ConGregate 12

Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson return to delve deep into the mind of John Scalzi asking him questions on everything from writing to guitars to "Whatever".Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson will delve deep into the mind of John Scalzi asking him questions on everything from writing to burritos to photography. Since Mike has already posed the 10 questions by original interviewer of the stars, James Lipton, we'll switch things up and ask the Colbert Questionaire!

Our interviewer extraordinaire Michael D. Pederson will delve deep into the mind of Richard Kadrey asking him questions on everything from writing to art to (something else). Of course, Mike will end with the infamous 10 questions posed by the original interviewer of the stars, James Lipton.

ConGregate's Costume Contest with host O. Hai Mark with Cash prizes! Join us for all the fun!
(Sponsored by John & Heather Simpson)

Interim music by Alexandra Higgins

ConGregate Costume Contest Rules & Information

The ConGregate Costume Contest is open to any costumed individual or group, but all participants must have valid ConGregate membership badges.
Prejudging is Saturday in the Hight Point room at 1:30pm, the contest will be held in Main Events (Grand Ballroom D) at 3pm. Contestants must be at the Piedmont room no later than 2:30pm for line up.
If you have a re-creation costume, bring any supporting photos, illustrations text passages, models, or other reference materials with you for judges to examine during Pre-Judging. Please remember to EAT before pre-judging!!!
Costume Contest Registrations:
Sign-Ups will be available during the convention at the Registration Desk until 12 Noon on Saturday. 
Contestants can pre-register here: Costume Contest Registration
Note:
If you have audio/sound to be played while you are on stage, you will need to speak to a member of the sound crew in Grand Ballroom D. Please have it recorded on an otherwise blank CD which is labeled with your name, your badge number, and the name of your costume (or group), Thumb Drive (flash drive), or MP3 player (or other similar device). Any device other than a CD cannot be dropped off and you must speak with the sound crew to check if it can be played. There should be no more than ten (10) seconds of blank time before your audio begins to play. The audio must be turned in with your Costume Contest sign-up sheet. ConGregate cannot guarantee your audio will be played during your presentation. We reserve the right to review music before allowing it to be used. CDs can be reclaimed after the Costume Contest awards are presented.
If you plan to use music during your presentation, please double check it with the sound crew to make sure that they are able to play it. There will be a sound technician in the room during prejudging to assist with anything last minute (within reason).
There will be no live microphone for contestants to use on stage. There will be no spotlights or other light effects available on stage.
If you plan to draw or otherwise “use” a weapon during your presentation, note that on your Costume Contest sign-up sheet. Judges will make any necessary determination of suitability and safety.
If you are taking part in a group entry, only one Costume Contest sign-up sheet is necessary for the entire group, but the name and badge number of all group members must be listed on that sheet.
The contest is open to all ages. An adult must accompany children under 12. Parents can accompany their children onstage. Entrants under 12 will not be judged, but will receive certificates for participating.
Category Definitions (Any entrant may choose to compete in a higher category):

• Youth - those under the age of 14 years (see above).
• Novice - those who have won three (3) or fewer major (Best-, Top-, 1st Place-in category) awards in costume competitions.
• Journeyman - those who have won more than three major awards in costume competitions, but have won fewer than three (3) Best in Show or Best Overall awards.
• Master - those who have won more than three (3) Best in Show or Best Overall awards.

Awards categories may include: Best in Show, Best Craftsmanship, Best Presentation, Top Novice, Top Journeyman, Top Master, and Judge's Choice. Depending on the number of entrants, other awards may be added.
No individual may present more than one entry in the contest. You cannot wear a costume onstage, then change into another costume and present it for competition as well or be apart of more than one group. individuals are limited to one (1) minute on stage. Group’s entries are limited to one (1) minute plus thirty (30) seconds for each additional member up to a maximum of three (3) minutes on stage. There will be no extended songs, skits, monologues, or conversations (any exceptions to this rule must be approved by the ConGregate Costume Contest Coordinator).
Any of the following on stage will result in disqualification and ejection from the Costume Contest: glitter, smoke effects, open flames, squirting liquids, firing projectiles, throwing objects into the audience or at the MC, use of obscene language, pornographic representations, full or partial nudity. Please help us keep ConGregate a safe and family-friendly convention (keep in mind PG13 or better).
We ask that anyone with a costume which has won three (3) or more major (Best, Top, or 1st Place) costume competition awards elsewhere not enter that particular costume into ConGregates' competition unless it has been significantly changed or improved.
Participants will be judged on costume construction, originality, and presentation.
No entry will be allowed to win in more than two categories.
Participants need to be in the High Point Room (please see Sched.com or con-gregate.com for its location) at least 30 minutes prior to Costume Contest time to be assigned a place in line.
*****It is possible that latecomers may not be allowed to participate, even if they have registered by turning in a sign-up sheet. *****
The High Point Room will be as secured as possible while the Costume Contest is taking place. Only identified contestants or their parents will have access to the High Point Room in that time period. Participants must stay within the contest area (the Costume Contest room, High Point Room, or designated meeting area) until judging is completed and awards are presented.
Decisions of the judges are final.
ConGregate reserves the right to remove anyone from the contest, at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to: indecent costume, unprofessional conduct, tardiness, and disruption of the contest.

Our Guests of Honor, John Scalzi and Richard Kadrey have both had the pleasure and challenge of having their work turned into something for TV/Film.  Join them as they discuss how it happened, what they learned and if they'd do it again.

Michelle able to moderate if needed?

With safety rules in place, this is your time to view the merchandise that will be for sale.

ConGregate will once again be raising money to support the food pantry of the Greensboro Urban Ministry. Availability of food in July is often overlooked because food drives which take place during the winter holiday season. Join us in helping feed our neighbors.

In 2025, were able to donate $10,000 to a food bank in Winston-Salem. While that number was, let's call it an outlier, we still want to see how much we can raise.

Side note: Last year, a couple of people didn't get some merch they wanted because their credit limits were capped. We suggest talking to your bank before the auction IF you think you might spend above your one day limit. 

Auctioneer: O. Hai Mark
Auction Coordinator: Glen Beattie