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JUNE 28-29, 2025
Virginia Beach Convention Center
JUNE 28-29, 2025 • Virginia Beach Convention Center • VA Beach, VA

VOLUNTEER PAGE

Before we get started I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for being part of the Tidewater Comicon volunteer team. Your passion and commitment are bringing joy to our fans.

THANK YOU
Mike and the Tidewater Comicon Crew

THE BASICS

Location:
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th St
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Dates:
May 17, 2024 (Load In Day)
May 18, 2024 (Event Day One)
May 19, 2024 (Event Day Two)

Load In Hours:
Fri, May 17 – 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Sat, May 18 – 6:30am to 9:30am
Sun, May 19 – 9am to 10:45am

Exhibit Hall Hours:
Sat, May 18 – 10am-6pm
Sun, May 19 – 11am-5pm

Parking:
Free Parking available at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. We ask everyone please ride together if possible.

General Wellness – We ask that all attendees self-evaluate prior to coming to the event in order to protect others at the event. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has had COVID-19 in the 7 days prior to the event, please do not enter the convention center.

TICKET SCANNING

APP KEY: 06-6682-1090
NAME: TWCC24

GOOGLEPLAY STORE
APPLE STORE

CODE OF CONDUCT AND VOLUNTEER POLICIES

CODE OF CONDUCT

As a volunteer you represent the show. Be kind, courteous, and respectful at all times.

As a Crew member you are representing Tidewater Comicon. It’s important that you be courteous, friendly, and show respect for everyone:

  • Respect the property of the convention site, the fans, guests, staff members, and fellow Crew.

  • Respect the direction and decisions of staff.

  • Perform your duties to the best of your ability and advise the Crew Manager, Area Manager or Lead if you are unable to work as scheduled.

  • Deal with conflicts or difficulties in a calm and respectful manner and contact a Staff member for help if needed.

  • Do not represent yourself as staff or make official statements on behalf of the show.

  • Have fun! You are helping put on a SUPER FUN event! With your help, we will be able to provide a safe, fun, and exciting event for everyone!

VOLUNTEER POLICIES

  • Volunteers Dress Code: Show or Volunteer T-Shirt (if you possess one), pants/jeans or shorts (that go to about the knee) and closed toed shoes. No large bags, backpacks, or equipment that would cover up the show T-Shirt or interfere with duties. If you receive one, Volunteer T-Shirts are not to be modified (cut, written on, etc) during the show. Please refrain from wearing torn or dirty clothing or open-toed shoes. Comfortable walking shoes are best, as most Volunteers will be doing a lot of standing and/or walking.

  • Volunteer may not cosplay while on shift; some hats or wigs may be approved at the discretion of the Volunteer Coordinator.

  • All Volunteers must wear a name badge and shirt (if available) while on duty. The T-Shirts are not to be worn inside the Convention Center after your shift ends, but they are yours to keep after the convention.

  • Volunteers are not permitted to bring children with them during their shift, unless there is another adult present at the con who can care for the child.

  • Volunteers must respect all rules for attendees when attending the con while not on duty.

  • We ask all Volunteers to act in the best interest of the show and promote a safe space by following the Anti-Harassment Policy. Failure to do so will result in removal. Please report any instances of harassment to staff.

  • Volunteers must refrain from acts that may create a dangerous or unhealthy situation during the show. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of illegal drugs, consumption of alcoholic beverages, and assaulting, threatening, or disregarding the safety of any individual. Anyone who might be under the influence or is exhibiting dangerous or risky behavior will be reported to security immediately.

  • Volunteers are not permitted to use their show status to promote or conduct personal business. Anyone doing so will be escorted off the premises and have their admission revoked.

  • The Green Room is off limits to all volunteers. If you are escorting a celebrity guest to the Green Room, your duties end at the door.

  • Non Talent Handlers or Leads may not go behind the drape in the Autograph/Photo Ops area without the approval of the Area Manager. Volunteers found in the back of house Celebrity area without the consent of their Area Manager will be removed from the team.

  • Volunteers may not take professional photos and/or selfies with Celebrity Guests while in their Crew shirt.

  • Volunteers who fail to follow these policies or conduct themselves in an inappropriate manner will face consequences up to and including removal from the convention.

VOLUNTEER DETAILS

PAY

All volunteers will be paid $12 an hour and paid via Check/Venmo received within 2 weeks of the show.
No volunteers will be paid in cash.

If you are not present at the end of the day, you will need to coordinate with the Volunteer Coordinator and Asst. Show Runner to receive your pay.

