Staffing Information

Join Our Planning Team and Help Make Setsucon Happen

Staffing Information

Setsucon is an entirely volunteer-staff run convention – with our planning committee works around the year to put on an amazing event for all of our attendees! Being a part of our staff means leading the various parts of our convention, including areas in our Convention Operations, Programming, and Public Relations Departments, in order to ensure the convention’s success. More importantly, being a part of our staff means being a part of an amazing team and making lifelong friendships.

Staffing a convention is a great experience that pulls back the curtain on the convention, provides a unique perspective about everything that goes on behind the scenes, and develops skills that are useful in all walks of life.

For more information in staffing, the positions available across the convention, and what is expected, review the information available on this page. If interested, apply using the form available on this page.

If you are interested in only being a General Volunteer, please see the Volunteer Page for more information and to apply.

Staffing Requirements

All staff must meet the following requirements in order to be eligible to staff. Failure to meet these requirements will lead to rejection of staffing application.

  • Must be at least 18 years of age at time of convention.
  • Must be available to meet, discuss, and perform convention duties across the year (April – February), as needed.
  • Must be willing to staff all scheduled hours before, during, and after the convention. Hours vary depending on the position.
  • Must be willing to check email and Discord messages regularly and reply promptly.
  • Must be available to attend online committee/department meetings, as needed.

As Setsucon is run by active students, alumni, and affiliates of the Pennsylvania State University, students may be given preference for any positions on the committee. Being a student (or being affiliated with Penn State) is not a requirement of staffing the convention.

Staffing Expectations

All staff are expected to:

  • Uphold a positive image of Setsucon.
  • Be respectful and polite to fellow staffers and volunteers.
  • Be willing to work with other staffers and volunteers.
  • Treat any information that is not publicly announced as confidential.
  • Regularly attend online meetings, as needed.
  • Regularly communicate with fellow staffers, especially management and leadership.
  • Attend and staff the convention (unless otherwise discussed with leadership).
  • Follow direction from management, leadership, and fellow staffers.
  • (If a Director) hold regularly schedule meetings/touch points with direct reports and be the subject matter expert in the respective area.
  • Abide by any additional rules discussed during staff meetings or provided in the staff handbook available prior to the convention.

Departments & Positions

The following is a list of departments, positions, and a brief description of each position. Further information may be made available upon request.

