Volunteer For BABStaff

Bay Area Brony Spectacular

A My Little Pony Fan-run Convention
April 14-16, 2017 - Hyatt Regency SFO
Burlingame, CA

Join BABSCon Staff!

Have you ever wanted to give back to the MLP fandom, but weren't quite sure how?
Do you want to create an epic and memorable event pony fans will talk about for months?
Would you like to join a team of dedicated, fun-loving, and awesome people, just like you?
Will you be at least 18 years of age by the start of the convention?

Then you should totally volunteer for BABSCon 2017!

If any of the positions listed seem like what your cutie mark is telling you, please fill the BABSCon volunteer application form by clicking on the button below!

Volunteer Application

Business

Business Second:
Assist the Master of Bits with all things money-related. Accounting and/or bookkeeping skills are a must, as is utter trustworthiness given that you'll likely be handling large sums both before and during the con. Be ready to step in should anything prevent the current Business Director from performing his duties.

Registration Staff:
The first volunteers BABSCon attendees see are responsible for keeping the registration lines moving as quickly and painlessly as possible. Training will be provided to handle On-Site and Pre-Registration transactions, printing badges, information checks, and basic line control. Cool heads, strong smiles, and unwavering kindness are especially welcome!

Art Show Staff:
Art on display in BABSCon’s Art Show is also art for sale! Volunteers are responsible for setting up the show, guarding art on exhibition, carefully handling art, and running the cash register to sell the art! Retail experience is not necessary, but applicants should be comfortable handling one-of-a-kind works of art and interacting with people.

Autograph Room Staff:
Voice Actors, Writers, and other Guests of Honor not tabling in the Vendor Hall will settle down in BABSCon’s Autograph Room to meet con attendees. Volunteers are responsible for basic line management, running the cash register, and directing con attendees around the room to meet their favorite Guests of Honor! Retail experience is not necessary, but cool heads, strong smiles, and unwavering kindness are especially welcome!

Design

Design Staff:
BABSCon has a constant need for the very best artists, animators, and typesetters to work on the various media that helps make our con simply gorgeous, darling... the kind of thing Miss Rarity would approve of.

Events & Programming

Events & Programming Staff:
BABSCon strives to give their con attendees the best and most diverse experience while at the con. Volunteers are required to adhere to the panel schedule; interface with community guests, panelists, and attendees in the events office and panel rooms; and deal with any issues that crop up before or during the panels. Having a knack for customer service, great organization skills, and a strong pulse on the fandom are sought-after skills in this demanding position!

Children's Programming Second:
Children’s Programming Second works under the Children’s Programming Lead to ensure children attending our convention receive the best experience possible. Children’s Programming Second should be ready to assume the Lead duties should a situation arise where the Lead is unable to perform his or her duties

Children's Programming Staff:
Ensuring that even the youngest attendees of the con have an experience they’ll treasure for a lifetime is something BABSCon strives for as a convention for all ages! Volunteers are required to keep the kids safe from harm while giving them the Best Con Ever! Being responsible and great with kids are highly sought after skills for this very important position!

NEIGHhem Concert Staff:
Bass pumping sounds will fill BABSCon on Saturday night! But NEIGHhem can only succeed with the most strong hearted of staff! Volunteers are required to burn the midnight oil to assist the Concert Princesses, guard the stage and door, run messages and items to and from the con, and maintain basic crowd control.

Trixie’s Tables Staff:
BABSCon enjoys casting spells, making friends, and drawing cards as much as a certain showmare refers to herself in the third person. Volunteers are required to loan out equipment, help organize tournaments, and make sure all borrowed games return to their owners unharmed. Customer service experience is recommended, but not required for this position.

Button’s Arcade Second:
The arcade is a very busy place, especially during tournaments. As Arcade Second, it’s your job to assist the Lead with stocking up and organizing equipment, assist with any scheduling, and act as a second set of eyes and hands to ensure tournaments and other special events progress without delay. Customer service experience is recommended.

