Programming Policies

If you aren't allowed to do it outside of Otakuthon, it isn't allowed at Otakuthon.

Panels and Workshop Policies

Due to a restricted amounts of seats available for panels and workshops, we ask attendees to respect the following:

• Be respectful to others. We will not allow people to reserve places for people that will come late.
• To assure everyone’s safety, all attendees must have a designated seat. Standing people or observers will not be tolerated unless directed by panel or workshop staff.
• At the end of every panel or workshop, the room will be emptied.
• Please read the panel or workshop descriptions to see which will require a reservation or not.

For those who require reservation:

1. Seating reservation coupons will be distributed 1 hour before the start of the panel or workshop on a first come-first serve basis in front of the room where the activity will take place.
2. Attendees with a reservation coupon will need to show up 5 minutes before the start of the panel or workshop to be allowed in for seating, otherwise, they will automatically be considered a no-show.
3. A small allocation of people will be allowed at the door in the event of a no-show, it'll be a first come, first serve basis.

For panels or workshops who don’t require reservation:

1. We will allow lineups 45 minutes before the starting time.
2. We will be doing head counts and reserve the right to cut a line short to allow traffic to flow in the corridors.

Events Policies

Due to a restricted amount of seats available, we ask attendees to respect the following:

• Be respectful to staff members and volunteers. 
• No seat reservation will be allowed during free events. We will not allow people to reserve places for people that will come late or that are further away in the line-up.
• Walk at all times. Your security is important to us. There is no need to run or rush to get your seat.
• Follow the directions of the staff to your seating place.
• Be respectful to others around you: do not stand on the chairs and don't climb on another person’s shoulders in the event rooms.
• Pictures and video recording are prohibited unless a staff member or the artist allows you to do so.
• Consumption of food, drink or illicit substances (drugs, alcohol, etc.) is prohibited in the event rooms.
• Be respectful: pick up your trash and dispose of it in the right places.

Game Show, Screening Policies

• Due to a limited amount of seats available, we ask attendees to respect the following:
• Be respectful to others. We will not allow people to reserve places for people that will come late.
• We will be doing head counts and reserve the right to cut a line short to allow traffic to flow in the corridors.
• We will only allow lineups starting 30 minutes before the programmed content.

Tips to enjoy Otakuthon’s workshops, panels and events

• Check out the Guidebook in advance and plan your activities! 
• Check the activities that require reservation as the waiting time may vary
• Always follow staff directions for everyone’s safety and enjoyment
• Failure to comply with these rules may result in the withdrawal of the badge

Panelists, Workshop Hosts, and Game Show Hosts Reimbursement Policies

At Otakuthon, we're always looking to make your experience better when helping us out for content. In order to make the experience better, please opt for a preference for PayPal during pre-registrations.

Here are all the information that needs to be known:

• The panelist table where you can get assistance will be located behind the curtains in the workshop alley.
• We are no longer processing reimbursements during the convention.
• All reimbursements will be processed not later than one month after the convention.
• PayPal and Square pre-registered panelists and hosts will receive their reimbursements digitally.
• For pre-registrations done in any other method, the reimbursement will be processed by E-transfer.
• The reimbursement will be provided to the primary account holder of the pre-registered panelist or host. It is the responsibility of the panelist and the host to arrange retrieval of their money with the person that ordered their badge.
• NO CASH REIMBURSEMENTS.
• Reimbursements will be done by September 30th, 2023.
• If there are issues, please contact us by e-mail via panels@otakuthon.com