We’re very excited to welcome you to Des Moines Con! Below is some important event details, useful tips and planning considerations to help you make the most of your Des Moines Con experience.
Event Details
Location –
Iowa Events Center – 730 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Hall A: Registration
Hall B and C: Exhibit Hall/Artist Alley/Celebrity Guests
300-Level Room & Grand Ballroom: Panel Rooms & Main Stage
Show Hours –
Exhibit Hall Hours
Friday: 12PM – 7PM
Saturday: 10AM – 6PM
Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
Programming Hours
Friday: 1PM – 12 AM
Saturday: 10AM – 12AM
Sunday: 10AM – 5PM
Registration Hours
Friday: 10:30AM – 7PM
Saturday: 8:30AM – 6PM
Sunday: 9AM – 5PM
Directions and Parking Information – https://www.iowaeventscenter.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking
Event Schedule –Website: https://www.desmoinescon.com/schedule/
App: https://builder.guidebook.com/g/dmc26/
Exhibitor List – https://www.desmoinescon.com/exhibitor-artists/
Pro Tip: Download the Guidebook App to get the most up to date information, plus the ability to create your own schedule, and more.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration Hours
Friday, May 29 | 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, May 30 | 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 31 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
How Registration Works
Registration takes place in Hall A of the Iowa Events Center. After you make your way to Hall A, there will be a sign that splits the line in two: 1. those who have purchased badges in advance and 2. those who would like to purchase on-site.
If you have purchased your badge in advance, the line will then split further into pre-registration, VIP, and press/panelist. Single day passes, Weekend and Super Weekend passes will use the line marked pre-registration, VIP pass holders will use the line marked pre-registration, and press/panelists will use the line designated press/panelist.
Please make sure to have your QR codes ready for scanning! If you cannot find your QR code, don’t worry! Please let a staff member know when you get to the front of the line and they will be able to help look up your tickets.
If you are purchasing at the event, both cash and card are accepted and a staff member will direct you to the next available person to assist you.
EARLY BADGE PICKUP
Date: Thursday, May 28th
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM
Location: Rook Room Game Lounge and Cafe – 300 SW 5th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Badge Types To Be Picked Up: Single Day Friday, Single Day Saturday, Single Day Sunday, Weekend, Super Weekend, VIP, Kids Tickets
How It Works: Bring your QR code to Rook Room and you will be directed to the pick up line. Our staff will scan your barcode and give you your badge. You will not need to go through the registration line when you arrive to the event as you will already have your badge.
Additional Information: The Rook Room will also be offering a waived PlayPass cover fee and a “10% off one drink” coupon for any beverage on their menu to anyone picking up their badge.
*If your badge type is not listed above, you must pick you badge up during regular registration hours (shown above).
PHOTO OPS
Photo Ops are available for purchase online before the event and during the event (provided they have not sold out). Only credit cards will be accepted. Photo ops are non-refundable.
Photo Ops are redeemed at the front desk of the photo op area. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to get in line.
You may have up to 4 individuals* per Photo Op ticket (this limit does not apply to the talent or children 3 years and younger) unless otherwise noted on the talent sales page. This limit may change at any time, so please check back regularly. *Some talent may have a more restricted limit of individuals per Photo Op ticket. This information will be available on that talent’s sales page and may change at any time.
For more information regarding photo ops, please see the website here – https://store.epic.leapevent.tech/des-moines-con/2026#info
AUTOGRAPHS
You can meet your favorite guest for autographs in the Exhibit Hall. There is no schedule for autographs. Guests will be signing throughout the day unless they are doing a photo op, doing a panel or taking a break (ex. lunch). If a guest is not at their booth, a staff member at their booth will be able to indicate when they may return.
Autographs and selfies may be a combination of cash and card based. Please plan accordingly and bring cash prior to attending the event for autographs just in case. Prices vary by each guest and can be found on our guest price list below.
Some guests may offer selfies at their booths. If it’s not on our website, you can ask the guest at their booth.
Lines will be cut if a celebrity has a scheduled photo op or Q&A.
