Frequently Asked Questions
Information can and will be updated over time! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask in our Discord server or email us through our Contact Form.
General
I have a question, how and where should I ask the OffKai Expo team?
Please read the FAQ below to see if your question has already been answered. If you still have a question, please check out our Contact Us page or ask in our Public Discord Q&A channel.
Registration & Badges
When will badge registration open?
Stay tuned on our social media for announcements about registration and badge sales soon!
How can I upgrade my badge to a higher tier?
On the registration website, you can navigate to the Modify Registration menu on the Event Registration tab, then select the Change button and choose from available tickets to try and upgrade. Please note that if the limited stock of a higher tier badge runs out, you will not be able to upgrade to that tier.
Can I refund my badge?
Refunds or badge transfers can be requested up until one month prior to the convention and are issued on a case by case basis. Please contact reg@offkaiexpo.com if you need any help.
Will weekend badges sell out? If so, when?
It is possible for our weekend badges to sell out, but we do not yet know if, when, or how fast. Please note that our badge sale limit is based on the capacity of rooms we have rented across our venues, not the capacity of the venues themselves or their public areas such as hallways, after accounting for staff, special guest, vendor, and other non-standard badges. If we begin nearing capacity, we will make an announcement well in advance through our social media.
Can I transfer my badge to a friend?
Yes, badges can be transferred between accounts with active registrations in ConCat. First, you will navigate to “Register for OffKai Expo” in the Attendance tab, then click the three dots above “Modify Registration” and select “Transfer Registration”. Then you follow the instructions on the prompt, adding the recipient’s email used for registration in ConCat and entering your ConCat password to verify the transfer. Your friend must also be registered for the same badge, but not have paid for it yet, in order to successfully receive your badge. This action is permanent, so make sure all information entered is correct before you proceed. If you are attempting to transfer a badge tier that is out of stock, please contact us for additional assistance.
I am between 13 to 17 years old. Do my parents have to accompany me at the convention, or attend the convention?
From 13 to 17, minors may attend the convention on their own, with or without their parents with written permission from your parents or a legal guardian in order to attend.
Permission is obtained by downloading and printing out the Minor Consent form. Your parent or legal guardian must fill out the form, and then have it taken to a notary and signed in the notary’s presence. The other way permission can be obtained is to have your parents come to Registration with you and fill out the parental consent form on site.
Hotel Blocks
When will hotel blocks open?
OffKai Expo is offering hotel block bookings at various hotels with a number of rooms at discounted rates! You can check out our hotel page for more information. Please be aware that only bookings through the hotel block portal will be honored.
What are the cancellation/refund/deposit policies for the discounted hotel block rooms?
Please consult with the individual hotel websites for their terms and conditions for cancellation / refunds.
What happens if the hotel blocks are sold out of hotel rooms?
First, double check if there are still rooms available with different start and end dates. Additionally, while our initial hotel block has more rooms than last year, we are also planning to release a 2nd block of rooms early next year. We’ll be announcing the dates for that block at least 2 weeks in advance!
Will there be a party room floor for 2026?
Due to policy changes with our hotel partner stemming from events unrelated to OffKai Expo, we are sadly not able to host a formal Party Floor for OffKai Expo Gen 5. We greatly appreciate everybody’s passion for the Party Floor last year, and hope you still have fun at OffKai Expo!
Can I host a party at OffKai Expo anyway?
While we are unable to formally facilitate the party floor like last year, our goal is for OffKai Expo to be a chance to get together with friends and meet new people with shared interests. Please be mindful of your neighbors and follow any directions from hotel staff!
Venue
What is the San Jose McEnery Convention Center?
The San Jose McEnery Convention Center, located in San Jose, California, is a large event / convention space. It is highly recommended that you wear comfortable footware so that you can enjoy the weekend pain free. There will be areas to sit down and rest, but with a limited capacity.
Is there parking available at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center?
The San Jose McEnery Convention Center has an attached parking garage operated by ParkSJ. For more information on parking at and near the Convention Center, please visit Main Convention Center and Cultural Facilities Parking. You can find live parking information for the Convention Center and downtown San Jose here.
