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

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.

A panel should last either 45 or 90 minutes, and a workshop is 90 minutes in order to ensure the proper transition between one host/group to the next.

Participants need 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 31st, 2019 to send in your applications.

Please click here to submit a panel/workshop: Submission Form.

Panelists and workshop hosts will receive an acceptance or rejection email on their submissions no later than 3 weeks after the submission deadline. Official panel and workshop schedules will be sent to panelists and workshop hosts at least 3 weeks before the start of the convention.

Guidelines for Panelists & Workshop Hosts

Panelist conduct

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. To identify yourself as a panelist or workshop host, you must pick up your ribbon at the Panels & Workshops table located near the panel rooms during the convention hours. The Panels & Workshops table will be located near the panel rooms during the convention hours.

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. If you start late, it does not mean that you can end late!

*Important note: Panelists and workshop hosts are not allowed to tape things to walls, and soundboards 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:

1. 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 10 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 (16+ and 18+ wristbands or an ID with your photo and date of birth will be needed as they will be checked at the door for all attendees, panelists, and workshop hosts).
3. 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).
4. Inappropriate behaviour and nudity either by the panelists/workshop hosts or the audience are forbidden.
5. The decision to designate an age rating on the panel/workshop by the Panels and Workshops directors is FINAL.

Reward System for Panelists & Workshop Hosts

You will receive your reimbursement on Saturday afternoon or Sunday of the convention after the completion of all the panels/workshops listed on your Panelist/Workshop Host Form. You must present yourself at the Panels & Workshops table during the convention in order to receive your reimbursement. Exact reimbursement times will be posted at the Panels & Workshops table.

If you are unable to pick up your reimbursement during the convention, you must inform the Panels & Workshops staff at least one week before the convention to make alternate arrangements.

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.