  • Operations | Human Resources
    • Director of Human Resources
      • Manages the hospitality of all staff and volunteers, oversees the volunteer team, organizes the staff and volunteer schedule, and ensures all staff and volunteers are taken care of before, during, and after the convention.
    • Human Resources Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Hospitality Coordinator
      • Responsible for keeping an eye on attendee and staff needs, maintain convention information, organize the information desk, maintain the Staff & Volunteer Handbook, maintain convention policies, and lead line control activities.
    • Volunteer Liaison Coordinator
      • Responsible for vetting and communicating with all volunteers, putting together the volunteer schedule, holding volunteer training sessions, and execute on volunteer number growth activities.
  • Operations | Logistics
    • Director of Logistics
      • Manages the planning of operational logistics for the convention, ensuring all equipment and supplies are available for the convention, running the logistics desk in the Con Ops room, and strategizing on upgrades to convention supplies.
    • Logistics Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • AV Tech Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the AV for the convention, including but not limited to, setting up all tech for the convention rooms, maintaining tech supplies during the con, and running the Main Events video and sound.
    • Inventory Coordinator
      • Responsible for maintaining convention inventory, including managing the storage unit and ensuring all items needed by other departments are acquired and organized prior to the convention.
    • Transport Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and organizing convention load-in and load-out, and being available to make runs throughout the convention to get supplies, as needed.
  • Operations | Registration
    • Director of Registration
      • Manages the registration of all attendees, including setting up and managing the registration system, working through any registration issues, providing regular attendance updates to the committee, determining registration strategies, and leading the registration desk at the convention.
    • Registration Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
  • Programming | Cosplay
    • Director of Cosplay
      • Manages all aspects of convention cosplay, including setting and maintaining the cosplay policies, overseeing all cosplay events, overseeing cosplay meetups, managing cosplay repair, and being the point of contact for all cosplay-related questions.
    • Cosplay Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Dating Game Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Cosplay Dating Game.
    • Hall Cosplay Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Hall Cosplay Contest.
    • Iron Cosplay Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Iron Cosplay event.
    • Masquerade Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Masquerade.
    • Wig Styling Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Wig Styling Competition.
  • Programming | Live Events
    • Director of Live Events
      • Manages the planning and execution of all events that occur at the convention, such as dances, viewings, manga library, AMV contest, panels, activities, and other events scheduled.
    • Live Events Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Activities Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the various events that fall outside the responsibilities of the other Live Events Coordinators (i.e. Maid Cafe, MakerSpace).
    • AMVs Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the AMV Contest and any AMV related activities.
    • Dance Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Setsu Odori Late Night Dance and any dance related activities.
    • Manga Library Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Manga Library Room.
    • Panels Coordinator
      • Responsible for coordinating the selection of panels, communicating with panelists, setting the schedule, and ensuring panels are completed at the convention.
    • Viewings Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Viewings Room.
  • Programming | Gaming
    • Director of Gaming
      • Manages all gaming related activities, including card gaming, tabletop role playing, board games, and video gaming, communicating with gaming vendors, and planning the gaming schedule.
    • Gaming Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Gaming Tech Coordinator
      • Responsible for providing strategies regarding the technical aspect of running the gaming rooms.
    • Tabletop Gaming Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Tabletop Room.
    • Video Gaming Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Video Gaming Room.
    • Tournament Head Coordinator
      • Responsible for planning, leading, and running the Video Game Tournaments.
  • Public Relations | Advertising
    • Director of Advertising
      • Manages the conventions external promotion and local engagement, including managing local and regional promotional activities, maintaining strong local business connections, maintaining public awareness, and ensuring positive charitable activities.
    • Advertising Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Creative Coordinator
      • Responsible for managing and generating art assets for the convention.
    • Marketing Coordinator
      • Responsible for managing marketing activities, setting up ad campaigns, creating unique marketing activities, leading attendance growth activities, and organizing marketing drops.
    • Outreach Coordinator
      • Responsible for communicating with local Altoona businesses, managing sponsorships, and setting up charitable programs.
    • Photography Coordinator
      • Responsible for taking photos/videos at the convention and leading the photography volunteer team.
    • Press Coordinator
      • Responsible for maintaining relationships with local press outlets, writing and sending press releases, organizing onsite press coverage and interviews, maintaining a list of press contacts, and ensuring press coverage of the convention.
    • Publications Coordinator
      • Responsible for designing signage, physical and digital media, and ad hoc designs as needed.
    • Video Design Coordinator
      • Responsible for generating and gathering video content for the convention for promotional and archival purposes.
  • Public Relations | Exhibitors
    • Director of Exhibitors
      • Manages the Exhibitors Hall and all actions related to what is happening in the room, including review of accepted artists and vendors, working with external parties for other activities, approving layouts, ensuring on-time payments, and maintaining room success.
    • Exhibitors Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Artists Alley Coordinator
      • Responsible for vetting Artists Alley applicants, communicating with artists, collecting payments, assisting in creating the room layout, and running the Artists Alley during the convention.
    • Vendors Coordinator
      • Responsible for vetting Vendor applicants, communicating with vendors, collecting payments, assisting in creating the room layout, and running the Vendors Room during the convention.
    • Merchandise Coordinator
      • Responsible for organizing and designing all merchandise items.
  • Public Relations | Guest Relations
    • Director of Guest Relations
      • Manges all aspects with regards to inviting guests to the convention (i.e. voice over, industry, panels, performance, and musical guests), negotiation guest appearances, managing the Guest Relations Team, working with the Treasurer to ensure payment, and working with Programming to ensure guest schedule is put together.
    • Guest Relations Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Guest Services Staffer
      • Responsible for running the Guest Green Room at the convention and helping the Guest Relations Department with various task at the convention, as needed.
    • Guest Liaison Staffer
      • Responsible for assisting invited guests throughout the weekend, including  but not limited to, keeping guests on schedule, getting guests food, dealing with attendees for the safety of the guest, handling autograph money, and ensuring all reasonable guest needs are met.
  • Public Relations | Web
    • Director of Web
      • Manages the convention website/technology, including keeping it updated and modern, maintaining security, and developing new solutions, as needed.
    • Web Assistant
      • Assists the Director in managing the department and in any activities, as needed.
    • Social Media Coordinator
      • Responsible for leading social media campaigns and non-traditional methods of social media growth.

