Explore the history and evolution of tabletop games, from ancient classics to modern masterpieces. Our panelists will discuss how game design, themes, and mechanics have changed over the years and what the future might hold for the industry. Participants: Chris J Mortika, Renate Fiora (mod), Eric Zawadzki, Brandy McQueen, Martin Grider
Let's discuss the value in engaging in creative projects without the end goal of turning them into a money-making enterprise, whether it be a full-time career or a side-hustle. Participants: Prof Brown, Tanya Brody, Jerry Belich, Kendrick Edmund Cronin (mod), Amber Raden
While school can teach a wide variety of subjects and skills, it can't cover everything needed for general adulting. How can we use geekdom to either teach those skills or offer support in finding a teacher or mentor? Participants: Katarina R Larsen, Dani Mayville, Raederle Sterling (mod), Janelle Kloth, Ashley M Mages
Struggle with going back to regular life after a convention? You're not alone. Our panelists will discuss their coping mechanisms and why it might be good that conventions are usually just vacations. Participants: Heather L Heim, Kelly Murphy, Renate Fiora, Kendrick Edmund Cronin, T. Aaron Cisco (mod)
Pro-censorship rhetoric is on the rise both in politics and in fandom. We'll discuss why it's become so prevalent, what forms censorship can take, and how to combat it in the fight to keep fandom a space where expression, not repression, is celebrated. Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Assad Khaishgi (mod), Kerry Peterson, Lauren Crabtree, Jules Porter
You can be on panels. It's easy and we want you to join us. Find out all you need to know about being a panelist. Participants: Becca Justiniano (mod), Jesse Boom, Pete Lane, Elizabeth Hufnagle Puffer
The creative process can be hard enough, but many of us have disability challenges, both physical and mental, than can make it seem daunting. What strategies can one employ to ease those concerns? Are there mediums that work well for certain concerns? Participants: Ren Nonnweiler, Erin Wilaby, Eiryn Katherine, Katherine Jo Pysick, Neal Sorensen (mod)
Each year North Country Gaylaxians chooses one book a month to read. Our charter is to read books either by LGBT+ authors or books with positive LGBT+ content. This panel will discuss the books we have read since CONvergence 2024. Participants: Don Kaiser, Claudia Slovacek, David Lenander
As a GM, what are some options if you love an RPG setting but not the system it was written in? If you convert into another system, how do you maintain balance? Participants: Bob Alberti, Alex V Bender (mod), John Gary Leppik, Chris J Mortika
When we started, we were headed somewhere else, but we got here. Come hear stories of unexpected triumphs and cautionary tales! Participants: Chris Kluwe, Tanya DePass, Prof Brown, Tanya Brody (mod), Jules Porter
Reimagining classic stories/novels in different settings. What draws us back to these stories? Participants: Randee Dawn, Craig Smith, Noel Thingvall (mod), David Lenander, John Heimbuch
This panel will introduce the audience to two local conventions: Gaylaxicon 2025, a LGBT+ and allies literary speculative fiction (SF, Fantasy, Horror) and gaming convention in October, and CONsole Room 2026, the Minnesota Dr. Who Convention in January. Participants: Don Kaiser (mod), Natasha Jo Krentz, Ben Ellis
We've all had a friend expose us to strange music, some of which we've loved and some that left us confused. What happens when a lover of random items, thrift finds, and all things obscure exposes comedians to weird music they've never heard before? Participants: Melissa Sue Kaercher, Jason Kruger (mod), Duck Washington, Tim Wick, Maren Aalgaard, Shannan Paul
Writers of mystery novels must come up with a mystery to be solved. What "givens" must writers of science fiction come up with? How does this help or hinder writing the story? Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Wes Huntington, Kate Dane, Danith McPherson (mod), T. Aaron Cisco
Some games that come in small boxes are a lot of fun to play over and over again. What are some of your favorites? Participants: Ren Nonnweiler, Renate Fiora, nick a jaworski, Don Kaiser (mod)
Find out who we lost this year in genre film and get some recommendations from the panel on what work to seek out. Participants: Melissa Sue Kaercher, Garrick A Dietze (mod), Megan M Slawson, Kelvin Hatle
Is a sausage on a bun a sandwich? What about a stroopwafel? Come debate the merits of the sandwich alignment chart. Participants: Randee Dawn, Tony Harmelink, Nikki Armstrong (mod)
When you're deciding to read a book, you might look at the cover, the title, the author, and the back cover blurb. You might also glance at the first page. We'll discuss what openings are most likely to draw an audience in and why. Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, J.M. Lee, Lisa Hario, Danith McPherson (mod), Justin Octavian Rose
