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CONvergence (convention)
Encyclopedia
CONvergence is a 4000+ member (4,980 registrations in 2011) speculative fiction
/fan convention
held annually on the first weekend in July in Minnesota
, United States
. The convention began in 1999 at the Bloomington
Radisson South Hotel and continues to be held every year at the same location, known through 2011 as the Sheraton
Bloomington. CONvergence 2011 was the final event for the Sheraton before its rebranding as Doubletree by Hilton
Bloomington - Minneapolis South on July 12. This location has been used by local fandom for a variety of conventions, including Minicon
and MarsCon
.
arts/alternative newspaper. It has appeared in "Best of the Cities" in each consecutive year afterward until 2011 (when no award was given for "best fan convention" or "best annual convention").
CONvergence runs many parallel programming tracks, filling several convention rooms simultaneously with panels, speeches, demonstrations, recognitions, and screenings. It is one of the most-attended fan-run conventions in North America, with paid attendance exceeding 4,500.
The convention is also known for several unique attractions including Cinema Rex, a couch and recliner-filled movie room; Theater Nippon, featuring anime
; Connie's Space Lounge, a music and entertainment venue; COF2E2, a coffee bar; CONsuite, hospitality and food; Harmonic CONvergence, which features musical acts; and the Dorian Gray Memorial Literary Lounge, a reading/writing setting.
There is also gaming
(board
, card
, and roleplaying
), an art show, a dealer's room (where one can buy everything from swords
to comics
to action figures), all-night bardic music circles, and dozens of room parties of various themes. The walls of the convention are usually plastered with advertisements for different parties.
"Connie", who is occasionally opposed by Connie's scheming younger sister, "Connie Mk. II". An inflatable tyrannosaur named Rex serves as Cinema Rex's mascot and is often involved in the Masquerade as well.
1999 - "After All, it's Just a Party"
2000 - "No one can tell you what CONvergence is... you have to experience it for yourself." (The Matrix
and similar fiction)
(this is the only CONvergence not to be held at the Bloomington Radisson/Sheraton/DoubleTree. This CONvergence was held at the Radisson in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota
)
2001 - "Curioser and Curioser" (Alice in Wonderland
and similar fiction)
2002 - "If Adventure Has A Name..." (Adventure themes in speculative fiction)
2003 - "Time Flies" (Time travel)
2004 - "Out of the Shadows" (The dark side of speculative fiction)
2005 - "Snikt! Bamf! Thwip!" (Super-heroes and comic books)
2006 - "Boldly Go." (space exploration)
(Originally, Gary Russell had been scheduled to attend but had to decline due to conflicting obligations)
2007 - "Creature Feature" (horror and monsters)
2008 - "Ten Years 1999-2008" (10th CONvergence)
(Originally, Bernie Wrightson
had been scheduled to attend as one of the many returning guests of honor for year ten, but was unable to do so at the last minute.)
2009 - "This Con Goes to 11" (Humor in Science-Fiction and Fantasy, also the 11th CONvergence)
2010 - "Bring on the Bad Guys" (12th CONvergence)
2011 - "Tomorrow through the Past" (13th CONvergence)
CONvergence 2011 was the last event held at the Sheraton Minneapolis South before it changed brands to Doubletree
on July 12.
2012 - "Wonder Women" (Female creators and characters of Science Fiction)
Guests of Honor to be announced
and Interstate 494
, the Doubletree Bloomington - Minneapolis South is the location of the convention. Convergence has grown so large that the convention handles booking for the entire Doubletree hotel for the 4-day-weekend. Since the 2010 convention cycle, an online hotel room reservation system was established. For those who miss out on rooms, CONvergence also secured room blocs at the Sofitel, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge, and other hotels nearby. Adjacent to the hotel one may eat like royalty at either Burger King or Dairy Queen. A T.G.I. Friday's restaurant is in the parking lot. An adjacent strip mall contains a Caribou Coffee, Subway, and Cheetah Pizza, which is always closed. Address is 7800 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439.
Speculative fiction
Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as...
/fan convention
Fan convention
A fan convention, or con , is an event in which fans of a particular film, television series, comic book, actor, or an entire genre of entertainment such as science fiction or anime and manga, gather to participate and hold programs and other events, and to meet experts, famous personalities, and...
held annually on the first weekend in July in Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The convention began in 1999 at the Bloomington
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
Radisson South Hotel and continues to be held every year at the same location, known through 2011 as the Sheraton
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
Sheraton Hotels and Resorts is Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide's largest and second oldest brand . Starwood's headquarters are in White Plains, New York.-Sheraton history:...
Bloomington. CONvergence 2011 was the final event for the Sheraton before its rebranding as Doubletree by Hilton
Doubletree
.Doubletree by Hilton is a worldwide brand of upscale, full-service hotels and resorts trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. There are currently more than 220 locations with 55,000 rooms worldwide in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, China, United Kingdom, Italy, Slovakia, Tanzania, Norway...
