Thank you for your interest in joining the team, as a volunteer to support the fandom arts at OtakuFest on June 6-8, 2025 at Miami Airport Convention Center in Miami, FL.
The EARLY deadline to be considered for volunteer opportunities is February 15, 2025
The REGULAR deadline for volunteer opportunities is April 15, 2025
The LATE deadline for volunteer opportunities is May 5, 2025
The earlier you register to volunteer the better your chances are of getting assigned to the department you requested.
As OtakuFest approaches, we are looking to the generosity of volunteers to make this the best inaugural festival. We are looking for volunteers who would like to donate time, talent, and expertise in exchange for behind-the-scenes access to the festival and an opportunity to meet other volunteers who have the same interests and passions for the anime, cosplay, and pop-culture community.
There are many different volunteer opportunities at the festival. Some of the volunteer positions call for specific skills and experience, but many will only need enthusiasm, dedication, trust, and creativity. If this sounds like an opportunity for you, please complete the Volunteer Form and send it to us. The earlier you send, the better!
For further information before or after the festival please contact [email protected]
Some of the areas for volunteering include but are not limited to,
• A/V Dept
• Guest Relations
• General Operations
• Cosplay Info/Contest
• Cosplay Repair Station
• Info/Guest Services
• Late Night Panel Activities
• Photography
• Registration
• Stage Management
• Video Gaming
• Video Production
All volunteers are asked to complete a minimum of 15 hours over the course of the weekend in order to receive the volunteer benefits which include, free admission to the festival, T-Shirt, and more. Each volunteer is required to check-in and out with the track director and the volunteer coordinator before and after each shift, and single-day admission bands will be given each day based on the number of hours worked. After the completion of 10 volunteer hours, a volunteer can earn a weekend pass to the show.
If you are interested in volunteering at OtakuFest, the following must be completed and understood:
• A Volunteer form
• You must be 15 years old or over.
• Volunteer Team t-shirts are to be worn during the shift at all times.
• Volunteers are required to abide by the same rules as attendees and should be well-read on all OtakuFest policies.
Please help promote a safe and healthy environment while volunteering. Refrain from any deliberate act that may create danger or an unhealthy situation towards any individual. This includes the use of illegal drugs, consumption of alcoholic beverages, assaulting another individual, or disregarding their safety. If you know of anyone, who might be under the influence or conducting bad behavior, please report to OtakuFest staff or security.
Volunteer Program: Most volunteer positions are easy to learn and do not require any previous experience in order to qualify for the assignment. Volunteers assist in all areas of the festival, from assisting staff, special events, running errands, registration, checking badges, etc.; no task is overlooked or under-appreciated!
To be considered for volunteering at OtakuFest 2025, please fill out this form.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]
Volunteer Waiver
OTAKU FESTIVALS (hereinafter referred to as “OTAKUFEST”) operates a seasonal festival that takes place on June 6-8, 2025 at Miami Airport Convention Center in Miami, FL. The OtakuFest convention which takes place June 2025, hereinafter will be referred to as “FESTIVAL.”
Everyone who wants to participate as a volunteer for OTAKUFEST at the FESTIVAL is asked to accept the terms of this waiver. If you have any questions before proceeding, please contact us at [email protected]
I hereby release OTAKUFEST, and their directors, officers, employees, and agents from liability according to the below stated terms. By signing this release, I agree that I desire to provide volunteer services for OTAKUFEST at and to donate my time in activities related to serving as a volunteer for the FESTIVAL.
Purpose of Volunteer Policies
I understand that these policies are written to provide overall guidance and direction to volunteers engaged in volunteer involvement and management efforts. I understand that these policies do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a personnel agreement. I understand that the OTAKUFEST reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time and that I will be expected to adhere to the changed policy.
Definition of a “Volunteer”
A “volunteer” is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement, performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the OTAKUFEST in support of the FESTIVAL. A volunteer must be officially accepted and enrolled by the OTAKUFEST’s Volunteer Program prior to performance of the task.
I understand that I am willingly and without coercion signing up to join the OTAKUFEST as a volunteer in support of the FESTIVAL. I understand that the scope of my relationship with the FESTIVAL is limited to a volunteer position with the OTAKUFEST and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided from either the OTAKUFEST in conjunction with the FESTIVAL.
Liability
I understand the risks and hazards associated with volunteering. As a volunteer, I hereby expressly assume risk of injury or harm from these activities and release the OTAKUFEST from all liability that may arise at the FESTIVAL.
I hereby release and forever discharge and hold harmless the OTAKUFEST, and their successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind of nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to the OTAKUFEST. I understand and acknowledge that this Release discharges the OTAKUFEST from any liability or claim that I may have against the OTAKUFEST with respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death, or property damage that may result from the services I provide or occurring while I am providing volunteer services for the FESTIVAL.
I hereby release and forever discharge the OTAKUFEST from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my tenure as a volunteer with the OTAKUFEST at the FESTIVAL.
Service at the Discretion of the Organization
I understand that the OTAKUFEST accepts the service of all volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the OTAKUFEST. I agree that the OTAKUFEST may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate my relationship with the FESTIVAL.
Confidentiality
I understand that as a volunteer I am responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which I am exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a single staff, volunteer, client, other person, the OTAKUFEST. I understand that failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of my relationship with either the OTAKUFEST.
Photo Release
I grant and convey to the OTAKUFEST all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by the OTAKUFEST in connection with my providing volunteer services with the OTAKUFEST in support of the FESTIVAL.
As a volunteer:
1. I will conduct myself in a respectful manner, exhibit good conduct, and be a positive role model.
2. I will display respect and courtesy for other employees, volunteers, program participants, visitors, clients, and property.
3. I will provide a safe environment by not harming anyone in any way, whether through discrimination, sexual harassment, physical force, verbal or mental abuse, neglect, or other harmful actions.
4. I will respect the privacy of persons served by the organization and hold in confidence sensitive, private and personal information.
5. I will adhere to any and all tasks assigned to me during my volunteer shifts.
6. I will work cooperatively as a team member with employees and other volunteers.
7. I will keep personal opinions and actions separate from those made as a representative of this organization.
8. I will avoid conduct, both on and off duty, which would jeopardize program effectiveness.
9. I will not use vulgar or inappropriate language.
10. I will not solicit gratuities, gifts or bequests for personal or professional benefit.
11. I will not use or be under the influence of illegal drugs.
12. I will not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or consume tobacco at the FESTIVAL.
13. I will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.
By submitting this form, I understand and agree that I am responsible for providing my own food, transportation, and lodging. In the event of an accident or injury I may have while volunteering for the OTAKUFEST in support of the FESTIVAL, I authorize representatives from the OTAKUFEST to seek and obtain medical treatment for me. Furthermore, I agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any staff, directors, and principles of the OTAKUFEST from any and all damages, losses, claims, liabilities, charges, suits, penalties, costs and/or expenses, including but not limited to court costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses, resulting from any act (whether intentional or not), omission or negligence of any injury to myself.
I have read the OTAKUFEST Volunteer Code of Conduct and agree to abide by the statements above. I understand that a failure on my part to abide by this code of conduct could result in my removal from the position of volunteer and possibly also my removal from the FESTIVAL as a whole.
OtakuFest is a three-day festival that celebrates the best in Geek/Nerd culture including Anime, Animation, Cosplay, Gaming, Comics, Music, and more. Join us at the Miami Airport Convention Center on June 6-8, 2025, for fun events, costume contest, exciting panels, and celebrating geek culture.
Miami Airport Convention Center
711 Northwest 72nd Avenue
Miami, FL
