There are vast amounts of anime out there, but how do you find out about any of it to know what you might enjoy? Come learn about the places you can watch and the tools you might use to narrow your search. Participants: Donald Poleke, Mara DeMers (mod), Viga, Amanda Lynn Bliss
This is a big, busy convention and we can offer suggestions on how to enjoy it without wiping out. Participants: Rhea Wessendorf (mod), Allen Tipper, Kelly Reich, Nick Glover, Ben Ellis
Dive into the art of character creation with our expert panelists! Discover how to craft unforgettable RPG characters that stand out. Learn how to develop backstories, define distinctive traits, and find balance between strengths and flaws. Participants: Scott Kevin Jamison, Jaymie Delia Wagner, John Gary Leppik, Jamie Riedesel (mod), Andrea Stephanie Herman
We all know that courtroom dramas aren't entirely true to life, but some offenders are particularly bad. What does Hollywood get wrong about law, court, forensic science, and the justice system? Where should you NEVER take your legal advice? Participants: Erica Fair, Nathan Michael Anderson, Samuel T. Weston (mod), Jules Porter
What's the right age to introduce your kid to more mature media, such as Watchmen? How do kids decide what they're ready for? Participants: Katarina R Larsen, Atlas (mod), Annie Fleschner, Mackenzie Fleschner
E-mails, social media posts, photos, documents, playlists, passwords, subscriptions, etc. What happens to all that when you die? What steps can you take now to minimize the impact to your loved ones? How do you save your intellectual property? Participants: Bob Alberti (mod), Sarah Barsness, Elizabeth Ess
Adaptation from one medium to another can be tricky. What are some examples that failed and why? Participants: Randee Dawn (mod), Kendrick Edmund Cronin, T. Aaron Cisco
Content creation seems to be for the young, but in reality, creators are likely to be older than you think! Many do the Twitch thing, hold down a day job, raise families, and try to have a life. Let's discuss being older and online creating content. Participants: Tanya DePass (mod), Chris Kluwe, Brian Forrest, Taru Hunter
Which TV adaptations of popular science fiction/fantasy books have worked and which have been less successful? What do our panelists think makes a good adaptation? What books do our panelists dearly want to see on screen? Participants: Lee Harris, Annie Fleschner, T. Aaron Cisco (mod), John Shea, Jonathan Matthew Surdo
Prof has worked in the games industry for 17 years and released some big titles, but has also made a multitude of small, weird, experimental games. Join us as we go through Prof's game jam archive and talk about game design learnings from each. Participants: Prof Brown
Everything Brady Bunch! This sitcom ran from 1969-1974 and in syndication for decades while also generating a myriad of spinoffs. We'll discuss the best and worst episodes, characters, spinoffs, and reunions. Maybe even indulge some fanfic ideas. Participants: Melissa J Arbuckle (mod), Wes Huntington
A panel about panels. How do they work? How would you make them better? Participants: Heather Bufkin, Erik Nyberg (mod), Viga, Shaun L Larsen, Ashley M Mages
Is early science fiction such as Frankenstein, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and The Time Machine still worth reading or has modern science and technology rendered them uninteresting and irrelevant? Participants: Scott Kevin Jamison, Barbara Gregorich, Renate Fiora (mod), David Lenander
Learn how to get started, find the right printer for your needs, and find and/or create useful designs. Participants: Neal Sorensen (mod), Andrea Stephanie Herman, Todd Murray, Nick Glover, Jeff Winsor
Otherwise successful people tell tales about their worst efforts and what was learned and/or earned from them. Participants: Chris Kluwe, Kelly Murphy, T. Aaron Cisco (mod), Stephanie Mariy Dreis
Back for its third year, Geeks & Cats is a panel where geeks discuss cats. Love cats? Come to this panel. Have cat-related questions? Come to this panel. Don't have anything else going on? Come to this panel! Participants: Kelly Jo Fredrickson (mod), Donna Louise Cook, Mary Rohe, Ren Nonnweiler, Sarah Pierce
Discuss how technology is transforming the tabletop gaming experience. From digital tools that enhance gameplay to the rise of virtual platforms, this panel will explore the benefits and challenges of integrating technology into traditional gaming. Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Grace Holdinghaus, Eric Zawadzki, Philip D Henry (mod)
Gaming is most often seen as a leisure hobby but can be used for teaching as well. Many subjects can benefit from using games as a tool and some games are well suited to illustrate certain ideas. Come discuss your go-to games and how they can be used. Participants: Melanie Reap, Kenneth Joel Justiniano, Amanda Larsen (mod), Zaydden Johnson, Jules Porter