Planning Committee Staff Application


SETSU ODORI (DANCE)

Get on your dance outfits, find your glowsticks, and be ready to party all night long at our Setsu Odori Late Night Dance! Featuring our slate of DJs, this three hour dance caps off a full Saturday of excitement. So go hit the dance floor, vibe to the groove, and finish out the night with us!

IDOL'S REVENGE SHOWCASE

Experience this one-of-a-kind idol showcase event where we celebrate idols taking back power! This wild, unhinged, and memey event gives idols the chance to perform to whatever genre of music they want… and they won’t be the songs you are used to seeing idols perform to!

 

Looking to perform in the Idol’s Revenge Showcase? Click the button below to learn more about applications.

DRAG SHOW

Step into the world of The Divas! This incredible group of drag performers – Ashlynn Manhattan, Amethyst, & Hexxa, led by their host Enigman – hit the Setsucon stage on Friday Night! With dazzling lip-syncs & jaw dropping performances, you will not want to miss the kickoff event of the con! [18+ Only Event]

CONCERTS

The Setsucon Main Events stage has been graced by many performers throughout its history! Listen to awesome music from the featured performance group each year during our Saturday Night Concert – stay tuned to find out who will be performing this coming year.

VIDEO GAMING

No matter the style of game that you are looking for, hop on to one of the many consoles, both modern and retro, that our room has and give a try in our console gaming section of the Video Gaming Room, presented by Origin of Play. The catalog of games is endless – consisting of all the fan favorites, including numerous fighting games, rhythm style games, and party games.

 

And think you have what it takes to be the ultimate champion of the winter battle season? Enter our free-to-play tournaments all weekend long!

TABLETOP GAMING

Stop by the Tabletop Gaming Room throughout the convention weekend to experience a multitude of games to enjoy! You’ll find a wide selection of board games and miniature activities, presented by Snake Eyes Gaming, for both the casual and expert player, and opportunities to dive into a tabletop role playing game, presented by The Quelmar Realm. Whether you’ve mastered every board game out there, or just want to learn a new one, we have something for you. Have your own tabletop games that you want to play? We have space for that too – just find an open table, set down to play your own game!

CARD GAMING

Are you ready to throwdown and duel? Get your decks out and be ready to play in our Card Gaming events, presented by Jake’s Cards & Games! From Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh to Pokemon trade and play events, we have a variety of card gaming tournaments and activities to keep you busy throughout the weekend. Or just pop into the Tabletop Gaming room and set up a game yourself!

ARCADES

Take yourself away on a trip to a Japanese arcade and play some of the best arcade cabinets around – provided by Snow Phoenix! Check out the different arcade cabinets, with popular types of cabs such as dance and rhythm games. Or give yourself a test with some of the Japanese crane machines – provided by Kawaii Catchers. Test your skill and precision to try and win fun prizes from these machines!

WORKSHOPS

Share in your favorite hobby, learn a new craft, or watch as creativity comes to life with our workshop programming track.

 

If you are looking to present a workshop, click the link to learn more about workshop applications.

PANELS

If you are looking to learn something new, laugh about your favorite characters, share in some anime history and fandom, or take home a new experience that you haven’t gotten elsewhere – then dive into some amazing panels – presented by you, our attendees! Stay tuned for the full schedule as we get close to con.

 

If you are looking to present a panel, click the link to learn more about panel applications.

JACKBOX PARTY

Kick of the convention with a throwback to our Twitch days with a Friday Night Party Night! Get out your comfy PJs and join us for some Jackbox Games – come prepared with creativity and be ready to laugh the night away!

AMV CONTEST

Join us as we showcase the many AMVs from around the world that are submitted into our contest each year! With a contest that grows each year – now containing over 60 AMVs across five different categories, there is something for everyone – from laugh out loud comedies to tearjerking videos, our AMV entries cover the full spectrum of emotions sliced together for a major joyride.

 

Learn more about the history of our AMV Contest – and if you are an AMV Creator, click the button below to enter your creation into our contest!

