Capricon 44 Convention Code of Conduct

Ratified 19 December 2023

In addition to the General Phandemonium Code of Conduct, Capricon members are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct upon purchase of membership. It applies in all publicly accessible spaces at the facility and convention function areas.

Capricon reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for just cause. This may also lead to being banned from future Capricon conventions. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or the hotel security.

All Phandemonium / Capricon events may have additional policies that members / attendees are required to follow. Any additional policies for events will be posted on the official Capricon website and social media.

Please also read over Capricon 44’s COVID Policy before purchasing your badge.

Badges:

Capricon is a membership-only event, hosted by Phandemonium. All members must wear their badge at all times.

A badge is: 1) valid only for the person to whom it was issued, 2) only valid for the year of issue and may not be reused in a following year, 3) may not be shared under any circumstances.

Capricon requires that any child 12 or older have a purchased membership (or appropriate day badge) for the convention.

Age Restrictions:

All convention areas are open to members of all ages, with the exception of events or exhibits that are specifically noted to be inappropriate for minors and access to which is controlled.

Hotel:

Please follow any and all rules set by the convention hotel. Phandemonium asks that you pay special attention to the following:

Damages:

Any act of vandalism, deliberate or excessive damage to hotel property, or interference with hotel staff in the performance of their duties will have negative consequences for individuals and the convention. Consequences for individuals could range from being billed for damages, evicted from the hotel and/or convention, and criminal charges. These types of incidents can also harm the relationship Phandemonium has with the hotel, resulting in monetary losses or cancellation of our contract. The person in whose name a sleeping room is rented is solely responsible for the conduct of all individuals in the room as well as for the condition of the room. Excessive trash, soiling or other damage to hotel property, or any circumstance that may present a hazard to hotel housekeeping staff will also result in negative consequences as noted above.

Smoking:

Illinois has an indoor clean air ordinance; this is beyond the control of Phandemonium and the hotel. Smoking or vaping is not allowed in any public buildings, including restaurants and bars, nor within 15 feet of building entrances. Designated smoking locations can be found outside the entrances to the hotel. The hotel does not allow smoking or vaping in sleeping rooms. NOTE: members who smoke or vape in sleeping rooms are subject to cleaning charges.

Pets:

The hotel does not allow pets in function space. This is for the protection of the pet, the pet owner, our members, and hotel guests. Service animals are permitted in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Shoes:

Shoes are to be worn in all public and convention spaces at the facility. Socks are NOT shoes.

Signs:

Signs may be posted only in designated areas. Any signs posted in designated areas must be affixed using “blue painter’s tape” ONLY. Do not affix anything to the walls of the hotel, to the elevators, to the windows, or to/over official Capricon signage. Blue painter’s tape is available in limited quantities in Convention Operations.

Non-convention guests/General Public:

The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the weekend. Members of the general public stay here or visit the hotel to dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals at all times. This includes hotel staff.

Weapons:

No actual weapon or any item that can be mistaken for one may be carried either openly or concealed at any time on properties being used for Capricon, regardless of any government permits which you may possess, unless it has been peace bonded by Operations. If you wish to carry such a weapon, it must be presented to Operations. Operations staff is the final arbiter of what weapons require peace bonding. If you are unsure about whether your weapon may be considered realistic, Operations staff will be happy to check it for you.

Any actual weapon or any item that can be mistaken for one that is purchased in the dealer room must be wrapped and immediately transported to your room or vehicle. If you wish to use the item at the convention, please refer to section 1 of this policy.

[In the event that Capricon sponsors a masquerade] If an actual weapon or any item that can be mistaken for one is part of your masquerade costume, you must transport it to and from the masquerade green room wrapped securely unless peace bonded. The masquerade director must approve your use of any weapons during the masquerade.

Live steel is prohibited. The Operations Department is the final arbiter of what constitutes live steel.

Any weapon, actual, realistic, or toy/prop, that is utilized in a threatening or harmful manner may result in confiscation of the item and/or removal of your membership without refund.

Failure to adhere to any of the above policies is grounds for the removal of your membership without refund.

We are a private and voluntary membership-based organization. As a condition of membership, no member shall carry concealed firearms at our event. Any open carry is subject to the above noted weapons policies.

Parties:

Only certain convention hotel rooms are available for hospitality suites, and all hospitality events / parties must be coordinated with the Capricon Party Liaison and occur in these designated spaces.

Party floors are crowded; we encourage you to leave your props in your room or vehicle.

All hospitality events / parties must follow the Phandemonium and Capricon Codes of Conduct. Hospitality / party rooms are considered private space and as such, the individual host may have additional rules beyond those mentioned herein.

Alcohol:

The legal drinking age in Illinois is 21. Hosts of registered hospitality events are required to verify legal drinking age (by checking unexpired proper government issued identification) of anyone who wishes to drink alcohol at their event. Capricon does not allow alcohol consumption in convention function space. Please follow the hotel policies on alcohol consumption / transportation in hotel public spaces, such as the lobby.

Privacy, Photographs, and Recording Electronic Information:

Capricon supports intellectual property rights. The usage of photographic or recording devices is prohibited within certain areas of the convention, including the Film Room, Anime Room, Art Show, and Art Auction. Where allowed, we suggest that personal photographs be taken before or after a program event to avoid distracting panelists and audience members from the discussion.

If you do not wish to be photographed, please go to either Operations or the Info Desk and request a “No Photo” ribbon. If you affix a “no photo” ribbon to the side of your badge, the official con photographer and the social media chair will make a reasonable effort to honor your wishes. The con photographer and the social media chair can be recognized by their “Official Photographer” ribbon. You may still decline to be photographed if asked, even without a ribbon.

Sales of Merchandise:

All vending (exchange of money for goods or services) must be authorized by the convention, and only take place in authorized locations. Vendors must comply with all applicable laws (including but not limited to copyright and tax laws).

Reporting:

If you are being harassed by a member of Capricon 44, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please either contact the Code of Conduct Team by going to Convention Operations or by filing a report electronically by emailing conduct@phandemonium.org at any time. This email is directed to the Board President, Convention Chair, and Supreme Minister of Fun.

If the person who is harassing you is on the team, they will recuse themselves from handling your incident. We will respond as promptly as we can.

Consequences:

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the Code of Conduct Team may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from all Capricon 44 spaces and other actions as seen fit by the Board of Directors.