Programming

Programming Overview

All prospective programming hosts MUST submit their panel or event idea(s) to Dream Con by completing the Programming Application Form. A separate application form (up to 3) must be submitted for EACH panel or event that you would like to host. If more than three (3) submissions are transmitted then the most recent entries will be prioritized and reviewed.

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Programming applications will be reviewed by Dream Con’s Programming Department on a rolling basis. Please note that submitting an application does NOT guarantee approval. Acceptance in prior years does NOT guarantee acceptance this year. Prospective hosts will receive an email notifying the applicant if their panel or event has been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted. Due to the volume of submissions, only selected submissions are guaranteed to receive follow-up correspondence regarding the status of their application.

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Important Deadlines

Programming Submission Opens

October 17, 2025

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Programming Submission Closes

December 31, 2025

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Programming Timeline

NOTE: The following are subject to change at staff discretion.

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December 31, 2025: Programming applications close at 11:59 PM CST.

February 2026: Applicants will receive a status update regarding their application. NOTE: This communication will only go to the original primary applicant. All co-hosts must correspond with the original primary applicant for updates.

May 2026: Accepted panelists will receive room assignments and will have the chance to submit contact info for their co-hosts. Please note: Room assignments are subject to change based on the needs of the overall convention.

July 2026: Accepted panelists will receive a finalized Know Before You Go with all applicable information regarding their activity outlined ahead of the convention.

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Programming Terms & Conditions: Guidelines, Disclaimers, etc.  

PANELIST PACKAGE: We’re beyond excited to welcome our incredible community of creatives to Dream Convention 2026! As a way to honor the passion and hard work of those who help make our event so special, we’re delighted to share the Panelist Package—a collection of exclusive opportunities designed just for our accepted panelists.

Discounted Badge

• Accepted panelists will receive a special link to purchase a discounted weekend badge. The exact discounted price will be announced when the link is sent out.
• You’ll also have the choice to use the exclusive Panelist Badge or one of your other badges to enjoy different perks.

Ticket Purchasing Guidelines

• We recommend waiting until acceptance BEFORE purchasing tickets if you’d like to take advantage of the panelist discount.
• Should you decide to buy a regular badge early and are later accepted, please note that NO REFUNDS or price adjustments will be available.
• If you wait for acceptance and are not selected, we unfortunately cannot guarantee badge availability at that time.

Waitlisted Panelists

• Panelists that are placed on the Waitlist will be reviewed by the Programming Department on a rolling basis prior to the con.
• If your panel gets selected from the Waitlist to join the 2026 Programming Schedule, you will receive a special link to purchase a discounted weekend badge at that time.
• The Ticket Purchasing Guidelines listed above also apply for panelists listed on the Waitlist.

COMMUNICATIONS: Please submit all ideas/interest via the aforementioned Programming Application Form and any general questions/inquiries regarding this program via email to programming@dreamconvention.com. You may use info@dreamconvention.com as a secondary point of contact if necessary. Due to the volume of submissions, only selected submissions may receive follow-up correspondence regarding the status of their application but the team will make an effort to contact all individuals.

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Be advised, questions regarding on-site production or interactive features on a micro level must be reviewed by multiple departments before a response can be issued to a member of the public; even if it's only a private communication. Certain guidelines and precedents are established but each query must still be reviewed on a case by case basis. These departments include not only those operated by Dream Con coordinators but also the venue management and prospective or confirmed contractors engaged in certain agreements. Thus, the mutually agreed-upon update for your question(s) by the collective leadership can take weeks or months to finalize depending on context and scope. The Programming Department conducts outreach to relevant internal and external departments to develop concise correspondence regarding various scenarios. This will ensure your questions are answered fully in alignment with relevant stakeholders while mitigating conflict and confusion. The Programming Department does their best to be a resource and conduct interdepartmental outreach on behalf of the countless general ideas/queries received in their inbox on a weekly basis but please note a response is not guaranteed. The team can best clarify protocol and is better equipped to provide additional information to shortlisted applicants or approved submissions from the aforementioned Programming Application Form.

