Rules & Regulations

Tsubasacon has become a flourishing community over recent years and hopes to continue this growth with continuously successful conventions each and every year. As Tsubasacon begins to make its transition from “small convention” to bigger and better things, it becomes imperative that our professionalism should grow too. Although Tsubasacon has always had some form of “core rules” for its attendees to follow, the need to expand these principles has always been on the horizon.

Registration and Badges

Attendance to Tsubasacon and the events within requires a badge. Attendees may pre-register for the convention online, or at sponsoring anime conventions. Admission can also be purchased at the door on the day of the event. Badges will not be made available until the opening of the convention and proof of purchase must be presented in order to receive your badge.

Badges must be worn and visible at all times while at the event (this goes for staff, volunteers, and guests as well). Your badge identifies you as a paying customer; the staff and security will approach anyone without visible identification. So avoid the hassle and wear it.

General Information

People of all ages will be attending the event and the majority of events will be for general audiences. We ask that you do your part in keeping the common areas as obscenity-free as possible—take into consideration the number of people who are also trying to enjoy the convention. The convention will be hosting events tailored towards mature audiences (18 years or older); these events will be clearly marked in the program and schedules as “18+” and will require picture identification in order to attend.

Tsubasacon occurs in the heart of the city of Charleston; Please keep in mind that your actions in the convention center, your hotel, and the city will reflect upon us. Please act responsibly and courteously around community members and other guests of the city. Security for the event is provided by Tsubasacon. Security can be contacted by any of the staff members. Our Security personnel are responsible for the safety of all of our attendees while helping to maintain an enjoyable atmosphere. Please promptly adhere to all recommendations that Security provide.

Convention Center Policies

• Smoking and alcohol are strictly prohibited inside the convention center
  
• No outside food or drinks are allowed inside of the convention center

Disruptive Behavior Policy

We want nothing more than to see happy and enthusiastic guests at Tsubasacon, but dangerous or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Our Staff and Security can and will counteract such behavior with actions ranging from a verbal warning, ejection from the convention, or criminal charges (The action taken is at the discretion of Tsubasacon).

Things that may prompt such action include fighting (real or fake*), heckling, harassment (see Harassment Policy), impeding traffic flow, inappropriate waiting-line etiquette, offensive behavior, failure to observe basic hygiene, or any other failure to follow the rules. Also keep in mind that anything illegal outside of the convention center is illegal inside of the convention center. As long as you act appropriately, then our Staff and Security will have no problems to deal with.

Public inebriation, drug use, or any illegal form of substance abuse will not be tolerated at or around the convention center. Intoxicated individuals will be removed from the convention center and the appropriate law enforcement authorities will be notified.

*The only exceptions to “fake fighting” are Live-Action Role-Playing in controlled environments and skits pre-authorized by cosplay judges.

Harassment Policy

Harassment is defined as any behavior that seriously annoys or alarms another person. This includes unwanted physical contact, following someone in public areas, verbal assaults, or threatening physical violence. Harassment is considered “Disruptive Behavior”, and our staff has the right to eject any offender and have the matter referred to the proper law enforcement agency. If you are being harassed, immediately contact a member of Security or Staff. Remember participating in Cosplay does not equal consenting to any form of harassment.

Costume and Clothing Policy

Please keep in mind the local laws concerning public decency when planning your cosplay or general attire for the event. Public exposure of genitalia, buttocks, or (female) breasts, accidental or otherwise, is not permitted. Costumes and clothing should fit reasonably well and should be in good repair.  Your costume must cover, at minimum, as much as a modest bathing suit. If your costume calls for a thong, Speedo-cut, pasties or other below-minimum-coverage elements, please wear a bodysuit beneath it. Morphsuits or other skintight, unitard-type outfits require undergarments and should not be worn with nothing underneath. Genitalia and nipples must not be visible through the costume.

Photography and Filming

“Filming equipment” is broadly defined as cameras (film or digital), camera phones, or camcorders. Regulations pertaining to photography and video recording vary depending on the room and the event.

• No filming equipment is permitted within the anime viewing rooms.
• Filming equipment is permitted within the guest panel rooms at the discretion of the panelist/s
• Photos or video may be taken of artists and/or their work at the discretion of the artist.
• Filming equipment is allowed in the Main Events or Little Theater area unless otherwise specified.
• Photos or video of individual or groups of people (including, but not limited to, special guests, cosplayers, other attendees, or staff) is only permitted if those being photographed / filmed give their consent (the only exception being one’s participation in a Main Event, such as a game show or Cosplay Contest).
• Filming Equipment and Bags may be Spot checked at random as deemed by Security.