Let's talk about random things we've had to explain to our non-geeky friends, family, and co-workers. Participants: KitKat (mod), Heather Bufkin, Daren Johnson, AJ Pete, Ben Ellis
What will make you decide not to consume a particular book/movie/TV series? What tropes, characters, or events will make you decide something is not for you? Participants: Kelly Jo Fredrickson, Scott Kevin Jamison, Kate Dane (mod), Sarah Pierce
Two publishing pros introduce and discuss the style guide: your go-to lorebook for documenting important writing decisions, from the spelling of a superhero name to the fictional astronomy of a fantasy novel, and a must-have tool for any writer or editor. Participants: Madeleine Vasaly (mod), J.M. Lee
The family dynamics of the Addams Family are often lauded as goal-worthy, especially Gomez/Morticia. Come discuss what you find appealing across the various incarnations of the characters. Participants: Tony Artym, Jaymie Delia Wagner, Nathan Michael Anderson, Sarah Moretsky, Kendrick Edmund Cronin (mod)
Looking to explore new worlds beyond D&D and Pathfinder? Join our panel as we delve into a variety RPG games that offer unique mechanics, settings, and storytelling opportunities. Come discover games that can bring fresh experiences to your tabletop! Participants: Kurt Fleschner, John Gary Leppik, Kayla McGrady (mod), Chris J Mortika, Edward Eastman
Romance/fantasy books are all over bestseller lists and social media. What makes a good romantasy? What about other related subgenres like paranormal romance, gothic romance, and sci-fi romance? Let's pick some tropes and name names. Participants: Samuel T. Weston, Kate Dane (mod), Paige Elisabeth Erickson, Atlas, Mary Elizabeth Sterling
Have you ever wanted to learn how ConSuite keeps filling up the bags of chips or how badging can be a great way to make new friends? Come find out from the CONvergence Volunteers Department how you can become volunteer powered. Participants: Ben Ellis, Heather L Heim, Samantha Bitner (mod), Rachel Lubich
A remake of a 1922 German silent film shouldn't have been the smash hit of 2024-2025. Yet somehow a wheezing, mustachioed, comb over vampire was exactly what people needed. Let's talk about how to interpret the film and the varied reactions to it. Participants: skazka 9000, Nathan Michael Anderson, Kirsten Hazel Roepke-Larsen (mod), Brian Forrest, Bricklyn Holtgrave
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: Jen Rogachevsky, Ren Nonnweiler, Hedy Rand-McKay (mod), Dani Mayville
We often go back to older works of fiction, mythology, and folklore to inspire current work. Why do these stories still appeal to us and teach us things? Participants: John Shea, Randee Dawn (mod), Kenneth Joel Justiniano, Lisa Hario, Crystal Lynn Kelleher
The early days of the tabletop RPGs...some of us were there! What were the experiences of those early gamers by comparison to the current state of the industry? Participants: Bob Alberti, Edward Eastman, Eric Zawadzki (mod), Don Kaiser
As we see more canonical polyamorous representation in media, it seems like some media properties hint at throuples and polycules that are almost, but not quite, canon. Are these legitimate explorations of non-monogamy or are we being polyamory baited? Participants: Katherine Jo Pysick, Patti Anne DeMay (mod), Lathan Murrell, John Heimbuch
Nudity, sexual innuendo, and sexual fantasies are the hallmarks of Star Trek: Enterprise. Something NSFW happens in 46% of all 98 episodes! 20 years after the finale, let's watch a few clips to see if Enterprise has aged well. **mature content** Participants: Frost Simula, Brittany Ann Kerschner
We've seen panels where a hot dog's pedigree as a sandwich is up for debate, but what other topics in SFF/H are worth batting around? Panelists bring their controversial takes and present them for debate, with a moderator declaring resolutions at the end. Participants: Randee Dawn, Elizabeth Ess (mod), Shaun L Larsen, Nikki Armstrong, John Thomas Bliss
Thursday July 3, 2025 11:30pm - Friday July 4, 2025 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2 Greenway FGH
How do you maintain a good relationship with someone with different views? What are your boundaries or hard lines? Participants: Kelly Jo Fredrickson, Charlene Holm (mod), Lisa Marie Deguiseppi, Kerry Peterson, Atlas
Come celebrate one of the first great midnight movies on its 50th anniversary! What was your first RHPS experience? What did it awaken in you? **mature content** Participants: KitKat, Nathan Michael Anderson, Sean Eber, Cetius d'Raven (mod), Katherine Jo Pysick
Thursday July 3, 2025 11:30pm - Friday July 4, 2025 12:30am CDT Hyatt 1 Lakeshore A
