Policies

Daku Con Rules and Policies

Anti-Harassment Policy

While we are an 18+ convention, it is everyone’s right to feel safe and comfortable while attending our show. Below are the rules and policies regarding harassment that apply while on the convention premises. (Please note that the lobby area and/or events held outside of the hotel are considered public and follow the rules of the appropriate/associated parties. Any acts of misconduct happening in a space outside of the convention area may be brought to Daku Con staff attention and we will help you file the reports with the appropriate parties).

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Discrimination against persons on the basis of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion,etc.
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following 
  • Harassing/Unconsenting photography or recording
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.  This applies to all persons attending the convention, including but not limited to Exhibitors in the Dealers Hall, vendors, attendees, guests, and staff.

 

If any person at the convention engages in harassing behaviour, Daku Con staff retains the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender and any action up to and including: expulsion from the convention [with no refund] and/or contact of local law enforcement.

Daku Con staff may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear intent of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We apply and follow these rules outside event activities as well!

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible to the nearest staff member.  Harassment and other policy violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want everyone to have a safe and happy time at the convention. You can make a report either personally or anonymously.

Anonymous Report

You can make an anonymous report here http://dakucon.org/contact-us/.  If making an anonymous report please feel free put N/A instead of any personal identifying information.

We can’t follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.

With that being said, detail is key. Please provide as much detail regarding your situation as possible. We will always do what we can with what information is provided, but detailed documentation will allow us to better take action. In cases that are necessary, we may pass reported information to law enforcement.

 

Personal Report

We value your attendance, and want to make sure you have an avenue to feel heard. You can make a personal report by contacting a staff member (identified by STAFF badges or shirts) or report to the Con Ops station.

When taking a personal report, our staff will ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. They may involve other event staff to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we’ll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we’ll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You won’t be asked to confront anyone and we won’t tell anyone who you are.

Our team will be happy to help you contact local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe to the best of our ability and within reason.

Please be aware that we can only take action on situations that we are aware of. We understand if you do not feel comfortable coming forward immediately, but the sooner you are able to make a report of misconduct, the sooner we are able to address it and the more successful we can be in taking appropriate action. Please know that your safety and comfort are our #1 priority and we are advocates of consent. 

Age Policy

All attendees are required to be at least 18 years of age to enter the convention.

All attendees must have a valid government photo ID to be given their badge and wristband.

Acceptable Photo ID: Driver’s License, State ID, Passport, Military ID, or a combination of IDs (such as school ID with full legal name and photo plus a birth certificate).

If you will turn 18 on the day of the con, please be sure to have sufficient proof of your age in order to get your badge and wristband.

All attendees must be present with their ID to be given their badge and wristband. No one can pick up your badge/wristband by proxy.

Your Badge and Your Wristband

You MUST wear your badge and wristband at all times while at the convention. Staff and volunteers are specifically directed to check for both, so make sure to wear them to gain entry to Daku Con rooms and events.

If your badge and/or wristband is used by a minor or an unauthorized/banned person to gain admission into the convention, you may be held liable for any damages incurred and may be permanently banned from all Daku Con events.

If found you are found giving your badge and wristband to anyone under the age of 18, both you and them will be banned from all Daku Con events.

If a badge or wristband is lost it will not be replaced. You will have to buy a new pass.

Dress Code

We welcome all kinds of cosplay   Being an 18+ convention opens up possibilities for a lot of fun varieties and ideas. With this in mind, Daku Con still has a dress code. Nudity is not allowed at Daku Con, all attendees must be covered at minimum to the same extent as swimwear. If you can’t wear it to a public pool you can’t wear it at the convention.  Shoes or some kind of footwear must be worn at all times.

The Daku Con rules dress code are only pertain to the convention floor, the hotel area has different guidelines.

In Hotel Area Rules:

All attendees must be street ready as public decency laws will apply.

We will have elevators that can take attendees from the hotel room floor to the convention floor so that attendees can skip the lobby for their convenience.

Daku Con security will be patrolling the halls and will stop anyone breaking the dress code.

Costume Props

While costume props are welcome at the convention (at the discretion of the Daku Con staff), please leave your real weapons at home.  

