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, Viga, Amanda Lynn Bliss
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
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
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
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
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
Learn about how the archetypal heroine's journey differs from the hero's journey and how to spot it in the wild in your favorite books, TV shows, and movies. Participants: Jody Wurl (mod), Sherry Merriam, Stephanie Olson, Randee Dawn, Dana Baird
How can you use your volunteer experience on your resume or college application? What skills are transferable? Participants: Cat Beltran, Heather L Heim, Cetius d'Raven, Katarina R Larsen (mod), Ashley M Mages
How can you incorporate geeky things into your professional life? How can you decide whether it's safe to share your authentic self with your coworkers? Participants: Kiki Joy Latham, Natalya Rose, KitKat, Alex V Bender (mod), Renate Fiora
By now, you've probably seen folks in black shirts and berets wandering around the con. Ever wondered who they are, what they do, and what organization they belong to? We'll share what the TRMN is all about and explain how you can participate. Participants: Commander Cate Hesser, Lt. Commander Chuck Kelly (mod), General John Neitz, Sir John Fairbairn
What do you consider when selecting fabrics for a costume? How has this changed as you've advanced as a costumer? What tips do you have for beginners (e.g. notoriously difficult materials, things that look good on a budget, etc.)? Participants: Sara Spookystitch, Lance (Ru) Moody, Elizabeth Merritt (mod), Dana Baird, Jen Schultz
How do we create art that is authentic while navigating the economic pressure of paying our bills? What are the downsides of monetizing our passions? Is there inherent privilege in participating in artistic hobbies without monetary compensation? Participants: Ren Nonnweiler, Sonni de Soto, Christopher J. Daniels, Elizabeth Merritt, Amber Raden (mod)
Explore the psychological aspects of gaming, including why we play, how its impacts our emotions and behavior, and its potential benefits and downsides. Delve into topics such as game addiction, games as therapy, and the social dynamics of multiplayer. Participants: John Shea, Prof Brown, Allyson Claire Cygan, nick A jaworski (mod)
Behind the scenes at a haunted house. What's it really like to work as a zombie at a haunted attraction? Share stories, makeup and costuming tips, and our favorite scary phrases. Participants: Carla Hennes (mod), Cherelle-Renee Childs, Todd Murray, Beva Steinberg, Catherine Hansen
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: Alyssa Pon-Franklin, Damian Boldizs (mod), Renate Fiora, Alli M May, Annie Fleschner
What do video games have to say about religious trauma? How can tabletop Game Masters navigate this issue with sensitivity in their campaigns? Is gaming a good tool for recovering from religious trauma? Participants: Abigail Sloane Silver (mod), Kenneth Joel Justiniano, Damian Boldizs, Amanda Larsen, Jules Porter
Ever wanted to learn Klingon? Our panelists will teach you a few basic phrases and discuss the history of the language. Participants: Dawn Krosnowski (mod), Laura Thurston, Lana Rosario
With the broadening of gender expression and the wider acceptance of exploration on that spectrum comes the need for resources and community, especially for younger people. What's out there? How do you find it? Participants: Jaymie Delia Wagner, Sarah Pierce, Mackenzie Fleschner (mod), Annie Fleschner, Kay Ericson
Several series are running concurrently. Engage in a discussion about Lower Decks, Prodigy, Strange New Worlds, Section 31, and Starfleet Academy. Participants: Brittany Ann Kerschner, Jim McMahon, Wes Huntington, Kirsten Hazel Roepke-Larsen (mod), Justin Edward Grays
Join us to discuss the highlights of horror media that has come out since CVG2024. Participants: Charlene Holm, Stephanie Olson, Randee Dawn, Ann Laabs, Molly Glover (mod)
Oh heavens, our lovelies, this blows! Let's have a discussion about hormones, oral and otherwise, diet and best practices to get us through these very difficult times. Participants: Renate Fiora, Jai Negri, Kendrick Edmund Cronin, Shannan Paul (mod), Annie Fleschner
And again, the English language is treated with great violence in a space safe from flying fruit. Participants: Edward Eastman (mod), Margaret Eastman, Brian LaBounty, Bob Alberti
Why do you feel different drinking tea versus coffee? Let's talk about caffeine in all its different forms. Participants: KitKat (mod), Robert Gounley, Laura Okagaki, Shaun L Larsen, Katarina R Larsen
Saturday July 5, 2025 11:30pm - Sunday July 6, 2025 12:30am CDT Hyatt 2 Greenway I
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
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
Presented by The DreamStitcher (who has over 40 years of professional sewing experience), she will give you information about sewing costumes that you can't always find on the internet. She's done all the "mistakes" so you don't have to! Participants: Rae Lundquist (mod), Elizabeth Sloan, Gerald Dagle
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, Joseph Lee, Lisa Hario, Danith McPherson (mod), Justin Octavian Rose
