ConGregate 12: Full Schedule

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2:30pm EDT

First Con / First ConGregate

Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Let’s face it: conventions are a truly unique experience. In fact, there’s not really anything else you’ll ever do that’s
quite like it! Never been to a convention before? Maybe this is your first time at this con? Or maybe you’re a
veteran of dozens (if not hundreds) of cons? Either way, come join our roundtable discussion on how to best enjoy
the convention experience, including practical advice, tips and tricks, the UN-spoken rules, and ALL the dos and
don’ts of con survival.

Note: If you have only really been to the large "comic" type cons, this will be a different experience.

Moderator: Tom Hutchens

Speakers

Alexandra Higgins

Performance Guest

Alexandra Higgins (aka the Platypus Princess) is a self-taught singer/songwriter whose folk-indie sound evokes the spirit of Joan Baez (direct quote heard randomly and unprompted at every performance!). Her voice, often described as angelic, carries melodies that mix ethereal beauty... Read More →

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest

Joey Starnes first claimed her inner geek in 2007 after visiting her first DragonCon. In 2008, she moved to Charlotte, NC and started the Charlotte Geeks, home of the Guardians of the Geekery podcast, the Geekery Market, Two Woke Bonnets podcast and the Merry Mayhem. Her main geekdoms... Read More →

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest

Founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five-year-old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

In 2007 Tom founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC), becoming o

... Read More →

James Fulbright

Con Chair / President, ConGregate

James Fulbright was introduced to AD&D by a friend in 1979. After joining his first gaming group, his friends convinced him to start attending conventions like StellarCon. It wasn’t long before attending cons led him to start helping out with those cons; which, in turn, led to running... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Fandom

4:00pm EDT

Geek Mental Health: Stories, Strategies, and Resources

Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Think of this as a low-pressure campfire for the geek crowd: a warm, judgment-free roundtable where people trade honest stories about mental health, what actually helped them (and what didn’t), and how to spot the moments that call for extra support. We’ll swap practical, peer-tested tools—from morning rituals and work/life tweaks to recovery-friendly habits—so you leave with usable ideas, not just platitudes. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or your local crisis hotline right away.

Moderator: Tally Johnson

Speakers

Dance Harden

Fan Guest

Dance Harden is a 3rd generation SFF fan with a background in the performing arts. Their kink performance group was the featured local guest for Lollapalooza 1996 in Newport, TN. Later, they studied history and media studies at UTK. After moving to Charlotte, NC in 2008, they entered... Read More →

Chuck Parker

Performance Guest

A performer for more than 35 years, Chuck Parker has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, jazz sideman, open mic host, filk circle regular, session player, and World’s Okayest Bassist™.Chuck has been a regular on the con circuit for more than a... Read More →

Emily Jane Buehler

Literary Guest

I write cozy fantasy romances where everyday people (and fairies) have adventures and fall in love. They are lighthearted stories with action and adventure, love and magic, where protagonists learn to believe in themselves and find their courage. And yes, they are kissing books. They... Read More →

Tally Johnson

Special Guest

Mr. Johnson is a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and Wofford College with degrees in history. He is the author of Ghosts of the South Carolina Upcountry, Ghosts of the South Carolina Midlands, Ghosts of the Pee Dee (all for The History Press) and Civil War Ghosts of Sou... Read More →

Janet Carden

Online Media Guest

Janet Carden aka The Halfling is one half of the husband/wife team of The Halfling and The Spaceman podcast. She has been active in many aspects of fandom since her high school days. She and her husband have created many fan projects together, including The Familiar Magazine... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)

Fandom

5:30pm EDT

Geeky Trivia for Chocolate!

Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Do you have what it takes to overthrow your fellow geeks? Syrinx (and volunteers) brings his brand of bar trivia to the convention for some friendly single-elimination competition. The audience members will have a chance to be geek gurus as they answer questions spanning different fandoms and geek cultures.

Speakers

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest

Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →

Dance Harden

Fan Guest

Friday July 17, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon D (Main Programming)

Fandom

Tech Needs Projector/Screen, sound system

9:00pm EDT

Con Stories on The Rocks

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

So let's talk urban con legends - did someone really get tazed? Did a program really have "fire drill" included? What other stories have you heard that seem impossible?

Speakers

Wayland Smith

Literary Guest

Wayland Smith is the pen name for a native Texan who has lived in Massachusetts, New York, Washington DC, and presently makes his home in Virginia. His rather unlikely list of jobs includes private investigator, comic book shop owner, ring crew for a circus (then he ran away from... Read More →

Joey Starnes

Fan Guest

Michael D. Pederson

Fan Guest

Way back in 2004, Mike came up with the crazy idea of hosting a convention in Richmond, VA. He’s been chairing RavenCon ever since.In addition to running RavenCon, Mike Pederson was the publisher/editor/graphic designer responsible for the fanzine Nth Degree (2002-2019). Mike b... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salons A-B (Cantina)

Fandom

Tech Needs sound system, 3 mics

9:30pm EDT

The Forgotten Cryptids

Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT

Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

The Forgotten Cryptids - Giant Leeches? Giant Gila Monsters? Killer Shrews? - Lets talk about the lesser known B movies that kept the cryptid genre going all these years

Moderator: O Hai Mark

Speakers

O Hai Mark

Online Media Guest

O. Hai Mark is a filmmaker, online content creator, and event host from southwest VA. His absolute love of poorly reviewed movies is legendary, and he has turned that into a weekly internet show called Terribke Movies with Wonderful People. O. Hai also has a production company that... Read More →

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest

A 25+ year veteran of high school science teaching, Bill Mulligan has parlayed his love of horror, science fiction, and fantasy films into podcasting, convention panels, indie filmmaking, and storytelling. With creative partners such as Christine Parker and Mark C. Lucas, he has worked... Read More →

Fraser Sherman

Literary Guest

Born in England, Fraser Sherman wound up spending most of his life in Northwest Florida. He’d be there still if he hadn’t fallen in love and moved to Durham NC to marry his dream woman. They’re still together, with two dogs and two cats added to the family.Fraser has published... Read More →

Friday July 17, 2026 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

Fandom

Tech Needs Projector/Screen, sound system

2:30pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

9:00pm EDT

9:30pm EDT

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