Dakota Mini-Nerd Con

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About Us

Above image: Banner from our first event in 2018

Dakota Mini-Nerd Con is an affordable, all-ages event for fans of anime, sci-fi, comics, video games, cosplay, cartoons, and all things nerdy! We hold annual events showcasing character and informational panels, tabletop and video gaming sessions, varied and talented local vendors, many different contests, and so much more.

Staff
- Jade Jobes: Director
- Ryan Wood: Vice Director
- Caroline Argiz: Head of Vendors
- Imogen Christian: Head of Panels
- Chris Argiz: Head of Contests
- Morgan Chamberlain: Official Artist/MarketingHistory
Mini Con was founded by Jade Jobes, a cosplayer who loved attending comic and anime conventions. As much as she loved them, Jade didn't have the chance to attend these cons often due to the cost and the distance. She noticed that she wasn't alone in this feeling, and saw a golden opportunity. Inspired to bring together the community, she started Mini Con at the Rapid City Public Library in 2018, an event that would help bring like-minded people together to geek out over their interests while also being accessible to everyone.Mini Con began as a bi-annual convention in the library and held its first four events during 2018 and 2019. Character panels, like Ouran High School Host Club and Marvel Comics, brought fans together and the art and cosplay contests allowed everyone to show off their talents.The fifth Mini Con was scheduled to run in April of 2020, but unfortunately had to be cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Still hungry to bring people together, Mini Con staff decided to move to the virtual platform and make the most of the situation-- Virtual Mini Con in 2020 came about, bringing panels and contests right into the homes of the community.Although the in-person 2020 event was cancelled, the Mini Con crew pressed on stronger than ever and came back on October 9-10, 2021 at the Cave Collective. The new venue marked a huge expansion for Minicon, adding multiple rooms that allowed vendors and gaming spaces. Attendance was beyond what anyone could have predicted, and Mini Con essentially outgrew its venue already!Now, the sixth official Mini Con is on the horizon at its new home, the Black Hills State University Rapid City campus! This year, the BHSU Anime and Cosplay club is co-hosting the event, and the partnership with the university is opening up more doors than ever before. The space will be bigger, vendors and gaming will be expanded, and it's predicted to be the best Mini Con yet! Stay tuned for more info!

Policies

Please remember this is an all-ages convention. All attendees are expected to follow the Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the event.Code of Conduct
All attendees must be respectful and courteous to all other attendees, staff, and venue personnel. Rude, violent, lewd, or harassing behavior is unacceptable. This includes, but is not limited to, unwanted physical contact, unwanted filming/photography, threats, and offensive comments and/or behavior.
If someone leaves the conversation, walks away, or expresses that they no longer wish to be around you, please behave respectfully, leave the other party alone and continue to enjoy the convention.
If you experience any behavior that you feel is not in accordance with the Code of Conduct, please report it to a staff member immediately.Minors
Minors are welcome to enjoy the convention. For the safety and security of all, those under the age of 16 must be supervised by an adult in their party at all times. Dakota Mini-Nerd Con will not be responsible for unsupervised minors.Clothing/Cosplay
All attendees must wear clothing covering their entire groin, buttocks, nipples, and at least 75% of the breast area. Coverage cannot be sheer, painted on, overly tight, or create the illusion of nudity. Footwear must be worn at all times.
Clothing with obscene language, vulgar, racist, or offensive images will not be allowed.
These rules are gender neutral. If you are unsure if your costume meets these requirements, please contact the staff BEFORE the convention.Props
Props that may appear potentially dangerous (even if they are not) must be peace-bonded upon entry, or at time of purchase from a vendor. Peace-Bonding is an agreement that you will carry your prop safely. A staff member will attach a brightly colored tie on the item to acknowledge that your item has been reviewed.
Live steel, projectiles, and functioning firearms are prohibited.
Convention staff is not responsible for loss or damage of props.Alcohol/Smoking
Alcohol is not permitted at any time within the convention areas.
Smoking, including vaping and e-cigarettes, is only permitted outside.Photo/Video
Photography and video recording is generally allowed, but please be respectful. If the subject asks you to stop because they do not want to be filmed or photographed, please stop. See rude behavior above.
Please do not block walkways while taking pictures.Vendors
All vendors are responsible for their own merchandise, sales tax, and payroll. More details in the Vendor Application.
Anyone selling goods or services at Mini Con who is NOT a vendor will be removed from the convention.Privacy Policy
Personal data (name, address, etc.) will not be shared with anyone outside of Mini Con staff.
Mini Con follows all regulations in PIPEDA and CalOPPA guidelines.
Photographs and videos taken at Mini Con events may be made public for marketing purposes. If you do not want your image made public, you must contact Mini Con by email ([email protected]), prove your identity, and specify which image you would like us to remove.
Vendor’s names (business names, not personal names) may be listed on our website and in the programing guide. Panel host names may be listed on our website and in the programing guide.

