I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about GeekGirlCon is how interactive it is. Whether you’re speaking to artists, makers, and entrepreneurs in the Exhibitor Hall, asking questions at an incredible panel, or just meeting fellow geeks, the Con is a space to learn, play, listen, and have fun. Probably nowhere is this more apparent, though, than in the workshops we offer every year.
Spanning a huge swath of topics, from fandom to gaming to cosplay to consent (and beyond!) our workshops are the perfect place to learn how to bring all the joy, passion, excitement, and general goodness from GeekGirlCon out into your day-to-day life.
This year’s workshops promise to be some of the most exciting and intriguing yet! Here’s a look at just a few we have coming up during #GGC18 weekend.
Creating a Culture of Consent: From Cosplay to Classrooms
Sunday, 10/28 at 4:00 // Furiosa
Learn about what consent means, sounds, and feels like. We will discuss how and when questions of consent appear in our relationships, in our communities, and in geek culture in this workshop by Planned Parenthood’s Teen Council members. Ages 13+
Image Description: An illustrated gif of Amber Rose wearing dark sunglasses and speaking. Words written on either side of her head read: “When I say no, it means no.” Source: Giphy
Mystery Box Game Design Challenge
Saturday, 10/27 at 5:30pm // America
Teams will work together with table top industry experts to create a game using only a box of mystery items. At the end, games will be judged on a set of predetermined criteria and a winner selected!
Image Description: A gif of a commercial for the Sweet Valley board game. The commercial depicts a group of friends walking into a house and playing the board game together. Source: Giphy
Each year, we recruit an artist who shares our values to work on our con-specific merch. This year, that artist is Cassie Kelly. Cassie is ridiculously talented, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s in store for GeekGirlCon ‘18. In celebration of the big reveal, I asked Cassie a few questions about everything from process to faves.
If you’re interested in checking out more of Cassie’s work, I have the Instagram and web store for you!
GeekGirlCon’18 is only a month and a half away! Our panel lineup is packed full of fantastic topics from wonderful, thoughtful, inspirational individuals, and I get to give you the first sneak peek of a few.
Source: Giphy. Description: A parrot hopping around excitedly.
Calling all geeks (AKA every person reading this post)! Join GeekGirlCon Sunday, September 9 for an afternoon of trivia fun at Mox Boarding House in Bellevue!
If you’re unfamiliar with Mox Boarding House, here’s what you need to know:
Mox is a gathering place for gamers and geeks of ALL AGES.
However, they also serve beer and wine and other food-type goodies.
Imagine this. 66 days from now, probably early in the morning, I’ll be excitedly doing my hair and makeup in front of a hotel mirror. Maybe slipping into a casual cosplay, bopping around to some catchy music to pump myself up. My things will be spread out across the bed: my laptop, pens, at least one notebook, some backup concealer for the long day ahead, my schedule, possibly a snack, Sarah J Maas’ new book if I haven’t yet devoured it, and my badge for GeekGirlCon 2018.
The staff is busy putting the finishing touches on the convention. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing this year’s amazing lineup of panels, events, and giving you sneak previews of what you can expect to see at #GGC18. And while we’re making sure everything is prepped and primed, are you ready?
You still have time to book your hotel at Hotel Max for an amazing rate of $169, valid Thursday through Sunday night. You can either book your room online, or call them directly at 866-986-8087—just make sure to reference GeekGirlCon 2018!
Hotel Max is at the heart of downtown Seattle, just a few blocks away from the WSCC. Walking distance from great food and shops, there’s plenty to do and see before and after the convention. If you need a little downtime between panels, or want to take a few moments to look over your buys from the Exhibitor Hall, you can kick back and relax in one of their cozy rooms. GeekGirlCon is all the better when you’re well rested, and ready for a day of fun and fandom!
We’ll see you October 27 and 28 for GeekGirlCon 2018!
We’re in late summer now, and you know what that means? The GeekGirlCon ‘18 countdown can officially begin! For the record, we’ve got 77 days to go.
Everyone has their favorite facet of con-going, whether it’s the panels or the mainstage events or the new friends or just being in a new city for a few days—there’s always something. For some people, it’s the opportunity to get more involved in the operations side of things that makes a con special.
If that’s somewhere near where you fall, I have a quick reminder for you: Applications to be an Agent (AKA the GeekGirlCon volunteers who work only during the con) are closing this upcoming Monday, August 13 at 10:00 p.m.
If you were already planning on volunteering, get those applications in! If you’re on the fence about it, let me give you a couple of details about what you’d be signing up for.
First of all, we need all Agents to be at least 16 years old.
This year, the con falls on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28. We ask that Agents are available to take two shifts (4-5 hours each) over the course of the weekend. There are many different kinds of roles you’ll be choosing from!
