Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is a great way to experience TypeCon from behind the scenes, make industry contacts, and connect with people in our community.

We look for people who can help outside of the conference to help prepare and promote it, and during the week of the conference to help with set up and take down, along with other tasks while the conference is happening.

Our volunteer opportunities may change each year to accommodate the content and format. Volunteers receive free admission to TypeCon in exchange for their efforts.

Sign up for news and updates or enter your details to be notified when we start looking for volunteers.

The success of TypeCon relies on your support.
As a volunteer-run, non-profit organization, SOTA is grateful to our volunteers who help us to bring TypeCon to the world, year after year.

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Helping outside of TypeCon

There are many ways to get involved with TypeCon and SOTA beyond the conference itself — and we'd love to have you! Whether you're passionate about design, communications, or community-building, there's a role that's just right for you.

  • Volunteer Organization: Help coordinate and support our volunteer program by onboarding new volunteers, managing schedules, and keeping our community connected throughout the year.

  • Speaker & Sponsorship Outreach: Play a key role in shaping the TypeCon experience by identifying and reaching out to potential speakers and sponsors who share our love of typography and design.

  • Social Media & Communications: Help spread the word about TypeCon and SOTA by creating content, managing social channels, and keeping our community informed and engaged.

No matter your skills, your contribution makes a real difference in sustaining a conference and community that typophiles around the world call home.

Helping the week of TypeCon

Volunteers are expected to help with conference setup the Wednesday before the conference starts and may be asked to help with additional set-up or clean-up tasks, especially as we close the conference on Saturday.

There are three main types of volunteer positions:

  1. Registration: Volunteers greet guests on arrival and give them their badges and other registration items. As the conference progresses, the registration becomes an information hub. Registration is usually the busiest first thing in the morning.

  2. Marketplace: Volunteers help set up and take down the marketplace and silent auction areas, process orders, and help with inventory.

  3. Gallery: Gallery volunteers help set up and dismantle the gallery space and hang pieces. While the gallery is open, volunteers watch items to ensure none are taken and run a coat/bag check in the gallery space.

We split the days into shifts or give long breaks to allow people to view presentations and explore the area.

About SOTA

SOTA exists for the affordable education of its members and participants, to further the development of type, typographical information and typography, and to appreciate on multiple levels the attributes of type, typography, design, the book arts and calligraphy. SOTA is committed to sponsoring relevant topics in pursuit of these goals. The annual TypeCon plays a major role in accomplishing this aim.

TypeCon conferences are attractively priced, affording a diverse range of type lovers the opportunity to meet in an intimate setting. Discounts are given to students and current SOTA members. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities in a variety of areas are available throughout the year.

SOTA is incorporated in the State of New York and has been designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the United States Internal Revenue Service. SOTA is a tax-exempt organization and is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.

Please consider a one-time or monthly donation in support of TypeCon and our mission.

For more information about SOTA, please contact us.