What accessibility accommodations are there for the venue and hotels?
For a full breakdown, please visit our Accessibility Information page for more information.
Additionally, in support of accessibility and inclusivity, we offer complimentary badges for medical attendants accompanying attendees with disabilities. To request this accommodation, please contact us in advance with a brief description of your needs at accessibility@offkaiexpo.com.
Special Guests
Is there a place to make Special Guest suggestions for 2026?
Yes! Fans interested in making Special Guest suggestions may email their request to guest-suggestions@offkaiexpo.com.
I’m a VTuber/Content Creator interested in being a Special Guest, is there an application?
In an effort to align more with the practices of traditional fan/anime conventions, this year’s OffKai Expo will not have a formal application process or form for VTubers interested in being a Special Guest. VTubers, content creators, and their managers may submit business inquiries and expressions of interest to guest@offkaiexpo.com.
There is a VTuber that was a Special Guest last year that I am hoping to see again. Will they be returning?
Given the incredible number of talented VTubers out there, we want to ensure that we give more people a chance to shine. For Gen 5, we are continuning our policy of not inviting special guests consecutively. This policy only applies to individual VTubers, not entire groups or companies, but the rule will still be applied to the individual VTubers within these companies. This will ensure that we maintain a healthy variety of VTubers featured at OffKai Expo from year to year. This does not mean special guests from previous years will never be able to guest again; Guests from Gen 1, 2 and 3 (2022, 2023, 2024) could be reinvited to Gen 5, Gen 4 guests could be reinvited in Gen 6, and so forth. Previous year’s guests are also still eligible to participate in panels and events.
Is there a certain amount of subscribers/followers that a VTuber/Content Creator needs to have in order to be considered as a Special Guest?
There is no upper or lower limit to the number of followers, subscribers, or viewers that a VTuber needs to have in order to be considered for invitation. Our team considers a variety of factors, including but not limited to content quality, uniqueness and overall presence and involvement in the VTubing sphere. Overall, OffKai Expo strives to invite a balanced mix of guests from all corners of the community, whether big or small, agency or indie, etc.
I am a VTuber/content creator and want to have a meet and greet/robot tour at OffKai Expo, is being a Special Guest the only way to do that?
While we are only able to provide OffKai Expo-run meet and greets and robot tours to selected Special Guests, there are many third party options available for VTubers wishing to participate in these activities. We suggest keeping an eye on #OffKaiGen5 on social media to find potential opportunities!
Please note: While we acknowledge the existence of these options, OffKai Expo takes no responsibility for the operations of these third parties, nor does OffKai Expo officially endorse any of these groups or the VTubers featured by them.
I am a VTuber/content creator/community member and want to have a panel at OffKai Expo, is being a Special Guest the only way to do that?
Being a Special Guest is not a requirement to participate in an OffKai Expo panel. Please be on the lookout in 2026 for when programming applications become available.
Activities
What are Special Guest Cards?
Special Guest Cards are free souvenir cards containing the image of a Special Guest at OffKai Expo.
Where can I get Special Guest Cards?
A Welcome Pack is given to you in your swag bag. You can also acquire more packs through activities at con.
Where can I get MORE Special Guest Cards?
OffKai Expo has many activities & distributed in many areas at the con. You can earn an Activity Pack by completing the Stamp Derby, going to panels, games & more.
I got too many/little Special Guest Cards.
Fear not! we have Trading Deco to help you connect with other con-goers looking to share their extra cards.
What is Trading Deco?
Trading Deco is a place to decorate your cards or swap cards & fan bracelets with others. No monetary exchange in this area, please & thank you.
Does Trading Deco provide card sleeves and stickers?
Due to the venues policy we can not provide stickers or sleeves at this time. Our ConStore does sell hard sleeves & you can bring stickers to decorate your card.
Events & Programming
How can I apply to host a panel or event at OffKai Expo?
To become a Panelist and host a panel at OffKai Expo Gen 5, please stay tuned for more information in 2026.
