Frequently Asked Questions
General
When and where is the con? The convention will take place in March at a St. Louis location to be announced.
What is your convention about? We are a convention about many geek subjects run for fans, by fans. Over the course of a weekend, we host about 150 panels and events on a variety of subjects - from science to science fiction, anime to art.
I want to bring my boyfriend/girlfriend/mother/father/distant relative, and he/she/it doesn't like anime. Is there something for that person there too? Although we started out as an anime convention, we've been working since the beginning to add a huge variety of programming. With at least nine rooms of programming all day as well as a large vendor room, video and tabletop gaming, and video into the night, there's a whole lot to do. We have nine blocks of panels and events each dedicated to a subject in addition to our main events, guest panels, and miscellaneous panels throughout the con. We do ask that people who want to come just to wait for family members don't hang out in the con areas. Badges will be checked at the doors of all of the panels and events though the dealer room is open to the public. If we are having trouble with crowding, we may ask those without badges to stay out of the corridors unless they are walking to the dealer room. They may have to wait in the hotel lobby.
When will your schedule be up? It will be up about a month before the convention.
Do you have a group rate? We do! In fact, we have a special method of registration just for groups. Check it out on the Registration page.
Back to TopGuests
Who are your guests this year? Our guests will be announced over the course of the year. We'll post more information as soon as each is confirmed.
Why don't you have the guest I want? We ask for suggestions for guests on our facebook page before we start getting guests for the next year, and we do our best to get guests we think our attendees will like. We try to balance musical guests, voice actors, and other guests, and we DO have a budget. Right now, Japanese guests aren't in our budget range. Likewise, some guests charge large appearance fees, and we can't afford them either. Other guests just aren't available or don't reply to our inquiries. In the end, though, we have to decide between the guests who DO agree to come because we obviously can't have everyone.
I know that guest! Can I be his personal escort? We have staff members that will already be in charge of escorting guests to and from events. I know that a lot of voice actor guests have some friends in the anime fandom community, but we ARE the ones paying for the guests and would like to make sure that they attend everything they are supposed to. Also, we can't let just one congoer be a guest's personal escort because everyone else will want to do it as well. We'd like to avoid messy fangirl fights, thank you.
Can I pet them? We will have autograph signings. You may pet them if they give you permission.
Are the guests going to do panels? Keep checking back for a panel schedule which will include at least one panel for each guest.
Back to TopStaff
Why won't the staff answer my questions within an hour after I ask them? I'm busy, and I need to know NOW! You'll most likely get an answer within a couple of days. If you don't, feel free to ask on the forums in case your e-mail didn't make it to us (that does very occasionally happen). The very quickest way to ask us a question is on our facebook page.
I know one of the staff people. Can I get in for free? No, I'm sorry, but we're a small convention. We wouldn't make any money if we let everyone in for free. You CAN, however, volunteer. Information on volunteer registration is on the Volunteers page.
How do I get on staff? At the beginning of each new planning year (around June or July), we will have a meeting to find new staff members. You MUST attend that meeting if you want to be considered for a staff position. We will interview you and generally get to know you at that meeting, and you will be notified soon afterward whether you will be on staff this year. Please email kawakonstl@gmail.com if you are interested in joining the staff.
Back to TopGaming
What types of gaming will there be? There will be video gaming (including DDR, Super Smash Bros., and other multiplayer games), tabletop role-playing, miniatures games, card games, board games, and live-action role-play. If you want to suggest a game or volunteer to run one, contact our gaming director.
How do I get to be a GM (Game Master)? If you have a game that you want to lead at Kawa Kon, you can volunteer to be a GM. You must be at least 16 and have GM experience with that game. E-mail either the gaming director or our general email. Volunteers who GM can get free badges by working a certain number of games.
Back to TopEvents and Panels
What main events will you have? We're bringing back the masquerade (costume contest), game shows, and dances. We'll also be adding some new events to try out, including several events specificially for this year's theme.
Why don't you have a video room? We realized several years ago that there were only people in the video room during special showings, and that space would be better served hosting more panels and events. We still show video throughout the convention in various rooms. Video showings include fan films, anime, movies, and more!
What panels do you have? We will have a variety of panels that will run until at least 1:00 in the morning on Friday and Saturday and until after closing ceremonies on Sunday. Panels will be on a variety of topics, from specific shows to Japanese culture, Doctor Who to doll restringing.
Why aren't there enough/any panels on [blank]? Because either no one has suggested them yet or no one signed up to run them! We try to gear our panel programming toward everyone, but we obviously can't fit every topic into one weekend. If you want to run a panel or have a suggestion for a topic, please post about it on the forums or facebook... or fill out a panelist form. Let the programming chair know what your idea is, whether or not you want to host it yourself, how it should be presented, and why other congoers will want to attend the panel.
Can I run a panel? Head over to the Panel Programming page to sign up! You'll even get some of your registration money back!
When do you open each day? The convention starts at noon on Friday with light programming (2-5 things happening), and it really gets going around 2:30. Events run until 1:00 a.m. or later. On Saturday, programming runs 9:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. or later (the rave usually goes until 2:30). On Sunday, we sleep in a little and start at 10:00 a.m. with the convention's closing ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
Back to TopCosplay
What is cosplay? Cosplay refers, basically, to wearing a costume. That costume can be anything from a full character costume from your favorite show to a generic witch costume you decided to wear to a convention. In order to get the cosplay discount at registration, that must be FULL costume, not just a wig or pieces of a costume. It also can't be an "original character" who just happens to wear normal clothing. But basically figure that whatever would get LOTS of looks on the street is most likely good enough. If you're not sure whether something you're wearing will be accepted, bring a reference picture.
Is there a cosplay contest? Definitely! Check out the masquerade section for more details!
Can I dress up as ANYONE I want to at the convention? If your costume follows the rules of our convention, you may wear anything you want.
I just bought an awesome new sword in the dealers' room! Can I use it with my costume? No. Please take all metal weapons, live or dull, to your hotel room or car and LEAVE THEM THERE. We WILL confiscate dangerous weapons.
Can I sword fight in the hallways? No. We're sorry, but we cannot allow fighting in the hallways. It's dangerous, and the hallways tend to get very crowded during the convention. Dueling may be allowed with BOFFERED (foam) WEAPONS ONLY in designated boffered weapon areas (this is usually outside the gaming room). If you are asked to move or to stop, move or stop immediately.
I'm in costume! Do I get a discount? Yup. If you wear your costume when you register at the con, you get $5 off your admission. If you pre-register, please mark on your form that you are planning to cosplay. If you mark it on your form but do NOT cosplay at registration, you must pay the extra $5.
Back to TopTheme
What is this year's theme? For Kawa Kon 2016, our theme is "Strange New Worlds". Not only is this a nod to Star Trek's 50th anniversary, but it's a proclamation to the ambassadors of fandom that we are hosting a Fannish Worlds Fair. That meanst a lot of sample activities for different fandoms, games with one fandom against another, fandom flags, and so much more! We'll post more information on fannish ambassadors and how to be part of this year's theme soon.
What does the theme mean for me? Usually our theme is just for decorating, opening ceremonies, and a few panels and events. We're trying something different with 2016 and acting as hosts to a Worlds Fair of different fandoms. This means having fan groups in the halls with demonstrations and games, fandom vs. fandom events, and tons of other cool ideas we're cooking up.
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