Vendors & Sponsors

Da. Mini-Nerd Con is an event rooted in our local community, and we love showcasing all our talented and hardworking artists, writers, musicians, businesspeople, and everything in-between! If you sell goods or services that you'd like to showcase at a Mini Con event, please consider applying!An alternative way to support Mini Con while also promoting your organization or business is buying a sponsorship!Follow the application link below to see more information on vending.
Any questions can be directed to our Facebook page or sent to [email protected].
We're looking forward to working with you!
2023 Vendor applications are OPEN.Vendor Application

2022 Sponsors

Assisting you with your real estate needs in the Black Hills! Whether you are buying, selling, investing or building West River Realty is here and we are always happy to help!
West River Reality Facebook Page: [link]

Here at Deamons Leatherworking we can do anything imaginable, from small items like jewelry, to wallets, up to bags, purses, holsters, clothing, armor and learning saddles. Please inquire for details.
Deamons LeatherWorking Facebook Page: [link]

2022 Vendors

Gallery

Do you have photos from a past Minicon event or fanart of our mascot, Minco? We'd love to feature them here in our gallery! Please send them to [email protected] or our Facebook page along with the information of the photographer or artist for us to credit!

Minco Fanart (Our Mascot!)

We love fanart!! Click the photos for artist credit!

Promotional Art

Art done by our official artists, Gutsybug9 & Mason.

Events

Memories from past events!

Join Us

Mini Con is only able to keep growing because of community members like you! If you want to get involved and help us make the magic happen, please fill out the corresponding form linked below. You can also contact us at [email protected] or on our Facebook page, Da. Mini-Nerd Con.
Volunteers, panelists, vendors, contest entrants, and panel hosts are always welcome and deeply appreciated. Let's make history!Volunteer Application | OPENPanel Application | OPEN
(For suggesting new panels)Panelist Application | OPEN
(For a position on current panels)Vendor Application | OPENArt Contest Application | OPENCosplay Contest Application | OPENGaming Application | OPENYour feedback is greatly appreciated! Tell us what you loved, what needs improvement, and what you want to see at the next Mini Con at [email protected]

Donate

Want to support us even further? Please consider donating with the link below to help our event continue growing without an admission fee. Every dollar helps!

Events

Buy your tickets now!

Previous Events

Myth & Mystery Masquerade (March 2023)
Da. Mini-Nerd Con (July 2022)
Da. Mini-Nerd Con (October 2021)
Da. Mini-Nerd Con (April 2020 - CANCELLED)
Da. Mini-Nerd Con (September 2019)
Da. Mini-Nerd Con (February 2019)
Mini-Nerd Con (September 2018)
Mini-Con (April 2018)

Gaming

Our partners, Tabletop & RPG of the Black Hills, bring tons of tabletop adventures, board games, and more to double the fun at every Minicon event!
Please support them by joining their Facebook group [link]. To get involved, head on over to our Join Us page and apply to run your own game!

Da. Mini-Nerd Con 2023 Gaming Schedule

Friday, July 21

Saturday, July 22

Special Guests

Thank you to all our guests this year!

2023 Guests

Tom Rasch

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Tom Rasch is an accomplished Marvel Comics artist, concept artist for video game/film projects, and content creator. His work includes penciling for Punished 2099, redesigning the Hardy Boys for the Nancy Drew video game, and many others. Tom is currently building his brand and library of comic book character intellectual properties, including comic series Black Alpha, as well as Salem Tusk and The Bondsman in development as movie projects

J.D. Haverhill

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J.D. Haverhill is a local indie author born and raised in South Dakota. Having started writing at the age of 12, she wrote her first book at 14 which is now known as part of The Elder Series. She has two books in the series published and available on Amazon to purchase in paperback and ebook formats with a third book titled “The Cursed Kingdom” planned to be released this year. J.D. Haverhill has won multiple state awards for short stories she has written on top of her published work. She loves sharing her joy of the fine arts including writing with everyone and even has a local group called P.A.W.D that meets monthly to encourage other creative people in their endeavors and their projects

Euphoria

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Bridgett has been making costumes since she was a little girl. Once she discovered her passion for sewing, Bridgett earned her degree in fashion design and built up her portfolio by working in a costume shop at her colleges theatre. She lived in Italy while studying fashion for part of education which allowed her to tour and research historic fashions. She currently owns and operates Seraphim Theatre with her husband while creating custom sewing pieces for people all over the US.
Facebook: @meltdownmessiah

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