“Live steel“ is expressly forbidden. (Don’t risk it! We’ll be forced to remove you from the convention!) Note these special rules regarding weapons and weapon facsimiles:

  1. Absolutely NO weapons made of real steel or metallic parts.
  2. All props must be “peace bonded” by Convention Operations or Security with a pre-designated piece of ribbon or gaffer’s tape.  Con staff or hotel staff have the final say of whether or not a prop is allowed on the convention floor. Please note that con staff reserves the right to request proof that your weapon has been properly reviewed and approved at any time. 
  3. Any projectile weaponry must be transparent or have an easily visible, brightly colored surface.   No ammunition or projectiles may be loaded into the projectile while on the convention floor.  
  4. Any and all weapons in the Dealers’ Hall must remain in its original packaging while you are on convention premises. Any weapon/prop made of live steel or metal purchased from the Dealers’ Hall must be immediately taken to a private room or vehicle. If you purchased a prop with the intent to carry it on the convention floor, it must be checked by convention staff and approved (per the above stated guidelines) prior to carrying it openly.
  5. All costume props can only be brandished with the consent of both parties.  Note: Brandishing or pointing a costume prop at any unconsenting party may result in immediate ejection from the convention and/or seen as an act of aggression which may result in contact of local law enforcement.

**Failure to comply with any of these rules may result in you being ejected from the convention or contact of law enforcement

Respect Hotel Regulations and Property

If you wouldn’t do it at your grandmother’s house, don’t do it here. No wild parties. Quiet hours after 10pm, no shoplifting, no verbal or physical violence, and no other illegal activities are allowed.

Don’t trash your hotel room (or any hotel area, including restaurants, lobbies, and convention rooms) or any furnishings. If you damage your hotel room, you will be held financially responsible. If you damage hotel property in a public area (ie. the lobby or convention rooms), you will be held financially responsible AND ejected from the convention. Depending on the extent of the damage, the hotel may press charges against you for destruction of private property. Similarly, Daku Con reserves the right to permanently ban a badge holder who inflicts such damage.

Respect the rights and privacy of other hotel guest.

Be courteous to other hotel guests, regardless of whether or not they are attending Daku Con. Keep hallways and doorways clear so as not to obstruct traffic. After 10 PM, please stay quiet in the room areas. Remember, if non-Daku Con hotel guests complains we may not be allowed to have another convention at the hotel in the future.

Courtesy towards the staff and other attendees goes a long way.

We know it happens; the Dealers’ Hall or panel is packed, or a panel you really want to see is full and the staff and volunteers at the door aren’t letting anyone else in. We’re not trying to keep you from enjoying the convention, but we do have to abide by the fire code. Or maybe a staff member INSISTS on seeing your ID (as they should). We have age-restricted material on display in our convention rooms, so please be patient while we make sure you’re the age of majority (in the United States, that’s at least 18 years old). Other issues may arise, so please employ patience and politeness even when you’re frustrated. We really appreciate it.

Guests

Guests are to be treated with respect.

Official guests will sign autographs at certain appointed times and ONLY at those times. You may, of course, bring the guests’ published works for autographs, as well as any guest-related items that the guests makes available for purchase.

Photography

We have a Check First Policy. Just because people are in cosplay does not give you the right to take a photo without asking. Cosplay is Not Consent.  Check First!

Keep in mind that some programing will not allow photographs or video in the room. If photos are allowed, they may be run as general con pictures.

If you have any problems or concerns,

Please let ConOps or Security know immediately. Staff will respond to your concerns promptly and professionally. Let bring any questions, concerns, or issues to ConOps where we should be able to look into any issues for you and assist you appropriately.

Alcohol and Drugs

While Daku Con is an adult convention, not all attendees are of legal consumption age. Anyone over the age of 21 will be provided a wristband upon checking in at registration. This wristband will be required to be worn by anyone expecting to consume alcoholic beverages in the convention area. Convention Staff reserve the right to request ID of anyone at the show, regardless of if they have a wristband or not. Anyone caught providing their wristband or beverages to someone underage will be subject to immediate action.

Alcohol in the rooms will be in accordance to hotel policy. If the hotel does not allow it, then do not do it. Anyone failing to respect the hotel rules and policies will be subject to immediate action.

Drugs are a no go at the convention, in the rooms or on the convention floor. Anyone caught using or providing illegal subtances to anyone at the convention will be subject to immediate action.