ACTIVITIES

Dealers Room

The ConQuesT Dealers Room is a treasure trove of science fiction and fantasy merchandise! Open the general public, and shoppers don’t need a con badge.

Information for Dealers

Dates:
June 2-4, 2023

Location:
Hilton Kansas City Airport
8801 NW 112th St
Kansas City MO 64153

Hours of Operation:

Friday: Noon to 6 pm

Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm

Sunday: 10 am to 2 pm

For details and to reserve a table, contact dealers@conquestkc.org.

Art Show

The ConQuesT Art Show features some of the finest science fiction and fantasy art in the Midwest! We welcome both amateur and professional artists working in any medium to display and sell their work.

All mediums are accepted. In past years, artists shared work in media that included oil and watercolor paintings, pen and ink drawings, mixed media works, fiber arts, sculpture in clay or paper or other media, digital prints, wood carving, fiber arts, jewelry, and much more.

This is a juried show. If you have never shown your work at ConQuesT, or haven’t in several years, please contact artshow@conquestkc.org.

To apply for space as either a new or returning vendor, please fill out this form: Apply Now

Benefit Auction

Everyone loves the ConQuesT Benefit Auction, and we’re all set to do it again this year! The Benefit Auction will again consist of both a silent auction and a live auction. The items that get the most bids in the silent auction will be sent to the live auction for a final round of bidding.

About the Ad Astra Center

Proceeds will benefit the Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination at the University of Kansas. Led by award-winning authors Chris McKitterick and Kij Johnson, KU’s Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination brings creatives, scientists, readers, educators, and fans of speculative fiction together to study and create work that changes the world.

How Can You Help?

Donate Items: Bring items to donate to the auction. All items should have a connection to science fiction, fantasy, horror, or other speculative fiction types. Look for the donation table and silent auction in the Dealers Room / Art Show space.
Bid Early, Bid Often: Bid on new treasures to bring home! Bid on items in the silent auction, then defend your bids (if needed) in the live auction. Check the program book for the exact time.

Masquerade & Cosplay

ConQuesT welcomes all levels of costuming interest and skill, both as cosplay (aka hall costumes) all weekend and in our competitive Masquerade on Saturday night.

Cosplay in the Halls

Got a costume? Wear it! We’ve seen everything from pointy ears, warriors, and wizards to starship captains, famous aliens, steampunk pirates, mad scientists, lady detectives, and Weeping Angels. Show us what you’ve got!

Masquerade

ConQuesT 54 will continue our Masquerade costume contest tradition! Watch this space for details.

Gaming

Will there be gaming at ConQuesT? Of course! Bring your own games to play in our Open Gaming space, and stay tuned for a few surprises to be announced.

Lightsaber Tournament

Jedi, or Sith? Defend your side in our epic lightsaber duel tournament. Details coming soon.

Story In A Bag

Start your day creatively! Write a short story in less than one hour using random prompts drawn from a bag. (That’s why we call it “Story In A Bag”!)

It doesn’t matter if you are a published writer, a frustrated writer, a closet writer, or a writer-in-training: anyone can participate in this fun, creative writing exercise.

Each participant draws a set of writing prompts from a bag, then they have one hour to write a short story using those prompts. We’ll provide lined notebook paper, pens, and pencils, but if you have a favorite writing utensil, bring it!

Entries (without names!) will be available to everyone to read and vote on until 2 pm Sunday. Fan favorites will be recognized at Closing Ceremonies. (Don’t forget to vote!)

Story In A Bag is hosted by the NobleFusion writing group.

Writers’ Track

Presented by the Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination at the University of Kansas. This will be a track of programming aimed specifically at established and aspiring authors alike.

About the Ad Astra Center

The Writers’ Track is presented by the Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination at the University of Kansas. Led by award-winning authors Chris McKitterick and Kij Johnson, KU’s Ad Astra Center for Science Fiction & the Speculative Imagination brings creatives, scientists, readers, educators, and fans of speculative fiction together to study and create work that changes the world.