Hyper-focused content on topics both obscure and mainstream, hosted by fans just like you!
METROCON has a HUGE assortment of panels, classes, workshops, and more!
Featuring Q&A’s with your favorite characters, how-to instructionals on make-up or costuming, trivia contests, and fandom meet-ups, our panels and workshops are run by METROCON fans just like you! You can expect fans from every corner of geek-dom coming together, and even the most niche topics will see representation in the panel schedule. Want to host a panel of your own? See below!
The METROCON Panel Team is always looking for more hosts and participants – be sure to sign up and submit to host a panel if you’re interested. Remember – if you host FOUR hours of unique panel content, you get reimbursed for your badge!
You’ll want to get in early though – even though we have a ridiculous amount of time for content in 600,000 square feet of event space, slots on the schedule fills up fast!
Anyone! While we have panels hosted by our Special Guests, METROCON also sports tons of panels hosted by volunteers and regular con-goers – like you! – every year. Visiting guest groups have also hosted panels on special topics.
If you would like to host your own panel, it’s real easy! Under the “Get Involved” section on our menu, there is a link to “Host a Panel”. There, you can submit the title, description, requested time slots, and all of your information. You’ll receive a notice on whether it is approved or denied by our Panel Staff.
If you’re asking if it costs anything to rent the room for the panel, then no. METROCON does not charge to host a panel. In fact, host enough panels, and you can get your badge cost reimbursed! If you host 4 (FOUR) hours of unique panel content, make sure to get a panel sign-off sheet from the staff to take to registration to get reimbursed! Have questions about panels or reimbursement? Reach out to panels@metroconventions.com for more information!
Your panel will join a list of panels that our Panel Staff will go through and approve on a case-by-case basis. If our staff has any questions or concerns, they will contact you directly to work with you on getting your panel approved. Please be patient as it can take our staff a couple of weeks to get through all of the panels.
You will receive a confirmation email stating that your panel has been approved. Please check your junk mail, because sometimes spam filters like to eat panel e-mails since we send out a very high volume of them.
When submitting your panel information, you’ll be prompted to submit a category and a preferred day/time. Our panel staff will do their best to place your panel on the schedule at your preferred time (Friday Afternoon, Saturday Late Night, Thursday Evening, etc. – they’re generalized) and in the tracked room that corresponds to the category of your panel.
Whoa there partner! While we’re glad for your enthusiasm, we hate to inform you that our Main Events room is not available for panel placement. Only regular panel rooms will be on the option list when submitting and only METROCON Staff can place a panel/event into certain other rooms, such as Main Events, Guest Track, etc. If you think your group or panel deserves to be in one of those spaces, we’re certainly willing to hear you out and you should contact us, but we want to preface that the schedules for those rooms are usually very full of content provided by invited industry guests and professionally produced entertainment.
All panels are one (1) hour in length minimum on paper. However, we ask that you be ready to only run 45-50 minutes in order to give that last 10 minutes for room changeover.
Panels are typically limited to this one (1) hour time limit, to incorporate variety in our panel schedule. Certain panels may get an exception to this rule. Please do not plan on running the same panel multiple times throughout the weekend – the schedule gets packed, and other people have panels they want to run as well.
We have a cutoff for any official convention guidebook, but all approved panels will display on the website in their designated room and time slot, and all approved panels that are scheduled by the cutoff date will be included in the digital Con-Guide.
Sponsored in part by Bernette, Famore Cutlery, and Cut Up & Sew!
The METROCON Cosplay Studio, sponsored by CUT/SEW, invites attendees to take part in a weekend of hands-on cosplay workshops designed to help makers build new skills, customize their costumes, and connect with the creative community behind cosplay.
Featuring local crafters, instructors, and cosplay educators, the Cosplay Studio will offer approachable workshops covering sewing, embellishment, airbrushing, beading, and other practical techniques used in costume creation. Whether attendees are working on their very first cosplay, looking to improve store-bought pieces, learning how to repair well-loved costumes, or adding custom details to an existing build, these workshops are designed to be welcoming, useful, and accessible to a wide range of skill levels.
Throughout the weekend, participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced makers in a supportive classroom setting. Workshops will include demonstrations, guided hands-on practice, take-home projects, and skill-building activities focused on real-world cosplay needs. Attendees can expect to leave with new techniques, increased confidence, and ideas they can apply to future costumes and creative projects.
The Cosplay Studio reflects CUT/SEW’s mission to make sewing, crafting, and cosplay education more approachable for everyone. By partnering with local instructors and community makers, this programming creates space for attendees to learn, ask questions, experiment with materials, and celebrate the process of making.
Workshop schedules, class descriptions, and registration details are available at the link below!
What is Being Offered:
The Metrocon Cosplay Studio, presented by CUT/SEW, is a weekend-long educational space dedicated to hands-on cosplay learning. This specialized programming track includes a full schedule of workshops, and demos designed to help attendees expand their crafting skills across a wide range of disciplines.
The Cosplay Studio spans two dedicated classrooms, each outfitted for a specific type of making:
- A machine sewing room, fully stocked with Bernette b05 Academy sewing machines for sewing-focused classes
- A craft, prop, and embellishment room equipped with heat guns, beads, embroidery tools, craft supplies, and more
All Workshops Include:
- All supplies and materials needed to complete a take-home project
- Hands-on instruction from experienced makers and working professionals
- Small class sizes to ensure one-on-one help and support
- A focus on approachable, beginner-friendly techniques with room to level up!
Workshops require a small materials fee and advance registration, with limited seating available for each session.
Machine Specials All Weekend
Interested in taking home the same sewing machine you’ve been using in class? Thanks to our partners at Bernette USA, all Cosplay Studio sewing machines will be available for purchase directly from the con – either on the spot or shipped to your home. Deep discounts will be available all weekend long in the Dealer’s Hall.
