# DemiCon

DemiCon is an annual volunteer-run science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention held in Des Moines, Iowa, in late April/early May. The convention was first held in 1990.
DemiCon's host organization is the Des Moines Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc. (DMSFFS), 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:
* Opening Ceremonies, including a performance by Trans-Iowa Canal Company
* Gaming
* Masquerade and Cosplay (a structured and staged costume contest)
* Hall Costume contests (informal, no staging)
* Art show
* Dealers' room
* Panels with the Guests of Honor
* Presentations by musical guests and professional guests
* Consuite
* Room parties
* Closing Ceremonies
In addition to the staples listed above, DemiCon offers parallel-programming (also known as multiple-track sessions) 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 (attendee) might experience:
* Music room featuring filking
* Gaming competitions with prizes (from board games to electronic games)
* Live Action Role Playing (LARP)
* Fhannish Film Festival
* Venue D (open-mike entertainment)
* Discussions of literature, television, movies, media
* Panels on science, technology, and the future
* Steampunk and alternate history activities
* Anime programming and cosplay
* Children's programming
* Teen Lounge
* Presentations pertaining to a wide variety of hobbies and activities, such as:
** needlework show-and-tell
** home-brew tasting and judging
** belly dancing
** defending the world against zombies
* Demonstrations of costume and prop construction
* Iowa's Writers Forum
* Live theatrical performances, such as "TICC After Dark"
* Video room
* Blood drive
* Scavenger hunt

## Venues

DemiCon has always made its home in the metro area of Des Moines, Iowa, US.
DemiCon 1 through DemiCon 7 in 1990 to 1996 were held at the Howard Johnson (which is now the Holiday Inn Northwest) 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 (which is now Sheraton).
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.
| Year | No. | Theme | Author Guest of Honor | Artist Guest of Honor | Fan Guest of Honor | Music Guest of Honor | Toastmaster |
| 2023 | 34 | Starbase DemiCon: A New World | Rachel Aukes | Carter Allen | (none) | Cheshire Moon | Mitch Thompson |
| 2022 | 33 | The After | Cory Doctorow | Andy Brase | John Johnson | | Tadao Tomomatsu |
| 2021 | 32 | Super Manga Graphic Novels Comics Animation | Lettie Prell | Alison Johnstun; David Pancake | Orlando Winters; Dana Hinterleitner and Bruce Hinterleitner | | Susan Leabhart; Mitch Thompson |
| 2020 | 31 | Legion of DemiCon | Lettie Prell | David Pancake | Dana Hinterleitner and Bruce Hinterleitner | | Mitch Thompson |
| 2019 | 30 | It's About Time | Gail Carriger -- with Timeless GOHs Gay & Joe Haldeman | John Picacio | Becky Kinnamon & David Winterton | | Susan Leabhart |
| 2018 | 29 | Down the Rabbit Hole | Christina Henry | Christine Mitzuk | Susan Leabhart | | Mitch Thompson |
| 2017 | 28 | Heroes Shall Rise | Lars Pearson | Ron Wagner | Richard Harper | | Susan Leabhart |
| 2016 | 27 | Zombies Always Ring Twice | Adam J. Whitlatch | Alan M. Clark | Gary and Erin Wickering | | Tadao Tomomatsu |
| 2015 | 26 | The Magical World of DemiCon | Jim C. Hines | Megan Lara | Michelle Clark | | Tadao Tomomatsu |
| 2014 | 25 | Hi-Yo, Silver! Celebrate Away! | Tee Morris | Lojo Russo | Kevin Roche and Andy Trembley | | Susan Leabhart |
| 2013 | 24 | 24-Karat DemiCon: Celebrating the Golden Age of Science Fiction | David Weber | Scott Ross | Mitch and Mary Thompson | | Dennis Lynch |
| 2012 | 23 | Full Moon Fantasy | Patricia Briggs | Allen Williams | Ange and Brian Anderson | | Tadao Tomomatsu |
| 2011 | 22 | Here Be Dragons | Sarah Prineas | Sarah Clemens | John and Denise Garner | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2010 | 21 | Everything is Better with Pirates | Karl Schroeder | Don Maitz | Gregg Parmentier | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2009 | 20 | All My Cons Remembered | Joe Haldeman | Sara Butcher | Roger Tener | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2008 | 19 | Back Where We Belong | Steven Barnes | Mitchell Davidson Bentley | Joe and Inger Myers | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2007 | 18 | You Can Go Home Again...Just Use Your Imagination | Catherine Asaro | Theresa Mather | Steve Houle (aka Wookie) | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2006 | 17 | Enter the Twilight Zone of Imagination | Frederik Pohl | Janet Chui | Ted Poovey and Darice Schirber-Poovey | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2005 | 16 | Life, the Universe, and DemiCon | Brad Linaweaver | Mike Cole | Sheila Lenkman and Scott Corwin | | Tadao Tomomatsu and Toastmaster Emeritus Rusty Hevelin |
| 2004 | 15 | DemiCon-A-Fan-alistic-XV-Fun-A-Liscious | Emma Bull and Will Shetterly | Alan Gutierrez | Rusty Hevelin | | Tadao Tomomatsu |
| 2003 | 14 | Contemplating the FUTURE | Octavia E. Butler | Lubov | Lynda Sherman | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 2002 | 13 | Con of the Living Dead | F. Paul Wilson | Alan M. Clark | Dennis Lynch | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 2001 | 12 | DemiCon 2001: A Con Oddity | Harry Harrison | Sergey Poyarkov | Tadao Tomomatsu | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 2000 | 11 | Y2K Compliance is Futile. This One Goes to Eleven. | Lois McMaster Bujold | Susan Van Camp | Alois and Wendy Tschampl | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1999 | 10 | Generation X: Too Old to be Neos...Too Young to be Nostalgic! | Spider Robinson and Jeanne Robinson | Néné Thomas | Bill Broughton | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1998 | 9 | Plan Nine from Des Moines | George Alec Effinger | William J. Hodgson | Marshall and Dee Willis | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1997 | 8 | Sorry, But We've Chosen Not to Become Evolved - Supporting Your Eternal Right to Entropy | Barbara Hambly | Mitchell Davidson Bentley | Charles Piehl | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1996 | 7 | God 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 Budrys | Keith Berdak | Otto and Ruth Sheller | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1995 | 6 | The Undiscovered Con | Roger Zelazny | | Wilson Tucker | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1994 | 5 | The Fifth of DemiCon: The Smoothest Convention Around | Glen Cook | David Lee Anderson | Pierre and Sandy Pettinger | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1993 | 4 | The Dawn of Fan | Mickey Zucker Reichert | Erin McKee | Mark Moore | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1992 | 3 | My God! - It's Full of Stars | Rob Chilson | David Cherry | Myrna Logan (The Dragon Lady) | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1991 | 2 | The Voyage Continues | Joe Haldeman | Lucy Synk | Gay Haldeman | | Rusty Hevelin |
| 1990 | 1 | Witness the Birth | C. J. Cherryh | J.R. Daniels | | | Rusty Hevelin |