Panelist Policy

All panelists are required to be aware of and follow the terms of this policy before submitting a 2027 Panel Submission. If there is anything you do not understand about this policy and it is not present in our FAQ, please contact us at paneling@animeiowa.com and we will clarify it for you.

The Lead Panelists is also known as the Head Panelist. The Lead Panelist will act as the point of contact for a panel and has the responsibility of coordinating with the Anime Iowa Paneling Staff about the details of their panel. The Lead Panelist is the individual who will submit the panel and is the only member of a panel that can make changes to the panel description, request schedule changes, etc.
It is the Lead Panelists job to communicate information to their panel team. Only the Lead Panelist will be contacted regarding a panel’s status and updates.
The Lead Panelist (and one assistant) who host 3 or more panels qualify for complementary Anime Iowa Memberships in 2027! The Panelist Membership does not provide any privileged access or perks beyond a normal attendee membership.(Restrictions apply)

Additional Panelists—including Assistant Panelists—are the rest of your panel team. When submitting your panel, you must include a Lead Panelist and at least one Assistant Panelist. If you aren’t sure of all your members yet, simply list the ones you know and email us the rest later. We’ll happily add them to your submission.
Panel members must be 13 or older to be a member of a panel team or 18+ for an adult rated panel. Panel team members who do not qualify to earn a complentary Anime Iowa membership will receive Volunteer Hours for their work.
Please note that this policy is subject to change, so keep an eye on our socials!

For 2027 Panel Submissions awill be considered on a first come first serve basis so those who apply early have a greater chance of getting their preferred slot date and time. At the end of each month status emails will be sent out to all submissions from that month. Panel submissions will be open until April 18th of the convention year. (Subject to change)
All Panels must be formally submitted via the Staff Panel Submission Form or the General Panel Submission Form and reviewed by Anime Iowa Paneling Staff prior to being included in Anime Iowa’s Panel Schedule.
Check on our Social Medias to keep updated on the date Panel Submission will open for 2027

• Anime Iowa will automatically provide each panel room with a projector and screen, sound system and two microphones.
• Upon request, Anime Iowa can provide the following: Pens or Pencils, Paper, Whiteboards and Whiteboard Markers.
• Panels may not sell any merchandise before, during, or after their panel.  Money may not exchange hands within Anime Iowa Panel space. 
• Any other materials may be requested and will be reviewed by the Anime Iowa Paneling Staff on a case by case basis.
• Anime Iowa cannot provide the following: Laptops, Tablets, CD Players or DVD Players.

1. Piroty will be given to Panels/Workships/Demonistrations that are based on Anime, Manga, books, clothing, and topics related to Japanese (Asian) Culture.
2. Panels not exclusive to Anime/Japanese Culture will also be welcome and reviewed and considered. (ie Dr. Who, Super Heros, Other Animation, and Pop culture to name a few.)
3. All Panels are expected to be PG-13 unless marked as mature in their submission.
4. The Panel, with prior approval, may charge a supply fee equal the the expense of the supplies. Your request will need to be listed in your submission and approved prior to approval of your panel.
5. Panels may not sell any merchandise before,during, or after their panel.  Money may not exchange hands within Anime Iowa Panel space. 
6. Panels may not sell or hand out any food or beverages; store bought or homemade before, during or after their panel. (Hotel policy)
7. Anime Iowa has a no solicitation policy and as such no panel may focus on solicitation for an individual, group, or product.
8. Most importantly Panels may not attack or degrade another race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age range or any other protected class. All panels are expected to be all inclusive, positive and safe spaces for all.
   
   Any breaches of our Panel Limitations/Rules will be investigated on a case by case basis and may result in disciplinary actions.

If you wish to host a mature panel at Anime Iowa the panel submission must be marked as 18+.
Panels are subjected to review by our Anime Iowa Panel Staff and may be flagged as 18+ at our discretion. If your panel becomes flagged the Lead Panelist will be informed.
Panels are considered 18+ if they meet any of the below listed criteria:

• Usage of Adult Language.
• Discussions of an adult nature.  
• Contain Hentai, Yaoi or Yuri. 
• Contain Partial nudity.
• Contain any form of Sexual Intercourse on photos or video

18+ Panels may not contain any of the below listed criteria:18

• Partial or Full live nudity.
• Photos or video of non-animated persons in partial or full nudity.
• Any form of live Sexual Interactions or demonstrations.

Failure to abide by 18+ panel rules will result in appropriate actions which may include the loss of your convention badge for the rest of the convention weekend.

• All Panelists must be over the age of 18 at the time the panel begins.
• All attendees must be over the age of 18 at the time the panel begins.
• All Anime Iowa staff and attendees must present a state issued ID to be allowed entry to an 18+ panel or event.  No exceptions will be made.
• The Panel Room door must remain closed during the panel.
• If an attendee or panelist leaves the panel and wishes to re-enter for any reason they must present their state issued ID at the door again.
• Any encouraged audience participation at 18+ panels must be consent-based.