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**IMPORTANT** Please check your supplemental folders such as "Spam" and "Updates" regularly for updates and add panels@dreamconvention.com to your contacts. Missed messages will not be accepted as an excuse or exception. Any issues regarding submission of forms or documentation must be reported via email prior to established deadlines for a resolution and/or to request an extension.

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STATUS UPDATES: Due to the volume of submissions, only selected submissions are guaranteed to receive follow-up correspondence regarding the status of their application. Programming applications close on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm Central Time. We will NOT accept any submissions after the application deadline. Prospective programming hosts may apply for multiple panels/events; however, Dream Con does not guarantee that all programming applications will be accepted.

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PRE-PURCHASED GENERAL ADMISSION BADGES: Standard weekend badges or Premium badges purchased prior to panelist acceptance will NOT be converted to panelist badges, and NO discounts will be applied.

Please note:

• Panelist badges are NOT upgradeable to Premium or other high-tier fan experience badges.
  
  
• Panelists interested in Premium perks or the ultimate fan experience should purchase a Premium badge instead of a panelist badge.
  
  
• To take advantage of the panelist discount, we recommend waiting until you receive panelist acceptance BEFORE purchasing any badges.

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All panelist badges are NON-TRANSFERABLE. This includes renaming/changing the name of a previously issued badge. In the event an approved primary host or co-host is unable to attend, the primary host MUST contact panels@dreamconvention.com and receive written approval from the Programming Director to authorize a personnel change in their programming. Fees may apply. Any changes will result in the previous credential becoming defunct before the new credential is distributed.

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PUBLIC PROMOTION: Selected programming hosts are prohibited from promoting their approved event until the designated date established by the Dream Con Programming Department. This date will be shared at a later time with all accepted programming hosts. Dream Con's Marketing and Programming departments may supply approved branding materials to approved panelists to be used on social media, websites, newsletters, collateral materials etc. All applicants utilizing unauthorized promotional materials (e.g. recolored and edited Talent/Guest announcement templates) on digital platforms without approval from Dream Con's Programming and Marketing Directors may be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to removal from the Dream Con programming schedule, revoked admission badges, and other general event restrictions. If you are unsure of any promotional material being in alignment with Dream Con's release protocol feel free to contact panels@dreamconvention.com or info@dreamconvention.com.

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Panelist Badge Guidelines

• • Hosts can only pick up their own individual panelist badge.
  • All Programming hosts must use their legal name.
  • All Programming hosts must show a valid ID to pick up their panelist badges.

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Panelist Badge Access

Benefits

• Weekend entry to general convention space
• Designated Panelist Workspace with refreshments
• Exclusive panelist badge and premium lanyard

*We’re still finalizing some exciting benefits with our venue—additional panelist perks will be revealed at a later date.

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Limitations

• This badge does NOT allow panelists into exclusive areas such as the Deluxe Lounge, Industry Lounge, Green Room, Staff marked Areas, back-of-house hallways for the venue, or backstage.
• Panelist badges do NOT allow skipline access nor reserved seating for any events or programming spaces.
• Panelist badges do NOT include complimentary travel, lodging, food, on-site storage/coat check or security detail.

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*Any inclusions added to this badge’s access will be communicated by the official Dream Con Programming Team.

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Programming Policy

During the convention, hosts and co-hosts are expected to arrive five (5) minutes early to their scheduled room. Hosts and Co-hosts must check-in with the room managers or volunteers to ensure proper setup. Panels and events must end five (5) minutes before the scheduled end time to ensure a proper transition from one panel/event to the next.

