Come visit the Book Swap shelves in the Sandbox, as we introduce the Book Swap Coloring Contest. Learn about the contest and the wonderful ways and places you can enjoy Book Swap throughout the convention. Participants: Nybieee
Make a cozy pet blanket for your furry friend, no sewing required! If you don't have your own furry friend, or they have enough blankets already, GPS will be donating finished blankets to share with pets in need! Participants: Natasha Jo Krentz, Jaylynn Speidel
This fountain pen fan panel is returning in a new space, for a more hands-on opportunity! Learn how to fill them, write with them, chat about different types and try them out! Bring your own supplies, or they will also be provided for you! Participants: Tania Richter
Teen room will be hosting Sandbox for a special activity. Fabricate your own robot creation out of a variety of junk. Participants: Alessa Boom, Jesse Boom
Do you enjoy visiting the local renaissance festivals? Have you never been? Join us for some dancing and get a taste of the Renaissance era. We teach a variety of English Country dances designed for anyone from age 2 to 102, and some other dances, too! Participants: Terpsichory Courtly Dance Troupe
Drop off your abandoned, clean, and organized hobby tools/materials and go fishing for new ones amongst the donated goods. Any leftovers can be recollected, donated to Costume Wars/Sandbox, or leave an "In Search Of" sticky note with your room number. Participants: Ashley Haapapuro
We have the junk---we can build it! Take some assorted castoffs of our disposable world, add some hot glue and your imagination, and concoct your very own robot or cyborg creation! Participants: Jesse Boom, Lisa Wallin
Want to casually talk shop and/or network with fellow creatives, including attendees with art on display in the Art Show and Artists Alley? Then this is the event for you!
Using your device to buzz in, compete against everyone else in the room to answer some Jeopardy-style questions about the biggest nerd fandoms. Are you the most knowledgeable? Come find out! Participants: Arthur Ray Armstrong, Nikki Armstrong
The pick is in and YOU are at the podium. In this game, we will invite teams to draft their best D&D party amongst all fictional characters with the audience vote picking the best party! Participants: Cory Enriquez
The MegaCorps are calling for you to help build the next shiny MegaCity! An all ages activity, come turn the Sandbox into a sprawling cardboard metropolis! Construction will be completed and ready for Monster Smash: Robots Run Amok the next morning. Participants: Lisa Wallin
It's time to sing! Come to the Holodeck for our annual Sing-A-Long Karaoke night! Sing with the microphone up front, or enjoy 'Sing-A-Long' style from your chair.
Join us for a Helluva good time in the Hellaverse as we vote for what songs you want to sing. **mature content** Participants: Alli Cassel, Lori Fischer
Drive the robots that compete in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics programs. Meet with middle and high school students who developed these robots. Learn about what is involved in K-12 FIRST programs in Minnesota. Participants: High Tech Kids
A 45-minute, low-impact workout in the pool led by a certified water fitness instructor. Learn how to use water resistance to tone and strengthen and do cardio in a supportive way. You do NOT need to know how to swim. All levels of ability are welcome. Ages 12+ Participants: Christina Neitz
Friday July 3, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT Hyatt 6, Pool
MegaCity Sandbox stands tall and shiny, thinking nothing could stop the bustling metropolis built by the MegaCorps. But kids 12 and under can come and show them how wrong they are! Hilarious media coverage for the audience by Molly and Nick Glover. Participants: Molly Glover, Nick Glover
Are you not feeling particularly competitive and just want to hit friends, loved ones, or other con-goers with foam padded weapons? Feel free to do so in this practice event. No need to feel intimidated; relax, and have fun fighting. Participants: Assassins' Guild Martial Arts Association
Join Invited Participant and award-winning artist Leslie Barlow for a figure drawing activity featuring a cosplay model. All skill levels welcome, supplies provided. Participants: Leslie Barlow
Let's pack snacks and make tracks to each others' islands! Do you have duplicate DIYs, fossils, art, fish, or bugs that you'd like to share with other players? Get your island ready, invite fellow players, and let's share during this panel. Participants: Dawn Krosnowski
Laminate your very own bookmarks! Decorate with a variety of papers, stickers, and designs before sealing them in with a laminator. All ages welcome! Participants: Kate MacEachern
Bienvenu! Do you think you know the most about our beloved grump and not-so-grump? Then come on down to the 3rd Annual Game Grumps Jeopardy! This fun, lighthearted game will feature trivia for lovelies new and old! Participation is not required. Participants: Link Christianson, Tabitha Moore
Organized by DEI and hosted in Space Lounge, come together for a social event for us, by us. Bring your friends, your business cards, and anything else you might need to connect and collect with your people.
Come play bingo for actual prizes! This is a fundraiser for the CVG BIPOC Grant fund, so we'll be taking donations at the event with all money collected going directly to that fund. Look for flyers around the hotel for the list of awesome prizes. Participants: Garrick A Dietze, Eric Knight, Barb Lind
Assimilate your sock and have it join the collective! Initiate construction of your very own cyborg, robot, or android and take over the world (*insert evil laugh) of sock puppets! All ages welcome! Participants: Lisa Wallin
Teen Room takes over Splounge for a Teens-Only (ages 13-20) cooperative event. Run the sensory bar, DJ, or just have the glowy space for yourselves! Space Lounge never serves alcohol, but during this event, no alcohol will be allowed in the room.