Bloomington - Minneapolis South on July 12. This location has been used by local fandom for a variety of conventions, including Minicon
Minicon
Minicon is a science fiction and fantasy convention in Minneapolis usually held on Easter weekend. Started in 1968 and running approximately annually since then, it is one of the oldest science fiction conventions in the midwest United States...
and MarsCon
MarsCon (Bloomington, Minnesota)
MarsCon is a science fiction convention held in Bloomington, Minnesota. It was first held in February 1999 with the goal of appealing to a diverse audience of fans in Minnesota and the vicinity...
.
Four Day Convention
The 2008 event was the tenth CONvergence, and the convention theme was centered around that fact, with another day of events (Thursday, July 3, 2008) added to the schedule. This convention was so successful that the four-day schedule permanently replaced the three-day schedule, fulfilling an invitation extended by the hosting venue during 2008's closing ceremonies. (The idea originated with guest of honor Michael Sheard, who stated during closing ceremonies that he enjoyed the convention so much he wished it went on for five days; this request was technically fulfilled in 2008 by holding the convention's last official panel at 12:01 on Monday morning.) In 2008, CONvergence was voted "Best Fan Convention" by the City PagesCity Pages
City Pages is an alternative weekly newspaper serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. It features news, film, theatre and restaurant reviews, and music criticism. It is printed in a tabloid format, and is available free every Wednesday...
arts/alternative newspaper. It has appeared in "Best of the Cities" in each consecutive year afterward until 2011 (when no award was given for "best fan convention" or "best annual convention").
Attractions
The convention is also known for several unique attractions including Cinema Rex, a couch and recliner-filled movie room; Theater Nippon, featuring anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
; Connie's Space Lounge, a music and entertainment venue; COF2E2, a coffee bar; CONsuite, hospitality and food; Harmonic CONvergence, which features musical acts; and the Dorian Gray Memorial Literary Lounge, a reading/writing setting.
There is also gaming
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
(board
Board game
A board game is a game which involves counters or pieces being moved on a pre-marked surface or "board", according to a set of rules. Games may be based on pure strategy, chance or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal which a player aims to achieve...
, card
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
, and roleplaying
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
), an art show, a dealer's room (where one can buy everything from swords
Swords
A sword is a cutting/thrusting weapon made of metal. Sword or swords may also refer to:* Swords, County Dublin, Ireland* Suit of swords, a suit in Latin-suited playing cards and Tarot decks* SWORDS, a ground-based military robot...
to comics
Comics
Comics denotes a hybrid medium having verbal side of its vocabulary tightly tied to its visual side in order to convey narrative or information only, the latter in case of non-fiction comics, seeking synergy by using both visual and verbal side in...
to action figures), all-night bardic music circles, and dozens of room parties of various themes. The walls of the convention are usually plastered with advertisements for different parties.
Parties
The Convention is famous for its themed room parties given by various community and fan groups. Two levels of cabana rooms surrounding a pool and activity area are filled each year with parties as many convention goers make the rounds from party to party, each with varied themes.Mascots
The con's mascot is the gynoidGynoid
A gynoid is anything which resembles or pertains to the female human form. It is also used in American English medical terminology as a shortening of the term Gynecoid ....
"Connie", who is occasionally opposed by Connie's scheming younger sister, "Connie Mk. II". An inflatable tyrannosaur named Rex serves as Cinema Rex's mascot and is often involved in the Masquerade as well.
Annual themes and guests of honor
The number in parentheses after each guest's name is how many times they have been a CONvergence guest of honor as of the year in question.1999 - "After All, it's Just a Party"
- Forrest J. Ackerman† (1) - SF historian and collector
- Pam Keesey (1) - Author of Vamps! and other fiction
- Harry KnowlesHarry KnowlesHarry Knowles is known for his website called Ain't It Cool News. Knowles is a member of the Austin Film Critics Association.-Biography:...
(1) - of Ain't It Cool NewsAin't It Cool NewsAin't It Cool News is a website founded and run by Harry Knowles, dedicated to news, rumors and reviews of upcoming and currently playing films and television projects, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic-book and action genres... - Jay Knowles (1) - of Ain't It Cool News
- Gordon PurcellGordon PurcellGordon Purcell is an American comic book artist, perhaps best known for his Star Trek work, in particular his photorealistic renditions of the actors who play that franchise’s characters, as well as those of similarly licensed books, such as X-Files, Xena, Lost in Space, Godzilla, The Young...
(1) - Comic book artist - Gary RussellGary RussellGary James Russell is a freelance writer and former child actor. As a writer, he is best known for his work in connection with the television series Doctor Who and its spin-offs in other media...
