This past weekend I attended Convergence for the 5th year. Usually I plan different blog posts around my time at this convention because it’s honestly my favorite con I attend. Each Convergence is special for me because it’s a chance to see friends I don’t see that often. This is my first year as a panelist as I appeared on the DC Comics / Justice League discussion panel!
Panelist at Convergence 2018
Two weeks before Convergence you can sign up for panels that seem interesting for you. I only picked panels with topics I felt passionate about and I could talk about that topic for an hour. There were a couple I wanted to be on that I didn’t get picked for, but I was sent an email a week later from our moderator alerting to me I had been chosen to appear on the panel. He had sent me an email asking what topics to talk about for this panel.
About 30 people attended the panel
Thursday came around and I walked into the room where my panel would be. I wasn’t sure how many people would be attending since the timing of my panel also coincided with a larger show on the main stage. I think we had about 30? ish. people come see our panel including a couple friends of mine. As we waited for the panel to start, I found out one of the panelists wrote articles at Twin Cities Geek and he complimented the articles I wrote which was kind of neat.
My fellow panelist for the Justice League panel. Cosplaying as Kilmonger from Black Panther
The clock turns to 8:30 PM and I see our moderator hasn’t shown up. The moderator at a panel is responsible for keeping the panelists on topic so we aren’t rambling about something unrelated. The moderator didn’t show up to the panel at all along with another panelist. Me and my two other panelists had to lead the entire panel without any prep. I will say I think we did a great job at keeping time, but also entertaining the audience by asking questions and getting their commentary.
Overall being a panelist was a really fun experience! It was slightly nerve wracking before the panel begun and my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest, but I felt energized after I had talked. If you have a chance to be on a panel, you should definitely apply! This Convergence was certainly a memorable convention and of course I’m already counting down the days till next year.
Bizarre Brunette 
I would love to be a panelist at a con. That is one of my goals. Congratulations on being picked. What was it on?
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It was at Convergence in Minneapolis, MN. I talked about the DC comics & the movie universe.
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How exciting! I’ve done a lot of things at cons but never been on a panel. Congrats!
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It was so nerve wracking, but I really enjoyed it. It’s really fun especially because you pick a panel about something you’re passionate about.
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Aweeee Congrats!!!! 😀
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Thank you! So much fun, I highly recommend it.
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One of these years I will make it to Convergence! It’s so close yet so far away when kids are in the mix. Haha. Kudos for running the panel without a moderator! I bet you guys did awesome and I’m wish I could have been present to attend.
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Convergence is so much fun! If you make it out, let’s meet up!
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That sounds so cool! I’m glad you had fun!
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It was a blast!
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That’s so rude the moderator and panelist didn’t show up. I hope nothing serious caused them to miss out, but you guys probably did an awesome job! Congratulations!!
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Funny story the moderator had medical issues, but I have no idea what happened to the other panelist though.
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This is so awesome. I hope you are very proud of yourself. Talking in front of people, no matter how many there are, can be super terrifying – for me anyway. And all without a moderator. Well done all of you! Also, that Killmonger Cosplay is AMAZING!
Emma | https://geekytourist.com
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Right?? I ended up chatting with him for a while after the panel. He’s a super nice guy.
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That is pretty cool, particularly on a panel where things could get contentious. From the sounds of things that didn’t happen, so, well done for doing it in the first place and keeping things under control
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Thanks, it was a great experience.
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