Code of Conduct

Welcome to BABSCon 2015!

A. Basic Guidelines

Please follow all Federal, State, County, and local laws, as well as internal rules of our venue hosts (SFO Hyatt Hotel).

  • The Code of Conduct applies to all BABSCon attendees, guests, press, vendors, and others associated with the convention in all areas of the venue, hotel grounds, and any area where BABSCon is sponsoring an event or social gathering.
  • No disorderly conduct- loitering, public intoxication, stalking, yelling, screaming, profanity, indecent exposure, begging, or soliciting will not be tolerated.
  • Consumption of alcohol or drugs in the convention areas is strictly prohibited.
  • We ask that children under the age of 5 be always accompanied by their parent or older guardian, and strongly suggest the same for children under the age of 16.  
  • Smoking, including vapor or e-cigarettes, in the hotel, convention areas, or areas around doors and windows is prohibited except in posted designated areas. Smoking marijuana (even prescribed as “medical marijuana”) is never allowed in any area.
  • All events and panels are held to the Events and Programing contract, but some panels will require special handling. Any additional rules or guidelines will be posted well in advance to the start of the panel, and all Attendees must follow these to attend.
  • Most events and panels are held to a child friendly “PG” rating. However, some may have some content that is not suitable for children. If this is the case, adequate notification and warning will be provided before the start of the panel or event, and ID checks will be run to prevent underage admittance, if necessary.
  • Please remember that our convention will have a large number of young children, which is our primary demographic.

B. Anti-Harassment Policy

  • BABSCon has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, this is including but not limited to:
  1. ANY non-consensual touching, physical contact, or otherwise unwelcome physical attention
  2. Photography or recording of someone without their express permission
  3. Stalking
  4. Offensive verbal comments
  5. Physical violence or assault
  6. Verbal threats or other non- physical intimidation
  7. Sustained disruption of panels, signings, or other convention events
  • BABSCon does does not tolerate any of the above behavior in relation, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity or presentation, age, body size, disability, appearance, or religion.
  • Remember: No means no, stop means stop, go away means go away, and cosplay does not equal consent. The only thing that means yes, is "Yes"
  • If an attendee, vendor, panelist, staff, or any other person at BABSCon engages in harassing behavior, convention staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the convention with no refund.
  • If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns regarding your well-being or the well-being of others, contact a member of BABSCon staff immediately.
  • All BABSCon staff will be happy to contact local law enforcement, provide escort, offer a safe place, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to make sure they feel safe for the duration of the convention.

C. Cosplay, costumes, and props

  • All cosplay, costumes, and props are judged for appropriateness by convention safety team FLARE. FLARE or qualified BABSCon Staff members have the final say on whether any item is allowed. All props and weapons must be “Peacebonded” at the FLARE office.
  • While we allow most cosplays, we ask that costumes not have “questionable” material, including blood, gore, or pornographic items. Examples would be “Cupcakes” Pinkie Pie and .MOV Fluttershy. Cosplays that are found offensive or that have complaints made against them will, at the discretion of qualified BABSCon staff, be asked to change into something else, or have the offending items removed.
  • Public exposure of genitalia, buttocks or breasts is not permitted, including through fabric. As a rule, a minimum of a non-thong bathing suit must be worn at all times in public areas. "Anatomically correct" costumes must be likewise clothed.
  • We ask persons having body paint or any paint on their costume not to sit on hotel furniture, lean on walls, or sit on carpet to avoid cleaning fees.
  • Shoes, or other adequate footwear must be worn throughout the hotel, as this is a public safety ordinance. Socks or bare feet is not appropriate.
  • Props must be safe- no “live steel” blades (metal bladed weapons that do or can take a point or edge), whips, or any weapon that violates any law. Real weapons (guns, bows, swords, bayonets, explosives, anything deemed so) are strictly forbidden.
  • Replica weapons (airsoft, Nerf, paintball, or generic “toys”) are allowed, however know that it is possible to mistake a replica for a real weapon. Never point your weapon at anyone at any distance, never have your weapon loaded (ammo, gas, or power), and immediately follow any given order from a Peace Officer. A good rule of thumb is to keep your weapon pointed straight down or up.
  • Due to potential damage to the venue, waterguns, silly string, and like items are not allowed.
  • Swinging, throwing, shooting, or waving props or weapons is a severe safety issue, and Attendees should refrain from doing so at all costs, even during photo shoots. Items that have slings, holsters, sheaths, or other carrying device should be used for safety.
  • Props or cosplay items that are larger than normal should be taken care not to block walkways or doors, swing into Attendees when turning, or cause any damage. Attendees who wear costumes that have limited visibility (i.e: fursuits, full helmets/ masks, blindfolds) should have a handler to assist with maneuvering.

