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Friday, July 17
 

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
avatar for Alexandra Higgins

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 →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

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 →
avatar for James Fulbright

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
avatar for Dance Harden

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 →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 →
avatar for Emily Jane Buehler

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 →
avatar for Tally Johnson

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 →
avatar for Janet Carden

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
avatar for Carol Cowles

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 →
avatar for Dance Harden

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

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
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for Joey Starnes

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 →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

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

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
avatar for O Hai Mark

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 →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

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 →
avatar for Fraser Sherman

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
 
Saturday, July 18
 

3:30pm EDT

35 Years of Vampire: the Masquerade & The World of Darkness
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
35 Years of Vampire: the Masquerade & The World of Darkness (how White Wolf's TTRPGs influenced us as writers, gamers, artists, etc. - a total WoD love fest & celebration

Special Guest: Viovode Mekhet (Storyteller for the Sat night LARP?)

Moderator: Michael G. Williams
Speakers
avatar for Steven S. Long

Steven S. Long

Literary Guest
Steven S. Long’s been involved in the gaming industry for over thirty years, during which time he’s written, co-written, edited, or developed over 200 books. He got his start as a freelancer for Hero Games, for whom he wrote several books in the mid-Nineties. He soon branched... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest
Michael G. Williams writes queer horror and science fiction celebrating the monstrous and the macabre. His books include the award-winning vampire series The Withrow Chronicles (Laine Cunningham Award); the thrilling urban fantasy time travel series Servant Sovereign; the sci-fi... Read More →
avatar for Janet Carden

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom

7:30pm EDT

The Mercenary Guild Annual Meeting
Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)

Saturday July 18, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Fandom

8:00pm EDT

Attention all Planets of the Solar Federation: 50 Years Since Rush's Iconic "2112"
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
"When the F%#K did Rush become cool?!"

As the band Rush continues their Fifty Something tour and tribute to Neil Peart, our panelists discuss one of Peart's greatest science fiction masterpieces, 2112 (and other stuff).



Speakers
avatar for Wayland Smith

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 →
avatar for James Fulbright

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 →
avatar for Chuck Parker

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 →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

8:00pm EDT

Geeky and Nerdy Parenting
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Geeky and nerdy parents are not quite the outliers they once were, but are not really still "normal". How do geeky parents deal with "normal" kids? Other parents? Techniques for creating well-rounded individuals? 

Moderator: J. Matthew Saunders
Speakers
avatar for DJ McGuire

DJ McGuire

Performance Guest
D.J. McGuire began his geek journey watching Star Trek Original Series on syndication. These days, he works in Defense IT and teaches economics at his local community college. He has been a musical performer (bass and vocals) for over eight years, starting with Dimensional Riffs in 2017. He has also played with the Nefarious Ferrets... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest
Sammie Cassell is a North Carolina based filmmaker, actor, improv and sketch comedian, and all around busy guy. His film/tv credits include Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Kill Giggles and upcoming appearances in Righteous Gemstones and Please Don’t Destroy. A life long comic book fan and collector along with being a lover of all things horror, wrestling and pop culture, he’s also known as Sammie the Comic Book Man. Sammie and his production partners, Dan Sellers, Jeff Cochran, and Chad Hunt with Wreak Havoc Productions also do the... Read More →
avatar for Bryan Young

Bryan Young

Literary Guest
Bryan Young works in many different media. He's published thousands of essays and hundreds of short stories in publications like Marvel and Image Comics, Star Wars Insider, Huffington Post,  SYFY, /Film, Script Magazine, Weird Tales, the Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. Library Literary Magaz... Read More →
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
avatar for J. Matthew Saunders

J. Matthew Saunders

Literary Guest
J. Matthew Saunders is the author of the Daughters of Shadow and Blood trilogy inspired by the Brides of Dracula, the Dreadful Penny occult detective series, and numerous fantasy and horror short stories. He is a member of HWA and SFWA.He was born in the small Appalachian town of Clayton, Georgia and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina. He received a B.A. in history from Vanderbilt University and a master’s... Read More →
Saturday July 18, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom
 
Sunday, July 19
 

9:00am EDT

Tea 101: Presented by Moments in Tea
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
Join Moments in Tea as they walk you through the basics of Tea - the different types, tools and ways of making it.
Speakers
avatar for EJ Isaacs

EJ Isaacs

Literary Guest
EJ Isaacs is at heart, a geek. As a child I grew up with classics in science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Robert Heinlein. A late comer to role playing, he enjoyed creating backgrounds to the characters he was playing. For a three-year period, he was involved with... Read More →
Exhibitors
avatar for Moments in Tea
Sunday July 19, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Piedmont Salons 1-2 (panels)
  Fandom

10:00am EDT

Cons in the Post-Pandemic Era
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
Our panelists discuss how things have changed and continue to change for con-runners, guests and attendees in and for conventions since the Covid shutdown.

Moderator: Michael Pederson
Speakers
avatar for Gail Z. Martin

Gail Z. Martin

Literary Guest
Gail Z. Martin writes urban fantasy, epic fantasy, steampunk and more for Solaris Books, Orbit Books, Falstaff Books, SOL Publishing and Darkwind Press. Urban fantasy series include Deadly Curiosities and the Night Vigil (Sons of Darkness). Epic fantasy series include Darkhurst... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

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 →
avatar for Janet Carden

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 →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom

11:30am EDT

Designing an Escape Room
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
Have you ever wondered what goes into designing an Escape Room? Or what makes one puzzle more fun than another? Our panelists discuss how to design an escape room for fun or profit.
Speakers
avatar for Colleen Parker

Colleen Parker

Panelist
Colleen Parker is a long-time member of the Mid-Atlantic con community (you can often see her following her husband Chuck Parker around making sure he eats, sleeps, and gets to his shows on time), a retired competitive Irish dancer and former Irish dance teacher. She loves sharing... Read More →
avatar for Michael D. Pederson

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 →
Sunday July 19, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Piedmont Salon 3
  Fandom

1:00pm EDT

Science-Fiction & Fantasy: Now on Broadway!
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
From Back to the Future to The Lost Boys to Beetlejuice, Broadway has seen more and more productions based on cult classics and beloved sci-fi themes. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite on-stage adaptations and how they tackle effects, stunts, and the shift in storytelling style.

Moderator: Hannah Fulbright
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Fulbright

Hannah Fulbright

Asst. Programming Director, ConGregate
Hannah Fulbright is a fan that has been in the local con circuit all her life. She enjoys consuming various media such as fantasy books and cartoons and helping run sci-fi events in the area. She has helped with registration, auction organization, and guest relations for many local... Read More →
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Literary Guest
Michael G. Williams writes queer horror and science fiction celebrating the monstrous and the macabre. His books include the award-winning vampire series The Withrow Chronicles (Laine Cunningham Award); the thrilling urban fantasy time travel series Servant Sovereign; the sci-fi... Read More →
avatar for Jett Dixon

Jett Dixon

Costuming Guest
Jett has been attending & assisting at conventions for over a decade, finally delving into the roles of Programming Staff (RavenCon, ConCarolinas, Conapalooza) and Panelist.Apple of Your Eye Cosplay is Jett’s Facebook page for all things cosplay, showing off her thrift- and scrounge-style... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
  Fandom
 

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Grand Ballroom Salon C (panels)
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