ABSENCE/TARDINESS

If you are going to be late or unable to work, please notify the Volunteer Coordinator as soon as you can by email or phone. We understand that things come up! It’s totally okay, just please notify us as soon as possible so we can plan. If you no-show to your shifts without any notice, you will not be asked back to the team

If you are sick, please stay home. It stinks to have to stay home when you want to come to the con, but it’s better for everybody. 

BREAKS

If you are working a single 4-6-hour Volunteer shift, you are expected to work without a break, except for a restroom and water/snack break. If you need a break more often for medical or other reasons, please inform your Area Manager and/or Lead. Please notify them before leaving the area, except for restroom breaks. For those, you can notify the nearest Volunteer member.

If you are working a double or triple shift, you will receive a break of at least 30 minutes between each shift. Your Area Manager / Lead will stagger breaks. Please notify them before your need for a break becomes urgent. Please inform them in advance if you will need to take a break at a certain time, or if there is an event during your shift you wish to attend. We may be able to accommodate such breaks (within reason) if you are on a double shift or longer.

Be sure to notify your Area Manager if you are working multiple shifts on different teams, so they know that you will need a break. Your Area Manager has the schedule for their dedicated area, so does not have visibility into your full schedule if you are working on another team during the day.

VOLUNTEER ASSIGNMENTS


Line Control/Greeters
Welcoming fans and directing them to the correct lines to get into the show. Greeting in a positive manner and thanking fans for attending. 

Floater
Assistants who will handle any tasks needed in multiple volunteer areas.

Pre-Registration
Checking in attendees who have pre-purchased passes for the show.

Day of Sales
Registering attendees who are purchasing on site.

Floor Support
Attending to fans and exhibitors on the show floor.

Talent Team
Assisting Special Guests of the show.

Help Desk
Assisting attendees with various needs.

Social Media
Posting about the event on our social media throughout the event.

COMMUNICATION

Staff will have radios. You may be issued one for your assignment. If you are, please get with a staff member to go over basic radio use.

ESCALATION AND EMERGENCIES

WHAT IS ESCALATION?

“Escalation” is the action you can take when something has occurred that is outside your ability to address. This can be anything from a press question or customer service issues to a medical emergency. Our top priority is your safety and comfort. Don’t hesitate to initiate escalation when you feel out of your depth.

If you encounter any of the situations listed below, or if something else happens that makes you uncomfortable, please call-in help from any Leads, Staff or Security.

EMERGENCIES

In the case of a minor injury, reach out to the convention center staff or Asst Show Runner for assistance.

In the case of a serious injury, call 911.

HARASSMENT

We take harassment very seriously. Every Volunteer should be familiar with our Anti-Harassment Policy. If you witness or receive a report of harassment, follow the anti-harassment procedures outlined below.

How to Handle Harassment

As a Crew, we are counting on you to help enforce our Anti-Harassment Policy by identifying and notifying Staff of any harassing behavior. Always take harassment seriously. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable, report it to Staff. We have zero tolerance for this type of behavior.

Harassment can take many forms. Here are some common ones:

  • Verbal: Catcalling, sexist comments, harassing panelists with off-topic and/or offensive

    questions, and transphobic/homophobic comments.

  • Physical: Inappropriate touching, aggressive touching, and groping.

  • Non-Physical: Leering, taking photos of someone without their consent, gaslighting, not taking “no” for an answer, and flashing.

    Harassment is not limited to attendees. A harasser could be a press member, security, staff, guest, exhibitor, panelist, or Crew. A harasser could be mentally and/or physically disabled. Do not hesitate to report harassment, no matter who is doing it.

    Harassment Response Procedures

    If you witness or receive a report of harassment and the harasser is still in the area, DO NOT confront the harasser. Radio for Staff and Security immediately. When they arrive, point out the harasser and describe the situation. Staff will manage the response.

    If there are no staff or security nearby, send a runner to the closest security station and keep eyes on the harasser. Please do not hesitate to leave your duty station to track a harasser but ensure that another Crew member is aware of your actions. If you need to leave the area to keep an eye on them, you can ask another Crew to escort the victim to the Security Office.

    If the harasser is not present at the time the harassment is reported to you, please escort the victim to a Staff member or Security Office where our security professionals will respond and take a report. If the victim doesn’t want to make a report, contact staff with the harasser’s description and a description of the incident. If you are a witness or victim of harassment, please contact Staff.

    We want the show to be an incredible time for everyone. As a Volunteer, we are counting on you to help us create a safe space, where no one feels in danger or unwelcome. Studies have shown that when attendees know an anti-harassment policy exists and Volunteers are trained to enforce it, they feel safer and more comfortable. THANKS for helping us keep the show a fun, safe place to enjoy all things awesome!