As an Agent, you’ll be required to review some training materials and adhere to our Code of Conduct.
You’ll get a free pass to the con and access to our Agent Headquarters!
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at con operations and get to know the other awesome folks working as volunteers.
When you’re ready, click through to the application here. And once again, the deadline is August 13. If you have questions about the application, feel free to email volunteer@geekgirlcon.com with them.
We’re excited to hear from you!
[Image Description: Bob Ross speaking in front of a black background. The caption reads, “I’m glad you could join me today!”] Source: Giphy
Press and media geeks, applications are officially open for GeekGirlCon’18 Press Passes! Whether you’re an independent content creator (YouTuber, Twitch Streamer, blogger, etc.) or a large-media-outlet representative, if you support our mission of celebrating, honoring, and uniting women in STEM, media, arts, and every other geeky pursuit, we’d love to have you help us spread the GeekGirl word. GGC’18 is set to be our biggest year yet, and if you want special press access to all of the geeky fun, turn in your Press Pass request today!
I was going to suggest we collectively agree not to think about how fleeting summer is, but you know what comes after summer? GEEKGIRLCON!
GeekGirlCon ‘18 falls on the weekend of October 27 and 28, and passes are on sale now! Fortunately, we’re still in our early bird pricing period. As it stands now, two-day passes are 45 dollars and one-day passes are 30 dollars. Kid passes (ages 6-12) are 10 dollars each, and littles (ages 0-5) can attend for free! We have so much programming geared at kids, and keeping their passes affordable is really important to us.
Personally, I suggest you snag your passes now, as prices will incrementally increase as we near October. And do remember, we partner with Con or Bust to get passes to people of color who are interested in attending. Check it out!
Once you’ve sorted out your passes, you can take a look at Hotel Max, which is the hotel we set up convention-weekend discounts with each year. If you’re not local, reserving a room there is a cool way to make sure pesky things like commute times and downtown Seattle traffic don’t interfere with all the awesome. The GeekGirlCon ‘18 per-night rate is currently 169 dollars, and the hotel itself is only a couple of blocks away from the conference center. So, great news all around.
That’s all I have for you right now. The bottom line: get your passes, reserve your hotel rooms. We’ll see you in October!
[Image Description: Egon from Ghostbusters nods head while closing a door. The caption reads, “See you then.”] Source: Tenor
As we move into the summer months, we get that much closer to GeekGirlCon ‘18. Our staff is busy organizing and planning a stellar weekend that we’ll get to share with you October 27 and 28—and there’s still time for you to help!
We are still accepting Agent applications for GeekGirlCon ‘18. Our Agents do a plethora of things at the convention, from tech and AV support to photography and ASL interpretation.
If you’re interested in working as an Agent over the weekend of the convention, there are a couple requirements that you have to meet:
You must be available to work for a minimum of two shifts that are 4-5 hours each between the two days of the convention.
You must be at least 16 years of age.
…and, of course, you must bring a ton of enthusiasm!
Without our team of Agents that volunteer their time to help us host the convention each fall, there wouldn’t be a GeekGirlCon. Our Agents keep GeekGirlCon a well-oiled machine, and we couldn’t do it without them. The deadline to submit your New Agent Application form is August 15 at 10 p.m. PST. We won’t review applications until the deadline has passed, but stay tuned and get ready for the convention this fall!
Tomorrow, get ready for a day of giving with GiveBIG!
GiveBIG is sponsored by the Seattle Foundation. It’s an online fundraising marathon designed to help Seattle area nonprofits create momentum and excitement about community philanthropy. You can pre-schedule gives to GeekGirlCon right now, and you won’t be charged until the morning of May 9. This way, you can set it and forget it, as it were.
This is our third year of GiveBIG. In previous years, our funds donated to GeekGirlCon have gone to supporting our annual convention and year-round outreach programming. Our goal is to make attendance accessible and affordable for every geek. That’s why we also partner with other organizations to provide free passes to those who may not otherwise have the resources to attend.
There are ways to make your dollar go further too. Per GiveBIG giving requirements, there is a minimum of $10 to participate, but there is no maximum. Also, donations for GeekGirlCon ‘18 benefits begin at $50 and all donations at that amount and above will receive convention benefits.
You can also harness the power of donation matching! GeekGirlCon will be offering a match during GiveBIG thanks to a generous donation from I-Wei Feng, GeekGirlCon’s outgoing board president. All gifts will also be eligible for a Dollars for Change grant. If your gift is selected, GeekGirlCon will receive an additional $2,500. If you have an employer match, you can indicate so with your donation. A GeekGirlCon staff member will follow up after GiveBIG to complete any necessary documentation.
