CONvergence facts for kids

Quick facts for kids CONvergence
Status	Active
Genre	Multi-genre convention Science fiction convention Fantasy convention Speculative fiction Fan convention
Frequency	Yearly
Venue	Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Location(s)	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates	44°58′17″N 93°16′39″W / 44.9712981°N 93.2773887°W / 44.9712981; -93.2773887
Country	United States
Years active	26
Inaugurated	July 2, 1999 (1999-07-02)
Most recent	July 4, 2019
Next event	August 5, 2021
Participants	&&&&&&&&&&&05597.&&&&&05,597 (2019)
Budget	&&&&&&&&&0400000.&&&&&0400,000
Organized by	Convergence Events, Inc.
Filing status	Non-profit

CONvergence is a super fun event that happens every year for fans of many different types of stories! It's run by amazing volunteers who are fans themselves. This big gathering is especially for people who love Science Fiction and Fantasy, whether it's in books, movies, games, or comics. Their cool motto is "where science fiction and reality meet".

It's one of the biggest events like this in North America, with about 6,000 people joining in! The 2019 CONvergence event lasted four days and was held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Awesome Things to Do at CONvergence

CONvergence is famous for many cool activities and places you can visit during the event.

Art and Shopping

Daren Dochterman drawing Enterprise

• The CONvergence Art Show displays amazing art from artists all over the country. You can even bid on some pieces in a live or silent auction!
• The Artists Alley is a special spot where artists can create custom art just for you.
• The Dealers Room is a huge area filled with vendors selling unique crafts, cool clothes, and awesome collectibles.
• A Charity Auction helps raise money for fun community activities run by the Geek Partnership Society.
• You can also buy official CONvergence stuff, like branded goods and special clothes to remember the event.

Fun Social Spots

Bob "Roadkill" Aiken dressed as Swamp Thing, with creator Len Wein, at CONvergence 2005

• The convention is well-known for its themed room parties, hosted by different fan groups. Each party room is unique, with its own special theme. The walls are often covered with ads for all the different parties!
• The Space Lounge is a futuristic place with a space theme. It has music, entertainment, and cool drinks.
• There are several areas for gaming at CONvergence. You can play board games, card games, and roleplaying games. The gaming zone also offers computer games, tabletop games, and even the Artemis Spaceship Bridge Simulator, where you can pretend to fly a spaceship!
• The CONvergence Teen Room is a special place just for members who are between 13 and 20 years old.

Cool Shows and Screenings

• Harmonic CONvergence features live music, spoken word performances, burlesque, and comedy shows.
• Cinema Rex is a comfy movie room with couches and sofas. It shows popular movies, short films, and even film festivals. Plus, they have free drinks, popcorn, and candy!
• Theater Nippon plays a variety of classic and new anime movies. You can also get free drinks, popcorn, and candy here.

Food and Drinks

CONvergence members can visit the ConSuite, which offers free rice and soups for most of the day. You can also grab candies, veggies, fruits, and chips around the clock. Other hospitality rooms are available, like the COF₂E₂ Coffee Shop. There's also a Volunteers Den with hot food for members who help out at the event.

Main Events

CONvergence has many different activities happening at the same time. These fill up several rooms with discussions, speeches, demonstrations, awards, and movie showings.

Panel Discussions

Experts like cartoonist John Kovalic (left) and author Brian Keene (right) discuss who would win in a fight: Frankenstein's Monster or Cookie Monster.

Panels are scheduled for each day, covering many different topics. Most panels are group discussions where experts talk in front of an audience. Some are more interactive or involve performances.

Big Stage Events

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies happen on the Main Stage. This is also where live performances and other events that need a lot of space take place.

Masquerade

The famous Masquerade event is held on Saturday night. It's a show where people display their amazing costumes and cosplay creations, often with short skits.

Music and Dances

Sometimes, live music is played on the Main Stage. Dances and raves are often scheduled for late at night in this area.

Mascots

The main mascot of CONvergence is a robot girl named "Connie". Sometimes, Connie's mischievous younger sister, "Connie Mk. II", tries to cause trouble!

Special Guests

Emily Hagins

Just like most science fiction conventions, CONvergence invites a few special guests each year. These guests are often famous authors, artists, actors, or creators from the worlds of science fiction and fantasy.

History of CONvergence

The idea for CONvergence started at a party held over 25 years ago at another event called Minicon 33. At that party, 500 people signed up early for the first CONvergence in 1999! The team planning the event celebrated one year before the first convention with a picnic.

Images for kids

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  Daren Dochterman drawing Enterprise