Bids for JemCon 2026 will be open until June 30th 2025. To submit your bid, email your bid package to jemconforever@gmail.com.

JemCon is a convention BY FANS FOR FANS. Through 20 years of conventions, we’ve had 20 different hosts and each year there is a new host city (other than the years we were virtual and the two conventions in Minneapoils). Hosting JemCon is just like planning a big party for all your most outrageous friends and family!

NEW for 2026- FAQS about hosting JemCon. Check out our brand new FAQ below that covers typical questions and potential roadblocks seen with prior bid submissions

In order to best prepare you for preparing a bid for JemCon, please read through our Bid Requirements and this Sample Bid and note any questions you might have. JemCon 2018 & 2023 con chair Rachel has also put together her own Lessons Learned document with lots of useful information about her own experience of putting together a JemCon bid.

We know that bidding can be a little intimidating, but we are here to help you through the process. You can also always send questions to jemconforever@gmail.com or contact us through the contact form. We also have a whole team of staff and volunteers (including former hosts) who would be happy to talk you through the process if you have have any questions or would like a friendly ear to bounce ideas off of.

Hosting JemCon FAQS

Why should I consider hosting JemCon?

There are lots of fun reasons to host JemCon. First of all, you would get a chance to put your unique stamp on a 20+ year tradition! Maybe you want to show off your city or town? Maybe you have a dream roster of guests and panels, and you want to meet and interact with some of the creatives behind Jem? Maybe you want to share, or build, expertise in aspects of event/convention planning? There are probably dozens of overlapping and complementary reasons you should host a future JemCon. One outcome is certain: you will make new friends and memories to last a lifetime!

How are the locations for JemCon decided each year?

Every year fans come together and submit bids to “host” JemCon in their city. JemCon is run entirely by volunteers and fans of the 80s show/toy line, and various media it has inspired since then. It is put on by fans, for fans. We do not have full-time employees, or a corporate overlord. While there are numerous people, including past hosts, willing to help keep JemCon going, someone must submit a bid and step up to “host” JemCon for it to continue each year.

Does hosting JemCon cost a lot of money?

Like any event, there may be some costs involved in hosting JemCon. Since JemCon’s inception in 2005, very few hosts have had to pay a significant amount of money out of pocket to run JemCon. JemCon is typically self-supporting through registrations, fundraising efforts, donations, and careful planning.

Collaborating with former hosts/staff members and proper planning will help ensure you have the resources to put on a successful JemCon without being out of pocket a lot of money.

Who handles the money exactly? Do I need to pay for stuff out of pocket?

We have a core group of trusted volunteers (including former hosts/cohosts) who help ensure prudent financial planning for JemCon. Historically, JemCon has been self-supporting through registrations, fundraising efforts, and donations.

There are expenses throughout the year, but there are typically funds available in the JemCon account to cover these as they materialize.

If someone has extra funds they wish to allocate towards JemCon, they certainly can, but it is not required to host JemCon.

Collaborating with former hosts/staff members and proper planning, promotion and determination will help ensure you are set up for success with your JemCon!

How much money will be needed? Exactly when will it be needed?

The costs of running JemCon vary each year due to different locations, number of guests, etc. Typically, the biggest portion of expenses will be needed for the hotel or venue in which the majority of JemCon activities happen. Most hotels/venues have a payment schedule outlined as part of any contract. Having ongoing promotions and working closely with other staff members will help ensure the JemCon account has enough funds to cover any invoices as they come in.

We have former hosts who are willing to help you research hotels and negotiate a cost effective contract if you need assistance with this aspect. Securing an affordable hotel is the best way to set up your JemCon for success as it’s typically the biggest, fixed cost associated with hosting/running JemCon.

Besides the hotel, the other main cost for JemCon is the guests. While every guest has different needs/costs, most guests will need a hotel room for the weekend along with reimbursement for their travel needs. However, those costs are not incurred  until closer to JemCon.

If you host JemCon in an area where more guests are local and able to drive, that will also help keep costs down. There are lots of ways to keep costs down and ensure JemCon has the funds needed to run.

Speaking of money, is there any compensation for hosting?

No, not at this time. JemCon is run by enthusiastic volunteers, including the host(s) themselves. The compensation comes in creating a unique, inclusive, fun and unforgettable experience, celebrating all things Jem!

Who decides who gets to host JemCon? What if there are multiple bids?

The bid committee, which consists primarily of former hosts, reviews all bids and ultimately decides whether to approve a particular bid. The main factors that are considered typically include enthusiasm, clarity of vision, preparation, anticipated costs and identified staff members. Prior attendance at, and involvement with, JemCon are also heavily considered when reviewing a bid.

We highly recommend attending at least one JemCon in person before submitting a bid to host.

Ideally, we will have potential hosts lined up for several years and you can learn while preparing for your turn to host!

How do I find guests?

We have many former hosts and staff members connected with various guests who would be happy to help you coordinate and identify specific guest needs. Prioritize who you want to feature at your JemCon and we will try to help you make it happen!

Can I host with a group of friends?

Yes! Having a core group of people willing to help make JemCon happen will help ensure a successful outcome and prevent everything from falling on one person.

Do I have to live in the same location as JemCon?

While it is easier to host JemCon in an area you’re familiar with, we have had people host JemCon in areas that are completely different from where they physically live.

What about the fashion contest? I don’t have any sewing skills, and this isn’t something I’m able to help with.

We have lots of talented people in the JemCon and Jem fan community who are willing and able to help with JemCon, including the fashion contest. We encourage you to be proactive in reaching out to people who may be able to help with different aspects of JemCon, including the fashion contest.

What about artwork? I’m not artistically talented. How do I find people for artwork?

We have lots of talented people in the JemCon and Jem fan community who are willing and able to help with JemCon, including artwork. Again, we encourage you to be proactive in reaching out to people who may be able to help with different aspects of JemCon, including artwork.

Posting in the different Jem fan groups on social media and asking if people are interested in helping is a great way to start.

I’m really only interested in a particular aspect of JemCon, but I don’t want to be in charge of hosting. That seems like too much work.

Again, JemCon is run entirely by volunteers and is truly a team effort. If there’s a particular aspect you’re interested in, we encourage you to reach out to try to be part of that effort at an upcoming JemCon. You will have a backstage pass to how everything works and really get to know some people with all kinds of talents. In the future, you could connect with other fans and see if a group may be interested in hosting together. We’ve had numerous successful JemCons with co-hosts. There are lots of ways to be involved with JemCon without hosting, but ultimately, someone has to take the lead with submitting a bid document and offer to host for JemCon to happen.

I really have to fill out this entire bid document? It seems like a lot of work.

The bid document is meant to be a guideline, based on previous JemCons, to help you identify the key elements that may be involved with hosting JemCon. We want to be transparent about what may be involved and help ensure you’re set up for success. While you may not have information identified for every section, we do find that the more complete your bid is, the more prepared you will be for planning and hosting JemCon.

We encourage you to submit your document with as much information as you have, and highlight any areas where you may need some assistance. Significantly incomplete documents will be flagged and likely need to be revisited for feasibility, but we are more than happy to help you with any aspect of the bid document or planning JemCon.

I still have some questions.

Please reach out to us! We’re happy to help.