Con Policies

Please Read the Following

All Members Shall Follow All Con Policies

The following contains the Shenanicon Convention policies. By purchasing a Shenanicon convention membership and participating in Shenanicon/Shenanicon-related events. You agree to abide by the following policies. These policies are set forth to ensure that the convention is a warm, inviting, and safe environment for all congoers.

As all events are restricted to those with a Shenanicon convention membership, your convention membership must be in plain sight at all times while on the convention floor or participating in convention events. Additionally, as the convention is restricted to those 21 years of age or older, you must have a 21+ wristband attached at all timeswhile on the convention floor or participating in convention events. Failure to do so will result in you being asked to retrieve your membership and/or obtain a new 21+ wristband.

Note, that anything illegal outside the venue is still illegal inside the venue. All Federal, State, and Local laws apply and supersede any policies we have in place.

We at Shenanicon are working very hard to ensure that this event takes place in a safe, fun, family-friendly environment and we need your cooperation.  Our policies in place address specifics, such as props, weapons, disruptive behaviour, harassment, and general well-being. We will take action when we see something that is dangerous, disruptive, and/or against our policies. Possible sanctions for not following the policies may include, but are not limited to: verbal warning, removal from event, removal from the convention venue, revocation of convention membership, and if necessary police intervention. Please do not make us go any further than a quick verbal warning.

If you are unclear about any of our policies, or have any questions, please contact us and we will be more than happy to clarify them for you.

Disruptive Behaviour Policy

 Shenanicon is a fan-friendly event. Such that, we ask that all attendees act accordingly. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to the following:

• Fighting (Fake or Real)
• Heckling
• Impeding traffic flow
• Offensive behavior
• Harassment
• Failure to observe basic hygiene
• Foul and/or offensive language
• Public inebriation/intoxication
• Failure to follow rules or instructions of staff members.  Remember, anything illegal outside of the event is illegal inside the event.
• If your behavior is problematic we will deal with it as such
• Please show common courtesy to your fellow con members and remember the golden rule: “treat others the way you want to be treated”

Harassment Policy

Shenanicon will have no tolerance for harassment of any kind during the convention.

Harassment is defined by the victim. Harassment can include, but is not limited to offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If you are observed harassing other con-goers, Shenanicon’s Public Safety will remove you from the convention.

Should you feel harassed or have concern about the way you or someone else is being treated, please inform a staff member immediately. Staff are available throughout the convention at Con Ops, Info Desk, and Public Safety, and can also be reached via phone call or SMS text message at the following numbers:

•  Con Ops: 973-969-1192
•  Public Safety: 973-969-1338
•  Info Desk: 973-969-1203

 These numbers can also be found on the back of your membership.

Line Etiquette

Lining up for events will not be allowed more than 15 minutes prior to the start of any event, at the discretion of con staff.  Con staff reserves the right to disband any existing line prior to this window at their discretion.  When lining up, be sure to check for “Line Ends Here” indicators.  We can’t promise to have them for every event, but please be mindful of them to get you inside quickly and assist in keeping to schedule.  Lines cannot block entrances or exits so please leave a gap in front of doors as per NJ Fire Codes.

Food and Drinks

No outside food or drinks are allowed in the convention space; all food and drinks shall be ones purchased from the venue Water is permitted in the convention space. Please dispose of all trash and help keep the convention space clean! No outside alcohol may be brought into the venue, per local laws; any alcohol consumed in the venue shall be purchased from the venue.

Smoking

Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is permitted in designated areas outside of the building only.

Cameras at Shenanicon

• Be respectful to our guests and attendees, we request that you ask permission before taking photos.
• When stopping to take photographs in the hallways, please be considerate of your fellow congoers by being brief and not blocking traffic.
• Photography within the Artist Alley is only allowed at the discretion of the individual artist.  Permission must be obtained from the artist first for photography of any kind.
• Events that do not allow photography will be marked as such.  Violators will be subject to ejection.
• The use of photographic devices is prohibited within certain areas of the convention.
• Shenanicon’s Guests have the right to maintain their privacy.  Convention members may be asked to refrain from photographing Guests by the Guest or a member of Convention Staff. We ask all members to please respect our Guests.

Children at Shenanicon

Shenanicon is a 21+  event. Therefore, anyone under the age of 21 is not permitted to attend the convention or be in the convention space during the event.

Dress Code

Shenanicon is a fan-friendly event and attendees are asked to dress accordingly.  Shenanicon Staff reserves the right to ask an attendee to change their clothing if their attire (or lack thereof) is deemed inappropriate. As the venue is still a public place, we ask that you adhere to the following policies, at minimum:

• All attendees must have their private areas covered at all times. This coverage must remain in place while moving/bending/posing/etc.
• All attendees must have appropriate restaurant attire while dining at the hotel, including a shirt, pants/shorts, and shoes.

In general, if your attire would not be acceptable at a pool, it will not be acceptable at the convention.

Additionally, please be mindful of the following shoewear policies:

• Shoes or footwear are required at all times.
• Rollerblades are prohibited as are Heelys (shoes with wheels inserted), roller skates and stilts for obvious safety concerns.

21+ Policy

All events are designated for individuals 21 years of age or older.  All attendees must obtain a 21+ wristband to attend any events throughout the convention or to be on the convention floor. 21+ wristbands will be obtainable at the information desks and you will be required to present photo identification to obtain a wristband. Please refer to the hours and location listed at the convention to obtain your wristband. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR WRISTBAND APPEARS TO BE TORN OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY, YOU WILL BE DENIED ACCESS TO THE  CONVENTION & YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A NEW WRISTBAND.

