Otakon 2010 pre-registration is now open!

Notice: Otakon pre-registration will end at 11:59 PM EDT Friday, July 16.
Your transaction must be fully complete and paid for before 11:59 PM EDT, or you will not be able to pre-register (you can of course still pay at the door).

Before you jump into registration...

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY!

Some things have changed for Otakon 2010

• UPDATE This year, we will be using scanners to look up your member accounts, which we hope will help speed up the pre-registration pickup process significantly. As a means to reward those members who do bring their confirmation emails, we will have a “Barcodes Only” line for Thursday night pre-registration pickup. This line should move quicker than the normal pre-registration line. If you are unable to print your confirmation email/barcode when you registered, you can view it online and reprint it any time by logging into our Members Only section. If you don’t know your member login info, there is a link on that page to have it emailed to you.

• UPDATE Official hours for registration are posted on our Vitals: Hours page. Thursday night pre-registration pickup will run from 3:00 PM 11:00 PM. When you arrive to pick up your badge, please be prepared by having your IDs ready, deciding which badge design you want while you are still in line, and by bringing your printout with barcode on it.

• UPDATE If you lose your membership badge during Otakon, you can check with our Lost and Found department (behind registration) to see if it was turned in. If it is not there, then you will either need to leave the convention to wait and see if somebody turns it in, or you will need to purchase a replacement badge. Replacement badges can only be purchased if you have proof of your membership – if you pre-registered, then we have your name in the system, so you’ll just need your ID to prove it’s you. If you registered at the door, then you’ll need your payment receipt and a photo ID. The first replacement badge that you request will be $40. If you lose your replacement badge, then every additional badge that we need to reissue for you will cost $75.

• Full instructions for the secure online registration system are available on the first page of the registration process. You must agree to certain terms and conditions to complete registration.

• If you pre-registered in a previous year, you should renew your membership rather than create a new one. It will save you time and allow us to keep our records in good shape. If you don't remember your member ID or password follow the directions here to look it up.

• If for some reason you do not complete your registration (page time-out, power failure, accidentally close the window) without saving your progress; or have a problem with payment, please contact us through the Otakon contacts page.

• Children 8 and under are admitted free to Otakon. If you are bringing someone who is 8 or younger, you do not need to fill out the registration form for them. Instead please note that you are bringing a child in the 'special needs' section of the registration form. If you fill out a full registration for them you will be charged.

• If you happen to have a medical condition that may affect your ability to get around the convention you can let us know about it in advance by noting it in the 'special needs' section of the registration form. If you let us know in advance we can plan accordingly. Also when you arrive at the BCC to pick up your registration, visit the special needs booth to obtain a sticker and information on how to get around.

• Please be aware that if you are paying with a debit card, a hold may be placed on your card for the total amount you intend to pay for membership registration. A separate charge will then appear shortly thereafter for the actual payment. The held charge typically disappears after 5-7 business days depending on your bank. If you suspect there was some sort of server error that resulted in a double-charge on your card, please wait 14 days before contacting us. As your bank places the hold on the card, there is nothing we can do to remove it.

• The discounted membership registration rate for this year is $65 before the cut-off date of July 3rd, 2010. For those who plan to pay by money order, please be aware that your envelope must be postmarked by this date as well. Any mail postmarked after July 3rd, will not be processed before the convention.

• If you miss the first cut-off on July 3rd you can still pre-register for Otakon at the at-door rate of $75. Online pre-registration via credit card only will be available until July 16th at the at-door rate of $75. If you miss the online registration period, you will still be able to register to attend Otakon at Otakon.

• Money orders should be made out to "Otakorp, Inc." and sent to:
  Otakorp, Inc.
  Otakon 2010 Registration
  P.O. Box 27291
  Columbus, OH 43227
  

• Please keep in mind that Memberships and Otakon Registrations are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE.

• If you have any other questions regarding pre-registration for Otakon please contact the Otakon Pre-Reg department through the form on our website here.

With all of that being said:

Click Here To Pre-Register for Otakon

Advice about Registration

• Members who have picked up their badges are encouraged to use the Charles Street entrance during peak registration hours (Friday and Saturday mornings). You'll avoid the masses that way.
• People who pre-register are reminded that a government-issued photo ID is required to pick up a badge; bringing your printed registration confirmation will help speed badge pickup.
• Lines in the mornings are often very long, and August in Baltimore is generally muggy (90 degrees and high humidity). To avoid health issues, we remind you to dress appropriately for the weather and drink plenty of water. (You may want to wait to don your heavy cosplay outfit until after you get your badges.)
• On that note, make sure you've read our line etiquette policy. It'll be enforced to the best of our ability.