Button’s Arcade Staff:
Attendees are never too young (or old) to have a rip-roaring good time in Button’s Arcade! Volunteers are required to manage equipment, orchestrate tournaments, ensure good sportsmanship, and provide a fun environment for gamers of all ages!

Hotel

Hotel Second:
Every con needs someone to be the interface between the con and its venue. You'll assist our Hotel Liaison and learn the tricks of the trade. This is another skill that will make you invaluable to any con. You'll also step in should the Hotel Liaison be unavailable for any reason. The ability to be both diplomatic and forceful at the same time is key for this position.

Human Resources

Human Resources Staff:
Human Resources Staff uses our amazing online staffing software to check in every single staff member at BABSCon! The steps are simple: Provide volunteers with waivers to sign, verify their contact info, give them their staff badge, and point them to where they can collect their awesome swag! This is a great role for getting to know people volunteering at the convention, using or developing new computer skills, and learning how the hiring process is done at a convention.

Information Technology

Information Technology Head:
Responsible for maintaining BABSCon website, Google Apps accounts (email, Drive, etc) and providing technical support and setup of equipment at registration, Vendor Hall, and Button’s Arcade.

Information Technology Head:
Responsible for maintaining BABSCon website, Google Apps accounts (email, Drive, etc) and providing technical support and setup of equipment at registration, Vendor Hall, and Button’s Arcade.

Information Technology Second:
Assistant and support to the IT Head. Responsible for maintaining BABSCon website, Google Apps accounts (email, Drive, etc) and providing technical support and setup of equipment at registration, Vendor Hall, and Button’s Arcade during times in which the head is unavailable or otherwise disposed.

Information Technology Staff:
IT Gophers, supporting conventions daily Registration setup and takedown as well as any technical assistance the convention might have. You will be the eyes and ears for the departments heads to know where assistance is needed and will help resolving issues. This may include tasks such as setting up computer and internet equipment such as monitors, ethernet, routers, etc. Volunteers applying for this position need to have minimal technical experience such as basic computer setup.

Operations

Con Support Staff:
The "nerve center" of the con. If something (or someone) is missing, some info is needed, an issue is becoming "an issue," or anything of the sort, Con Support is there to relay radio and phone calls and get the proper people moving in the proper direction. We're looking for hardworking people who aren't afraid of some controlled chaos and desk work.

Logistics Staff:
A well supplied BABSCon is a successful BABSCon! But that success is determined by how efficiently those supplies can be moved around the convention! Volunteers are required to move supplies between storage lockers to its final destination safely and quickly. Strong hearts and strong backs are highly recommend for this physically demanding position.

Hospitality Staff:
As the most beloved department of the con, taking care of the volunteers is an area where BABSCon excells! Volunteers are required to ensure the staff of other departments take their breaks, are hydrated, and well fed.

Gophers Staff:
BABSCon often has attendees who volunteer at the convention on site as well! These volunteers often “go for” things that other staff members might require on short notice. Volunteers are required to help the Gophers go where they need to go, keep track of their hours/rewards, and give them water and BABSCon’s thanks.

Gophers:
Want to help out the con but be more in control of your schedule? Become a Gopher at BABSCon! Help support various departments, meet new friends, and make your mark. Gophers are dispatched to provide help for a department in need. If you want to gain experience volunteering at a convention, but only want to get your hooves wet, the Gopher position is right for you!

Gophers are attendees who want to help out. Gophers must purchase their own attendee badge. Gophers are able to earn special rewards depending on the number of hours volunteered. These rewards include free food, free attendee badge for next year, and a full refund of this year’s badge. The more time you give to making BABSCon the best convention ever, the better the rewards!

Productions

Panel Team Staff:
You’ll be helping assist Productions with Audio/Visual (A.V.) for BABSCon’s awesome panels. While not in the Main Hall, this is a great position for someone who is just looking to get into A.V., or someone who simply enjoys viewing and assisting in panels.

