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 or workshops you want to attend. This is the place to submit panels you (and possibly others) want to run. Use Facebook or other social media sites to try to convince others to run a panel.

Only 4 badges will be given per group.

The panel submission cut off date is June 17, 2018

1. Submit your Panel
2. Promote your Panel
3. Wait for Acceptance/Rejection
4. Badges
5. Prepare for Your Panel
6. Pick up your badge
7. Run your Panel
8. View Feedback on your Panel

1. Submission of Your Panel

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

You will need to complete a submission form for each panel/workshop. Please provide the title, description, anticipated panelists, duration and necessary audio and visual equipment for your submission. We recommend scheduling at least 15 minutes at the end of your panel for questions and wrap up.

Each panelist will need an AnimeFest account and should be identified in your panel submission.

Panelists should check and update their accounts to make sure the contact and birth date information is correct for security reasons. We understand availability from planned participants may change. Please email panels@animefest.org if you need to make any changes to your submission after you have submitted the form.

If you anticipate any potential scheduling conflicts, please let us know on the provided space in the form. The AnimeFest 2018 convention will begin on Friday August 17th and end on Monday August 20th.

Please let us know of any potential scheduling conflicts in the provided space. HOWEVER, WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL GET YOUR PREFERRED TIME BLOCK.

2. Promote your Event

AnimeFest staff will make the final determination if your panel or workshop 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 review your submisssion and decide if it is approved or rejected. Please read the reason your submission was rejected! Sometimes, suggestions are rejected because more detail is needed or the description needs editing for spelling and grammatical errors. Acceptances will be finalized by July 23, 2018

4. Badges

Badges will be provided for approved panels and workshops for up to 4 people per submission.

1) If you have to miss your panel or workshop for any reason please let someone know on panels or workshop staff. There will be staffers at the panels and workshop rooms as well as the panels kiosk. During the convention we will try to check email as often as possible but please don't count on this as the main way to let us know.


Please us know at least an hour in advance so we can make the proper cancellations and updates to the schedule.

2) If you miss your panel without letting a panel staff member at the panel kiosk know about it, your badge will be turned off. In these cases you will need to seek out the panels manager, Colin Brackney, or the programming director, Melissa Lum, to get your badge turned back on.

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. Pick up your badge

Participants for approved panels and workshops will receive a badge for up to 4 people per group. Badges should be picked up at Logistics with photo at least two hours prior to your first scheduled time slot. Please email panels@animefest.org if you require pick up arrangements. Your schedule can be found through your AnimeFest Account.

Please check your submissions to make sure that all your participants have accounts and are correctly listed in your submission by Friday August 3rd.

7. Run your Panel

Make sure that you keep track of when your panel is scheduled and show up on time.

Please arrive at your panel 10 minutes before it is scheduled to start. There will be members of our 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.

Our volunteers will also provide a 15 minute warning before the end of your time slot to allow you time for questions and to wrap up your panel.

8. 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.