GeekGirlCon celebrates and honors the legacies of underrepresented groups in science, technology, comics, arts, literature, game play, and game design. We do this by connecting geeks worldwide and creating an intersectional community that fosters the continued growth of women and other underrepresented groups in geek culture. GeekGirlCon provides a safe space to spark conversations around social justice while encouraging unabashed geekiness.
GeekGirlCon acknowledges that the land on which we gather is the occupied, unceded territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, Lummi, Skagit, and Swinomish. Acknowledgment is a small gesture that becomes more meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed actions. GeekGirlCon pledges to open all public events and gatherings with a statement acknowledging the traditional Indigenous stewardship of the lands on which we gather. We pledge to move beyond words into initiatives and programs that fully embody a sustained commitment to Indigenous rights and equity. There are 29 federally recognized tribes throughout Washington. In addition to recognizing the sovereignty of these nations, GeekGirlCon would also like to recognize the Duwamish, Wanapum, and Chinook people. Despite their traditional and continuing presence in this region, these nations are still not recognized by the United States government. (More information at Duwamish: duwamishtribe.org, Wanapum: wanapum.org, Chinook: chinooknation.org).
DAY-OF BASICS
Location
Arch at 800 Pike Street
800 Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
(This is the new name for the space formerly known as Washington State Conference Center in Seattle—the same venue GeekGirlCon has always used!
Skip the line and pick up your badge early on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the convention center! We’ll be just inside the main doors.
If you’re picking up your badge on Saturday, doors open at 9 a.m. and check-in is on the first floor.
You must keep your badge visible at all times during the con.
Vaccines and Masks are Required
Everyone who comes into GeekGirlCon ‘22 is required to be fully vaccinated. Vaccine status will be confirmed at the front doors before you get in line for check-in.
Everyone is required to wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose whenever they’re inside the convention center unless they’re in a designated eating area.
Further information about COVID safety at GeekGirlCon ‘22 can be found on our website here.
Safety Stuff
Please take a minute to look through our Code of Conduct. This includes our Harassment Policy and Cosplay Policy (weapon and prop stuff). It also includes information on how to report harassment during the event.
If you need any help during the con, head to the Info Booth or flag down a Reaction Team volunteer. Reaction Team folks will be wearing blue Agent t-shirts and Wonder Woman crowns.
The EMT office is located next door to the Info Booth (Level 1) across from Introvert Alley.
Don’t take photos of people without their consent! This, of course, includes cosplayers. If you don’t want your photo taken, you can pick up a “Do Not Photograph” sticker from the Registration or Info Booth.
GeekGirlCon is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property. Additionally, GeekGirlCon is not responsible for injuries sustained over the course of the convention.
We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the convention if they violate these policies. Have fun, be safe, and be respectful.
Accessibility
GeekGirlCon will reserve Accessibility and Interpreting seating areas in every presentation space. Attendees who decide to not sit in the Accessibility seating areas are welcome to ask Agents to make their desired area accessible for them and any mobility devices. Attendees with disabilities may request early entrance into panels, events, and activities to allow ease of entrance and additional seating variety. The Expo Hall will open at 9:30 a.m. for those with Accessibility stickers on their badges. If you would like to utilize early entrance or Accessible and Interpreting seating areas, please request either an Accessible or Interpreting sticker from the Registration Desk or Info Booth (Level 1).
More information about accessibility stuff at GeekGirlCon ‘22 can be found here. During the event, accessibility information can also be found at the Info Booth (Level 1). You can also ask for assistance or information from staff and volunteers, who will be wearing blue Agent t-shirts during the event.
Schedule (Panels, Workshops, and Other Events)
Here’s the schedule!Printed copies of the schedule will also be available at the Registration and Info Booths.
Floor Maps
Here’s where you can findfloor maps of the space. The schedule tells you the name of the room the event is in, so use that information to cross-reference here to figure out which level it is on (e.g. the room Kamala is on Level 1). These will also show you where bathrooms (including all-genders ones) and other important spots are located throughout the convention center.
Data & WI-FI
Reliable cell-phone and Wi-Fi service is not guaranteed at the convention center, so it is highly recommended that you set a time and place to meet back up with friends and family before you scatter throughout the venue. You can also take screenshots of the schedule and other parts of this guide to reference in case the webpages won’t load!
Engage with Us Online Using #BackAtGGC22
Lots of GeekGirlCon’s community-building happens online during the event. To share your cosplay, photos, and live-posts with the larger GeekGirlCon family, be sure to tag them with #BackAtGGC22!
Hey, fellow procrastinators—do you have an idea for a panel, workshop, performance, or event that would be a great addition to GeekGirlCon 2020? Or are you interested in being a panelist, moderator, or tabletop game host at the con?
If so, good news: We’re extending our programming submission deadline to May 14, so there’s still time to get your application in!
Have an idea for an awesome panel or interactive workshop that you’ve been mulling over? Want to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow con-goers? Have a game that you would like to demo on the gaming floor?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, we want to hear from you! From now until Thursday, April 30 at 11:59pm PST we are accepting applications and submissions for:
Panel Submissions Each year, our panels are wide-ranging, diverse, compelling, and unique. Have a topic you’d like to discuss? A perspective you just HAVE to share? We want to hear from you!
Panelist and/or Moderator Application Apply to be considered as a panelist or moderator on any panels that need additional participants! Our team will work to match you with a panel that fits your interests.
