Volunteer Registration

Chip in with helping at AnimeSTL and get some rewards as a thank you for your help!  We are always in need of attendees who are willing to help check badges, help with lines, etc. And as thanks for your help, for every 2-hour shift you complete, you get $30 back, up through the amount you paid for your order! Volunteering is also a great way to get your foot in the door if you’d like to join our staff in the future, or if you’ve ever wanted to gain experience in helping with events such as these.

In addition to the base reimbursement, we are offering the following:

• Any volunteer can earn reimbursement on not just their passes, but other passes on their order as well.  For example, if a Chaperone bought their pass as well as a regular Saturday pass, then they can earn reimbursement back on the Saturday pass after they’ve fully been reimbursed for their own Chaperone Pass.  And that occurs pretty much after their second shift!
• If one’s volunteer reimbursement amount exceeds the total of the order, the first instance will be considered your limit cut-off.  For instance, if the badge order was $110 and reimbursement becomes $120; the limit will have been reached for further reimbursement but we will not cut it short to be $110 to match the order.  It will be $120.
• Accepted volunteers can skip the main Registration line and check-in at the show office and volunteer table to pick-up their badge(s) with a minimum of 1 pre-assigned shift.  This perk may not be available during on-site sign-ups depending on the remaining available shifts.
• New for 2025, a badge purchase is no longer required to volunteer, and reimbursement will still be provided the same, but up to a limit of $90.  Interested people can submit a form to volunteer even if they don’t plan to purchase a pass, however, this also means that they should not plan to take part in convention content or shopping.  The volunteer credential alone will not allow entry into the rooms as if one is an attendee as an AnimeSTL badge is needed for that.

VOLUNTEERING ROLES

The following are the main roles we’re looking to fill.  Additional ones could be created as the show demands them, but these are the most common ones:

• Badge Checker – The volunteer will be stationed at the entrances to the various rooms of our convention to check for event credentials (the wearable badges) and allow entry. These rooms include the exhibit hall and panel rooms.
• Line Guide and Helper – It’s not a comic con style event without them, and we need volunteers to help us manage the lines that can occur throughout the event. The main lines will be related to guest meet & greets and select programming.
• Registration Assistant – Volunteers can help our Registration Team check-in those who have already pre-registered or help with the lines. Any aspect related to handling money is mainly for our staff members.

VOLUNTEERING EXPECTATIONS

Volunteers should have the following qualities:

• Must be at least 16 years of age to apply in advance. No one under the age of 13 will be accepted.  Ages 13-15 can inquire at the convention itself.
• Should have decent customer service experience or ability. You will be interacting with people often.
• Knowledge/previous attendance of comic cons, anime cons, or similar style events is a plus but not a requirement.
• Decent physical stamina is a plus but not required. Some roles require being on your feet for long periods and being mobile, but stationary roles like badge checking will have a chair provided.
• A way to be contacted at the event is a plus but not a requirement (ie, regular cell phone or smart device).
• An understanding that being an accepted volunteer is not the same as being a staff member. Volunteers are welcome to report issues to staff but are not expected to make executive decisions nor have the power to take action in ways that represent the event and its main team (ie, layout changes, emergency plan actions, revoking badges, etc).
• There will not be designated parking for volunteers. Please plan your travels and route accordingly if you’re a local commuter.  For those signing up in advance, it’s advised to check-in at the volunteering table at least 15 minutes before you would begin your first assigned time.