WIG STYLING COMPETITION

Check out wig styling skills in action! Participants have just 60 minutes to cut and style a pre-selected wig, and model it in front of our judges! Stylists can maximize their score by ensuring cleanliness, complexity, wearability, & creativity – all on their way to winning the grand prize!  Sign-ups are held a few months before convention.

MASQUERADE SHOWCASE

Our premier cosplay event on the Main Stage – the Cosplay Masquerade Showcase! Come be entertained with some of the top skits and talents for a showcase of cosplay prowess, fashion, singing, dancing, variety, fun, and much more!

IRON COSPLAY

This event puts your ultimate cosplay skills to the test to be as creative as possible given a box of who knows what to work with! Watch as contestants face off against one another in a clash of cosplay creativity, cooperation, and skill to make a unique cosplay.

HALL COSPLAY CONTEST

Show off your cosplay creation to our panel of judges! All entrants will have a chance to present their handmade cosplays to our judges and compete for a chance to win prizes! All experience levels are welcome – showcase your handcrafted cosplays and your hard work in our premier craftsmanship event.

COSPLAY PHOTO SUITE

Stop by the Cosplay Photo Suite in the Exhibitors Hall during the weekend for free professional cosplay photos, presented by our friends at The Variant. With unique backdrops and pro photographers at the ready, this is a great opportunity to have your cosplay captured in memorable photos that will be available after the convention on their website.

COSPLAY DATING GAME

Are you ready to see what characters can find the match of their dreams? The Cosplay Dating Game allows your favorite characters to find their happily ever after… or at least someone for the night. Join us for this hilarious event and be ready to laugh as our characters give love a try! [18+]

VIEWINGS

Take a break, watch a new show, and dive into some anime in our Viewings room! Whether it is a new show, old favorite, or hidden gem – take a seat and watch a show!

SWAP MEET

If you have merch, toys, games, collectables, or items that are looking for a new home, stop by the Swap Meet on Friday Night to see what items you can grab in exchange! Walk away from the event with your new favorite treasure!

SILENT AUCTION

The Setsucon Silent Auction is dedicated in memory of the late voice actor, Setsucon guest, and Pennsylvania native Billy Kametz. Visit the Silent Auction booth in the Exhibitors Hall to place bids during the con. All proceeds are donated directly to the Colon Cancer Coalition, which raises the awareness about the importance of colorectal screenings and colonoscopies to decrease deaths from colon cancer.

MANGA LIBRARY

Do you love reading? Take a break and enjoy our extensive Manga Library, featuring the Penn State Anime Organization collection! We have over 500 volumes to choose from – with both popular titles & hidden gems to explore! Unleash your inner bookworm & dig into a good read!

 

The PSAO Laura Rayman Memorial Manga Library, which was renamed in 2016 in memory of long-time Setsucon attendee, manga lover, and Central PA native Laura Rayman, is a fast growing collection of titles both new and old. Their collection is mostly donation based, having grown over the years as members have helped stock the shelves. A true symbol of the organization, the manga library is one of the first sights a new member sees as they walk into the organization’s office.

MAKERSPACE

Experience fun and creative crafts and activities throughout the weekend in the Makerspace, presented by the MAGFest Makerspace Team! Come join in for crafts and fun. There are machines and supplies that you can pick up and play with or ask the team staffed by teachers and volunteers for a tutorial. Come in and make your own projects that you can take home with you!

MAID CAFE

With a blend of cosplay, games, music, performances, and hospitality, the Setsucon Maid Cafe, presented by Pixel Pop, is an event that is sure to be something special – and is a highlight for many each year! Sign-up at con at the Maid Cafe to book your time; each first-come, first-serve spot includes a 1-hour seating time, dessert, refreshments, games, performances, and more.

ITASHA CAR SHOW

Check out a showcase of itasha and anime-inspired cars in the Itasha Car Show, presented by Isekai’d Dreams. See cars decked out in anime gear, replicas of famous anime vehicles, or just awesome modded up rides.

EXHIBITORS HALL

Take home some new art for your wall, a new figures, a manga, and more in our Exhibitors Hall – the main shopping hub of the convention! With over 80 vendors and artists, there is something for everyone to find amongst our many exhibitors. Come ready to shop!