PANELIST MANUAL

WELCOME TO THE AWESOME CON LINE-UP

Welcome to the Awesome Con 2026 programming line-up. On behalf of the entire team at LeftField Media, we want to say that we’re thrilled to have you. You made it! You’re a part of what makes Washington, DC’s comic con so special.

We want to remind everyone that Awesome Con is a safe space for all fans of varying backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints. As such, Awesome Con also enforces a zero-tolerance harassment policy that applies to all attendees, including but not limited to: vendors, panelists, guests, and fans. Please make sure you review our full Anti-Harassment Policy and note that your participation in Awesome Con constitutes your agreement to abide by it.

We know your program will be incredible, and we welcome feedback throughout this entire process. Please keep us posted along the way; we are excited to be on this journey with you.

See you in DC!

Katie, James, Kirsty, and the rest of the LFM Staff!

DIRECTIONS AND HOTELS

We want to remind all panelists to please be sure to book your hotel and arrange your travel! You can find more information using the button below.

Find info on Travel & Hotels

SHAREABLE IMAGES

Check out our Promo Kit here and share, share, share!

ROOM SET UP

Please find your panel location in the list below for general setup/layout information.

Room 201 – Theater seating, riser 8’x18′, 1 set of stairs, (2) two 8′ skirted tables on riser with (6) six chairs on riser
Room 202 – Performance Room – Theater seating, riser 24’x32′, 2 sets of stairs, drape to conceal performers to the side of the stage, (2) two 8′ skirted tables on riser with (6) six chairs on riser ( Movable )
Room 204 – Screening Room – Theater seating, riser 8’x24′, 1 set of stairs, (2) two 8′ skirted tables on riser with (6) six chairs on riser
Room 206 – Theater seating, riser 8’x24′, 1 set of stairs, (2) two 8′ skirted tables on riser with (6) six chairs on riser
Room 207 – Science Fair Panel Room – Theater seating, riser 16’x24′, 1 set of stairs, (2) two 8′ skirted tables on riser with (6) six chairs on riser
Room 208 – Craft & Meet Up Room – Round tables and chairs, 4 perimeter tables
Room 209 – Movement Room – Open floor space, 6 perimeter tables, stack of 20 chairs
Awesome Con Jr Movement Zone – Expo Hall C – Open floor, riser 16’x24′, 2 sets of stairs, stack of 50 chairs, 2 perimeter tables
Awesome Con Jr. Workshops – Expo Hall C – Seating at round tables
Science Fair Demo Stage – Expo Hall C – Theater seating, riser 24’x36′, 2 sets of stairs
Romancing DC – Room 102A – Open floor space, stack of chairs, podium

PANEL ROOM AV

Please check your panel room in the list below to see which AV equipment will be available to you.

Please note that laptops are not provided.

To make a special request, please email James by February 26, 2026. Requests will be responded to, but may not be honored.

Room 201 & 206

Speakers & Speaker Stands
TV Display
HDMI laptop hookup
6 wired table mics
Podium with 1 wired mic
1 Mic & Mic Stand
- Q&A in aisle

Room 207 – Science Fair

Speakers & Speaker Stands
Screen
Projector
HDMI laptop hookup
6 wired table mics
Podium with 1 wired mic
1 Mic & Mic Stand
- Q&A in aisle

Room 202 – Performance Room

Speakers & Speaker Stands
Screen
Projector
HDMI laptop hookup
6 Wireless Microphone Combo Kit (Handheld and Clip-on) Digital (3 handheld and 3 lav)
1 Mic & Mic Stand
- Q&A in aisle

Room 204 – Screening

Speakers & Speaker Stands
Screen
Projector
HDMI laptop hookup
6 wired table mics
Podium with 1 wired mic
1 Mic & Mic Stand
- Q&A in aisle

Room 208 – Crafts & Meet Up Room

No AV

Room 209 – Movement Room

Speakers & Speaker Stands
2 Wireless Microphone Combo Kit (Handheld and Clip-on) Digital

Awesome Con Jr. Movement Zone & Workshops – Expo Hall C

Speakers & Speaker Stands
2 Wireless Microphone Combo Kit (Handheld and Clip-on) Digital

Science Fair Demo Stage – Hall C

Speakers & Speaker Stands
2 Wireless Microphone Combo Kit (Handheld and Clip-on) Digital

Romancing DC – Room 102A

1 podium mic
2 wireless mics
2 speakers
1 mixer
1 cables/kit package for panelists to connect to speakers to play music

PRO BADGES

Your approved Awesome Con program comes with up to six (6) Pro Badges for you and your panelists. These badges are ONLY for those people actually participating in your program.

Additional Pro badges can be purchased for $30 each. Pro Badges will grant you access to Awesome Con for all 3 days of the show.

At least 1 week before the show, we will send an email to the email address we have on file for you as your main point of contact. It will come from a Showpass email address and will contain a QR code valid for the number of Pro badges you had marked on your application. You will use this QR code to check in at Registration in Hall D during Will Call hours.

Friday, March 13th: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14th: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday March 15th: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

GENERAL INFO

SHOW DETAILS

Awesome Con is March 13-15, 2026, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW, Washington, DC 20001.

ARRIVAL AND SETUP

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your panel. Awesome Con allocates 15 minutes between panels for the teardown of the previous panel and the setup of the next panel. There are 15-30 minutes in between each program at the Awesome Con Jr spaces. We ask all panelist to be please be respectful of the following panelists programming and time and to end your panel on time, Awesome Con Crew will be present to help assist you in this effort.

As soon as the panel before yours has ended, you are welcome to begin setting up your laptop, etc. If you need AV assistance, please ask a nearby Staff or Crew member for help.

SPECIAL NEEDS

If you or any of your panelists have any special needs, please email James, and we will do our best to arrange accommodations. Requests should be made by February 26th, 2026.

TECH CHECKS

You can use the 15 minutes before your panel for your tech check. If you need more time, please email James by February 26th, 2026, to schedule a longer tech check or rehearsal. We will do our best to accommodate.

GREEN ROOM

If you’re looking for a quiet space to prepare for your panel you are free to use the Panelist Green Room (East Overlook). This room will remain open all weekend long. You are welcome to store items here; however, the room is not locked and will not be monitored. Awesome Con is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.