(1) - Producer of the Doctor Who audio series
2000 - "No one can tell you what CONvergence is... you have to experience it for yourself." (The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
and similar fiction)
(this is the only CONvergence not to be held at the Bloomington Radisson/Sheraton/DoubleTree. This CONvergence was held at the Radisson in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
)
- Neil GaimanNeil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
(1) - Author of books, comics and film - Peg KerrPeg KerrPeg Kerr is a US fantasy author.She was born in a suburb of Chicago and moved to Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College. She received an M.A. in English Literature in 1990, specializing in speculative fiction...
(1) - Award-winning author - Regina Pancake (1) - Hollywood prop creator
- Ruth Thompson (1) - Fantasy artist
- Keith ToppingKeith ToppingKeith Andrew Topping , is an author, journalist and broadcaster most closely associated with his work relating to the BBC Television series Doctor Who and for writing numerous official and unofficial guide books to a wide variety of television and film series, specifically Buffy the Vampire...
(1) - Author of Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
novels and more - Cast and crew of Go To Hell! (1)
2001 - "Curioser and Curioser" (Alice in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. It tells of a girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures...
and similar fiction)
- Harry Knowles (2) - Movie critic and web entrepreneur
- Peter MayhewPeter MayhewPeter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Career:...
(1) - ChewbaccaChewbaccaChewbacca, also known as Chewie, is a character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by Peter Mayhew. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
in Star Wars - Michael SheardMichael SheardMichael Sheard was a Scottish actor who featured in a large number of films and television programmes.-Early life:...
† (1) - British SF movie and television actor - Eleanor ArnasonEleanor ArnasonEleanor Atwood Arnason is an American author of science fiction novels and short stories.Arnason is the daughter of H. Harvard Arnason, who became the director of the Walker Art Center in 1951, and Elizabeth Yard Arnason, a social worker by profession who has spent her childhood in China...
(1) - Award-winning author - Crist BallasCrist BallasCrist Ballas is a make-up artist for major motion pictures and special events. His recent television and movie credits include The Love Guru, The Forbidden Kingdom, The Warlords, Sweet Land, Changhen ge, Planetfall, Collateral Damage, Let's Bowl, Sugar & Spice, The 6th Day, and Reindeer Games...
(1) - Movie makeup artist - Jay Knowles (1) - Web entrepreneur
- C.H. Morgan (1) - Science fiction and fantasy artist
2002 - "If Adventure Has A Name..." (Adventure themes in speculative fiction)
- Diane DuaneDiane DuaneDiane Duane is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Her works include the Young Wizards young adult fantasy series and the Rihannsu Star Trek novels.-Biography :...
(1) - Popular author of books and television - Peter MorwoodPeter MorwoodPeter Morwood is primarily a fantasy novelist and screenwriter, though he has also written works of science fiction. His best-known works include the Horse Lords series and the Tales of Old Russia series.-Biography :...
(1) - Science fiction and fantasy author - Mark AltmanMark A. AltmanMark A. Altman is a film producer, screenwriter and actor. In 1998, he won Best New Writer at AFI Fest. His credits include:*DOA: Dead or Alive *The Specials *Free Enterprise...
(1) - Co-creator of Free EnterpriseFree Enterprise (film)Free Enterprise is a 1999 romantic comedy film starring Eric McCormack and Rafer Weigel, and featuring William Shatner, directed by Robert Meyer Burnett and written by Mark A...
and "Trekspert" - Robert Meyer BurnettRobert Meyer BurnettRobert Meyer Burnett is an award-winning filmmaker and DVD producer. He directed Free Enterprise and the short film, The Sacred Fire. He has also edited over 10 feature films and worked as a Star Trek consultant for Viacom Interactive and Paramount Parks' Star Trek: The Experience located at the...
(1) - Co-creator of Free EnterpriseFree Enterprise (film)Free Enterprise is a 1999 romantic comedy film starring Eric McCormack and Rafer Weigel, and featuring William Shatner, directed by Robert Meyer Burnett and written by Mark A...
and director - Nene Thomas (1) - Popular award-winning fantasy artist
- Daren DochtermanDaren DochtermanDaren R. Dochterman is an award-winning illustrator and set-designer for the silver screen. He illustrated for Get Smart, Rush Hour 3, Monster House, Poseidon, Sky High, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and is otherwise credited with The Chronicles of Riddick, The Terminal, Dr...
(1) - Designer and illustrator for over 35 feature films - Adam 'Mojo' Lebowitz (1) - author and former lead animation supervisor for Foundation ImagingFoundation ImagingFoundation Imaging was a CGI visual effects studio, computer animation studio, and post-production editing facility that pioneered digital imaging for television programming using Newtek's LightWave 3D on Commodore Amiga based Video Toaster workstations. Founded by Paul Beigle-Bryant and Ron...
2003 - "Time Flies" (Time travel)
- Michael SheardMichael SheardMichael Sheard was a Scottish actor who featured in a large number of films and television programmes.-Early life:...
