From Fan to Pro

Want to learn how to go from Fan to Pro? 

Attend any session(s), workshop(s) or discussion(s) during CONjuration in the Story Plant room at Sonesta Gwinnett Place hotel from November 15th-17th.

Or, for those more serious about becoming PRO, attend ALL sessions throughout the 3 days.

When? See schedule below.
Cost? Free

Nov. 15th (Friday) 4pm - Do You Want to Be a Pro? Story Plant Room (Opening Session)

Overview of what it means to transition from fan to professional. Discussion on the responsibilities and expectations of being a professional in the creative industry. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard, Bill Bridges

Nov. 15th (Friday) 5pm - Learning the Things That Can’t Be Taught Story Plant Room (Panel)

Exploring the intangible skills and insights that are crucial for creative success—resilience, networking, reading, exploring the good and the bad, and learning adaptability. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard, John Bridges, Heath Foley

Nov. 15th (Friday) 6:00 pm - Open Mic and Q&A Story Plant Room (Q&A)

Attendees share their work, ideas, and experiences in a supportive environment, fostering community and networking. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard, John Bridges, Heath Foley

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 10:00 AM – How to Inspire the Big Idea! Story Plant Room (Workshop)

Discover what draws you back to your favorite properties, films, and books. By identifying the emotional core that resonates with you, you'll learn how to apply it to your own work. This workshop will guide you in developing compelling, marketable concepts that captivate a wide audience. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 11:30 AM – Seminar: Tactical Transmedia Strategy on an Indie Budget Story Plant Room (Seminar)

Strategies for expanding your IP across multiple platforms without a big studio budget. Panelists: Houston Howard, Bill Bridges, Andrew Greenberg, Heath Foley

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 12:30 PM – Q&A Story Plant Room (Q&A)

Working Lunch

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 1:30 pm - Crafting Unforgettable Characters Story Plant Room (Panel)

Techniques for creating memorable characters that drive the story and captivate audiences. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 3:00 pm - Weaving Worlds – Worldbuilding Strategies Story Plant Room (Workshop)

Hands-on session focused on building immersive worlds with the potential for expansion across different media. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard, Bill Bridges, Andrew Greenberg

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 5:30 pm - Structure and Plot – Optimizing for Adaptation Story Plant Room (Workshop)

Learn how to structure your story to be adaptable for various formats, from books to screenplays to games. Panelists: Lou Aronica, John Adcox, Houston Howard

Nov. 16th (Saturday) 8:00 PM – Narrative in Game Story Plant Room (Panel)

Panelists: Bill Bridges, Andrew Greenberg, Heath Foley

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 10:00 am - The Art of the Pitch Story Plant Room (Workshop)

How to effectively pitch your project to studios, publishers, and investors. Panelists: Houston Howard, John Adcox, Lou Aronica

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 11:30 am - From Aspiring Artist to Industry Professional Story Plant Room (Panel)

This panel offers practical advice and strategies for artists looking to transition from fandom to professional careers. Learn from experienced industry professionals about the skills you need to build, the importance of a portfolio, networking tips, and how to get your foot in the door. Whether you're a digital artist, illustrator, concept artist, or designer, this session will provide actionable insights to help you navigate your path into the creative industry. Panelists: John Bridges, Heath Foley, Leighanne Schneider, Houston Howard (moderator)

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 1:00 pm - Lunch Break and Informal Networking The Story Plant Room (Networking)

Networking – Lunch provided by The Story Plant

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 2:00PM Pitch Perfect – Live Fan Pitch and Feedback Story Plant Room (Practice Pitching)

This interactive session allows aspiring fan/creators to pitch their projects—whether it's a story, game, comic, or film—to a panel of industry professionals. Each participant will receive constructive feedback on their idea, with tips on how to strengthen their pitch, refine their concept, and make their project more marketable. Whether you're looking for advice on storytelling, worldbuilding, or presentation, this is your chance to get direct input from experts. Panelists: Houston Howard, John Adcox, Lou Aronica, Bill Bridges, Andrew Greenberg, John Bridges, Heath Foley, Leighanne Schneider

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 3:30 pm - The Road Ahead Story Plant Room (Q&A)

Recap of the weekend's learnings and final Q&A with all panelists

Nov. 17th (Sunday) 4:30 pm - Farewell Mixer and Open Mic Story Plant Room (Farewell Mixer)

A final opportunity for attendees to showcase their work, network, and discuss future collaborations.