General
Colossalcon is proud to maintain an all-ages event. Any panels or events that are mature in nature are scheduled late in the evening, and identification is checked at the entrance for any event that is age-restricted.
No, but if your parent(s) choose to accompany you to the convention, they will be required to purchase a badge.
Yes, we will be offering programming Thursday night. You will be required to purchase a badge to attend these events.
No. Although, if you are on a limited budget, you will probably find that bringing your own snacks and drinks will save you a lot of money. The location of the convention is surrounded by food establishments, both within the hotel itself and the community at large.
While we understand the desire of our attendees to want the schedule before the convention so they can plan their weekend accordingly, Colossalcon generally does not post their schedule of events online until a couple weeks prior to the convention.
Admission
All badge purchases are non-refundable.
Lost badges may need to be repurchased. Before you repurchase your badge make sure you’ve done the following:
- Make sure you write your name on your badge when you pick it up.
- Check with Lost & Found at Con Ops and the front desk of the hotel!
- In the event that our lost and found team has not been given a badge with your information on it, you will need to repurchase your badge.
Yes! Multi-Day passes will be available for purchase on-site for the remaining days of the event.
Badges are not mailed in advance. After purchasing, you’ll receive an email from Ticket Tailor with a QR code. Bring this (printed or on your phone) to Admissions to pick up your badge.
Please bring your Ticket Tailor QR code (printed or on your phone) to Admissions for scanning.
Yes! Admission will be available for purchase online and at the door. We accept both cash and credit card payments.
Minors are not required to be accompanied by an adult. However, any parent or guardian entering the convention must have their own badge. Children 10 and under may attend for free with a badge-holding adult. Children 11 and older must have their own badge.
Badges can be picked up at Admissions during posted hours. Please check our Hours of Operation page for specific times.
Yes! Your badge allows for re-entry throughout the weekend. Be sure to keep it with you at all times.
If you are unable to attend, you may give your badge to someone else. To do this, simply provide them with the QR code from Ticket Tailor so they can pick up the badge from Admissions. Please remember that this QR code can only be used once.
Location
Colossalcon is at the Kalahari Convention Center which is part of the Kalahari Resort complex in Sandusky, Ohio. The Kalahari Resort also has an indoor and outdoor waterpark, however Colossalcon is not in the water park area itself. Both the convention center and the water park are easily accessible from every guest room at the resort.
Swimsuits are allowed in the convention center, although we require any and all attire to be dry at all times with the convention center itself. This is a safety issue, as well as a curtsy to those attendees who are cosplaying in order to prevent their work to get water damaged or ruined.
You MUST be at least 18 years of age to reserve and check into all Kalahari rooms except, you must be 21 years of age to stay in the Presidential Suite and Entertainment Suite
Nope. Parking is free.
Admission to the Colossalcon does not include admission to the waterpark, however you do get four passes for the water park with every reserved hotel room.
There are 3. Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), Akron Canton (CAK), and Toledo Express Airport (TOL)
Safety
We have an excellent security force (about 25 people) who operate 24 hours a day. Some are in plain clothes, but most are labeled as being a security member, in case you need to approach one for help. The Kalahari also has a security force.
You can read about our behavior policy on our Rules & Policies page
Yes, you can read about our Dress code on our Rules & Policies page
After purchasing a weapon that normally violates our weapons policy, it must remain in its packaging and be taken immediately to your room or car for storage.
Yes. Alcoholic beverages purchased from any of the Kalahari?s bars or catering is welcomed.
Yes, but they must stay tasteful.
No. Unless you are part of the artist alley or dealers room you cannot sell anything. The exception to this is the Otaku Flea Market where you will be allowed to sell your unwanted anime & manga related items. Glow sticks, energy drinks, crafted items, and art are never permitted (except for AA and dealer room)
Programming
Panel submission forms can be found on our website and periodically promoted on our socials. We welcome all who are interested in running a panel to apply and submit their content. There is no limit to how many panels any single panelist can submit, but please keep in mind that due to a set number of hours available, not every submitted panel can be approved for Colossalcon. We do not operate on a first come first serve basis.
Panel acceptance and waitlist emails typically start rolling out around 10 weeks out from the convention. A first version of the schedule goes live about 1 month before the con. At any point up to the con, if we receive notice of cancellations, we may pull panels from the waitlist to fill spots; if your panel is chosen, you will receive an email notifying you.
Each panelist is entitled to 1 free panelist badge. If you pre-registered before receiving acceptance, we will ask for the applicable info needed to issue a refund when you check in with us at the convention to pick up your panelist badge. Otherwise, your fully comped panelist badge will be available for pickup at our programming desk (usually found in con ops) during open con hours.
If you have a copanelist, we offer panelists/copanelists the ability to buy extra badges needed at a largely discounted rate; the price may differ from con to con. Please let us know in your response to your acceptance email if any extra badges will be needed so we can make a note of it for your check in.
All rooms are by default set up with theater style seating with rows of chairs and a presenter space at the front of the room consisting of a table and a couple chairs. Our panel rooms typically have a projector and screen, speakers, a couple mics (most likely wired), and an hdmi cable for you to connect your laptop. We do not provide laptops for panelists.
If you need any special tech for setup (ie. MAC adapter) please include this in your submission form; we are happy to inform our tech department and as long as they have what you need, they are happy to provide it. If your panel requires a different room setup, please be sure to include this in your submission form as well.