† (2) - Actor in Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, Last Crusade, and many other projects - Andrew ProbertAndrew ProbertAndrew Probert is an artist who is best known for designing the USS Enterprise for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the Enterprise-D for Star Trek: The Next Generation....
(1) - Production designer for Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise... - Eric FlintEric FlintEric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
(1) - Author and editor of many great books - John KovalicJohn KovalicJohn Kovalic is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer.Kovalic is best known for his Dork Tower comic book, comic strip and webcomic, and other humorous work set in and about the fantasy role-playing game genre, such as The Unspeakable Oaf...
(1) - Dork TowerDork TowerDork Tower is an online comic created, written and drawn by John Kovalic. It chronicles the lives of a group of geeks living in the fictional town of Mud Bay, Wisconsin. Mud Bay's design is strongly influenced by the author's home town of Madison, Wisconsin. Topics have included role-playing...
and Dork Storm Press - Katherine KurtzKatherine KurtzKatherine Kurtz is the author of numerous fantasy novels, most notably the Deryni novels. Although born in America, for the past several years, up until just recently, she has lived in a castle in Ireland...
(1) - Author of the DeryniDeryniThe Deryni are a fictional race of humans who possess a variety of psychic and magical abilities in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz...
trilogies and stories
2004 - "Out of the Shadows" (The dark side of speculative fiction)
- Denise Garner (1) - Romantic fantasy artist
- David GerroldDavid GerroldJerrold David Friedman , better known by his pen name David Gerrold, is an American science fiction author who started his career in 1966 while a college student by submitting an unsolicited story outline for the television series Star Trek. He was invited to submit several premises, and the one...
(1) - Science fiction/fantasy author of many books - Larry NivenLarry NivenLaurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
(1) - Author of many science fiction books, including the RingworldRingworldRingworld is a Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning 1970 science fiction novel by Larry Niven, set in his Known Space universe and considered a classic of science fiction literature. It is followed by three sequels, and preceded by four prequels, and ties into numerous other books set in Known Space...
series - Vincent Truitner (1) - Animation and CGI artist
- Christian ColquhounChristian ColquhounChristian Colquhoun is a mechanical designer who has navigated his career into toy design, prop design and construction, special effects, mechanical effects makeup, and miniatures for motion pictures, television, and other forms of media, working for Mattel, Boss Film, Stetson Visual Services, New...
(1) - Physical effects artist - Crist BallasCrist BallasCrist Ballas is a make-up artist for major motion pictures and special events. His recent television and movie credits include The Love Guru, The Forbidden Kingdom, The Warlords, Sweet Land, Changhen ge, Planetfall, Collateral Damage, Let's Bowl, Sugar & Spice, The 6th Day, and Reindeer Games...
(2) - Physical effects artist
- Len WeinLen WeinLen Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
(1) - Writer for comics and animation, creator of Swamp ThingSwamp ThingSwamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
, NightcrawlerNightcrawler (comics)Nightcrawler is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
, and WolverineWolverine (comics)Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing... - Dr. Jim Kakalios (1) - University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
physicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
professor, author of The Science of Superheros - Mercedes LackeyMercedes LackeyMercedes "Misty" Lackey is a best-selling American author of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar...
(1) - Author of many popular novels, including the Valdemar and Bardic Voices series and folk music lyricist - Larry Dixon (1) - Co-author of Mage WarsMage WarsMage Wars is a fantasy tabletop wargame. Mage Wars was first developed in 2007 by Bryan Pope and is scheduled for release in 2012 by game publisher Arcane Wonders....
and Dariens Tale series, author of many short stories and game material and fantasy artist - Marv WolfmanMarv WolfmanMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
(1) - Writer for comics and animation, creator of BladeBlade (comics)Blade is a fictional character, a superhero/vampire hunter in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, his first appearance was in the comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10 as a supporting character.The character went on to alternatively star and co-star...
, Bullseye, and The New Teen Titans - Harry and Jay Knowles (3) - Ain't It Cool News
2006 - "Boldly Go." (space exploration)
- Eric FlintEric FlintEric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
(2) - Author and editor of many great books - J.G. Hertzler (1) - actor on Star Trek as General Martok
- Ken Hite (1) - role-playing game author and designer
- Bridget LandryBridget LandryBridget Landry is a deputy uplink systems engineer who works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She worked on the Topex, Hubble Space Telescope, Cassini–Huygens, and Mars Pathfinder missions...
(1) - astronomer and engineer on the Cassini probe mission - Robert O'ReillyRobert O'ReillyRobert O'Reilly is an American film, stage and television actor who has appeared in a variety of roles. He is known to Star Trek fans most notably for his recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Chancellor Gowron, the leader of the Klingon Empire.-Early...
(1) - Actor in many well-known science fiction TV series including Star Trek as Chancellor Gowron - Miles TevesMiles TevesMiles Teves is a Hollywood artist and conceptual designer who works on television productions, films, and computer games. He illustrated the role-playing game, Jorune in the mid-1980s. Since then, his work has been more for the silver screen...