Put on your dancing shoes and learn to cut a rug at this swing dance crash course! East Coast Swing is a beginner friendly introduction into the world of swing dance; no partner or prior experience required! Participants: Fay & Renegade
Join us for an 18+ paint night, where we'll have four cat-themed options (or swap the animal if you shockingly don't like cats)! Skill level isn't important, having fun and being creative is the goal--no art critics here! **mature content** Participants: Andrea Doughty, Caprice Stark
Join your favorite Villainess from Far Far Away during a night of inappropriate hijinks and debauchery as she celebrates her win over that hideous ogre Shrek. Party games, prizes, and NO OGRES ALLOWED. **mature content** Participants: Bailey Workman
Friday July 3, 2026 11:30pm - Saturday July 4, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 1, Lakeshore A
A 45-minute, low-impact workout in the pool led by a certified water fitness instructor. Learn how to use water resistance to tone and strengthen and do cardio in a supportive way. You do NOT need to know how to swim. All levels of ability are welcome. Ages 12+ Participants: Christina Neitz
Saturday July 4, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT Hyatt 6, Pool
Zines are important staples in the world of art, made to convey information, writing, art, or anything your mind desires. Come learn the many ways to make and fold your own zine or bring your own to work on! Participants: Echo Olsen
Birding with Nerds is back for its second year! Take a walk outside the convention, bring your binoculars and join us for a walk down Loring Greenway to Loring Park. We'll point out cool birds in our immediate environment and share birding tips. Participants: Tanya Brody, CJ Mantel, Duck Washington
Have you ever watched PowerPoint Karaoke at CONvergence and said to yourself, "I want to try that!"? Now is your chance! Come to our open mic for a chance to get up and test your mettle against some of our classic slides! Participants: Windy Bowlsby, Angela Fox, Melissa Sue Kaercher, Andrea Ropella
Welcome to the 145th Assassins' Guild Boffing Tournament! Compete against your fellow congoers by hitting each other with foam padded weapons! Participants: Assassins' Guild Martial Arts Association
This elimination-style competition on a 2-player glass table-top arcade machine features games ranging from the classic to the bizarre. Space is limited. (1:30pm signup, 2:00pm start)
Learn a variety of different origami patterns of varying skill levels. Try them all and leave with your own paper creations! All ages but younger kids may need some extra help. Participants: Susie Kline
Oye, beltalowda unte beltawala! Lang Belta is the creole language of the Belt in The Expanse universe, created by linguist Nick Farmer for the show. Be sure to come to class for study resources and an in-person lesson. Kom! Du wang wit milowda! Participants: Melanya
Come join us to craft your own glowing lotus blossom lamp. Using pipe cleaners and soft string lights, you'll bring a beautiful light-up flower to life. Come relax, get creative, and leave with something uniquely yours! Beginner-friendly activity. Participants: Andrea Doughty, Caprice Stark
Wanna perform as your fav characters? Wanna make an animatic a reality? Then come to the Cosplay Lipsync Battle! Sign up at https://forms.gle/WjVZK3vTxM4cYnGv9 with your music and perform your heart out. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a prize! Participants: Jera Of All Trades
Want some new chrome for your body, but don't have the cash for a ripperdoc? Don't worry, come to Sandbox! We will build and customize cardboard cyber arms to look like the coolest tech! Plus no pesky cyberpsychosis! All ages, under 8 with help. Participants: Arthur Ray Armstrong
Wanna use an audio with curse words? Wanna get a little dirtier in the choreo? Just prefer a room full of adults to perform in front of instead? Then come to the Cosplay Lipsync Battle 18+ Edition! Sign up at https://forms.gle/XAin5k9eEUSepLfE8 **mature content** Participants: Jera Of All Trades
Come watch an exciting performance by Nur-D, one of the fastest rising stars in Minnesota's music scene! He'll perform hits from his nine full-length projects, an electric mix of hip-hop and soul with a liberal dose of nerdy pop culture. Participants: DJ Hayes, Nur-D
Stop reading if under 18 because innuendo's coming...waiting...OK good. Grab your joystick and double-click on this panel! Well worth the character usage. Smash or Pass, you know it. This time with video games! Yeah! **mature content** Participants: Cory Enriquez, Christina Gregerson, Janelle Kloth
A 45-minute, low-impact workout in the pool led by a certified water fitness instructor. Learn how to use water resistance to tone and strengthen and do cardio in a supportive way. You do NOT need to know how to swim. All levels of ability are welcome. Ages 12+ Participants: Christina Neitz
Sunday July 5, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT Hyatt 6, Pool
KIDS! Bring your parents to this exciting story and activity hour. Crayon (Caryn Lengkeek) leads this wonderful CONvergence staple. Ages 12 and under. Participants: Caryn Lengkeek
Come hang out for an hour or two and join us for an open conversation with fellow socialists and folks interested in socialism. Participants: Boris Leonidovich Smelov
Did you run out of time to finish one of the masterpieces you started in Sandbox over the weekend? Come to this activity to put those final touches on your Sandbox crafts before we pack it all up. Participants: Dierdre Schultz
Come show off your ribbons, or trade with your peers to get that one you have been looking for! Wrap up CONvergence with our end-of-event ribbon trading!
Share your favorite true five to seven minute geeky story. Audience members will rate your stories and cool prizes will be awarded! Participants: Kyle B Dekker
