DemiCon


DemiCon is an annual volunteer-run science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention held in Des Moines, Iowa, in early May. The convention was first held in 1990.
DemiCon's host organization is the , a nonprofit group that promotes literacy, science, and the arts, especially through the enjoyment of science fiction and fantasy.

Inception

DemiCon was founded in 1990 by fans who learned the trade from the likes of Joe Haldeman and graduates of his University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. These fans had formed the Des Moines Science Fiction Society in 1989, and at their first meeting, included a convention among their goals.
The event's name, DemiCon, is derived from the words "Des Moines Convention."

Programming and Activities

DemiCon's decades of growth have led to a wide variety of programming, but some of the offerings remain consistent from year to year. The following programming is standard fare at each DemiCon:
In addition to the staples listed above, DemiCon offers parallel-programming that can include many diverse topics from Anime to Zombies. DemiCon is a family-friendly event, and offers a wide range of activities with appeal across generations of sci-fi and fantasy fans. A DemiCon member might experience:
DemiCon has always made its home in the metro area of Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
DemiCon 1 through DemiCon 7 in 1990 to 1996 were held at the Howard Johnson on Merle Hay Road. This was also the venue for DemiCon 9 in 1998.
The Inn at University was the venue for DemiCon 8 and 10 in 1997 and 1999.
For DemiCon 11 in 2000 through DemiCon 13 in 2002, the location was the University Park Holiday Inn in West Des Moines.
The Hotel Fort Des Moines in the downtown area was the site of DemiCon 14 through 20 in 2003 through 2009.
In 2010, DemiCon 21 returned to its original location at the Holiday Inn Northwest. This is slated to be the convention's site through DemiCon 35 in 2024.

Guests of Honor and Themes

The following table lists the annual themes, and the guests that have honored DemiCon since the event was founded.
YearNo.ThemeAuthor Guest of HonorArtist Guest of HonorFan Guest of HonorToastmaster
202031Legion of DemiContbatbatbatba
201930It's About TimeGail Carriger -- with Timeless GOHs Gay & Joe HaldemanJohn PicacioBecky Kinnamon & David WintertonSusan Leabhart
201829Down the Rabbit HoleChristina HenryChristine MitzukSusan LeabhartMitch Thompson
201728Heroes Shall RiseLars PearsonRon WagnerRichard HarperSusan Leabhart
201627Zombies Always Ring TwiceAlan M. ClarkGary and Erin WickeringTadao Tomomatsu
201526The Magical World of DemiConJim C. HinesMichelle ClarkTadao Tomomatsu
201425Hi-Yo, Silver! Celebrate Away!Tee MorrisKevin Roche and Andy TrembleySusan Leabhart
20132424-Karat DemiCon: Celebrating the Golden Age of Science FictionDavid WeberMitch and Mary ThompsonDennis Lynch
201223Full Moon FantasyPatricia BriggsAnge and Brian AndersonTadao Tomomatsu
201122Here Be DragonsSarah PrineasJohn and Denise GarnerTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
201021Everything is Better with PiratesKarl SchroederDon MaitzGregg ParmentierTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200920All My Cons RememberedJoe HaldemanRoger TenerTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200819Back Where We BelongSteven BarnesJoe and Inger MyersTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200718You Can Go Home Again...Just Use Your ImaginationCatherine AsaroSteve Houle Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200617Enter the Twilight Zone of ImaginationFrederik PohlTed Poovey and Darice Schirber-PooveyTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200516Life, the Universe, and DemiConBrad LinaweaverSheila Lenkman and Scott CorwinTadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin
200415DemiCon-A-Fan-alistic-XV-Fun-A-LisciousEmma Bull and Will ShetterlyRusty HevelinTadao Tomomatsu
200314Contemplating the FUTUREOctavia E. ButlerLubovLynda ShermanRusty Hevelin
200213Con of the Living DeadF. Paul WilsonAlan M. ClarkDennis LynchRusty Hevelin
200112DemiCon 2001: A Con OddityHarry HarrisonTadao TomomatsuRusty Hevelin
200011Y2K Compliance is Futile. This One Goes to Eleven.Lois McMaster BujoldSusan Van CampAlois and Wendy TschamplRusty Hevelin
199910Generation X: Too Old to be Neos...Too Young to be Nostalgic!Spider Robinson and Jeanne RobinsonBill BroughtonRusty Hevelin
19989Plan Nine from Des MoinesGeorge Alec EffingerMarshall and Dee WillisRusty Hevelin
19978Sorry, But We've Chosen Not to Become Evolved - Supporting Your Eternal Right to EntropyBarbara HamblyCharles PiehlRusty Hevelin
19967God created the heavens and the earth in 6 days...DemiCon VII. We may have taken 6 years with DemiCon, but on the Seventh Con, We'll Party.Algis BudrysKeith BerdakOtto and Ruth ShellerRusty Hevelin
19956The Undiscovered ConRoger ZelaznyWilson TuckerRusty Hevelin
19945The Fifth of DemiCon: The Smoothest Convention AroundGlen CookPierre and Sandy PettingerRusty Hevelin
19934The Dawn of FanMickey Zucker ReichertErin McKeeMark MooreRusty Hevelin
19923My God! - It's Full of StarsRob ChilsonDavid CherryMyrna Logan Rusty Hevelin
19912The Voyage ContinuesJoe HaldemanGay HaldemanRusty Hevelin
19901Witness the BirthC. J. CherryhJ.R. DanielsRusty Hevelin