Press and General Photography and Recording

  • All members of Press or attendees who have Press badges are subject to all Press Policy rules.
  • Interviews of Guests of Honor are only available to members approved press.
  • Stalking, harassment, or repeated questions to Guest of Honors is strictly forbidden.
  • Please ask other Attendees for permission before taking their pictures. If they request, verbally or by gesture, not to be photographed, please respect this. Failure to comply will be treated as harassment.
  • Photo and video taking is allowed in most areas of the venue, EXCEPT in locations where it is posted, noted, or said by qualified Staff members.
  • Photography or videography for the purpose of sale or publication to the press is expressly forbidden unless written permission has been obtained from Harmonious Elements and the PR Division Head, and is in accordance with its Press Policy. All pictures or videos are to be taken for private use or intended to be uploaded to free online public image websites.
  • Members of the BABSCon PR team, or approved affiliates, may take photos or videos of Attendees, events, or public areas for use of advertisement or “highlights” videos at any time. Upon purchase of your badge, you agree to be photographed or recorded by any means and you are granting permission for BABScon, Harmonious Elements Inc., or approved affiliates, to use and publish those images for whatever purpose without compensation.

Selling and Buying of Goods and Items

  • All items for sale must be sold in either Dealer's Hall or Artist Alley at a designated booth, in accordance to the Vendor Relation’s Agreement and Policy. Items being sold outside the designated areas, or items deemed unacceptable, are subject to immediate shut-down, confiscation, badge removal, and/or police action.
  • Sale of food or drink in any form outside of Hotel or venue control is prohibited.
  • Any weapons or props bought from a vendor must comply with Peacebonding Rules to be allowed to be carried around the venue area. Items that do not comply must be immediately be taken to a closed room, a vehicle, or off-site.
  • Buyers assume all responsibility of items they purchase. Any refunds are only honored by individual vendors, and not by BABSCon or Harmonious Events, Inc, and to no guarantee.

Agreements and Enforcement of BABSCon Code of Conduct

  • By obtaining a BABSCon Badge (of any kind), you agree to follow and abide by the BABSCon Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct is subject to change or be updated at any time before, during, or after the Convention, and any new rules are to be followed immediately.
  • Badges are the property of BABSCon and Harmonious Events, Inc, and are “loaned” to Attendees for proof of payment to the Convention, and may not be copied, modified, or tampered with.  
  • Badges must be worn at all times, in plain sight and on top of any clothing or cosplay, and must be shown or surrendered to any qualified Staff Member upon request.
  • Qualified Staff Members may revoke, deny, or remove (“pull”) a badge for any reason at any time, with or without refund. Upon this action, all Attendee privileges are removed.
  • Badges are non-transferable, and may not be loaned, sold, gifted, or given to another attendee at any time for any reason.
  • Failure to follow or abide by these rules will result in warnings, removal from an event, the offending attendee’s badge being pulled for any period of time, security/ police action, and/ or the offending attendees permanently banned from future conventions.

If you have any questions, comments, or  are having an issue with any problem, please email info@babscon.com, or during convention times, visit ConOps. (Or find anyone with a radio.) We are dedicated to assisting attendees with any problem; but we need to know about it to help!

We hope you enjoy our convention.

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