MidSouthCon (MSC) is officially Memphis’ longest running multi-genre convention boasting 36 years of business. It is a small local event that is highly celebrated in the Memphis nerd community. No matter what your interest, MSC has something for you.
I try to attend this event every year even if I am only able to make if for an hour or two on Saturday afternoon. MSC is a great community gathering for Memphis nerds and when I am there I feel like I am seeing family I only get to see on holidays or special occasions.
Pre-event registration for weekend passes is available online. One day passes ($35/17) are available at the door. MSC has a social media presence (FB,TW & IG) but I do not feel they are very active on these sites. Necessary information is provided there but not a lot of pre-event hype that I see with other similar events. They do have a great website with plenty of information. I have found I personally go to the website more than social media for this particular event.
I want to start off by saying MidSouthCon is another event with a heart for community. Every year event organizers select a charitable organization and donate a percentage of the profits. This year they were able to make a sizable donation to Literacy Mid-South, which ties into yet another noble purpose behind this event...education. Their devotion to community and education is reflected in the panels, guests and vendors and I feel understanding this will help the average attendee enjoy this gathering a bit more.
I did have one “not so pleasant” experience at the event in association with check in which included missing passes. A TRP photog and myself were scheduled to be there working as photographers under media passes which went MIA prior to our check in. During the process of check in we ended up being passed off MULTIPLE TIMES before finally finding a person who was willing to handle the situation. I have organized many events in my lifetime and I know sometimes attendees with “special passes” are not always regarded as paying customers by the staff. As a reminder we were there to do a job. We have opted to either cut our normal rate or forego payment in support of specific events that mean a lot to us. Please treat “special pass attendees” with the same respect as the paying customers. We dedicate a lot of time and our personal finances to your program. I do want to add this singular incident was not reflective of the staff during the rest of the event. During the remainder of the event the staff and volunteers were very attentive and helpful.
One of the things I love about MSC is the cosplayers. This is the opportunity for me to check out what is new with my local counterparts. Let me tell you Memphis has some talented cosplayers and I am always excited to see their creations up close and personal.
MSC has a cosplay contest or “Masquerade”. Most of my readers know by now I am not a huge fan of participating in cosplay contests. I actually avoid it. I have been in (& placed) in MSC’s Masquerade in the past. From friends and attendees I continue to receive mixed reviews about participating in this competition. Prepare to be on hand for a long time with this one. Pre-judging is very detailed and CAN BE BRUTAL. You need to be in your toughest skin before entering this one! If they do not like your creation…you know it! Now they do not come out and say “your cosplay looks like shit” but you will receive less than flattering feedback. Pre-judging starts around 8pm, stage appearances 10ish with an intermission concert before announcing winners. Prepare to be onsite until 1 or 2 am. There is a kiddie cosplay contest to which is much earlier in the day. OH the cuteness!
If you are looking for a fully packed weekend of nerdy goodness do not miss this local con.
I want to start off by saying MidSouthCon is another event with a heart for community. Every year event organizers select a charitable organization and donate a percentage of the profits. This year they were able to make a sizable donation to Literacy Mid-South, which ties into yet another noble purpose behind this event...education. Their devotion to community and education is reflected in the panels, guests and vendors and I feel understanding this will help the average attendee enjoy this gathering a bit more.
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| MSC Organizer Carlin Stuart and Literacy Mid-South's Executive Director Knox Shelton |
For many years, MSC has been hosted at the Memphis Hilton. This year it was the weekend of March 9-11th. Of course rooms are available at a discounted group rate to attendees. The room rates are reasonable so go ahead make it a fun-filled weekend getaway into total sci-fi and nerd-dom.
The venue itself I am a bit torn about. While Hilton Memphis offers some definite pros - lovely ground floor level with tons of seating and good lighting for photogs, COFFEE SHOP, outdoor seating on a lovely patio complete with fire pits, many break out rooms for panels, COFFEE, lovely grounds with a lake…did I mention COFFEE. There are several cons to the space too - the elevator is a deathtrap and attendees and staff alike were taking bets on when it would die, low lighting and narrow hallways in the lower level make crowding an issue and a nightmare for pics, PARKING IS AWFUL and does not feel at all convenient to the hotel entrance.
I am also aware of issues between the convention and the hotel which include damage of property (not the fault of the event itself but a con-goer) and multiple noise complaints. Did the hotel fail to realize after years of participation they were booking a con? Hmmmm…
Concessions were plentiful and affordable which is a plus if you are planning to be there all day. Nothing is worse than spending your entire budget on cheap concession food and beverages which we have all done before.
