, Aaron Lee Propes, Michael Scott Shappe
What major characters annoyed you? Did you keep watching or reading, and if so, how did you struggle through? Participants: KitKat (mod), Nick Fox, Sherry Pofahl Johnson, Dave Margosian, Elizabeth Merritt
You may not know it, but you may already have the basis for a great cosplay in your closet. Learn how to make use of everyday clothes. What tricks can you employ for putting together a costume from what you have already? Participants: Chris Wester (mod), John Thomas Bliss, Katie Heilman, Jera Of All Trades, Melanya
For first timers or veterans who are pretty sure they don't know everything, this panel will try to teach you everything you need to know. Participants: Rhea Wessendorf (mod), Nikki Armstrong, Brian Etchieson
From Roddenberry and LeGuin to China Mieville and Greg Egan, sci-fi and fantasy writers have envisioned worlds and futures where socialism is a reality, or at least a present potential. Let's talk about those worlds and what they mean for our own. Participants: Boris Leonidovich Smelov (mod), Reed Alexander, Martin Peter Law, The Olive Knight, Samuel T. Weston
Just because you're Minnesotan doesn't mean you need to eat like one! Come learn where to find and how to use herbs and spices to broaden your culinary horizons. Participants: Saz (Mdog) Kos (mod), Sarah Barsness, Scott Grandt, K.N. Hamann, Erin Wilaby
What chapter books are popular among young readers? Let's hear from the real experts--the kids themselves. Participants: Becca Justiniano (mod), Tara Borton, Malcolm Dekker, Rose Grumdahl
Is Goku really the strongest? Is powerscaling that bad? Panelists bring their controversial takes, present them for debate, and invite the audience to weigh in. Participants: Princess Sam Irish Lass (mod), Amanda Bliss, John Thomas Bliss, Nur-D
Dive into the mysterious world of the submariner as we answer your questions about life and technology under the sea. We'll discuss engineering, sensors, weapons, environmental, living accommodations, and the group of people that keep it running silently! Participants: Kyle B Dekker (mod), Christopher Baye, Doug Kirks, Andrew McKay, Dan Stiglich
When crafting a story, creating actual diversity requires a great effort to avoid unintentionally tokenizing your characters. We will examine common mistakes and discuss ways to create diverse characters without tokenizing them. Participants: Kerry T Peterson (mod), Sonni de Soto, Eddie, Justin Edward Grays, Morgan Strickland
Cozy games come in many shapes and forms. What are your current favorites? Participants: Viga (mod), Allyson Cygan, Filima, John Kovalic, Dawn Krosnowski
We've come a long way from card catalogs and encyclopedias! How do you research a topic and evaluate sources? What are the hazards when googling for your information? Participants: Laura Okagaki (mod), Sarah Barsness, Jason Brown, J.R. Dawson, John Heimbuch
A discussion about online and local options for sourcing fabric and notions for your ever growing pile of projects. Participants: Kendrick Edmund Hogue (mod), skazka 9000, Cassara Carriere, Eiryn Katherine, Kori Kontz
What's your favorite clan? What role would you want to have in that clan? Come chat about your favorite parts of Warriors! Participants: Becca Justiniano (mod), Cassius Bastian-Stendahl, Kenzie Fleschner, Rose Grumdahl, Rey Wall
Given current politics, talking about climate change can be stressful, but that may make it that much more important to bring up. What are some strategies to get folks who are less inclined to be climate-conscious on board with green(er) initiatives or policies? Participants: Arthur J Kneeland (mod), Saz (Mdog) Kos, Mordecai Mika, Erin Wilaby
Let's talk about how small, independent game studios work and how their games differ from those produced by the big companies. Participants: Tata (mod), Andrea, Darren Andrle, Corbin
With lack of safety shoes for away missions, absence of seat belts for space battles, and transporter malfunctions, being in Starfleet is slightly safer than toaster bathing. Discuss the health and safety violations in Star Trek that make you aghast. Participants: Skylar Merritt Schwartz (mod), Assad Khaishgi, Stephen Nein, Laura Okagaki, Andrew Snell
The Evil Queen. The Headless Horseman. The death of Mufasa. How did these characters and scenes like these affect your childhood? Participants: Jera Of All Trades (mod), Kendrick Edmund Hogue, KitKat, Janelle Kloth, Eric Alexander Norton
What parents and guardians expect kids to find scary is often not what their kids think is scary. Why are adults so often wrong about this? Participants: Eric Alexander Norton (mod), Kyle B Dekker, Malcolm Dekker, Rose Grumdahl, Sammi
Come hear current and former Guests of Honor and other professionals talk about different aspects of voice acting work, from the physical side to the artistic merit. Participants: Colette Feehan (mod), Catero Colbert, Mike Dee, Christine Galey, Arif Kinchen
Have you introduced children in your life to your favorite fandom yet? If not, do you plan to? We will explore the roles of parents, guardians, and communities in promoting the healthy development of hobbies and interests for children and youth. Participants: Nick the Board Game Librarian (mod), Annelise Hodge, Shanna Jansen, Jennifer L Klumpp, Kellee Lee Wolf
Let's discuss the best and most relevant Star Wars content ever created: Andor Seasons 1 and 2 and Rogue 1! Participants: Damian Boldizs (mod), skazka 9000, Nybieee, Catherine Schaff-Stump, Eric Zawadzki
