Volunteer applications for 2025

The volunteer application period starts June 1, 2025. You can familiarize yourself with the different volunteer positions on this page.

Kompassi site for volunteers

Kotae Expo is organized by volunteering hobbyists to other hobbyists, and it would not be possible to organize it without enthusiastic contributors!

Have you always wanted to see how events are organized? Do you have interest for volunteer work? Would you like a new way to experience the event?

If the answer is yes, you’re welcome to apply as a volunteer to Kotae Expo!

You can apply for several positions at the same time, but please note that you can be selected only for one position. Applications can be sent only through Kompassi.

 

Volunteer benefits

    • Entry to the event throughout the event

    • Warm food on Saturday and Sunday

    • Access to the volunteers’ own break room (green room), where snacks and drinks are also available

    • Event volunteer merch (t-shirt or other Kotae-branded product)

    • Free accommodation at the exhibition center Fri-Sat-Sun

    • Work certificate

Volunteer assignments

There are plenty of different things to do at Kotae Expo. Most of the tasks do not require previous experience and we will introduce you to the task and support you throughout the event.

Experienced people can also be appointed as a shift manager.

The minimum working time of volunteers is 8 hours at the event. The work shifts are planned so that you can also enjoy the event as a visitor, so you don’t have to spend the whole weekend working.

Accessibility

You are welcome to volunteer, even if you have different limitations. Our venue is accessible. Please note, that most volunteer tasks involve a lot of social interaction and surprising situations.

Write about your limitations in your application, and we will be able to take them into account when planning work shifts, as well as ensure the accessibility of your workstation.

Volunteer positions at Kotae Expo:

As a cosplay fox, you get to help with various chores related to the cosplay competition.

Stage foxes help in rehearsals and performances by carrying contestants’ stage props and handheld props to their places. On the backstage you get to help the cosplay contestants prepare for the exciting competition, making sure that the atmosphere remains comfortable amidst all the excitement.

Moderators monitor the channels of the Discord server that is open during the event, and it includes e.g. removing inapproprate content, directing the conversation to the right channels, giving possible timeouts and answering questions or directing them to the right parties.

Moderation can be done from the venue, but also remotely.

Moderating is mainly done using own devices, but there are a few laptops at the event just in case. 

Requires Finnish writing skills.

As a green room fox, you get to take care of the event’s volunteers’ food supply.

The position requires a hygiene pass.

As a harassment contact person you will be making sure that our event stays free from discrimination and harassment, and that Kotae Expo is a safe place for everyone. The contact person’s work is an on-call role, i.e. they are available during the opening hours of the event. Your task is to support visitors and volunteers who have faced harassment, assault, bullying and other inappropriate treatment at the venue or online. 

The position requires an age of 18 and Finnish language skills. Previous experience as a harassment contact person, or harassment contact person training can be an advantage.

There are many tasks for volunteers at the evening party! Helping hands are needed, from pre organizing the parties to clearing them, as well as for various running tasks during the party.

The position requires an age of 18.

Kotae Expo’s info knows everything and answers all questions that event visitors and event organizers may have!

We are looking for people who can manage customer service, don’t freeze when faced with difficult questions and are always ready to find the answers to the purpose of life as well as finding a lost wallet. The work at the information desk is versatile, fast-paced and sometimes a bit stressful, so it’s necessary that you deal with pressure well.

The event’s security team supervises the safety of visitors at the event.

The position requires a valid security steward licence and a customer service attitude.

Moving furniture & attaching signs. The job involves moving and carrying heavy objects, so good general fitness is necessary. Work shifts are mainly timed outside the opening hours of the event.

Most of the work is scheduled for Friday and Sunday. Please let us know the times you’re not available during November 21 to November 23 in your application.

Competition assistants’ work includes instructing the competitors at the event venue, keeping the locker rooms tidy, following the schedule and assisting the judges.

At the Children’s Play Area the small ones can be left to read, draw, build with Legos or Dublos and play with the nannies.

As a nanny, you take care that the children’s visit to the Play Area goes without a hitch even without the parent’s constant presence. There’s always a professional present at the Play Area, so the volunteer’s don’t need to have education in the field. Experience working with kids is beneficial though.