(1) - set designer - David WeberDavid WeberDavid Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Weber and his wife Sharon live in Greenville, South Carolina with their three children and "a passel of dogs"....
(1) - author of military science-fiction - Greg WeismanGreg WeismanGreg Weisman is an American comic book and animation writer and producer, best known as the creator of Gargoyles and as the Supervising Producer of The Spectacular Spider-Man. Weisman is currently a producer on the Young Justice animated series...
(1) - TV and comic book writer
(Originally, Gary Russell had been scheduled to attend but had to decline due to conflicting obligations)
2007 - "Creature Feature" (horror and monsters)
- Emily HaginsEmily HaginsEmily Hagins , is an Austin based filmmaker, who is most famous for directing the 2006 independent feature film, Pathogen at the age of 12.-Biography:She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and moved to Austin, Texas in 1992....
(1) - Writer and director of the zombieZombieZombie is a term used to denote an animated corpse brought back to life by mystical means such as witchcraft. The term is often figuratively applied to describe a hypnotized person bereft of consciousness and self-awareness, yet ambulant and able to respond to surrounding stimuli...
movie "Pathogen" - Brian KeeneBrian KeeneBrian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards.- Background :Keene was born in 1967. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and many of his books take place in these locales. After graduating high school, he...
(1) - Author - Bernie WrightsonBernie WrightsonBernie "Berni" Wrightson is an American artist known for his horror illustrations and comic books.-Biography:...
(1) - Comic book artist, co-creator of Swamp Thing - Lois McMaster BujoldLois McMaster BujoldLois McMaster Bujold is an American author of science fiction and fantasy works. Bujold is one of the most acclaimed writers in her field, having won the prestigious Hugo Award for best novel four times, matching Robert A. Heinlein's record. Her novella The Mountains of Mourning won both the Hugo...
(1) - Science Fiction and Fantasy Author - Wally WingertWally WingertWallace E. "Wally" Wingert is an American actor and voice artist. He is originally from Des Moines, Iowa but he currently works and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is the current announcer for the second incarnation of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the current voice of Jon Arbuckle in...
(1) - Voice Actor - John KovalicJohn KovalicJohn Kovalic is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer.Kovalic is best known for his Dork Tower comic book, comic strip and webcomic, and other humorous work set in and about the fantasy role-playing game genre, such as The Unspeakable Oaf...
(2) - Dork Tower, Out of the Box Games
2008 - "Ten Years 1999-2008" (10th CONvergence)
- Crist BallasCrist BallasCrist Ballas is a make-up artist for major motion pictures and special events. His recent television and movie credits include The Love Guru, The Forbidden Kingdom, The Warlords, Sweet Land, Changhen ge, Planetfall, Collateral Damage, Let's Bowl, Sugar & Spice, The 6th Day, and Reindeer Games...
(3) - make-up artist, Previous Guest of Honor - Trace BeaulieuTrace BeaulieuTrace Beaulieu is an American puppeteer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his roles on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
(1) - Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(Doctor Clayton ForresterDoctor Clayton Forrester (MST3K)Dr. Clayton Deborah Susan Forrester is a fictional character on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Named for the hero of the 1953 film The War of the Worlds, Dr. Forrester was the chief mad scientist on the show from its inception in 1988 through the seventh season in 1996, and...
and Crow T. RobotCrow T. RobotCrow T. Robot is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Crow is a robot, who, along with others, quips and riffs upon poor-quality B movies.- Overview :...
) and Cinematic TitanicCinematic TitanicCinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K.... - Robert Meyer BurnettRobert Meyer BurnettRobert Meyer Burnett is an award-winning filmmaker and DVD producer. He directed Free Enterprise and the short film, The Sacred Fire. He has also edited over 10 feature films and worked as a Star Trek consultant for Viacom Interactive and Paramount Parks' Star Trek: The Experience located at the...
(2) - Co-creator of Free EnterpriseFree Enterprise (film)Free Enterprise is a 1999 romantic comedy film starring Eric McCormack and Rafer Weigel, and featuring William Shatner, directed by Robert Meyer Burnett and written by Mark A...
and director, Previous Guest of Honor - Christian ColquhounChristian ColquhounChristian Colquhoun is a mechanical designer who has navigated his career into toy design, prop design and construction, special effects, mechanical effects makeup, and miniatures for motion pictures, television, and other forms of media, working for Mattel, Boss Film, Stetson Visual Services, New...
(2) - Physical effects artist, Previous Guest of Honor - Larry Dixon (2) - Co-author of Mage WarsMage WarsMage Wars is a fantasy tabletop wargame. Mage Wars was first developed in 2007 by Bryan Pope and is scheduled for release in 2012 by game publisher Arcane Wonders....
and Dariens Tale series, author of many short stories and game material and fantasy artist, Previous Guest of Honor - Daren DochtermanDaren DochtermanDaren R. Dochterman is an award-winning illustrator and set-designer for the silver screen. He illustrated for Get Smart, Rush Hour 3, Monster House, Poseidon, Sky High, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, and is otherwise credited with The Chronicles of Riddick, The Terminal, Dr...