I think it is safe to say the biggest focus of MSC is panels and gaming. The panels and demonstrations are extremely diverse, overlapping and back-to-back. The schedule is usually posted early enough so you can plan your weekend around what panels you want to attend and this year they offered an interactive schedule which was super convenient! DO NOT try to participate in everything I don’t think it is humanly possible. Kudos to the schedule master…your efforts are noticed!
Gaming was in multiple rooms and included everything from board games, FORGE, LARP, RPG, miniatures, and this year a Pandemic Tourney.
The venue itself I am a bit torn about. While Hilton Memphis offers some definite pros - lovely ground floor level with tons of seating and good lighting for photogs, COFFEE SHOP, outdoor seating on a lovely patio complete with fire pits, many break out rooms for panels, COFFEE, lovely grounds with a lake…did I mention COFFEE. There are several cons to the space too - the elevator is a deathtrap and attendees and staff alike were taking bets on when it would die, low lighting and narrow hallways in the lower level make crowding an issue and a nightmare for pics, PARKING IS AWFUL and does not feel at all convenient to the hotel entrance.
I am also aware of issues between the convention and the hotel which include damage of property (not the fault of the event itself but a con-goer) and multiple noise complaints. Did the hotel fail to realize after years of participation they were booking a con? Hmmmm…
Concessions were plentiful and affordable which is a plus if you are planning to be there all day. Nothing is worse than spending your entire budget on cheap concession food and beverages which we have all done before.
I think it is safe to say the biggest focus of MSC is panels and gaming. The panels and demonstrations are extremely diverse, overlapping and back-to-back. The schedule is usually posted early enough so you can plan your weekend around what panels you want to attend and this year they offered an interactive schedule which was super convenient! DO NOT try to participate in everything I don’t think it is humanly possible. Kudos to the schedule master…your efforts are noticed!
Gaming was in multiple rooms and included everything from board games, FORGE, LARP, RPG, miniatures, and this year a Pandemic Tourney.
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| One of the many gaming rooms |
If you are coming for big name celeb interaction this may not be the event for you but if you are looking to rub elbows with the intellectually elite this is the place to be. Special guests this year included authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, artist Peri Charlifu, comic writer and editor Mike Carlin, Science goddess (that is idiot terms for mission operations engineer) Keri Bean, Editor Ellen Daltow, Writers Alan Alexander and Mike Resnick and nerd parody band The Library Bards.
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| VIP Guests during the Opening Ceremony |
Most conventions offer “kid friendly” activities but MSC has it down to an art. The kids’ area is headed up by Annie Patton and her gallery of volunteers. Each year your “little”, as she refers to the kiddos in her area, can make arts & crafts; have a lights out neon dance party, see a pirate band, watch science experiments or whatever fun activity she has on the schedule. Her space is always fun and highly decorated. MY REQUEST…give her more room!!
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| Kid's Room this year pictured: Neon Dance Party, Annie shows off her slime skills, Summer assist kids with science experiments. |
By comparison to other conventions the vendor floor is relatively small but packed. If offers a great mix of nerdy treasures and geeky memorabilia. MSC offers a good selection of authors selling their books, which actually made up the bulk of what I purchased (Sivads of March by Mike McCarthy and Lost Born by Chris Jowers). There are also plenty of artists’ works to choose from, handcrafted items and a few community tables.
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| A few of the booths in the vendor area (MSC is a readers paradise!) |
In addition to panels, gaming and shopping there are quite a few other “things to do” on the schedule like opening and closing ceremonies, VIP meet & greet, Banquet & Darrell Awards, midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dance Parties Friday & Saturday night, Art & Charity Auction, VIP breakfast, Teddy Bear Tea Party.
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| Friday night banquet |
One of the things I love about MSC is the cosplayers. This is the opportunity for me to check out what is new with my local counterparts. Let me tell you Memphis has some talented cosplayers and I am always excited to see their creations up close and personal.
MSC has a cosplay contest or “Masquerade”. Most of my readers know by now I am not a huge fan of participating in cosplay contests. I actually avoid it. I have been in (& placed) in MSC’s Masquerade in the past. From friends and attendees I continue to receive mixed reviews about participating in this competition. Prepare to be on hand for a long time with this one. Pre-judging is very detailed and CAN BE BRUTAL. You need to be in your toughest skin before entering this one! If they do not like your creation…you know it! Now they do not come out and say “your cosplay looks like shit” but you will receive less than flattering feedback. Pre-judging starts around 8pm, stage appearances 10ish with an intermission concert before announcing winners. Prepare to be onsite until 1 or 2 am. There is a kiddie cosplay contest to which is much earlier in the day. OH the cuteness!
If you are looking for a fully packed weekend of nerdy goodness do not miss this local con.