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Authorized protocol | Programming Host(s) are allowed to:

• Use videos, music, and other digital media throughout the duration of their panel(s) or event(s).
• Lead interactive games/workshops that involve the audience’s participation.
• Give out prizes or rewards at the end of their panel(s) or event(s)

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Prohibited protocol | Programming Host(s) are NOT allowed to:

• Provide food or beverages unless sealed in its original package and approved by Dream Con’s Programming Department.
• Rearrange the room’s seating without prior permission from Dream Con’s Programming Department.
• Install or tamper with any convention audio/visual equipment.
• Charge an entry fee into the panel or event.
• Provide or consume ANY alcoholic beverages or during their panel unless pre-approved by Dream Con’s Programming Department.
• Utilize the trademarks, likeness, and intellectual property of Dream Con or RDCWorld without expressed written consent from executive leadership. This includes the promotion of panels or events on social media and other digital platforms (i.e. websites, newsletters). Violations may result in removal from programming schedule or restrictions from future Dream Con events/programs.

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Programming Equipment

All panel and event rooms are equipped with the following:

• Microphone (quantity varies by room size)
• Monitor OR a projector & screen
• Standard connector cables (HDMI/VGA, 3.5 AUX, etc.)
• Table & Chairs
• Laptop

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Final room equipment lists and inclusions will be sent out to approved panelists along with their programming time slot information..

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Restricted Programming

These submissions will NOT be considered:

• ‍Versus Panels (i.e. Goku vs Superman etc)
• Character Panels
• Speed Dating Panels
• Character Q&A Panels

18+ Programming General Information

Panels and events that include any adult material or inappropriate content will be tagged as an 18+ panel/event. All members of a group or team hosting an 18+ panel or event must be 18 years of age or older by July 10, 2026.

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Examples of 18+ Content:

• Hentai/Ecchi
• Nudity or suggestive nudity
• Yaoi
• Yuri
• Obsessive amounts of adult language
• Sexuality/sexual intercourse discussions
• Triggering or offense material

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General Programming Information

• Programming Hosts that are more than ten (10) minutes late will have their event canceled and barred from applying next year. *Please note this does not include individuals affected by Acts of God “Force Majeure”, family deaths, or last-minute accidents.‍
• For non-Force Majeure events, hosts must inform the Programming staff of any minor emergencies or unforeseen issues that may prevent the hosts from being on time or from hosting their scheduled panel/event at least 1 hour before their panel/event.
• Dream Con’s Programming Department reserves the right to change, move, or revoke accepted panels or events for any reason.
• Hosts cannot reserve seating for any attendee.
• Hosts must yield to all instructions given by Dream Con’s Programming Staff. Failure to do so will result in panel/event cancellation and badge refund eligibility being revoked.

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Types of Applications

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Activity Based

Activity based panels are events that require physical activity during the duration of the event (dance workshops, yoga classes, martial arts, etc.)

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Lecture/Discussion

Lecture panels are oral presentations or group discussions led by a host(s). Examples of topics include Anime, gaming, industry news, character studies etc. They are usually educational with varying levels of audience debate/interaction.

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Live Podcast

Podcasts are digital audio talk shows/conversations between the hosts, fans, guests, industry personnel etc. Typically done in our podcasting area but can also take the form of a live in-person panel. Only Podcast groups older than six (6) months are allowed to apply for this application type. This means there must be content on multiple media platforms dated back at least six months and continuing consistently to present day for qualification and consideration.

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Screening

Screenings are panel/events that showcase a movie, trailer, or tv show.

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Trivia & Games

Trivia & Game Show Panels are generally small game shows, or smaller competitions/interactive events. They generally have prizes or awards for the competitors and require audience participation.

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‍Tutorial/Workshop

Tutorial/Workshops are group led tutorials/instructional panels on a specific topic or hobby.

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Application Categories

Below are the categories available for selection when submitting your panel application.

• Activity-based
• Anime
• Arts, Crafts & Hobbies
• Career
• Comics & Manga
• Content Creation
• Fashion & Cosplay
• Film & TV
• Gaming
• Lecture/Discussion
• Live Podcast
• Music & Dance
• Screening
• Trivia & Games
• Tutorial/Workshop

*Hosts are liable for all damages sustained during their panel(s). “No Shows” or late cancellations will impact future considerations for programming submissions. For more information or other questions, please contact panels@dreamconvention.com.