(2) - Designer and illustrator for over 35 feature films - Mark EvanierMark EvanierMark Stephen Evanier is an American comic book and television writer, particularly known for his humor work. He is also known for his columns and blogs, and for his work as a historian and biographer of the comics industry, in particular his award-winning Jack Kirby biography, Kirby: King of...
(1) - writer of comics and television shows - Eric FlintEric FlintEric Flint is an American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works are alternate history science fiction, but he also writes humorous fantasy adventures.- Career :...
(3) - author - Ken Hite (2) - role-playing game author and designer
- Dr. Jim Kakalios (2) - University of MinnesotaUniversity of MinnesotaThe University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
physicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
professor, author of The Science of Superheros, Previous Guest of Honor - Harry KnowlesHarry KnowlesHarry Knowles is known for his website called Ain't It Cool News. Knowles is a member of the Austin Film Critics Association.-Biography:...
(4) - aintitcoolnews.com, Previous Guest of Honor - Jay Knowles (4) - aintitcoolnews.com, Previous Guest of Honor
- John KovalicJohn KovalicJohn Kovalic is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer.Kovalic is best known for his Dork Tower comic book, comic strip and webcomic, and other humorous work set in and about the fantasy role-playing game genre, such as The Unspeakable Oaf...
(3) - Dork Tower, Previous Guest of Honor - Mercedes LackeyMercedes LackeyMercedes "Misty" Lackey is a best-selling American author of fantasy novels. Many of her novels and trilogies are interlinked and set in the world of Velgarth, mostly in and around the country of Valdemar...
(2) - Author of many popular novels, including the Valdemar and Bardic Voices series and folk music lyricist, Previous Guest of Honor - Bridget LandryBridget LandryBridget Landry is a deputy uplink systems engineer who works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She worked on the Topex, Hubble Space Telescope, Cassini–Huygens, and Mars Pathfinder missions...
(2) - astronomer and engineer on the Cassini probe mission), Previous Guest of Honor - Peter MayhewPeter MayhewPeter Mayhew is an English actor known for playing the Wookiee Chewbacca in the Star Wars movies. His peak height was tall.-Career:...
(2) - ChewbaccaChewbaccaChewbacca, also known as Chewie, is a character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by Peter Mayhew. In the series' narrative chronology, he appears in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Episode IV: A New Hope, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi...
in Star Wars, Previous Guest of Honor - Andrew ProbertAndrew ProbertAndrew Probert is an artist who is best known for designing the USS Enterprise for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and the Enterprise-D for Star Trek: The Next Generation....
(2) - Production designer for Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise... - Vincent Truitner (2) - animator
- David WeberDavid WeberDavid Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Weber and his wife Sharon live in Greenville, South Carolina with their three children and "a passel of dogs"....
(2) - author - Len WeinLen WeinLen Wein is an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men...
(2) - Writer for comics and animation, creator of Swamp ThingSwamp ThingSwamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
, NightcrawlerNightcrawler (comics)Nightcrawler is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the Marvel Universe. He has been associated with both the X-Men and Excalibur, originally appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Len Wein and artist Dave Cockrum, he debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1...
, and WolverineWolverine (comics)Wolverine is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Born as James Howlett and commonly known as Logan, Wolverine is a mutant, possessing animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, three retracting bone claws on each hand and a healing...
, Previous Guest of Honor - Greg WeismanGreg WeismanGreg Weisman is an American comic book and animation writer and producer, best known as the creator of Gargoyles and as the Supervising Producer of The Spectacular Spider-Man. Weisman is currently a producer on the Young Justice animated series...
(2) - producer and writer, Previous Guest of Honor - Wally WingertWally WingertWallace E. "Wally" Wingert is an American actor and voice artist. He is originally from Des Moines, Iowa but he currently works and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is the current announcer for the second incarnation of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the current voice of Jon Arbuckle in...
(2) - voice actor, Previous Guest of Honor - Marv WolfmanMarv WolfmanMarvin A. "Marv" Wolfman is an award-winning American comic book writer. He is best known for lengthy runs on The Tomb of Dracula, creating Blade for Marvel Comics, and The New Teen Titans for DC Comics.-1960s:...
(2) - Writer for comics and animation, creator of BladeBlade (comics)Blade is a fictional character, a superhero/vampire hunter in the Marvel Comics universe. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, his first appearance was in the comic book The Tomb of Dracula #10 as a supporting character.The character went on to alternatively star and co-star...