As a traffic control fox, you ensure that the event’s parking lot is used efficiently without chaos.

The position requires an age of 18, a driver’s license, mobility and weather resistance. Work shifts are scheduled for the entire duration of the event.

As a ticket sales fox, your duties include selling tickets and exchanging them for wristbands, as well as distributing VIP packages.

The position requires an age of 18.

As a logistics volunteer, you act as a driver for picking up goods/people.

Class B driver’s license is required. C card holders are also required to have driving experience. Work shifts are mostly on Friday and Sunday.

As an accommodation volunteer, you watch over the sleep of sleeping volunteers and visitors. There are shifts on both Friday and Saturday nights.

The position requires an age of 18.

As a sales fox your task is to sell merchandise at Kotae Expo’s own Kotae Shop stand.

The position requires an age of 18, customer service spirit and meticulousness.

Cloakroom foxes are responsible for running the event’s cloakroom.

The work itself is simple and also suitable for young people and first timers, but there’s much to do!

Good customer service skills help with the job!

Supervising programs and workshops and other assisting tasks.

For the volunteers of the lecture halls, knowledge of AV technology can be helpful.

Problem solving of hall technology (AV) and information technology (printers, local networks, WLAN).

The task includes shifts also before the event.

As an interpreter, you work mainly with our event’s Guests of Honor and their programs. We’re also looking for an interpreter of Finnish Sign Language for the programs on our main stage.

We’re looking for expertise in the following languages: Japanese-Finnish-Japanese, English-Finnish-English and Finnish-Finnish Sign Language.

General Foxes are the so-called jacks of all trades at the venue, i.e. you can be called upon to help other teams in various tasks, such as filling water containers or assisting the cloakroom during a rush hour.

The tasks do not require special skills.

Separately agreed volunteer position.

Have you agreed on a certain task with a person in charge of Kotae Expo? If you are instructed to select “Erikoistehtävä/Special task” while applying, select this as your task. In the open word field, state in more detail which position and by whom you have been selected.

Don’t choose a special task if you have not been specifically instructed to do so.

The team is looking for personnel with experience in recording. There’s positions for both photographers and videographers. You’ll need editing skills with photography!

Photography and videography is done with the cameraman’s own equipment. You can focus on taking photos of the event, recording the programme or filming the after movie.

All volunteers must be at least 15 years old during the event. Some of the positions may also require an age of 18 and/or for example, a hygiene pass or driver’s license. (These tasks include, for example, evening parties, accommodation supervisors and other night jobs, as well as tasks involving money handling.)

We are also looking for experienced workers who have already gained experience in other events for various tasks. They can be selected to be responsible for guiding the volunteers in their own roles. You can use the application form to indicate your interest in working as an supervisor. 

 

Orientation

Feel free to consider volunteering regardless of your previous experience! Most of the tasks do not require previous experience, and you will learn the basics of the tasks quickly. In addition, there is always someone in charge from whom you can ask help.

If you have experience in something that could be useful in the job you are applying for, mention it in your application!

For all volunteers, a general orientation session is organized before the event. We will inform you about the time of the event later. Some department heads also organize separate training sessions related to the tasks. The teaching materials are also available electronically well before the event.

Participation in orientation sessions is not mandatory. However, we recommend them to all volunteers, as the orientation also offers an excellent opportunity to get to know other volunteers and organizers. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

 

I applied to be a volunteer – do I need a ticket to the event?

If you have been accepted as a volunteer for Kotae Expo 2025 you do not need to purchase a ticket to Kotae Expo.

If you’ve applied as a volunteer or program maker for Kotae Expo 2025 during the application period in Kompassi and you don’t get picked, Kotae Expo ensures that you will be able to buy a ticket even if the event sells out.

If you’re planning on applying as a volunteer, you don’t have to worry about buying the ticket beforehand, you can wait for the results of your application first.

 

Work certificate

You can get a work certificate after the event in Kompassi.

 

Contact

More information about working at Kotae Expo is provided by the volunteer manager. You can reach him by e-mail at zatsuhatsu(a)gmail.com.