PANELS

Do You Want to Be a Panelist at DerpyCon 2025?

If you have the desire to present a topic that you are passionate about sharing with other DerpyCon members, then we want to hear from you. We are a multi-genre convention and welcome a broad range of subject matter. DerpyCon fosters a supportive community, which makes it a great place for first time panelists to present and for more experienced panelists to try new ideas. We will announce when attendee panel submission forms are active. Please review the guidelines below before submitting your panel using for form at the bottom of this page.

Panel Applications are Open until July 30, 2025 at 11:59:59pm EDT.

We are currently accepting panel applications who would like to submit pre-recorded content for DerpyCon Online through August 30.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our Head of Panels using our Help Desk.

Panel Policies

Panel Submission Guidelines

  • Panel applications will be accepted through July 30, 2025 at 11:59:59pm EDT.
    • Please note that it could take up to a month after panel submissions close for this review process to be complete.
  • Potential Attendee Panelists do not need to register to DerpyCon when submitting a panel.
  • All panelists must be 16 years of age or older at the time of the convention.
    • Any panelists under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian present during check in and during the panel.
  • All panel submissions must be made via the DerpyCon Panel Application Form.
    • Any panels submitted via other means will be rejected.
    • Any panels submitted via the DerpyCon Panel Application Form that are incomplete will be rejected.
  • No more than three (3) presenters will be allowed at each attendee panel.
    • If your panel requires more than three (3) presenters, then please contact the Head of Panels by contacting on the Helpdesk and selecting the topic topic Panels prior to submitting the panel to clarify why this is needed and if special arrangements can be made.
    • If a panel is submitted with more than three (3) presenters and prior communication has not been received, then the panel submission will be rejected.
    • If a panel is submitted with three or less presenters is found to contain more than three presenters, then DerpyCon Staff reserve the right to shut down the panel in progress.
  • Panelists can present their panels online and can be shown on our streaming platforms and on Hotel Channel 100 to attendees staying at the official venue or attending our in-person event.
    • A panelist presenting a panel online is not required to register to DerpyCon.
    • You must record your panel before the convention and will be shown online.

Age Restricted Panels

  • All Ages Content is anything that contains no crude language, no sexual content, and only has mild or cartoon violence (consider content in movies rated G or PG).
  • 18+ Content is anything that contains crude language, sexual content, graphic violence, or other obscene material as a primary component, making it unsuitable for anyone under the age of 18 (consider content of movies rated R).
    • You must be 18 years of age or older to run an 18+ panel.
  • 21+ Content is anything that would fit better in a bar environment as part of our panels programming taking place at the Blackthorn Irish Pub on Friday and Saturday evenings.
    • You must be 21 years of age or older to run a 21+ panel.
  • If you are unsure of whether the content of your panel should have an age restriction, then it probable should.
    • Please err on the side of caution in this regard.
    • Please contact the Head of Panels to discuss your panel idea if you are unsure if it needs an age restriction.
  • DerpyCon is a family-friendly event. Therefore, panels containing 18+ or 21+ content will usually be scheduled later in the evening.
  • If a panel submitted as All Ages is found to contain 18+ or 21+ content, then DerpyCon Staff reserve the right to shut down the panel in progress.
  • Staff are only allowed to reach out to panelists via DerpyCon Helpdesk or with a DerpyCon email with the derpycon.com domain. Reaching out to DerpyCon Staff to their personal communications, such as their own personal email address or social media platforms is not acceptable.

Panels Etiquette

  • Hate speech, including ethnic slurs, racial slurs, religious slurs, sexual bias, homophobia, transphobia, etc., will not be tolerated at DerpyCon. If a panel is found to contain such content, then DerpyCon Staff reserve the right to shut down the panel.
  • Panels with any political agenda or speech will not be tolerated and if found to contain such content, then DerpyCon Staff reserve the right to shut down the panel.
  • Be professional and courteous.

Technology Requirements for In-Person Panels

  • Must have a Windows or Mac Laptop with an HDMI output and test your equipment. Our equipment is not compatible with Chromebook devices.
  • Must bring your own adapters to plug in a HDMI male adapter.
  • There is no public Wi-Fi in the panel programming spaces. You must have your Presentation of videos saved to your device. We will not be able to assist panelists with internet connection issues.

Online Panel Requirements

  • Online panels must be submitted to the convention by September 29.
  • Videos must be at least 1280×720 (720p) minimum at 29.97fps.
  • Video format must be h.264 MP4/M4V

Panelist Compensation

  • All selected presenters will be receiving compensated memberships to DerpyCon.
  • There is a limit of 2 compensated panelists per panel. This would comprise the primary panelist and two assistant panelists. You are welcome to have more panelists on stage, however, only 3 will receive compensated memberships to DerpyCon.
  • If you plan on submitting a panel application, PLEASE DO NOT PRE-REGISTER! If your application is selected, you will be receiving a compensated membership(s) to DerpyCon.
    • In the event that you are unable or unwilling to complete your panel after redeeming your compensated membership(s), DerpyCon reserves the right to invoice the primary panelist for the full cost of any compensated membership(s) granted at the time of panel acceptance.
    • If your application is selected, and you have already pre-registered for DerpyCon, you will receive a post-convention refund of your DerpyCon membership fee after successful completion of your panel. Instructions for receiving your post-DerpyCon refund will be provided after DerpyCon.
  • If you have picked up your compensated membership badge and did check into your panel or there was a no show, you will be invoiced for the full amount of the membership from the day of the event.
  • If you are applying for an online/streaming panel, you will receive a compensated badge confirmation after submission of the panel. A confirmation email will follow your submission.

Panelist At-Con Check-In

  • Accepted Panelists will receive a confirmation email from the Head of Panels between August 19th, 2025 and August 30th, 2025.
    • Accepted Panelists must reply to the confirmation email to acknowledge that they will be presenting at DerpyCon.
  • Accepted Panelists will receive a panel time during the week of September 29th, if not earlier; please reply to the time email to acknowledge your schedule slot. Failure to reply will result in your panel time being locked-in and being unable to change based on conflicts.
  • Accepted Panelists are required to check-in with the Head of Panels a minimum of two (2) hours before their first scheduled panel.

Defamation Statement

As part of our commitment to creating a positive, respectful, and inclusive environment at DerpyCon, we ask that Panel participants avoid sharing any content that could be considered defamatory, slanderous, or knowingly false. This includes making harmful or misleading statements about individuals, organizations, groups, or the convention itself—whether during a panel, in your exhibit, on social media, verbal exchanges, or in any materials you provide. We know that passionate discussions and differing viewpoints are part of what makes our communities great, but we expect everyone to present information responsibly and to clearly separate fact from opinion. If you’re discussing sensitive or controversial topics, please make sure you’re being fair and accurate. If evidence is found—before, during, or after the event—that you have shared defamatory or knowingly false information, your involvement in the convention may be revoked, including removal from current programming and possible exclusion from future events. Our goal is to make sure that everyone involved—attendees, guests, and participants alike—feels safe, respected, and welcome.