, Bullseye, and The New Teen Titans, Previous Guest of Honor
(Originally, Bernie Wrightson
Bernie Wrightson
Bernie "Berni" Wrightson is an American artist known for his horror illustrations and comic books.-Biography:...
had been scheduled to attend as one of the many returning guests of honor for year ten, but was unable to do so at the last minute.)
2009 - "This Con Goes to 11" (Humor in Science-Fiction and Fantasy, also the 11th CONvergence)
- Trace BeaulieuTrace BeaulieuTrace Beaulieu is an American puppeteer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his roles on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
(2) - Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(Doctor Clayton ForresterDoctor Clayton Forrester (MST3K)Dr. Clayton Deborah Susan Forrester is a fictional character on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Named for the hero of the 1953 film The War of the Worlds, Dr. Forrester was the chief mad scientist on the show from its inception in 1988 through the seventh season in 1996, and...
and Crow T. RobotCrow T. RobotCrow T. Robot is a fictional character from the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 . Crow is a robot, who, along with others, quips and riffs upon poor-quality B movies.- Overview :...
) and Cinematic TitanicCinematic TitanicCinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K.... - Joel HodgsonJoel HodgsonJoel Gordon Hodgson is an American writer, comedian and television actor. He is best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 and starring in it as the character Joel Robinson. In 2007 MST3K was listed as "one of the top 100 television shows of all time" by Time.com...
(1) - Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(Creator and on-air host Joel RobinsonJoel RobinsonJoel Robinson is a fictional character featured in the American science fiction comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000...
(seasons 1-5)) and Cinematic TitanicCinematic TitanicCinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K.... - Frank ConniffFrank ConniffFrank Conniff is a writer and actor who is perhaps best known for his portrayal of TV's Frank on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Early work:...
(1) - Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(TV's FrankTV's FrankTV's Frank, played by Frank Conniff, is a fictional character, mad scientist Dr. Clayton Forrester's lab assistant in the television comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000. He appears at the beginning of Season 2, with the departure of Forrester's earlier co-scientist Dr. Laurence Erhardt, and...
) and Cinematic TitanicCinematic TitanicCinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K.... - Mary Jo PehlMary Jo PehlMary Joseph Pehl born February 27, 1960 in Circle Pines, Minnesota, is an American writer, actress and comedienne. She is best known for her various roles on the television series Mystery Science Theater 3000.-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
(1) - - Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
(Pearl ForresterPearl ForresterPearl Forrester is a character on the Mystery Science Theater 3000 television series, played by Mary Jo Pehl. Forrester was the mother of Dr. Clayton Forrester...
) and Cinematic TitanicCinematic TitanicCinematic Titanic is a project by Mystery Science Theater 3000 creator and original host, Joel Hodgson.The project involves "riffing" B-movies, in a manner similar to that of MST3K.... - Brian KeeneBrian KeeneBrian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards.- Background :Keene was born in 1967. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and many of his books take place in these locales. After graduating high school, he...
(2) - Author of The Rising - Kelly McCulloughKelly McCulloughKelly David McCullough is a contemporary American author of Fantasy and Science Fiction novels living in Wisconsin. His critically acclaimed WebMage was released in 2006, followed by Cybermancy in 2007 CodeSpell in 2008, MythOS in 2009, and Spellcrash in 2010...
(1) - Author of WebMage (ISBN 0441014259) - Dwayne McDuffieDwayne McDuffieDwayne Glenn McDuffie was an American writer of comic books and television, known for creating the animated television series Static Shock, writing and producing the animated series Justice League Unlimited, and co-founding the pioneering minority-owned-and-operated comic-book company Milestone...
(1) - Creator of Static ShockStatic ShockStatic Shock is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It premiered in September 2000 on the Kids' WB! block and ran for four seasons, with a total of 52 half-hour episodes.... - Patrick RothfussPatrick RothfussPatrick James Rothfuss is an American fantasy writer and college lecturer. He is the author of the projected three-volume series The Kingkiller Chronicle.- Biography :...
(1) - Author of The Name of the WindThe Name of the WindThe Name of the Wind is a fantasy novel by Patrick Rothfuss, the first book in a series called The Kingkiller Chronicle. It was published in 2007 by DAW books with two possible hardcovers: one features the face of the Green Man with the title letters in silver and the other shows the figure of...
2010 - "Bring on the Bad Guys" (12th CONvergence)
- L.A. Banks - Author of the Vampire Huntress Legend series of novels as well as the Crimson Moon, Dark Avengers and Soul Food series.
- Jeremy BullochJeremy BullochJeremy Bulloch is an English actor. He is best known for the role inside the costume of the bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original Star Wars trilogy, though he did not voice the character...
- Actor with credits including The Empire Strikes Back/Return of the Jedi (Boba Fett) - Paul CornellPaul CornellPaul Cornell is a British writer best known for his work in television drama as well as Doctor Who fiction, and as the creator of one of the Doctor's spin-off companions, Bernice Summerfield....