What’s the difference between Panelists and Special Guests?
Panelists are not listed as “Special Guests”. Panelists additionally will not be featured in meet & greets, special guest cards, or OffKai Expo social media announcements.
What do Panelists get for compensation?
OffKai Expo is able to provide compensation in the form of a weekend badge at no cost to Panelists, but cannot provide additional compensation beyond that.
Can OffKai Expo Special Guests from last year (Gen 4, 2025) still apply for a programming event?
Yes!
Staffing & Volunteer
How can I find out more about staffing or on-site volunteering for OffKai Expo?
The best place to go to learn more would be the Staffing and Volunteer page! We also have a list of department and role descriptions on the website.
What’s the difference between Staff and On-site Volunteers?
OffKai Expo is made possible by its Staff and On-site Volunteers. Staff members contribute to OffKai’s year-round planning and development, ensuring the event’s success. On-site Volunteers provide crucial assistance during the convention, helping with various operational needs. Although all contributors to OffKai Expo are volunteers in our volunteer-led organization, using distinct terms helps differentiate their roles and responsibilities.
Why does the Staffing application say it’s the Volunteer application?
Our Staffing and Volunteer Applications are combined into one form. Currently, we are hiring for Staff and will aim to hire on-site volunteers in the 1-2 months close to the convention. If you would like to apply as Staff, please mention so in the last text field “Anything Else”.
Artist & Vendor Hall, Exhibitor Hall and Yabai Market
What is the difference between the Artist & Vendor Hall and the Exhibitor Hall?
Our Artists & Vendors will be in one big room. Similar to a more traditional Artist Alley, all of Hall 2 will be our Gen 5 Artist & Vendor Hall. Featured artists & vendors will sell their art and merchandise at the many tables and booths in the room.
The Exhibitor Hall is a hall showcasing companies in the VTuber industry and related merchandise. All of Hall 3 will be the Exhibitor Hall, open and connected to the Artist & Vendor Hall. Many of the booths will host at-booth Meet and Greet’s!
What is the Yabai Market?
Yabai Market is a NSFW / 18+ artist alley and vendor market focused primarily on adult art and adult toys. In order to attend the Yabai Market, you must be the age of 18 or older and have an 18+ wristband. You’ll be able to pick up a 18+ wristband at the Help Desk located near Registration.
What does Yabai mean?
Lit. “dangerous”/”terrible” but used in Japanese slang as a catch all depending on the situation. A negative word that can be used in positive connotations. Similar to the english “sick”, as in “this is sick!”. In this context it’s used by many VTubers when something erotic or perverted happens. Adult artwork is often called yabai.
Is there a dress-code for the Yabai Market?
There is no strict dress code and most attendees are dressed just as they were during the day. Your genitals and nipples need to be covered at all times. Please be aware that outside of the Yabai Market room you will need to follow the dress code in our Attendee Code of Conduct.
Are you able to take pictures, videos or livestream in the halls?
Streaming as well as photos and video are allowed in the day halls such as the Artists & Vendor Hall and the Exhibitor Hall. When in doubt, please follow posted signage in each room. Videos or livestreaming in the Yabai Market is strictly prohibited. Always ask for permission before taking photos.
When will applications for the Gen 5 Artist & Vendor Hall open?
We are currently planning on opening applications from December 1st to December 21st. Results are expected to be sent out in early February. Check out our Vendor page for more information about the application process.
How to contact the Vendor team if I still have questions?
You can contact us through our Contact Us portal or email us at vendor@offkaiexpo.com. If you’re an accepted Vendor, you will also have a direct line of contact through our vendor exclusive discord channels where we’ll post updates and regular info.
Are you able to take pictures, videos or livestream in the halls?
Streaming as well as photos and video are allowed in the day halls such as the Artists & Vendor Hall and the Exhibitor Hall. When in doubt, please follow posted signage in each room. Videos or livestreaming in the Yabai Market is strictly prohibited. Always ask for permission before taking photos.
Safety
TBA
Arcade & Gaming Hall
TBA
Photo & Video
TBA