Code of Conduct

Downloadable copy:  Wai-Con Code of Conduct

To make Wai-Con 2012 safe and enjoyable for everyone, we ask you to observe the following rules:

Weapons Policy:

  • NO WEAPONS are to be brought to, worn or carried at any time during the convention (including water pistols, real or replica guns, swords and knives, staffs and wands, etc), unless officially approved as part of a Wai-Con event.  Please deposit these items at the cloakroom when not used during an event.
  • No exposed steel or peace-bonded weapons of any kind will be permitted.
  • Wai-Con holds the right to deem any item a ‘weapon’ for the cause of this rule including parasols and umbrellas, heavy bags, chains, etc. If you are asked to leave something at the cloak room you will not be able to bring it into the convention.

Costume:

  • PAniC reserves the right to deem a costume unacceptable and ask the wearer to modify it as necessary. PAniC may also refuse entry to individuals wearing any costume deemed inappropriate.

Inappropriate attire for Wai-Con includes but is not limited to:

- exposed bikini or underwear garments;
- costumes that show excessive amounts of skin;
- excessively short skirts where underwear is visible; or
- ribbons or strapping being the only covering over private areas of the body.

We understand that many anime/manga characters wear costumes that breach these policies but we ask that attendees comply by these rules to ensure a PG rated event.

  • Body makeup, glitter or paint should be sealed to ensure that it does not rub off onto seats, others’ clothing, etc. This is for your benefit as well as for others.
  • Costumes should allow ease of movement throughout the convention area. Traders halls and theatre arrangements get very crowded and if your costume is causing a passage problem you may be asked to remove the offending article, such as wings, skirt trains, armour, etc.

Events/Competitions:

  • Some events and competitions may have their own specific rules. Please observe and follow these rules when attending or participating in such events.

Media:

  • No video recording, photography or audio recording is allowed during screenings, guest presentations or art competitions.
  • Any participant wishing to record more than 20 consecutive minutes of film, OR wishing to film or interview participants that do not include friends/family/etc, OR wishing to film for the purposes of uploading video to a private or public site (such as blogs, newsletters, Youtube, etc) will need to apply for a Media Pass. Application for a Media Pass does not guarantee approval. Those that do not hold a Media Pass may be asked to cease filming and may be ejected from the venue should the behaviour continue.
  • No attendee may interview public attendees, guests, volunteers or officials for either print, audio or film purposes without holding a Media Pass.
  • Photography is allowed in other areas of Wai-Con, provided it does not interfere with any Wai-Con events, other attendees or through traffic. Please ask for permission before taking photographs of other attendees or cosplayers and respect the wishes of those who do not wish to be photographed.

General Policies:

  • Please be considerate and courteous to other Wai-Con attendees. Disruptive behaviour such as shouting, running and horseplay will not be tolerated.
  • If you are asked by a staff member to cease any disruptive behaviour, you shall do so immediately.
  • Heckling during any screening/event is NOT acceptable. Those found heckling will be dealt with as appropriate.
  • No sexual, racial, or political harassment or bullying or harassment of any kind towards another Wai-Con attendee is permitted. Wai-Con encourages its attendees to have fun, but not at the expense of other attendees.
  • Your registration badge MUST be worn and visible AT ALL TIMES while on the Convention site. Wai-Con holds no responsibility for lost or damaged badges.
  • In the interests of other convention attendees, please TURN OFF your mobile phones, pagers and other electronic equipment  during screenings, panels or competitions.
  • No flash powder, lasers, explosions, pyrotechnics or open flames of any kind will be permitted.
  • No alcohol or illegal drugs are to be brought, sold, on-sold or consumed on site.
  • Please do not leave personal belongings unattended. The organizers reserve the right to remove such items.  The organizers of the convention will not be held responsible for any loss, theft or damage to individual property. Items may be lodged at the cloakroom but please note that the cloakroom is not operated by Wai-Con staff, and volunteers and committee cannot assist you with any issues relating to the cloaking facilities.
  • Please ensure that all items lodged with the cloakroom are retrieved at the end of each day.  Failure to do so may incur a penalty.  Wai-Con takes no responsibility for the security of items overnight.
  • In case of an emergency, please remain calm and follow staff directions. If necessary, proceed in a calm fashion to the emergency evacuation areas.

Venue Specific:

  • Please look after the venue (so we can come back next year).
  • Please keep to areas specifically hired for the convention. These areas will be well signposted.
  • Wai-Con patrons are not allowed to sleep on the site.
  • No sitting in the aisles, as this constitutes a fire hazard. Any patron found sitting in the aisles will be asked to leave the theatre or room until vacant seats become available. Please be aware that popular screenings and panels fill up fast and you are not guaranteed a seat.
  • Please do not sit, obstruct or place objects on any of the stairwells. Sliding along the rails is prohibited on the stairwells.
  • No smoking is permitted within convention grounds.
  • No food or drink is to be consumed in any of the convention rooms.
  • No animals will be allowed on site, the only exception being guide dogs and helper animals as prescribed by law.

Minors:

  • Patrons under the age of 15 MUST be directly supervised by a responsible adult at all times, both to ensure their safety and to prevent them from disrupting the enjoyment of other Convention attendees.
  • Some titles being screened have not yet been officially classified by the Office of Film and Literature Classifications and may contain adult themes, nudity, animated violence etc. We recommend viewing in the accompaniment of an adult if you are under the age of 18.
  • Those under the age of 18 attending Wai-Con must submit a letter of consent, obtainable online and at the convention registration desk, with their registration. Wai-Con reserves the right to exclude entry to those under the age of 18 who do not have a signed letter of consent.

Wai-Con organisers reserve the right to EJECT individuals from the event (either temporarily or permanently) should they feel any of the above rules have been violated. In extreme cases, the Wai-Con committee reserves the right to BAN an individual from future Wai-Con conventions and PAniC events.

By attending a Wai-Con event, you agree to being filmed and that resulting footage may be used in future promotional activities related to Wai-Con and/or PAniC.

By registering for Wai-Con 2012, you have agreed to these terms and conditions of the event.

PAniC Inc. reserves the right to alter or update these policies at any time without notice.