Panels & Workshops

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For general inquiries, please contact the Information Desk at info@otakuthon.com.

For all registration questions, please contact registration@otakuthon.com.

Join a panel discussion and network yourself into meeting and sharing with like-minded friends. Enlist into a workshop to get some hands-on experience learning something wonderful.

Please check out our forums for more information.

Registering a Panel or Workshop

Organizing a panel or workshop can be a fun and rewarding experience.  You'll enjoy discussing the topics that you love with your fellow Otakus and it's a great way to contribute to the overall success of Otakuthon!

In order to become a panelist or workshop host, YOU MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED!

There will be a maximum of 4 people allowed per panel and no more than 6 panels allowed per person. The number of people who can sign up for a given workshop will depend on the workshop's content and format.

A panel should last 45 minutes and a workshop 90 minutes in order to insure proper transition between one host/group to the next. Special concerns and requirements about set-up and clean-up should be brought to the attention of the directors.

In order to address issues of compatibility and functionality, we would like participants to bring their own laptop (and corresponding wires and connectors, for VGA output only, especially for Mac laptops) when needed. No Internet connection will be provided by the convention.

If you'd like to sign up, you have until June 23, 2012 to send your applications to us. Click here to register your panels and workshops.

Guidelines For Panelists And Workshop Hosts

AT THE CON BEFORE YOUR PANEL/WORKSHOP

Please pick up your badge at the special line-up as you arrive. The regular lines are not only unnecessarily long to wait in, but also will not provide you the badge you need.

DURING YOUR PANEL/WORKSHOP

Wear a watch! The panel is actually only 45 minutes or 90 minutes (to allow panelists to move around, set up, etc). A workshop is 90 minutes maximum. Try to arrive a little in advance before the official starting time in order to properly set up and prepare yourself, and wrap up the conversation on time to get out of the way for the next panelists. Also please remember that if you start late, it DOES NOT mean that you can run late! Please be fair to the next group using the room.

AT THE CON A FEW MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR PANEL

Just before the start of every panel or workshop you are going to host, one of the Panels & Workshop staff will come by for you to sign the Panelist/Workshop Host form for the panel/workshop you will be presenting shortly. After you have completed all your panels/workshops, you can pass by the Panels & Workshops table where a final signature will be required. This is necessary for you to receive your reimbursement at the end of the convention. 

MOST IMPORTANT THING, LIKE, EVER

Have fun! And try to help make it fun for everyone else, too!

Guidelines For Mature Panels & Workshops

Panels and workshops that will have mature content must abide by the following restrictions:

1.  Panels & workshops that will have content or discussions involving graphic violence and/or sexuality, eroticism, ecchi, horror and full frontal nudity will be scheduled after 8 PM (16+).  Content or discussion involving hentai, explicit sexuality or other pornographic material, as well as extreme or excessive violence and gore will be scheduled after 11 PM (18+).

2. Panels & workshops that have been designated as "mature" will be held behind closed doors and will have age restrictions (either 16+ or 18+) on who could enter (photo IDs with date of birth will be checked at the door).

3. The consent of participants must be obtained before taking part in any forms of "fanservice" (no coercion, no forcing, encouragement is acceptable).

4. Inappropriate behaviour and nudity either by the panelists or the audience are forbidden.

5. The decision to designate an age rating on the panel/workshop by the Panels and/or Workshops directors is FINAL.

Reward System For Panelists And Workshop Hosts

You will receive your reimbursement on Saturday afternoon and Sunday of the convention after the completion of all of the panels/workshops listed on your Panelist/Workshop Host form.

Need to know more?

Need more information?  You can contact the Panels Director at panels@otakuthon.com or the Workshops Director at workshops@otakuthon.com.