Industry Membership

Industry Memberships are extended as a courtesy to qualified professionals whose work is connected to anime, manga, gaming, Japanese pop culture, or related creative and cultural industries.

Industry badges allow approved members to attend Kumoricon, engage with the community, and participate in the convention environment in a professional capacity.

Application timeline

• Industry Membership applications close: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:59pm PT
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Industry badge registration must be completed by Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:59pm PT.

On-site Industry applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis with approval from the Industry and Sponsorship Manager or Director of Relations.

For questions, contact industry@kumoricon.org.

Who may qualify for Industry Membership

Kumoricon offers Industry Memberships to professionals actively working in anime-, manga-, gaming-, or Japanese pop culture–related fields, as well as individuals involved in convention operations and cultural programming.

Business and professional development

Individuals involved in business development or professional operations related to anime or Japanese pop culture, including (but not limited to):

• Agents and representatives
• Publicists and marketing professionals
• Buyers and licensors
• Executives and business development staff
• Producers and production coordinators
• Legal representatives for relevant companies

Applicants in these roles may be asked to provide proof of professional affiliation or recent work.

Creative and production professionals

Individuals involved in the creative development of anime, manga, games, or related media, including:

• Voice actors
• Animators
• Editors
• Directors and producers

Credits must be verifiable through official releases, databases, or publisher platforms. Personal portfolios, LinkedIn pages, or self-published listings alone are not sufficient.

Indie and game development

Indie, mobile, or independent game developers may qualify if they have published and publicly accessible content. Projects must be playable, released, or otherwise demonstrably available to the public.

Content creators and performers

Individuals creating original, non-editorial content inspired by or promoting anime or Japanese pop culture may be considered, including:

• Video creators
• Streamers
• Performers
• Influencers

Content must be original and substantive. Meme-only, repost, or aggregation accounts are not eligible.

Audience size is considered in context and is not evaluated using fixed follower thresholds. Kumoricon evaluates relevance, consistency, engagement, and demonstrated impact rather than raw numbers.

Convention management and community leadership

Individuals involved in anime or pop culture convention management may qualify, including:

• Chairpersons
• Directors
• Managers

Eligible conventions must be operated by a registered nonprofit or business entity. Events run solely by an individual or as a school club do not qualify.

Applicants are encouraged to apply using an official organization email address.

Policies and expectations

All Industry Members are held to the same Code of Conduct as general attendees.

Additional requirements include:

• Industry badge must be worn visibly at all times
• Industry Membership is limited to individuals age 18 or over, unless prior written approval is granted
• Each individual must submit their own application
• Approval and badge quantity are determined at the discretion of the Industry and Sponsorship Manager and Director of Relations

Industry badges do not grant additional permissions or privileges unless explicitly approved. Access to the Exhibitor Area outside normal KumoriMarket hours is limited to individuals with an associated booth.

Badges obtained under false pretenses may be revoked for the entire organization.

Badge revocation

To ensure the safety and enjoyment of attendees, guests, staff, and industry participants, Kumoricon reserves the right to revoke Industry Membership at any time.

Examples of behavior that may result in revocation include, but are not limited to:

• Violations of the Code of Conduct
• Harassment of attendees, guests, or staff
• Requesting autographs or sketches outside designated sessions
• Bringing non-industry attendees into restricted areas
• Interfering with attendee enjoyment
• Unprofessional or inappropriate behavior
• Violations of Kumoricon, venue, or legal policies

Revocation may also impact eligibility for future Kumoricon events.

Registration and badge pick-up

Approved Industry Members may pick up their badge at the specialty badge counter during Registration.

Required for badge pick-up:

• Valid, government-issued photo ID

Recommended to bring:

• Industry approval email
• Business card (if available)

Industry badges must be picked up by the individual they are issued to unless prior arrangements have been approved. Lost or missing badges should be reported immediately.

Frequently asked questions

Does Industry approval automatically grant entry?
No. You must complete registration and pick up a physical badge.

Do Industry badges include reserved seating?
No, unless the event directly involves the badgeholder’s organization.

How do I interview a Guest of Honor?
Interviews are handled through Kumoricon Press. Please review the Press Membership information.

Can my group promote at a table?
Businesses should apply for Exhibitor or Industry booths. Conventions, cultural groups, and nonprofits should review Partner Table options.

Apply for Industry Membership

If you believe you qualify for Industry Membership, please submit an application using the form below.

All applications are reviewed by the Industry and Sponsorship team. Approval is not guaranteed, and submission does not grant access to the convention without completed registration and badge pickup.

If you are unsure whether Industry Membership is the right fit for your role, or have questions before applying, feel free to contact us at industry@kumoricon.org