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Panelist Policies

All panelists are required to be aware of and follow the terms of this policy before submitting a 2023 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 Programming@animeiowa.com and we will clarify it for you.

Panelists

 Lead Panelist:

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 AnimeIowa 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.

 Assistant Panelist:

Panels that have two or more panelists will select an Assistant Panelist to be the assistant for the panel. The Assistant Panelist will not be the point of contact with the AnimeIowa Paneling Staff but the Assistant and Lead Panelists can check the panel in during the convention. Assistant Panelists are expected to lead the panel alongside the Lead Panelist. In the event that a Lead Panelist can no longer attend the convention the Assistant Panelist will take over their position as the Head of the Panel.

 General Panelists:

These are Panelists who are not the Lead or the Assistant Panelist but are still part of the panel. These individuals are expected to show up to the actual panel at con but are not required to have pre-con communication with AnimeIowa Paneling Staff. General Panelists do not qualify for the Panelist Membership but can get other perks from AnimeIowa.

Panel Submissions and Tiers

All Panels must be formally submitted via the Panel Submission Form and reviewed by AnimeIowa Paneling Staff prior to being included in AnimeIowa’s Panel Schedule.
AnimeIowa Panel Submissions will be considered a first come first serve basis by tiers. Those who apply in the first tier have a greater chance of getting a panel slot at their preferred date and time.

 Supplies and Materials

  • Yes – AnimeIowa will automatically provide each panel room with a projector and screen, sound system and two microphones.
  • Upon request – AnimeIowa can provide the following: Pens or Pencils, Paper, Whiteboards and Whiteboard Markers. Any other materials may be requested and will be reviewed by the AnimeIowa Paneling Staff on a case by case basis.
  • Sorry – AnimeIowa cannot provide laptops, tablets, CD / DVD / BD players, and dedicated internet connections.

 Tier Dates

  • Tier 1 – January 1, 2023 to January 28, 2023 – Example
  • Tier 2 – January 30, 2023 to February 25, 2023 – Example
  • Tier 3 – February 27, 2023 to March 31, 2023 – Example

Limitations

 Panels at Anime Iowa are limited to the following rules.

  • All Panels are expected to be PG-13 unless marked as mature (18+) in their submission. This includes use of language that would not be considered family friendly.
  • Panels may not sell any panel supplies or merchandise before, during, or after their panel. Money may not exchange hands within any AnimeIowa Panel space. The only exception is the guest signing panels.
  • Panels may not sell or hand out any food or beverages; store bought or homemade before, during or after their panel. – This is against the Hotel’s policy and since we are their guests, we need to respect that.
  • AnimeIowa has a no solicitation policy and as such no panel may focus on solicitation for an individual, group, or product.
  • 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 will be investigated on a case by case basis and if necessary may result in disciplinary actions.

 Panels – Information

If you wish to host a mature panel at AnimeIowa the panel submission must be marked as 18+. All panels are subjected to review by our AnimeIowa 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.

No panels at Anime Iowa are to contain:

  • Partial or Full live nudity.
  • photos or video of living persons in partial or full nudity.
  • Any form of Sexual Interactions that is not animated.

 18+ Panels – The Rules and Guidelines

  • All Panelists must be 18 or over at the time the panel begins.
  • All attendees must be over 18 or older at the time the panel begins.
  • All AnimeIowa staff and attendees must present a Government issued photo 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 Government issued photo ID at the door again.

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.

Panelist Memberships

Ever wish that you could get something in return for your hard work hosting panels at Anime Iowa?  Who says you can’t?  For Anime Iowa 2023, Lead and Assistant Panelists who host 3 or more hours of approved paneling qualify for complementary Anime Iowa Membership!
The Panelist Membership is just one of the ways Anime Iowa would like to thank our elite panelists for hosting panels at Anime Iowa. Lead panelist and Assistant panelist are age 18 and over may qualify this Complementary Panelist Membership.
The Panelist Membership does not provide any privileged access or perks beyond a normal attendee membership.
Panelists who qualify will report directly to the Events HQ to pick up their Membership vouchers. Once Panelists have their voucher, they will take it to Registration to exchange for their complimentary Anime Iowa Membership. Please note that for 2023, any Panelists who have already Registered will receive a voucher for a Complimentary 2024 Anime Iowa Membership instead. They are encouraged to register for 2024 on Sunday at the convention.

The Panelist Membership does not apply to those who have the following memberships: Sponsorship, Anime Iowa Staff, Guest of Honor, Artist or Vendor.