Otafest would be literally impossible without our wonderful volunteers, and we endeavor to make it as fun as possible to volunteer with us! Volunteering is a great way to level up your Otafest involvement while earning valuable experience to put on a resume and gain community service hours!
Whether you’re volunteering alone or with friends, we’ll do our best to keep you smiling throughout the whole weekend.
This page will provide you with information on volunteering with Otafest including descriptions of the various positions, benefits, responsibilities, and important dates. Please review all of the information before applying for a volunteer position.
Otafest selects its volunteers based on your submitted availability and departmental needs, in addition to the following requirements:
Selections will be made after the volunteer application deadline has passed. We will notify all applicants as to whether or not they’ve been accepted.
There is a non-refundable $20.00 fee to volunteer for Otafest. This fee is your commitment to volunteering with us and covers some up-front administration costs. In exchange, you’ll receive the following benefits:
In the past, Otafest has provided food for volunteers, however with the vast variety of dietary restrictions it has become increasingly difficult to provide food for everyone to enjoy.
Instead of providing food directly we offer the following compensation program for volunteers to purchase their own food during their breaks. Volunteers will be compensated based on the number of shifts they are working:
4 Shifts
$30.00
5-6 Shifts
$40.00
7-8 Shifts
$50.00
9+ Shifts
$60.00
+ our undying affection and gratitude
Café, Pokémon League, Sketch Drive, and other specialized volunteers receive $50.00 regardless of the number of shifts worked as these positions tend to require a large commitment prior to Otafest.
Volunteers are the face of Otafest, so we expect you to behave in a professional, mature, and safe manner to represent Otafest in a positive light.
In addition to your individual departmental duties, all volunteers are responsible for the following:
You may select which role(s) for which you are interested in volunteering on your application.
Below is a short description of each position, click on each title to expand its details.
Keep in mind that the below responsibilities are in addition to the responsibilities listed in the section above.
Admissions Attendants are responsible for selling Otafest admission to patrons and checking in those who pre-purchased their tickets online. This position is a fast paced work environment, however you should still be friendly and interactive with all of our attendees!
General Duties
Useful Skills
CONbini assistants promote and sell Japanese baked goods, drinks, and other items to hungry/thirsty patrons throughout the weekend.
General Duties
Useful Skills
Exhibitor Hall Assistants get attendees to their destinations in the Exhibitor Hall, even if the attendees don’t know where they’re going! These knowledgeable volunteers constantly interact with attendees, whether answering questions, directing them, or encouraging them to donate to our yearly charity.
General Duties
Useful Skills
We’d say the pun was unintended, but would you really believe us?
Gaming Monitors patrol the gaming room area to monitor occupancy, assist attendees with equipment, and ensure that everyone is playing fairly, sharing the equipment fairly, etc.
General Duties
Useful Skills
Line Control Assistants are enthusiastic and energetic individuals who manage line flow and attendee traffic all around the festival. They use kindness and fun to keep people flowing. They are able to guide folks to events and are often the first to meet attendees and introduce them to the Otafest experience, so kindness and a positive attitude are mandatory! Line Control Assistants are needed in all areas of the festival. Join this team if you like to be organized and in control!
General Duties
Useful Skills
Merchandise Attendants run the Otafest Merchandise booth. This position involves promoting and advertising Otafest merchandise as well as assisting attendees with sizing and information regarding the different products.
General Duties
Useful Skills
The Operations setup team gets Otafest ready to go before the show even starts! They help get the festival ready to operate for the weekend by setting up signs and equipment, moving bins and displays, and handling fragile materials. A behind-the-scenes experience!
Note: this role is specific to the Thursday (all day) and Friday (morning) of Otafest only!
General Duties
Useful Skills
Policy Enforcers maintain a visible presence at the festival, ensure that Otafest’s policies are being followed, and that everyone has a safe and fun time. If you like being out and about while meeting new people this is the role for you.
General Duties
Note: Policy Enforcers are not expected to enforce any COVID-19 regulations.
Useful Skills
Programming Helpers ensure that Otafest events/panels run smoothly and oversee that event transitions are as seamless as possible. These volunteers work with panelists and attendees to create a safe and fun experience for everyone involved. This role is great for those who enjoy being more involved with various Otafest events.
General Duties
Useful Skills
Volunteers will be sent a volunteer contract to sign, which describes your responsibilities to Otafest as well as Otafest’s commitment to you.
Volunteers who do not return their contract before their first shift will not volunteer at Otafest. Volunteers under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the contract as well.
This year we are trying something new! The mandatory training for this year will be distributed via online learning! This allows you to access the training at your own pace and a time that’s convenient for you! More info will be available after the volunteer selection date!
The usual in-person orientation is still happening. The in-person orientation is OPTIONAL (but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED). We will give you a tour of the festival venue and you’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow volunteers and the Otafest staff. The in-person orientation will be held on April 8, location TBD. Keep an eye out for any updates!
Otafest communicates primarily through email. Please check your email regularly and add volunteer@otafest.com on your safe senders list as we had occurrences in the past where our emails have been flagged as spam/junk.
Should you have any questions or concerns please send us an email at volunteer@otafest.com.
Otafest acknowledges that the land we gather on is the traditional territory of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also the home of the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
Photos on this website are courtesy of
Elyse Bouvier, Brenrich Carandang, Plutopia Productions, Ryan Logan, Dani Sato, Chi Tang