There are quite a few anime with a strong food focus. Come discuss your favorites! Participants: Kenneth Justiniano (mod), Amanda Bliss, Molly Glover, Sheko, Jessi Silver
With the David Lynch memorial panel last year, there were so many questions about thoughts on Twin Peaks and what did things mean. We decided it might not be the worst idea to dedicate a panel to giving our thoughts on what we think things mean. Participants: Garrick A Dietze (mod), Drew Johnson, Sherry Pofahl Johnson, Caly McMorrow, Noel Thingvall
It's been said that in sci-fi, the magic is in the technology and in fantasy, magic is the technology. Where falls science fantasy? What stories do a good job of incorporating both elements? Participants: Kendrick Edmund Hogue (mod), Kate Dane, Skylar Merritt Schwartz, Samuel T. Weston, Dirk Ykema
How do you create interesting antagonists for your protagonists? What tropes are helpful and which should you avoid? Participants: Kate Dane (mod), Dzhemi, Kendrick Edmund Hogue, Scott Jamison, Sarah Tasz
Squid Game is over, but the fandom lives on. Come discuss what you liked about the show and discuss what made the show so intriguing. There will be spoilers! Participants: Noel Thingvall (mod), Charlene Holm, Janelle Kloth, Kyo Phetnongphay
Thursday July 2, 2026 11:30pm - Friday July 3, 2026 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2, Greenway HI
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ever wanted to try a new art form but don't want to break the bank for something you're not sure you'll actually enjoy? We're here to teach you how to find supplies and basic training on a budget! Participants: Viga (mod), Allyson Cygan, Andrea Herman, Ren Nonnweiler, Erin Wilaby
What is a 401k? Why care about a credit score? How do I budget sequins for my costume? Perhaps our parents and public education have not taught us enough to be financially literate. Join a panel of people who share their insights around money. Participants: Laura Okagaki (mod), Jin, Ashley M Mages, Erin Wilaby
What are some of your favorite fantastical foods and drinks? How do you go about replicating them? Participants: Nybieee (mod), Scott Grandt, K.N. Hamann, Skylar Merritt Schwartz
Why gender a robot? What purpose does it serve? Does it help us form attachments? What does that say about how we view/perform gender in our everyday human lives? We'll address these questions and more as we explore our favorite cyber friends! Participants: Jules (mod), Lee Brontide, Naomi Kritzer, Jamie Riedesel, TG
Building a pantheon can be an important part of world-building. How do you go about doing so without making yet another version of the same old gods? Participants: Kenneth Justiniano (mod), Reed Alexander, Eddie, Lisa Hario, Jamie Riedesel
Have an appreciation for the creepy? Want your home to reflect your dark aesthetic? Join like-minded folks and hear of their journeys into finding macabre art to fit their style and tastes. Participants: Kelly Brimbor (mod), skazka 9000, Filima, Renate Fiora Hyer, Andrea Herman
Thirty-five years ago, Vampire: the Masquerade begat the World of Darkness. Let's celebrate by discussing our favorite aspects of the multi-game world, the d10 system they used, and the horrors inherent in the setting. Participants: Kenneth Justiniano (mod), Kelly Brimbor, Lisa Hario, Jennifer L Klumpp, Rosewind
How does one play a constructed being in an RPG? Which systems lend themselves to construct PCs? What advantages and challenges are there to playing such a character? Participants: Kenneth Justiniano (mod), Scott Jamison, Jordan Lane Peacock, Jamie Riedesel, Eric Zawadzki
Again, the punsters of CONvergence assemble without fear of flying fruit! Here, our puns are intended! Participants: Edward Eastman, Margaret Eastman, Brian LaBounty
From coffee shops to role swaps, fandoms often like to play with alternate universes (AUs). Which are our favorite AUs? Why are some AUs common or rare, especially in certain fandoms? What can AUs reveal about characters or maybe even about ourselves? Participants: Lyda Morehouse (mod), Susanna Holt, SaraBeth Ray, Nate Wulver, Zakharie
Chuck Tingle, T. Kingfisher, and the expanding landscape of horror and hope! What does it mean that there is such a thing as "feel good horror"? What is the role of queerness and not-straight-white-men in this? Participants: Josiah John Mannion (mod), Filima, KitKat, Lyda Morehouse, T'Yanna L Singleton
Want to get into cosplay but don't have a budget? Worried about the environment? Learn how you can recycle materials to cosplay on a budget AND reduce waste! Participants: Dana Baird (mod), Christine Galey, Katie Heilman, Chris Wester, Dirk Ykema
Ever wondered if you may have ADHD or be autistic? Come hear from panelists about their experiences getting diagnosed as an adult. Learn how to advocate for yourself, what the process may look like, and what benefits a formal diagnosis may hold. Participants: Bobo (mod), Reed Alexander, Charlene Holm, Kiki Joy Latham, Springyboii