Public Relations & Marketing

Information Desk Staff:
The BABSCon Information Desk is the second most important volunteer position on the con! Volunteers are responsible for answering any question con attendees might come to you with. Remember, the answer of “I don’t know” is never the correct answer for a question, but saying “Let me find out for you” absolutely is! Dispensing proper and accurate information is the key to success in this position. Customer Service experience is ideal, but not necessary! Applicants should be ready to talk to a lot of people in this exciting position!

Charity Staff:
BABSCon continues the charitable history of the Brony community with our annual charity auction! Charity Staff are responsible for categorizing, organizing, and preparing various donations for use in the auction, interfacing with donors and beneficiaries, and assisting the Charity Lead with key tasks. Basic data entry (spreadsheets) and guest service skills are ideal, but not necessary for these altruistic positions!

Theme

Convention Theme Camera Operator:
These brave souls follow our at-con performers around, filming their interactions with attendees as well as the scripted skits the Theme Department puts on. These recordings will be saved for both posterity and for later promotional use. The Convention Theme Camera Operator's primary responsibility at the convention is to never miss a magic moment.

Golden Guard Member:
These soldiers stand for all things good in San Franciscolt. Loyal to the spirit of the city that drives diversity and friendship, these soldiers muster every morning for door assignments, checking badges, and making certain that the values of the great city are held to at all times. Guards will also be present for some official scripted events and interactions furthering the main storyline unfolding at the convention.

Queen Quake's Royal Guard:
These loyal soldiers for the Queen will assemble in the mornings for door assignments to monitor attendee movement, check proper authorization for the duration of the con, and see to it that the will of the Queen is adhered to at all times. Guards will also be present for some official scripted events and interactions furthering the main storyline unfolding at the convention.

Vendors & Artists Relations

Vendors & Artists Relations Staff:
BABSCon prides itself on the quality experience of their Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange, for both con attendees and those set up in the hall. Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that Vendors have everything that they need and addressing any concerns/issues they might have. Customer service and communication skills are helpful, but not required for this position.

VIP Relations

Dispatcher:
Dispatchers are the conductors behind the scenes of VIPR making sure the different parts of the department work together as one. During the course of a dispatch shift, you’ll be monitoring VIPR radio traffic, phone calls, and text communications, recording the information that comes out and dispensing it to the appropriate parties. You'll notify panel moderators if VIPs are running late, arrange transportation and other logistics, and keep the Director and Assistant Director of the department in the know about what's going on.

VIP Green Room Staff:
Ensuring BABSCon has a safe, quiet, and most importantly private location for BABSCon Guests of Honor to relax is a position held in the highest regard. Volunteers are responsible for stocking the Green Room with needed materials (drinks, snacks, etc.), attending to needs of VIPs while they’re in the Green Room, and ensuring that only those who are allowed to enter the Green Room are let in. Remember, what happens in the VIP Green Room, stays in the VIP Green Room.

VIP Relations Liaison:
One of—if not THE—most important volunteer position at BABSCon. For the duration of the convention, volunteers in this position will become the personal assistants of BABSCon’s Guests of Honor. Responsibilities include making sure the Guest of Honor enjoys their time at the con, and ensuring the Guest of Honor fullfills their contractual obligations (like being on time for agreed upon panels/autograph sessions). Volunteers in this position are held to the highest standards of professionalism. In return for total commitment to this position, volunteers get to associate with the staff who make My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic possible.

VIP Drivers:
BABSCon considers the safety of their Guest of Honor to be one of the highest priorities. Volunteers in this position are responsible for transporting Guests of Honor to and from the convention venue in a timely, comfortable, and safe manner. Current driver’s license, a clean driving record, and the ability to be personable/entertaining while ferrying these VIPs are required.

Autograph Room Staff:
Voice Actors, Writers, and other Guests of Honor not tabling in the Vendor Hall will settle down in BABSCon’s Autograph Room to meet con attendees. Volunteers are responsible for basic line management, running the cash register, and directing con attendees around the room to meet their favorite Guests of Honor! Retail experience is not necessary, but cool heads, strong smiles, and unwavering kindness are especially welcome!