Signs at Shenanicon

While we understand the appeal of signs as ice-breakers, conversation starters, and costume accessories, the following guidelines must be taken into consideration:

• Signs must be an established part of a costume.(i.e. the sign must be part of the standard “look” of the character, such as the sign carried by Genma the Panda from Ranma ½)
• Signs with offensive content are not allowed regardless of whether they are “in character”.
• Signs in violation of this policy will be confiscated.  Repeat offenders will be considered in violation of the disruptive behavior policy and subject to possible ejection from the premises. This policy applies to all types of signs regardless of their construction.  Staff decisions are final.

Signs may be included in decorating your hotel room window, but at no time may signs including anything that may be deemed offensive, political, hateful, or harrassing. Shenanicon staff reserve the right to ask any hotel room to remove objectionable signage from public view.

Props at Shenanicon

Props policies at Shenanicon are for your safety as well as the safety of others and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• NO LIVE STEEL will be permitted on the premises of the convention, without exception.  Live steel is defined as:
• Swords, bayonets, knives, star knives, shuriken or metal armor – including chainmail.
• Other objects made of metal which can take an edge regardless of whether or not the object is actually sharp.
• Metal studs on costumes or other metal components of costumes/props may also be subjected to approval by Shenanicon’s Public Safety or Ops Staff.
• NO PROJECTILE WEAPONS OF ANY KIND will be permitted.  Examples include, but are not limited to:
• Airsoft guns of any kind, functional or not, real firearms, BB or other pellet guns,
• Crossbows, dart guns, blow guns, water guns and/or pistols, stun guns, tasers
• Paintball guns
• The ONLY exception to this rule will be “prop” or resin models that are easily identifiable as toys, provided that they possess no moving parts and are clearly marked with a non-removable orange tip.
• NO REAL BOWS, or pieces of real bows of any type are permitted within the Convention facility.
• Additionally, authentic arrows (tipped or non-tipped), including crossbow bolts and other projectiles, will not be permitted.
• NO “PADDLES” OF ANY SORT WILL BE PERMITTED.  This includes, but is not limited to.
• Yaoi/Yuri Paddles.
• NO NUNCHAKU of any kind will be permitted. Nunchaku is defined as two sticks or other body connected at their ends with a short chain or rope; two sticks can be made of any material or shape.
• NO EXPLOSIVE CHEMICALS of any kind including, but not limited to: smoke powder, sparklers, or fireworks of any kind.
• If it is illegal in the State of New Jersey, it is illegal inside the convention and convention facility as well as off the premises.
• If our staff determines that your prop does not comply with our policies, you will be asked to remove the prop immediately from the convention space.
• If a member of Shenanicon Staff asks to check your prop, you must comply immediately, Failure to comply may result in expulsion from the convention and revoking of your membership.

Permitted Props

Stave, bo sticks, bokken, shinai, and wooden swords will be permitted as long as they are handled responsibly and meet all other criteria.

• Fake, prop, or made-up weapons (i.e. made of tissue paper, plaster, or cloth) are permitted if they are safe and not posing a danger to others around you.
• Examples of dangerous conditions include, but are not limited to: items that may trip others, items that can snag people or surroundings, items that obstruct doors and hallways.
• Props shall be limited to less than 6’6” (six feet six inches) in height and less than 50 lbs in weight.
• Any chain must be less than 3’ (three feet) in length regardless of the material. This includes, but is not limited to chain wallets and non-costume chains.
• Prop bows may be carried in the convention space, provided they are NOT strung with authentic bowstring, and any alternative material used (i.e. twine, yarn, any other non functioning material) is not attached to the bow in a taut (tight) fashion.
• All bows must comply with all other general policies – no live steel or sharp edges, and not more than 6’6” in height.  Prop or toy arrows that are clearly marked as such are allowed.

Behavior with Props

• Misuse of a prop, such as swinging it in a public area or posing a hazard to others, will result in the prop being deemed unsafe for the convention and you will be asked to remove the item from the convention facility.
• Any edged or other non-permitted weapons purchased in the Dealers Room must be boxed and removed from the convention property immediately.  Weapons are not to be taken out of their packaging and/or wrappings while on the convention facility property.
• All props and weapons brought into the convention facility may be inspected for policy compliance by authorized Shenanicon staff, including those that may have had prior approval at other conventions or pre-convention approval by Shenanicon staff.
• Any items that pose a potential safety hazard may need to be removed from the convention.
• This includes any costume, prop, or accessory that obstructs doors or hallways, or otherwise poses any kind of danger to other attendees, staff or convention facility property.
• When in doubt, check with Shenanicon staff.

Dances and Concerts

• No bags or backpacks are permitted within the dance. Please note, we do not provide bag check!
• No bottles (glass or plastic) or cans are permitted. Water will be provided.
• Props are not permitted
• No break dancing, hooping or stringing
• No moshing
• Feet must be on the floor at all times and shoes must be worn
• No food allowed
• If you are caught causing disruptive behavior, or violating convention policies, you will be asked by a member of Shenanicon staff to leave. Failure to comply may result in revoking of your membership and/or explusion from the event.

Photographs and Promotions

Attendees of Shenanicon are granting permission to be photographed or recorded by authorized Shenanicon staffers and partners. By purcahsing your registration, you inherently grant Shenanicon the permission to use such photos or recordings for promotional or chronicling purposes.