Panel Programming at MangaNEXT is committed to the exploration of "manga culture" in America. Panels on every aspect of manga and its fan-work cousin, doujinshi, will be a large part of the MangaNEXT schedule. Panels fall into one of four categories, Industry/Guest Panels, General Interest, Workshops and Discussion Groups. 

Panels: Usually a structured discussion involving 1 to 4 moderators with a pre-determined topic, usually related in at least some way to manga, Japanese culture, cosplay, fan fiction, video games, anime or industry related topics such as production or licensing. Audiovisual is sometimes used to accompany the panelist points but not necessarily needed.

Workshops: Slightly different than a panel, a workshop is more like guided instruction through a major or specific task, typically instructed by an individual. The instructor could either demonstrate or instruct people on how to accomplish tasks such as how to draw manga, how to do origami or how to make plushies.

Discussion Groups: An informal panel where a pre-determined topic is assigned but the approach is less formal allowing all to participate in the discussion. Usually requires 1 person to keep on topic and provide some questions to provoke more discussions.

If you would like to host a panel, workshop or discussion group please read our Terms and Important Information and then fill out our panel application here.

Terms and Important Information:

• Please remember that you must purchase AND pickup your membership at registration first, then proceed to Panel Check In to pick up your panelist badge.
• Please bring ID, every panelist MUST pick up his or her own badge.
• You MUST Sign in and Sign out in order to receive compensation before 2:00pm Sunday, October 31st.  If you do not sign out, compensation will NOT be mailed to you. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Please check in at least 1 hour prior to your panel to ensure your room and A/V requests have been met.
• It is recommended that you come after your last panel to sign out so you may be given a receipt to take to Registration in order to get your compensation.
• It is preferred that you or one of your panelist have a cell phone number available at the convention in case we need to contact you.

Deadline:

Friday, October 1, 2010 is the last day to submit panel/workshop requests. If your panel is approved for 2010 programming, you will receive an email a short time after that deadline. Please keep in mind that space and time are limited, and not all workshops and panels can be approved.

Compensation:

• 1 panel = $10.00
• 2 panels = $20.00
• 3 panels = Full Compensation

Please check the website/forum for the Tentative Schedule a few days before the start of the convention. Please note that all times, dates and locations *are* subject to change due to scheduling requirements, but we assure you that we'll do everything we can to avoid conflicts and confusion. Nonetheless, we ask that you check in with the Information Desk and or Panel Check In on the day of your panel(s) and confirm the time and location.

If you have any questions at all about panels in general or your panel in particular, please contact us at panels@manganext.org and we'll do our best to accommodate you or answer your questions.