Pro Tip: On Sunday, some guests may need to leave early, so plan on getting your autographs and photo ops early in the day to avoid missing them!
GUEST CANCELLATIONS
Guests that have cancelled their appearance will be announced on our social media.
Guests that have cancelled their 2026 appearance:
Patina Miller
Heather Antos
GENERAL INFORMATION
We recommend bringing a mix of cash and credit card as vendors and guests decide individually what they will accept. JSA is cashless and will accept various forms of digital payments.
You can exit and re-enter the exhibit hall and programming as often as you like once you pick up your badge. Please use the designated entrances and exits.
The convention center does not allow outside food or drink. No outside orders (e.g., Uber Eats) are allowed at the convention center.
We do not have specific bag policy in place. Please note that bags may be searched at any time by security personnel, police, and/or staff. Refusal to comply will result in ejection from the venue with no refund or credit.
For more information, please see our FAQ and info page here – https://www.desmoinescon.com/info/
PANELS AND PROGRAMMING
Panels are included with your Des Moines Con badge. This includes the Sam Haft concert on Saturday night.
Most panels are “free flow” meaning that there will not be a line to get into the next panel. Staff and con squad members will create lines for panels that have required the room to be cleared beforehand. Staff and con squad members will make an announcement in the panel room if a room clear will occur. They will also indicate where to line up and what lines are which.
18+ After Dark Programming
Panels marked 18+ required an 18+ wristband to attend. 18+ wristbands can be obtained from registration or from the door monitor of an 18+ panel room before an event.
You must show a valid ID (state ID, passport, driver’s license, etc.) to receive a wristband. You must wear this wristband on your wrist, it cannot be attached to your badge, bad, etc. If you have a sensory reason to not wear it on your wrist, you must provide a valid ID to coincide with showing your 18+ wristband.
Pro Tip: Get your 18+ wristband early if you plan on attending to avoid having to pull out your ID when trying to get a seat in the room!
Download the guidebook
Our Guidebook will have the most up-to-date information as well as an awesome map to help you get around the show, ways to create your own schedule of events, and more!
Below are the instructions to download the guide! There are a few different ways.
Option 1:
1. In the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, search for the “Guidebook”.
2. Download the App call Guidebook.
3. Once you have the Guidebook App download, click on “Find Guides”.
4. Search “Des Moines Con 2026” and you will be able to add the Guidebook.
Option 2:
1. Click the link here: https://builder.guidebook.com/g/dmc26/
2A. If you’re on mobile – scroll down the page and there will be a button that reads “Download the App”.
3A. Click the “Download the App” button and follow the prompts.
2B: If you’re on a laptop – there will be a “Download the App” in the upper right corner.
3B: Click the “Download the App” button which will give you instructions on how to download the app on your mobile phone.
Option 3:
1. Scan the QR code above
2. Follow the prompt to download the Guidebook App (if you don’t already have it) and then the Des Moines Con 2026 guide.
ACCESSIBILITY
For questions regarding accessibility, please see our full policy here – https://www.desmoinescon.com/info/
Des Moines Con to provides attendees with disabilities and one companion. [Both the attendee and the companion must have a badge to attend the event. The wristband does not serve as a replacement for a Des Moines Con Badge.] These must be requested at registration.
The Quiet Room is located in room 311.
The autograph area and select panels (panels that have had the room cleared before) will have a specific line for accessibility. Please speak to a staff or con squad member for exact locations.
COSTUMES AND PROPS
A few quick reminders regarding costumes and cosplay props at Des Moines Con.
- All props must be brought to Props Check (located in Hall A near registration)
- Props and costumes must abide by our costume and prop policy found here – https://www.desmoinescon.com/COSPLAY/
- Staff reserves the right to ask to see that a prop has been approved by props check at any time.
- The costume contests on Saturday and Sunday needed to be registered for in advance. If you did not register in advance, you may stop by pre-judging to see if a spot is available. If the judges have a spot they may be able to add you, but this is at the discretion of the judges.
- The Shimmy in the Tank 18+ Cosplay Catwalk takes place on Friday and does not required advanced registration. But does require contestants and audience members to be 18+.
