• GENERAL RULES
  • Otakon does not and cannot guarantee that you will receive an autograph from any particular guest
    • Memberships will not be refunded due to the inability to obtain an autograph from any Guest.
  • Otakon staff reserve the right to refuse access or remove members who fail to follow the rules and directions outlined in these rules and policies or verbal instructions.
  • Be respectful and considerate of Guests, Otakon Staff, and other members.
  • Otakon reserves the right to make amendments to any autograph rule. We will strive to communicate any changes in a timely fashion.
  • Please ask the Autograph Staff if Guests are accepting notes or gifts; do not hand them to the guests directly. Any notes or gifts should be presented to an Autographs Staff member to review. Absolutely no food or drink will be accepted.
  • There will be no photography or video recording during official signing sessions, unless otherwise noted.
  • The following rules and etiquette will be enforced during official autograph sessions:
    • Keep guest interactions brief.
    • Do not touch, hug, or give a handshake to the guests unless the Autographs Staff has indicated it is allowed.
    • Do not request excessive personalization, sketches, etc., unless the guest offers.
    • Prepare any personal items to sign before reaching the guest’s autograph table. (i.e., removing the plastic wrap, having the item opened to where you want the autograph)
    • Personalization (your name) may be required for the autograph; if so, Autographs Staff will provide a sticky note or note card for you to write out your name. Please write legibly and in block capital letters. Do not use any inappropriate nicknames/aliases.
    • Some guests will be signing in a group; please keep in mind that it is polite to get autographs from everyone in the group.

Otakon International Guests Autographs Sessions Overview:

• General Information
  • Queues for autograph sessions will open 30 minutes before the session starts.
    • Members who arrive more than 30 minutes early will be asked to leave the area to prevent crowding and safety hazards.
  • Loitering is not allowed in the area, as it can create a potential fire hazard.
  • Once the line space fills up, Autographs Staff reserves the right to end the autograph line based on the guest’s availability.
  • Guests may provide tickets or vouchers during their panels or as part of other Otakon promotions. If you receive one, present it to the Autographs Staff to be admitted.
    • These passes should not be assumed to be available. If your priority is to get an autograph, please follow the proper procedures to obtain one.
  • Any rescheduling of sessions will be communicated as soon as possible via the official Otakon channels.
  • Any autograph sessions in the Autograph area are free for all members. (Exceptions include any merchandise being sold by the guest, which will be communicated in advance.)
  • Members will be limited to one free autograph per session.
  • Once you have received your autograph, please exit the autograph area promptly to help reduce traffic and ensure safety. If you are waiting for a companion or friend, please wait outside the immediate autograph area.

• MEMBERS WITH ACCESSIBILITY TAGS
  • Otakon Autographs will use a proxy system for any members with accessibility tags. Please see the Member Accessibility desk in the Grand Lobby, to obtain a tag. Members with Accessibility Tags should line up as usual in the autographs line and then flag an Otakon Autographs Staff member to use the proxy system.
    • Proxy System: A companion or willing member will hold the place of a member with accessibility issues. Autographs Staff will provide the companion or Member with a proxy item to indicate the placement where the member with accessibility should be. The Otakon Autographs Staff will then escort the accessibility member to a seated area to wait for their proxy to move up in line. The proxy item is to be returned to the Autographs Staff after the Member has received their autograph.

• WHAT WILL BE SIGNED
  • Guests during Otakon autograph sessions will sign one item per member during their allotted session. Any changes will be communicated by signage or verbally by the Otakon Autographs Staff in charge. Guests will sign your Otakon program book, autograph boards or shikishi, or any officially licensed merchandise for which they are credited.
    • No Funko Pop figures, including their packaging, will be accepted for autographs by international guests.
  • Guests will not sign bootleg items, unlicensed merchandise, or material for which they are not properly credited.
    • Asking guests to sign prohibited items may result in your removal from the Autographs area.
  • Guests may choose to sign handmade or personal items at their sole discretion. Please check with Otakon Autographs Staff before approaching the Guest’s table.
  • Some Guest sessions may only be signing promotional items they are providing, which will be at no charge to the member. In such situations we will do our best to communicate this in advance. We ask that you respect these circumstances and refrain from requesting any other items to be signed.
  • Any apparel, clothing, and towel items to be signed should be unworn and clean. This will also be at the discretion of Otakon Autographs Staff and Guests. Additionally, no parts of the body will be signed under any circumstances.
  • If you’re uncertain about a particular item, check with the Otakon Autographs Staff member in charge of the session. Otakon Autographs Staff may reject any item deemed unsuitable for signing at their discretion, and such decisions are final. We recommend that members prepare an alternative item for an autograph in case of rejection, e.g., the Otakon Program Book.

GUIDEBOOK INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL AUTOGRAPHS:

• Otakon International Autographs will now utilize the Guidebook Reservation System for all international Guests. 
• Autographs rules, procedures, and links will be made available prior to the convention through Otakon’s social media channels and the Otakon web site several weeks prior to the convention. 

EXHIBITION BOOTH / INDUSTRY AUTOGRAPHS (NA/EU):

• Guest appearances and signings in industry/exhibition booths are not managed or scheduled by Otakon, and are not subject to Otakon’s official autograph session rules.
  • Guests located in exhibitor booths or industry booths will sell merchandise and sign autographs for a fee, as listed by the Guest.
• For pricing and scheduling questions, please contact the Otakon Staff at that booth. For members with accessibility needs, please speak to the Otakon staff in charge of the Guest’s line.
• While limitations on what item is signed do not apply, please abide by the offering list of the Guest. Additionally, any non-official merchandise and personal items are subject to the Guest’s approval