Please be considerate when taking photographs by being brief and not blocking traffic. If you intend to use a photograph or film for anything use other than private viewing (e.g. online photo album, blog, online video archives, etc.), please ask the subjects for explicit permission to post their image, or video. Please note that photographs and footage of the convention and attendees will be gathered by our Staff to be used for various projects such as advertisements or future programming guides, and that purchasing admission for Tsubasacon constitutes consent to be filmed or photographed.

Children at Tsubasacon

Tsubasacon is a family friendly convention, although we do require that parents chaperone their children 12 years or younger.  Mature programming is generally held later in the evening with ID checks to make sure our younger attendees don’t happen to stumble into one of these events.

In the case that you are separated from your child, make sure that your child knows important information, such as your name, what you are wearing, what hotel you are staying at (if any), a cellular phone number, and a home phone number. Also instruct your child to look for a Staff or Security member (Tsubasacon personnel wear shirts that are easily identifiable) in case they need help.

If you are with children who are 12 or older, it is a good idea to designate meeting times and places with them since cell phones may be either restricted or have no service in some areas of the convention. Suggestions for landmarks in the area include the fountain outside of the convention center, the registration desk at the front entrance, or in one of the gaming rooms.

Most Staff and Security personnel are equipped with two-way radios. If your child is missing, please inform us so that we can alert the rest of our team.

Buying, Selling, and Solicitation Policies

Currently, only vendors or participants in Artists’ Alley, with appropriate vending permits, are allowed to sell goods at or around the convention center. Any Item, Including those bought at the Convention may be Checked by Security at any time, Also, Unattended Packages will be Checked and then turned into lost and found. Panhandling and other forms of solicitation are prohibited. Examples of panhandling and solicitation include the following: asking for food or money, offering to exchange any sort of sexual favor (kisses, hugs, glomps, etc.), musicians or performance artists requesting tips, and selling anything inside of the convention center without the consent of Tsubasacon. Offenders can and will be removed from the convention center if they do not comply with these policies.

Weapon Policy

Firearms of any type are not permitted inside of the convention center. “Firearms” include, but are not limited to, real guns, replicas of real guns, stun guns, tasers, pellet guns, BB guns, air guns, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, water guns, and water pistols. The only exception to the above are prop guns or resin models that are easily identifiable as toys (i.e. no moving parts, non-removable orange tip, etc.).

Live steel (any piece of steel or metal which can take an edge) is not permitted. This includes un-sharpened weapons, sheathed weapons, and smaller edged items like throwing stars or shuriken. Steel weapons, whips, or other items construed as weapons for use as part of a Cosplay outfit must be peace bonded by Security or Staff in order to be permitted inside of the convention center.

Explosives or chemicals of any kind are not permitted. All illegal weapons will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Weapons such as staves, bo sticks, boken, and wooden swords are permitted. Fake, prop, or made-up weapons (i.e. constructed of cloth, plaster, cloth, etc.) are permitted if they are safe and not dangerous to others around you (dangerous conditions including, but not limited to, wires sticking out, tripping hazards, etc.).

Misuse of any weapon or prop, such as swinging in public areas or causing hazards to others, will result in the weapon or prop being deemed unsafe for the convention. Unsafe weapons are required to be removed from the convention center to your hotel, vehicle, or home. Any weapon purchased in the Vendor’s Room that violates Tsubasacon’s weapon policy must be removed from the convention center immediately and should not be removed from their packaging while on convention center property unless it has been deemed safe by a staff or security member. All props or weapons brought into the convention center may be inspected by Tsubasacon staff at any time, including those which may have had prior approval.

Assistance and Other Questions

If you have any questions, complaints, or requests for assistance during the convention, feel free to ask the Staff or Registration Desk. We will do our best to either answer your question or forward your request to the most appropriate Staff member. Please note that some Staff might not have much time to spare when answering questions, but they will help you to the best of their ability. Questions can also be directed to security@tsubasacon.org

Disability Access

If you have mobility issues and need assistance please check in with security at the convention, they can assist with event seating.  We follow all state and federal guidelines.