Live Events is looking for great Panelists Like yoU!!!
Please Submit Your Panel Application Here!
- We are looking for new and exciting panels in the areas of:
- Children's programming
- Anime/ Manga series
- Video/ Table top games
- Art
- Japanese culture
- Cosplay
- Dance/ movement (ParaPara, Martial Arts, etc.)
- Workshops on cool, fun things!
**Plus our theme for 2012- Space
Panel Application will be available Sept. 1
What is a panel?
For Ohayocon we consider a panel to be a 50 minute presentation (plus 5 min. set up & tear-down) on a topic. 30 min. of that 50 must be structured, informative content from the panelists. Group discussions without a lead/ topic/ moderator do not count as panels! If you want to sit around and have a free form discussion of a series/ game/ concept- you may want to use the forum to connect and meet up in the food court or other open area. Panelists should be knowledgeable/ experts on their topics who want to share quality info with others, make sure you know your stuff!
As a panelist for Ohayocon, you have the ability to earn a free badge just for talking about stuff that you love!! The Comp badge gets you into all of the activities that Ohayocon has to offer. In order for you to take advantage of the comp badge, You (or your group) need to perform a specific amount of programming hours as explained below.
Here are a few Guidelines for Panels at Ohayocon 2012:
1.) Age is NOT just a number:
Lead panelists MUST be 18 years or older and more than 60% of panel presenters must be 18 or over. Unless the panel is in the children's track (programming for kids by kids) and then a parent or legal guardian must supervise the panel.This is not negotiable and panelists who do not comply may find their panels refused or removed from the schedule.
2.) Language & Content
All panels, unless otherwise noted, and arrangements are made to ID attendees, are to be PG-13 and under. Appropriate language & Content is an absolute must. Remember, Ohayocon is a Family Friendly event!
3.) Comp Badges are a privilege, not a right
1 panelists Comp Badge= 3 hours of Con Programming. (3 one hour panels or a combination to make 3 hours. Panels may not be repeated!) A panel group of up to 4 may be eligible for badges. All panelists must be involved in the total 3 hours of programming to receive a badge.
Groups that require more than 4 badges will have to contribute more hours of programming for additional badges. A group of 5- 6 will need to perform at least 5 hours of Con Programming (5 one hour panels, or a combination to make 5 hours) and may receive up to 2 more comp badges. For any group that requires MORE than 2 additional comp badges the Live Events Coordinator & the Panel Liaison will review on a case by case basis.
NOTE: You can have as many people in your panel as you want but the maximum comp badges is four (for 3 hours of programming). When applying for your panel, all participants are to be listed on the form. The first four names on the panel form will be eligible for the Comp Badge. Any remaining parties will receive a co-panelist badge. Your co-panelist(s) will have to purchase a regular Ohayocon admission to attend panels & events.
NOTE: Please insure all your co-panelists (comp or not) can attend Ohayocon before submitting their name. You are allowed only 1 (ONE) change to your roster prior to Jan. 15, 2012. We cannot accept at con changes to comp badges/ panels.
4.) Duplicate Panel Content:
Ohayocon tries to offer a variety of programming. We can support only so many FMA panels, yaoi panels, etc. If multiple panel requests are submitted on the same general subject matter, there are a few different scenarios:
A.) Panelists will be given the chance to merge into one complete panel or to adjust the subject so they are covering different parts of the same whole topic.
B.) If panelists cannot work together- The first panel submitted with a clear outline of topics & content will be given priority.
5.) Ohayocon is not a dating service:
In previous years, Ohayocon has hosted dating panels or singles meet-ups as a way for attendees to intermingle. Due to numerous complaints and problems, Ohayocon has decided to stop supporting this type of programming. If you are looking to meet fellow Ohayocon singles, talk to people in the halls & make new friends.
6.) Ohayocon reserves the right to refuse grant panels to any prospective panelist based on content, capacity, or previous panel history at Ohayocon. Just because content is submitted- you are not guaranteed a panel spot in Ohayocon 2012 programming.
7.) Scheduling:
We will do our best to fulfill your requests however- no one is promised any slot until the final schedule is approved and even that may change at-con due to uncontrollable circumstances. Please prepare to be flexible.
8.) Panel Cap
Due to the overwhelming amounts of panels we receive (and try to schedule) we will be capping the total number of panels accepted at 200. Get your forms and outlines in early so you are not closed out. We will be accepting and scheduling only 175- 190 attendee panels for 2012
9.) Stand-By:
After panel registration officially closes on November 30th, there is normally a flood of people who apply. These applicants will be placed immediately on a Standby list. As the Schedule takes shape we will contact all panelists needed. We will contact everyone prior to the con to let you know if you are still on the Stand-by list. If you are you will need to come to Ohayocon prepared for an Standby situation. If another panelist does not show for their scheduled panel, you may be called upon to step in and fill the slot. NOTE: the standby list does NOT count for a comp badge. You will still need to register & purchase an attendee badge. If for some reason your filling a panel slot AT con bumps your programming over the 3 hour mark, a refund may be issued on Sunday afternoon on a case by case basis.
All questions on these policies may be taken to the Panel Liaison at panels@ohayocon.org at any time.