3D printing has grown from a niche hobby for dedicated tinkerers to a true maker's tool. From cosplay, to car parts, 3D printing is becoming common in many spaces. Covering the basics and new developments in the state of the art and science of 3D printing. Participants: Cary Christopherson, Dead Legato
Jim's got a new book out, Twelve Months. Let's discuss! What worked and what didn't? What are we looking forward to in Mirror Mirror? Has Harry suffered enough? Will he ever be happy? Participants: Nybieee (mod), Jesse DeLost Abrahamson, Scott Grandt, Jen Rogachevsky, Kellee Lee Wolf
From medieval court jesters to late night talk show hosts, it has been the comedian's role and privilege to speak truth to power. Why has the medium of comedy been granted this right? Participants: Kate Dane (mod), skazka 9000, Bobo, Brian, Janelle Kloth
The movies showed us a variety of cultures; Dwarf, Elf, Human, Hobbit. Each uniquely portrayed in various types of garb. But what isn't so obvious is the costume designers' reflection of Tolkien's own research. Participants: Rae Lundquist
Perfectionism ruins stories and arcane grammar rules inhibit all writers. But should we just give in to bad writing, accept tropes, and encourage messy creativity? Let's debate the merits of breaking convention. Participants: Anthony W. Eichenlaub (mod), Mallory Glass, John Heimbuch, Becca Justiniano, Stephanie Olson
What's your preference? Do some games lend themselves to one vs. the other? What about couch co-op? Participants: Amber Raden (mod), Allyson Cygan, Dzhemi, Dirk Ykema
Everything you wanted to know about running this con, but were too afraid to ask! Come meet the CONvergence Board and ask all the questions you maybe don't want the answers to. (We won't bite...hard.) Participants: David Bianchi, Hawthorne Fasching, CJ Mantel, Rachel Poleke, William Verburg-Cunningham, Rhea Wessendorf, Tim Wick
Want to learn more about what it's like to be a performer in the Twin Cities (and beyond)? Come hear stories from and ask questions of the cast of this year's CONvergence Cirque Show. Participants: Shadowcat Sophie
The MCU is coming up on 20 years, but some aspects of the franchise have not grown over time, namely good representation of Jewish characters despite the source material and comics history. Why is that and why does it matter? Where can they go from here? Participants: Jen Rogachevsky (mod), Kelly Brimbor, J.R. Dawson, Mark Goldberg, Kendrick Edmund Hogue
"It's time to play the music!" The Muppet Show is still beloved, fifty years on. Why are so many still fans? Could it ever return? Participants: Skylar Merritt Schwartz (mod), Dawn Krosnowski, Miss Shannan, Kaija Schmauss, Bryon David Stump
This panel aims to spread awareness and understanding about OCD. Society often has an inaccurate view of OCD and how it affects those suffering from it. Hear from those diagnosed and living with OCD, talk about representation in the media, and more. Participants: Hedy Rand-McKay, Jen Rogachevsky
Desire for realism is high in the cosplay community. When does it go too far? Is it okay to change skin tone to emulate characters of other races? What's the difference in emulating race and species? This will be uncomfortable; there's a nix on tangential subjects. Participants: Justin Edward Grays (mod), Sonni de Soto, Charlene Holm, Gregory Parks, Morgan Strickland
Mathematician and novelty singer-songwriter Tom Lehrer sadly passed away shortly after CVG2025. Let us pay tribute to the late King of Satire! Participants: Cetius d'Raven (mod), Jeff Grapevine, Andrea Herman, Keeter Man, Johanna Stark
Dead By Daylight is a 4v1 horror game that's infamous for being not-so-beginner-friendly. Join a couple of seasoned DBD players as we discuss the core mechanics of gameplay, tips for newbies, and beginner-friendly builds for playing Killer and Survivor! Participants: Ashley Coyle, Andrea Allyn-DeMaris
Many feel existential dread regarding the current state of the world and use art as a counter or means of escape to find some catharsis. How do they channel those feelings into their creations? Participants: John Heimbuch (mod), Leslie Barlow, J.R. Dawson, John Kovalic, Springyboii
If you've ever wanted to wield the power your characters do, you can! But this isn't flashy prestidigitation or thunderous AoEs--more like maxed-out Luck, Intuition, and Wisdom. Learn about bringing (real) magic out of your games and into your life. Participants: Emily Allen
A panel to discuss everything about The Magnus Archives and get together to share enthusiasm about the podcast! Participants: Cetius d'Raven (mod), Zaydden Johnson, Mordecai Mika, TG
Sea stories or lies, you be the judge! Our panel of intrepid mariners tell tales of daring-do mixed with occasional drunken debauchery in far-off lands, tomfoolery on duty, and other kinds of good trouble. Adults only, strong Language. Participants: Kyle B Dekker (mod), Christopher Baye, Doug Kirks, Andrew McKay, Dan Stiglich
Gender and gender identity can be very complicated for people. What paths have different people taken? How have they dealt with the challenges that come with them? Participants: Johanna Stark (mod), Eiryn Katherine, Cyn Sanchez, Skylar Merritt Schwartz
Friday July 3, 2026 11:30pm - Saturday July 4, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2, Greenway HI