Performance & Event Submissions From musical performances to variety shows, game shows to DJ sets, we can’t wait to receive your submissions for performances and events.
Workshop Submissions Workshops are some of the most interactive and educational elements of GeekGirlCon – and some of the most fun! Submit your idea for a hands-on presentation, class, or tutorial and share your know-how with all of us!
Tabletop Game Host Applications Have you created (or are you in the process of creating) a game, either independently or with a studio? Submit your proposal to demo it on our gaming floor
A child plays a computer game while an adult leans over to watch. Photo by Torrin Maynard.
Psst! When submitting your programming proposal, be sure that it is:
Mission-aligned Be sure to check out our mission and values before you submit to make sure that your programming submission aligns with our vision – to celebrate and honor the legacies of under-represented groups in science, technology, comics, arts, literature, game play, and game design. We do this by connecting geeks worldwide and creating an intersectional community that fosters the continued growth of women in geek culture. We’re looking for programming ideas that help us provide a safe space to spark conversations around social justice while encouraging unabashed geekiness.
Timely We love to receive submissions that are relevant to what is happening today and that discuss timely issues in interesting new ways.
Relevant When submitting your ideas, be sure to keep your audience in mind. What would GeekGirlCon attendees be interested in and excited about?
If you have any questions about submitting your programming idea, please reach out to us at programming@geekgirlcon.com.
Our GeekGirlCon team is busy creating our best convention yet, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it. Happy panel submission season!
It’s that time again! Specifically, the time to introduce you all to Hafsah Faizal, an incredible Featured Contributor who you’ll have the opportunity to hear speak during the panel Rising Stars: Q&A and Book Recs from Publishing’s Most Exciting Newcomers, and meet at not one but two meet and greets over the course of the weekend. (For full details, click here.)
Hafsah Faizal
Not only is Hafsah is the author of the New York Times bestselling fantasy novel We Hunt the Flame, but as the founder of Icey Designs she is a website and brand designer. (Ever checked out the websites of V.E. Schwab, G. Willow Wilson, and Catherynne Valente? All Hafsah’s work!)
GeekGirlCon’18 is just over a week away, which means it’s right before Halloween!
Source: Giphy. Description: A dog in a ghost costume holding a glowing jack-o’-lantern on a cord while surrounded by more jack-o’-lanterns.
Scared you’ll have to choose between enjoying the con and getting your ghoul on? Don’t worry, we have plenty of unboolievably fun workshops, games, panels, and more lined up to help you celebrate in style. Plus, get ready to trick-or-treat all con long! Look for “Trick-or-Treat Here” signs scattered throughout the con. Got food sensitivities or allergies? We’ll have teal pumpkins to mark locations with candy alternatives.
Source: Giphy. Description: a corgi barking at and jumping around a small pumpkin.
Dying for a sneak peek of our fangtastically spooky programming? Here are some highlights:
GeekGirlCon Costume Contest at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA, on Saturday, September 30, 2017.
This year I started dabbling in cosplay, and very quickly came to learn that making a costume is not only an expression of love for a fandom, but it’s also a great opportunity to show off your creative side and your design skills! A LOT of hard work goes into creating outfits, weapons, gear, and props, and it’s only right that if you’ve put in the time for that, that you be recognized for it.
That’s why we’re bringing back the Costume Contest to GeekGirlCon this year! Register in one of the two age categories: adults (13+, holding an adult GeekGirlCon pass), and kids (12 and under, with child passes). Adults can also register as a group of no more than five, if you have a squad effort happening.
Show us what you’ve sewn, hot glued, welded, knitted, or otherwise put together to celebrate your favorite geeky characters.
Image description: a cosplayer holds a R2-D2 parasol while in a ballet-themed R2-D2 costume. Photo by Danny Ngan.
After you register for the category that best suits you, you’ll also be given the option to meet our amazing panel of judges backstage. They’ll be to ask questions about your costume and look up close at it. (This is optional and you can chose not to participate in pre-event judging.) Then, all you need to do is show up on the day for the contest and strut your stuff.
Plus, there are fabulous prizes to be won for your efforts!
A participant in the kids’ costume celebration is asked about their Child of Light cosplay. Photo by Danny Ngan.
Registration is NOW OPEN and will close when all of the spots are filled, or at the time of the convention, whichever comes first. Spots are limited, so make sure you get in quick to snag yours.
The countdown is on to GeekGirlCon ‘18, and you can help us make it our best year yet! You have until 11:59 PST on April 30 to submit your exhibitor or programming application.
For me, a very important part of pre-con preparation is an intense highlighter-and-spreadsheet-infused session of planning exactly which (and how many) events I will attend over the course of the weekend. My excitement doesn’t really set in fully until this point. But once I’ve given myself permission to spend an evening poring over panel descriptions and desperately fantasizing about somehow acquiring a Time-Turner, there’s no going back.
This is a visual representation of my con-prep process. Source: Giphy
Meet Ashley Burch and Bonnie Burton, two featured contributors at GeekGirlCon!
From the voice behind strong characters in popular games to clever feminist crafting , these two featured contributors are bringing cheer and charm to GeekGirlCon this year—one panel at a time.
Pixar Animation Studios will showcase a variety of women within the studio ranging from animators to engineers.
Did Inside Out and Up melt your heart? Laugh endlessly during Monsters University and Finding Dory? Just have an overall appreciation and love for Pixar?
If you answered “yes” to one or all of those questions: prepare to be delighted by this fleet of featured contributors speaking and hanging out during GeekGirlCon.
