Panels & Workshops

Attend a panel discussion and network yourself by meeting and sharing with like-minded friends. Participate in a workshop to get some hands-on experience in something new and exciting.

Registering a Panel or Workshop

Hosting a panel or workshop is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with your fellow Otakus, as well as contribute to the overall success of Otakuthon! Remember, priority will be given to panels that are related to Japan such as anime, manga, video games, music, culture, etc.

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 either 45 or 90 minutes, and a workshop is 90 minutes in order to ensure 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 when registering your panel or workshop.

Want to run a panel or workshop, but not sure where to start? Click here for tips.

In order to address issues of compatibility and functionality, we would like participants to bring their own laptop (and corresponding wires and connectors) when needed. We recommend to not bring a Mac laptop as there have been compatibility issues in the past, but if you would still like to use it, please ensure that you have the proper cables for either VGA or HDMI output. No internet connection will be provided by the convention.

If you would like to sign up, you have until May 22, 2016 to send in your applications. Click here to register your panels and workshops.

Please be aware that panels will be considered on a first-come-first-serve basis, as well as the proper filling out of the submission form. All submission forms that are incorrectly filled out will put your panel at the lowest priority.

Panelists and workshops host will receive an acceptance or rejection email on their submissions no later than 2 weeks after the submission deadline. Official panel and workshop schedules will be sent to panelists and workshop hosts at least 1 month before the start of the convention.

Guidelines for Panelists and Workshop Hosts

Panelist conduct

Panelists must conduct themselves properly during their panel. Bad behaviour, swearing, and discrimination are not tolerated and will result in the banning of the panelist from hosting panels in the future. Panelists are allowed to express their opinions, but not if it is offensive and hurtful.

At the convention before your panel/workshop

Please pick up your badge at the pre-registration line as early as possible, ideally the day before your scheduled panel/workshop (i.e. if your panel is Friday, you should pick up your badge on Thursday). To identify yourself as a panelist or workshop host, you must pick up your ribbon at the Panels & Workshops table located at the exit of the Registration area during registration hours on Thursday and between 9am to 10:45 am on Friday. The Panels & Workshops table will be located near the panel rooms during the convention hours.

At the convention, during the first few minutes of your panel

At the start of every panel or workshop you are going to host, one of the Panels & Workshop staff will come by to take attendance, which will be recorded on your Panelist/Workshop Host form, which is kept by the Panels & Workshops staff. 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.

During your panel/workshop

Wear a watch! The panel is only 45 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 group. Also please remember that if you start late, it does not mean that you can end late! Please be fair to the next group using the room. Also, be courteous and make sure that the room is clean after your panel/workshop.

*Important note: Panelists and workshop hosts are not allowed to tape things to walls, and sound boards are not cork boards.

Please do not touch the equipment in the room more than is necessary. Many technical difficulties have occurred due to someone touching the wrong button or connecting to the wrong piece of equipment. If you experience technical difficulties at any point in time during your panel or workshop, please go see the Panels & Workshops staff at the Panels & Workshops table, where they will come and help resolve the issue.

Most important thing, like, ever

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

Guidelines for Mature Panels and Workshops

Panels and workshops featuring mature content must abide by the following restrictions:

Panels & workshops with 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+).
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 for all attendees, panelists and workshop hosts).
The consent of participants must be obtained before taking part in any form of "fanservice" (encouragement is acceptable, but no coercion or forcing of an attendee to participate).
Inappropriate behaviour and nudity either by the panelists/workshop hosts or the audience are forbidden.
The decision to designate an age rating on the panel/workshop by the Panels and Workshops directors is FINAL.

Reward System for Panelists and Workshop Hosts

Number of Panels or Workshops	Reimbursement on Convention Badge
1 panel	$15 off
1 workshop / 90-minute panel	$20 off
2 panels	$30 off
1 panel + 1 workshop	$35 off
One of the following: - 3 or more panels OR - 2 or more workshops OR - 2 panels + 1 workshop OR - 1 panel + 2 workshops	Full reimbursement (100%)

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. Exact reimbursement times will be posted at the Panels & Workshops table.

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.

Thank you

The Panels & Workshops team would like to thank you for expressing interest in submitting content for Otakuthon.