| APPLY FOR 2027 | |
| COSPLAY MEETUP Open September 21 2026 12:00PM ET Closes November 22 2026 11:59PM ET or when full | CHERRY BLOSSOM STAGE Open October 1 2026 12:00PM ET Closes December 15 2026 11:59PM ET or when full |
Welcome Cosplayers, Cosplay Designers, Performers, and Photographers!
We are here to officially schedule your meetup as part of the convention. Our goal is to help organize and run meetups to create a more seamless, fun experience for all in attendance. We will be scheduling cosplay groups between these locations: the Gazebo, Balcony Right, Fountain, and Outside (Atrium Level Garden). Space for performance groups to meet up and perform will once again be located in the Cherry Blossom Ballroom.
The final schedule will be published with the convention schedule. We will email all the accepted organizers with their time slot as soon as the schedule is finalized.
REASONS TO SCHEDULE WITH US:
- You will have an official slot with no time/location conflicts with other groups.
- Your photoshoot/performance will be on our official schedule, as well as listed on our track in Guidebook (Cosplay Meetup and Cherry Blossom Stage).
- Katsucon Staff will help you keep things organized, safe, and most importantly, fun.
For additional questions, suggestions or requests, please email us at [email protected]
COSPLAY MEETUP
We are here to help officially schedule and coordinate your group cosplay photos in the Gaylord’s most popular areas. By reserving with Katsucon, you are guaranteed the space and time slot for your group with the Meetup Team’s presence to maintain order and assist you if needed.
Cosplay Meetups for Katsucon 2027, will occur Friday & Saturday from 11am to 8pm, and Sunday from 11am to 3pm.
We are scheduling cosplay groups between the following locations: the Gazebo, Balcony Right, Fountain, and the Outside – Atrium Level Garden.
Do you want to take photos at Katsucon’s famous icon – the Gazebo? We will have a Gazebo Open Session for everyone, such as small groups and individuals, to take a few photos without having to book a meetup on Friday and Saturday from 1pm-2pm and 5pm-6pm. Line up will begin 5 minutes prior to the start.
Outside scheduling has also been made available. Note that by agreeing to move outside, your meetup will be added to the schedule, but Katsucon Staff will not be present and cannot guarantee the weather cooperation. In the event of inclement weather, we unfortunately cannot accommodate requests to rebook or relocate meetups. The current popular location for outdoor shoots is the Outside-Atrium Level Gardens, but you are welcome to indicate a different location when submitting your application.
All Katsucon scheduled cosplay meetups are open for attendees to participate in and to photograph.
COSPLAY MEETUP POLICIES FOR 2027
Applications are reviewed and approved on a “first come, first serve” basis. In the event of inclement weather, we unfortunately cannot accommodate requests to rebook or relocate meetups. The current popular location for outdoor shoots is the Outside-Atrium Level Gardens, but you are welcome to indicate a different location when submitting your application.
The number of participants will be limited at each location:
- Gazebo – 30 to 50 participants
- Balcony Right – 10 to 30 participants
- Fountain – more than 50 participants
- Outside (Atrium Level Garden) – no limit
Cosplay Meetup photoshoots will be limited to 30-minute slots.
- 1-hour slots can only be requested for the Fountain and Outside areas.
The primary organizer(s) must have a badge for the convention and check in prior to their scheduled shoot.
- NEW for 2027: Primary organizer(s) must be available to check in with their badge. Check in hours and location will be provided via email directly to approved meetup organizers.
Only one meetup per fandom/primary organizer will be approved.
- If you are a cosplay group who will apply for multiple fandoms, please have a different member of your group as the primary organizer for each request.
Duplicate fandoms/organizers will be waitlisted until applications have closed.
- If approved, duplicate fandoms will be scheduled for different days.
- Sub-fandoms (i.e. a specific grouping of characters or a focused theme/costume set within a fandom) will be waitlisted to give priority to a general fandom request but can be scheduled on the same day.
We cannot guarantee schedule conflicts with Katsucon’s main programming.
An organizer must be present at their scheduled meetup. Meetups without an onsite organizer will be canceled.
Katsucon Staff cannot watch anyone’s personal belongings. Please have a friend available to watch or secure them prior to the photoshoot.
Unofficial meetups are still permitted, but they are not organized or overseen by Katsucon. Any meetup taking place outside of the official Katsucon Meetup areas or scheduled times is not under our control or purview.
All convention rules must be followed during meetups including the Attendee Policy, Prop and Costume Guidelines, and Photography Policy.
If you need to make any changes to your application (i.e. add/remove organizers, change event/group name, or cancel), please email us.
For additional questions, suggestions or requests, please email us at [email protected]
CHERRY BLOSSOM STAGE
Are you a performer or group who wants to showcase your talents, or just looking for a practice space? Are you a DJ who wants to share your mixes with the masses? The Cherry Blossom Stage is the right place for you! Held in the Cherry Blossom Ballroom, the Cherry Blossom Stage is an open room for you to use for performance-related purposes!
We provide a basic setup for performers: a stage, a speaker system with auxiliary port and wired microphones.
Dance space and seating will be available for attendees joining us at the Cherry Blossom Stage.
Please bring water if you are performing or attending an event where you may be dancing!
CHERRY BLOSSOM STAGE POLICIES FOR 2027
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
The primary organizer(s) must have a badge for the convention.
Links to active social media, videos, or setlists will be required.
Time requests are 25-minute slots for single/group performances and 55-minute slots for multigroup performances; please ensure your performance accurately reflects your runtime.
We cannot guarantee schedule conflicts with Katsucon’s main programming.
Recording and photography are allowed within the room. If you are a performer who does not wish to be on camera or have a designated camera operator, please notify the Katsucon Staff in the room and we will announce and provide “No Recording or Photography” signage during your performance.
Katsucon Staff cannot watch anyone’s personal belongings; please have a friend available to watch or secure them prior to the photoshoot.
All convention rules must be followed during performances including the Attendee Policy, Prop and Costume Guidelines, and Photography Policy.
If you need to make any changes to your application (i.e. add/remove organizers, change event/group name, or cancel), please email us.
For additional questions, suggestions or requests, please email us at [email protected]
MEETUP COORDINATION SCHEDULE
The most up-to-date Schedule will be available on the official Katsucon Guidebook under our tracks: Cosplay Meetup and Cherry Blossom Stage.
KATSUCON 2027 COSPLAY MEETUP SCHEDULE
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KATSUCON 2027 CHERRY BLOSSOM STAGE SCHEDULE
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