Reno POP CULTURE CON 2019 POLICIES

Reno Pop Culture Con wants all attendees to have a fun and safe experience and has put together these costume guidelines to help. These guidelines should be used for planning purposes only and are not all-inclusive. If in doubt, more coverage is better, and if you’re unsure about a prop, it’s best to leave it at home. Reno Pop Culture Con reserves the right to make judgment calls as needed on all elements of costuming and props, and these guidelines are subject to change at any time and without notice.

Reno Pop Culture Con is family-friendly. Keep it PG.

• Chests must be covered regardless of gender identification
• Tops must be secure and of sturdy construction to avoid inadvertent “oops” moments and secured by more than glue
• No thongs or exposed backsides
• No sheer materials/illusion of nudity
• Body paint by itself does not constitute coverage
• Makeup must be properly sealed so that it does not rub off with casual contact or make a mess
• Shoes must be worn at all times
• Military dress that appears realistic must be distinguished in some way as costume and cannot be mistaken for current military or law enforcement
• Hateful symbols and emblems of genocide are strictly prohibited

Reno Pop Culture Con staff and security reserves the right to alter rules or guidelines at any time and without notice to protect public safety or ensure a safe and successful family friendly convention. We also reserve the right to prohibit entry or ask you to leave the premises if your outfit is deemed inappropriate. Please refer to the prohibited items list for further information.

Reno Pop Culture Con’s first priority is the welfare and safety of all of our guests. These prop guidelines should be used for planning purposes only and are not all-inclusive. Reno Pop Culture Con reserves all rights to deny props at any time. If in doubt, leave it at home. The current guidelines are as follows, and may be changed at any time, based on circumstances:

• A prop is defined as an object you carry as part of a costume and must be peace-bonded prior to entry by Reno Pop Culture Con security staff.
• Cosplayers will be given a wristband and the prop will be marked daily to indicate completion of this.
• If you purchase a prop at the show the vendor must provide you with a wrist band and the prop must be peace-bonded.  It is your responsibility to request this if not automatically provided; should you be observed without the wrist band and/or the weapon peace-bonded, you will be required to immediately remove it from the premises.
• You may be re-checked at any time.
• Every time you leave and re-enter the Reno-Sparks Convention Center your prop will also need to be re-checked.
• There is no Reno Pop Culture Con provided on-site storage of props or costume pieces
• Anything not allowed will need to be returned to your vehicle or hotel room, or must be thrown away
• Generally approved materials are: foam, rubber, cardboard, paper, light plastic, or cloth

PROHIBITED ITEMS: 

• Firearms of any kind – this includes BB guns, replica guns, cap guns, paintball and pellet guns and airsoft guns, even if it has been disabled or is not loaded – nothing resembling a gun of any kind is permitted
• Bladed metal or wooden weapons such as axes, daggers, hatchets, knives and swords, pocket blades, ninja stars
• Projectile weapons of any kind, including replicas– if it can shoot anything (even Nerf and water), it is not permitted 
• Explosives and chemical weapons – this includes firecrackers, pepper spray, and incendiary devices 
• Blunt weapons – wooden or metal bats, clubs, brass knuckles, mallets, martial arts weapons, whips, golf clubs and paddles
• Metal and wooden umbrellas
• Metal, wood, large PVC items – if you can hurt someone by hitting them with intentionally or otherwise, it is not allowed
• Large resin based objects – if you can hurt someone by hitting them with it intentionally or otherwise, it is not allowed
• Outside alcoholic beverages 
• Balls (thrown objects)
• Flying discs or other projectiles including helium balloons, dirigibles, drones, etc. 
• Selfie Sticks 
• Hover boards, rollerblades, wheelies, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, skates 

Reno Pop Culture Con staff and security reserves the right to alter rules or policies at any time and without notice to protect public safety or ensure a safe and successful family friendly convention. We also reserve the right to notify law enforcement and prohibit entry (or have you leave the premises) if your prop is deemed inappropriate.

These prop examples should be used for planning purposes only and are not all-inclusive. Reno Pop Culture Con reserves all rights to deny props at any time. If in doubt, leave it at home.

Allowed

• Wands of rubber or plastic construction
• Light sabers made of plastic, including ultrasabers (sabers with a metal hilt)
• Loosely strung plastic bows with non-removable plastic arrows
• Any size prop made of foam, rubber, cardboard, paper, light plastic, or cloth
• Plastic parasols
• Sonic screwdrivers

Not allowed 

• Anything resembling a firearm, including sci-fi blasters
• Anything that releases projectiles
• Crossbows
• Slingshots
• Firearms of any kind no matter the material
• Bats
• Blades of any kind
• Functioning bows
• Golf clubs
• Mallets
• Martial arts weapons
• Paddles
• Explosives, including firecrackers
• Chemical weapons, including pepper spray
• Drones
• Dirigibles
• Helium balloons
• Selfie sticks
• Metal or wooden umbrellas
• metal objects of any shape, including shields
• wood objects of any shape
• Large PVC/Resin items of any shape

If any of the above items are deemed unsafe by Reno Pop Culture Con Security, they will not be allowed inside the building. If you’re bringing, buying, or selling something that could maim, damage or cause bodily harm, we’re going to take issue. They will only be allowed as long as they are deemed safe and will not cause harm onsite.

The anti-harassment policy applies to any individual attending Reno Pop Culture Con, including guests, exhibitors, staff, and attendees.

Reno Pop Culture Con strives to create a safe space for all attendees, exhibitors, guests, and volunteers. This means we expect it to be a safe environment for fans from any ethnicity, creed, religious background, political background, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or fandom. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. This includes but is not limited to: physical assault, verbal harassment, sexual harassment, stalking, unwanted physical contact, unwanted advances, or inappropriate media capture. Inappropriate media capture is defined as photography, video, audio, or some other form of recording where the subject feels they are being stalked, exploited, degraded, or disrespected through being recorded; it can also mean photographing or recording without permission in general. People are allowed to document the convention through media capture as long as no one feels they are being harassed. Please be respectful.

Harassment is defined by the victim, and all persons associated with Reno Pop Culture Con need to understand and respect that “No” means no. “Stop means stop. “Go away” means go away. If it is determined – either by observation or by complaint – that an individual or group has harassed another attendee, any or all of the following things may occur –

That individual or group may be:

• Warned to cease and desist;
• Asked to leave the convention, or;
• Banned from the convention for a period of time to be determined by staff.

To report harassment please find the nearest Reno Pop Culture Con volunteer or security personnel. They will direct you to an information desk or security center. If you feel your safety or the safety of others is in immediate jeopardy, please contact the Reno Police Department at 911 if an emergency. The Reno Police Department non-emergency number is 775-334-2121.

For your own safety, if you feel that you are being harassed in a non-emergency situation please report your problems to us before anyone else, and as soon as possible following the incident. If you cannot find a staff, crew, or volunteer member to assist you, please go to the information desks, located throughout the convention. Please report to us before taking matters into your own hands (such as personally confronting the aggressor or posting on social media). We have professional security and they are properly equipped for these contingencies.