Sharpen your pencils, kids. Class is now in session!
If you've ever attended a fandom convention of any shade or stripe, chances are you've had the occasion to attend a topical discussion panel. The typical discussion panel, for those who have yet to attend a fandom convention (or cannot recall the last con you attended for reasons we will not get into), involves a 45-50 minute discussion/lecture/Q&A/workshop format where anyone from a singular host to a small coterie leads a presentation on a subject of interest to the audience. Think of it like being in school if the classes were taught on such topics as "Comic Book Collecting", "World Building in Science Fiction", "How To Construct Your First Death Ray" and "Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse." At GMX, there is no shortage of engaging, educational and entertaining panel discussions.

GMX offers you and your co-conspirators the chance to be a part of the action by heading up your very own discussion panel (or panels if you're extra ambitious). Programming consists of 21 tracks of content (or "channels" as we like to call them) comprising practically every genre and medium of interest to our attendees. From Art to Whedon, from one end of the pop culture spectrum to the next, we have it covered! As an initial assignment, we encourage you to head over to the GMX Programming Page to familiarize yourself with our Channel Icons and descriptions of our 21 content channels. Approved panels will be assigned to one of these channels based upon the content of the panel.

You may submit up to four topics for consideration and can be approved to host up to three panes. If you have previously hosted a panel at GMX, we highly encourage you to submit either a new panel topic (or topics) or an updated version of the previous panel you have hosted. As a matter of practice, new panel topics will be given precedence over panels that have been previously presented. This prevents content from becoming stale or repetitive and makes for a more dynamic experience for our attendees year after year.

If you would like to put your name in the magic hat, simply pop over to the GMX Panel Application Form (conveniently linked HERE) and fill out the document. So easy, even a Wookie could do it!

Once the application has been received by the GMX Programming Department, it will be reviewed by the appropriate Channel Coordinator overseeing the Programming Channel that your panel topic falls under.

Be advised that all panel applications must be submitted no later than Friday, September 7th at Midnight. You will receive notification of approval of your panel(s) on or (in a very limited number of cases) before the submission deadline. The sooner you can submit your panel topic, the better off you will be.

That's all for today, class. You have your assignments! So study up, do your homework and you too can make the grade! Class dismissed.