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JemCon

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JemCon is a two-day weekend fan meeting convention held annually to celebrate the Jem franchise that started in 1985, known for featuring a popular animated series and a doll toyline, among various other merchandise. The event is hosted by fans of the franchise and is neither associated nor endorsed by Hasbro or Sunbow Entertainment, the original producers of the toyline and TV show.

Description[]

The JemCon annual convention is noteworthy for inviting writers, producers, voice actors, and other staff that were involved in one way or another in the original Jem TV series and toyline, as well as newer iterations of the franchise –such as the new commemorative toyline and comic– who meet on Q&A sessions with their fans. Attendants are known to cosplay wearing costumes based on characters of the TV show and contests are held to reward the best ones. Other frequent activities at JemCon include: panel discussions, competitive trivia rounds, karaoke, a vendor area full of Jem merchandise to display and sell, a charity auction, and even a late-night disco ball (not exclusively playing songs from the TV show, but from the 1980s in general).[1]

Liz Pemberton - 01

Liz Pemberton, founder of JemCon.

The first JemCon was founded by Liz Pemberton and took place in 2005 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, drawing in about 50 people, and since then it has been hosted annually without taking any breaks. So far, the convention has been held in three different countries: the United States, Canada and the Netherlands, and has been hosted in 15 cities. People from all over the world are known to attend JemCon wherever it is held each year. The event doesn't count with any major sponsors, it is entirely a volunteer effort planned by a different person or group of people every year.[1]

Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the JemCons from 2020 and 2021 had to be carried on in online form, where hosts, guest panelists and attendants met in web conferences to replace the usual in-person sessions. The organizers returned to their usual schedule of physically hosting the event in 2022, once again in Minneapolis, where the very first JemCon took place. The organizers took this opportunity to combine the physical convention with online streaming of certain activities, for Jem fans to access the con from the comfort of their homes. 2023 followed suit, held in Rhode Island.

JemCon history and guests[]

  • JemCon 2005
    • "Makin' Mischief in Minneapolis"
    • July 16, 2005
  • JemCon 2007
    • "Showtime in Chicago"
  • JemCon 2008
    • "Rockin' in L.A."
  • JemCon 2009
    • "Magic in Motown"
  • JemCon 2010
    • "Set Your Sails for New England"
  • JemCon 2011
    • "Makin' it Happen in Holland"
  • JemCon 2012
    • "Show Me the Way to St. Louis"
    • September 28-29, 2012

Trivia[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 'Jem and the Holograms': An Eighties Rock Cartoon's Truly Outrageous Legacy article at Rolling Stone.

External links[]

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