AnimeFest is a non-profit fan run organization. We rely on volunteers to not only staff necessary functions like Registration and Video Theaters, but also to run panels, workshops, and creative activities. This page has the details on how to volunteer to run a panel.

Please don't use this page to submit ideas for panels you want to attend. This is the place to submit panels you (and possibly others) want to run. Use our Google+ Community or Facebook page to try to convince others to run a panel.

Process

1. Submit your Panel
2. Promote your Panel
3. Wait for Acceptance/Rejection
4. Register for AnimeFest
5. Prepare for Your Panel
6. Run your Panel
7. View Feedback on your Panel

1) Submission of Your Panel

Please read these instructions carefully before you Submit and Manage your Panels

Complete the submission form for your panel/workshop/gameshow etc. The panel staff will reveiw your submisssion and decide if it is approved or rejected. Please read the reason your sumbission was rejected! Sometimes, suggestions are rejected because more detail is needed or the description needs editing for spelling and gramerical errors.

2) Promote your Panel

AnimeFest Panel staff will make the final determination if your panel will be accepted and scheduled. Many factors will weigh on their decision, but an important part is for fellow AnimeFest members to "Vote" for your panel idea. Each submitted panel will have its own page on our site. You can share this page on social networks to encourage others to support your idea. Keep in mind that only current AnimeFest members (paid registrants) and staff can Vote for your panel. This ensures that no one can "stuff" the ballot.

3) Wait for Acceptance / Rejection

AnimeFest Panel staff will mark your submission as accepted or rejected and you will receive an email letting you know. If your panel is rejected you should also receive some information on why. This may be an opportunity to refine your idea or come up with another one.

4) Register for AnimeFest

You may do this at any time convenient to you, however the the panel submitter must be pre-registered for AnimeFest (or be an AnimeFest staff member) in order for a panel to be scheduled. Remember, the earlier you register, the less expensive your membership. As a general rule, AnimeFest Does Not Provide Badges For Panelists.

**There is an opportunity for reimbursement for panelists who do 4 hours or more of panels throughout the convention.

5) Prepare for your Panel

If your panel is accepted, you will need to spend time preparing. We encourage you to use visuals, like samples of your work or using a laptop to present slides. Tools like Google Apps Presenter, Prezi, MS PowerPoint, and Apple Keynote can go a long way towards making your panel look polished.

6) Run your Panel

Make sure that you keep track of when your panel is scheduled and show up on time. You will need to make sure that you arrive at registration at least two hours prior to your panel and arrive at your panel 10 minutes before start. There will be members of our panel staff and Audio/Video crew on hand to make sure you have the equipment specified, but you must arrive early to give them time to help.

Remember, an hour long panel should have no more than 45 minutes of content to allow for questions and time to wrap up in a timely manner.

7) View Feedback on your Panel

AnimeFest members will be able to post feedback on your panel(s). AnimeFest staff will be reviewing this feedback and it will weigh in to decisions on approving future panels.




** Reimbursement

Should you do 4 hours of programming throughout the convention, you will be eligible to apply to be reimbursed the price of your membership at the time of its purchase.

Reimbursement requests will need to be submitted by August 5th. A form is not complete or eligible for reimbursement until it is signed during the convention by either the Panels Manager or the Events Director, who will verify that your 4 hours of programming has been completed.

The maximum amount any panelist will be reimbursed for membership is the cost of registration on June 15,2014; the last day for panel submissions.

1. Cancellation of your panels will cause you to forfeit your reimbursement.
2. Reimbursement will only be dispersed Sunday and Monday of the convention or at the clubhouse 2 weeks after the convention. Just like our volunteers, there will be no other reimbursement times for panels.
3. Failure to claim your reimbursement by the extended deadline means the money is forfeit.