- Writer for Doctor Who (television, novels, audio), novelist and writer for Marvel Comics (Captain Britain and MI-13). - Bridget LandryBridget LandryBridget Landry is a deputy uplink systems engineer who works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She worked on the Topex, Hubble Space Telescope, Cassini–Huygens, and Mars Pathfinder missions...
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory Engineer (Hubble, Mars Pathfinder, and Cassini missions) and Master-level costumer. - Chuck McCannChuck McCannChuck McCann is a film actor, television actor, stage actor, and a voice actor from Brooklyn, New York.-Early career:...
- Veteran Comedian, Actor, and Cartoon Voiceover Artist, voice of Sonny the Cuckoo Bird. - Wally WingertWally WingertWallace E. "Wally" Wingert is an American actor and voice artist. He is originally from Des Moines, Iowa but he currently works and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is the current announcer for the second incarnation of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the current voice of Jon Arbuckle in...
- Voice Actor with credits including Invader Zim (Almighty Tallest Red), Bleach (Renji Abarai), and The Garfield Show (Jon).
2011 - "Tomorrow through the Past" (13th CONvergence)
CONvergence 2011 was the last event held at the Sheraton Minneapolis South before it changed brands to Doubletree
Doubletree
.Doubletree by Hilton is a worldwide brand of upscale, full-service hotels and resorts trademarked by Hilton Worldwide. There are currently more than 220 locations with 55,000 rooms worldwide in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, China, United Kingdom, Italy, Slovakia, Tanzania, Norway...
on July 12.
- Jason CarterJason Carter (actor)Jason Brian Carter is an English actor, best known for his role as Ranger Marcus Cole on the science fiction television series Babylon 5....
- Actor, Dead Matter, Babylon 5Babylon 5Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262... - Edward Douglas - Gothic horror Fantasy musician, Midnight SyndicateMidnight SyndicateMidnight Syndicate is an American musical group that has been working mainly in the genre of gothic music since 1997 and is based out of Chardon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland...
- Brian KeeneBrian KeeneBrian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards.- Background :Keene was born in 1967. He grew up in both Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and many of his books take place in these locales. After graduating high school, he...
- Novelist/comic writer, Grave Conditions, The Last Zombie (returning GoH) - Seanan McGuireSeanan McGuireSeanan McGuire is an American author and filker. She also writes under the name "Mira Grant."-October Daye:# Rosemary and Rue...
- Urban fantasist, October Daye, InCryptid, Newsflesh - Paul and StormPaul and StormPaul and Storm are an Arlington, Virginia-based comedic musical duo consisting of Paul Sabourin and Greg "Storm" DiCostanzo. They had formerly been members of the a cappella group Da Vinci’s Notebook....
- Musical guests - Lynne M. Thomas - librarian, author, editor of Chicks Dig Time Lords
- Anthony Tollin - Historian/publisher/comics coloorist, The ShadowThe ShadowThe Shadow is a collection of serialized dramas, originally in pulp magazines, then on 1930s radio and then in a wide variety of media, that follow the exploits of the title character, a crime-fighting vigilante in the pulps, which carried over to the airwaves as a "wealthy, young man about town"...
and Doc SavageDoc SavageDoc Savage is a fictional character originally published in American pulp magazines during the 1930s and 1940s. He was created by publisher Henry W. Ralston and editor John L...
reprints - Catherynne Valente - novelist, poet
- Brian Van Camp - actor, Dead Matter
- Greg WeismanGreg WeismanGreg Weisman is an American comic book and animation writer and producer, best known as the creator of Gargoyles and as the Supervising Producer of The Spectacular Spider-Man. Weisman is currently a producer on the Young Justice animated series...
- Animation producer, Gargoyles (returning GoH)
2012 - "Wonder Women" (Female creators and characters of Science Fiction)
Guests of Honor to be announced
Hotel Booked Through Convention
Located at the intersection of Minnesota State Highway 100Minnesota State Highway 100
Minnesota State Highway 100 is a state highway in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 494 in Bloomington and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with I-694 in Brooklyn Center...
and Interstate 494
Interstate 494
Interstate 494 is a loop route making up part of a beltway of Interstate 94, circling through the southern and western portions of the Minneapolis – Saint Paul metropolitan area in Minnesota...
, the Doubletree Bloomington - Minneapolis South is the location of the convention. Convergence has grown so large that the convention handles booking for the entire Doubletree hotel for the 4-day-weekend. Since the 2010 convention cycle, an online hotel room reservation system was established. For those who miss out on rooms, CONvergence also secured room blocs at the Sofitel, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge, and other hotels nearby. Adjacent to the hotel one may eat like royalty at either Burger King or Dairy Queen. A T.G.I. Friday's restaurant is in the parking lot. An adjacent strip mall contains a Caribou Coffee, Subway, and Cheetah Pizza, which is always closed. Address is 7800 Normandale Blvd. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439.