Get Your Geek on at the 2nd Annual Des Moines Con

Calling all geeks, nerds, gamers, TV and film buffs! Des Moines Con (DMC) is coming back for its second year at the Iowa Events Center on Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4. It’s a chance to meet dozens of internationally known actors, wrestlers, comic creators and other entertainers. This year’s event features a star from AMC's The Walking Dead, Ross Marquand. You'll also see two of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers actors, including Iowa’s own David Yost who starred as the Blue Power Ranger in the mid-1990s. He’s also reprising his role in a new 30th Anniversary Power Rangers special this year.

What to Expect at Des Moines Con

Anime fans won’t want to miss the chance to meet and mingle with their favorite voice actors from TV shows and movies like Pokémon, SpongeBob SquarePants, Phineas & Ferb, Freakazoid and Tiny Toon Adventures. Among the guests this year will be Sarah Natochenny, best known for voicing Ash Ketchum of Pokémon since 2006, and Tom Kenny who voices SpongeBob SquarePants.

“We have a fantastic lineup of guests this year from an eclectic mix of media. Many faces you’ll recognize from TV, movies or even the wrestling ring,” says Ben Penrod, the creator of the production company Nerd Street. “Others you may have never seen before but certainly know their talent as a memorable voice you may have been hearing for years on your favorite show.”

Penrod is no stranger to the world of Cons. Nerd Street currently produces other shows around the country including Twin Cities Con, Central Florida Comic Con, Annapolis Comic-Con, Alaska ComiCon and others. Penrod fell in love with Des Moines while visiting a friend, and decided the city would be the perfect location for a new comic con event, leading to the first year of the con in 2022.

“The Iowa fan community turned out in huge numbers for Des Moines Con last year, and we can’t wait to give then an even bigger event in June,” says Penrod.

Des Moines Con isn’t all about the celebrities. Guests will have the chance to take part in tapletop gaming tournaments, video game tournaments, discussion panels and workshops, costume contests and browse through dozens of merchant booths selling comics, art, toys and much more. If you want to see all the action from a different perspective, there’s also an opportunity to volunteer at DMC.

If you’d like to check out Des Moines Con, early-bird ticket pricing goes through Monday, March 20. You can go to both days of the event for $25. There’s also a VIP Pass option which gives guests the chance to get into Hy-Vee Hall early, priority in lines, a t-shirt and an art print. For more information, visit desmoinescon.com. Follow along on social media as well @DesMoinesCon.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership calendar of events is a one-stop resource for activities taking place throughout the region. Find networking information for Greater Des Moines (DSM) businesses or events specific to Downtown DSM.