Policies

These policies are in place to make for a better experience for all attendees. Failure to adhere to any of our policies can result in confiscation of your registered badge and immediate expulsion from the convention. We appreciate everyone’s participation in making our event safe and fun for all!

2024 COVID POLICY: Wearing face masks is optional

In light of the public health guidelines at the time of this decision, Cosplay America 2024 will be a mask-optional event. Some workshops may still require safety equipment as appropriate and attendees are welcome to continue masking at their own discretion. 

Cosplay America retains the right to update this policy should the public health guidance change between your preregistration and the event; updates will be posted to the website and shared over social media should they occur.

Bullying over masking or not masking will not be tolerated.

Code of Conduct

Registration Badges

All attendees must be registered and possess proof of admission (lanyard, badge, wristband, etc.), hereinafter called "badge,” at all times while in the convention space. If you lose your badge, you must purchase a new one at the current "at-the-door" price. There is no badge replacement policy. 

Badges should be treated as cash! Cosplay America is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged badges. Badges must be visible at all times in the convention space. All attendees should be prepared to show their badges to any staff or volunteer upon request.

At the Convention: Badges are non-transferable and non-refundable. All sales are final with no exceptions.

Sharing a badge is not permitted and the shared badge will be subject to immediate confiscation. New badges must be purchased by all parties, including the original badge holder, in order to regain access to the convention.

Staff have the right to question any suspicious (damaged, marked, obscure, and/or illegible) badges and/or potential counterfeits, and can hold any such badges for inspection. Any badge that is found to be counterfeit will be confiscated and its holder banned from the convention space for the duration of the convention.

Refund Policy

Badges are non-refundable. Badges can be transferred to another person until May 15, 2024. See Pre-Registration Transfer Policy for more information.

Badge Claim Policy

Pre-registered badges must be picked up in person by either the registered purchaser or the registered attendee.  Individuals over the age of 16 must have valid identification as noted below.  Individuals under the age of 16, subject to the Chaperone/Child Policy, must have all of the details of the registration.

Valid identification includes government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, military ID, passport) and school-issued ID (provided the ID includes the full name and a clear picture).

Group Registration Policy

There are no group discounts. To register as a group (i.e., one person paying for multiple attendee registrations), please fill out the registration form for each individual and add it to your cart. Payment can be made together. Badges for the group can be claimed by any of the individuals who registered together as part of that group.

pre-Registration Transfer Policy

Pre-Registration badges are transferrable until May 15, 2024. Badges transferred to another person can only be used for the 2024 event. You may not use a badge for a future event.

Please request a transfer by contacting the organizer through the Eventbrite website.

All badges (pre-registered and purchase at-the-door) are non-transferrable at the convention.

ChaperonE/Child Policy

All attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible individual who is over the age of 16. The responsible individual must have a valid photo ID. All attendees age 6 or older require paid admission. Children 5 and younger have free admission.

An adult must escort children and adolescents at the convention at all times. Unaccompanied children and adolescents may be barred from attending convention events until their escort (responsible individual over age 16) arrives. Cosplay America accepts no responsibility for children or adolescents. The escort must purchase a standard attendee badge.  There are no free or discounted chaperone badges offered.

Dress Code

Cosplay America is an environment where people of all ages can dress in what they enjoy while allowing freedom of expression. Our rules are simple: Outfits must cover at least as much as a swimsuit and shoes/sandals must be worn at all times. Makeup and body paint may be used, but are not considered coverage. Body paint should be set or sealed so that it will not rub off onto the surroundings.

Leashes, ropes, chains, etc. connecting two or more people are not allowed for safety reasons.

Skate-shoes, roller skates, rollerblades, skateboards, or any forms of wheeled transportation are not allowed. Skateboards may be carried as props if they meet the convention guidelines and are not ridden.

Please remember that you are in a public space—where people will see you and may take pictures of you with or without your knowledge—when deciding on what you are comfortable wearing.

Failure to adhere to any of our policies can result in immediate expulsion from the convention without refund.

Commercial use Photography Policy

Attendees are not permitted to take, record, or create film or digital pictures, videos, tapes, sound recordings, or any other visual or auditory reproduction of any person (Guest of Honor, attendee, volunteer, or staff), event (including, but not limited to, the dance, panels, and demonstrations), or performance for any commercial use or for the solicitation of funds without prior written permission from the Cosplay America Director or designee.

ATTENDEE/AMATEUR/PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY

It is common courtesy to ask for permission before taking photos and/or videos of other attendees. Respect your fellow attendees and ask before you photograph or record others. To ensure the safety of all attendees and hotel guests, photography requiring dedicated space or free-standing equipment (including lighting, tripods, and other electronics) is prohibited in the Hotel lobby and Cosplay America convention space.

Free standing equipment does not include simple hand-held extension poles, often referred to as “selfie sticks.” While hand-held extension poles are not expressly prohibited in the convention space, attendees are advised that these items should be used with discretion and common sense. Please avoid using them in busy or crowded areas where they might hit other attendees or otherwise hinder the flow of traffic. Cosplay America and the Hotel reserve the right to restrict or prohibit the use of hand-held extension poles if they deem it is in the best interest and safety of other attendees, the convention, and/or the hotel.

Photography requiring dedicated space or free-standing equipment may be performed outdoors on hotel property, as permitted by the Hotel. Photographers and persons being photographed must obey all directions from hotel staff regarding outdoor photography. Damage to outdoor hotel facilities will be charged to the photographer and/or persons being photographed at the discretion of the Hotel. Misuse or damage of outdoor space and/or not following directions from hotel staff may result in loss of ability to use the outdoor photography space and/or confiscation of attendee badge and removal from the convention space for the remainder of Cosplay America. 

Weapons & Props Policy

Cosplay America wants to create a safe environment for everyone, while allowing cosplayers to showcase their hard work and craftsmanship. Please review the following and ensure that everything you bring into the convention space meets event guidelines.

1. No Live Steel. This includes swords, knives, shurikens, bayonets, and other metal objects that have an edge. Anything with steel blade over 3 inches. must be peace bonded (zip tie) and cannot be drawn from its sheath in public areas.

2. No Projectile Weapons. This includes anything that shoots a projectile or could be enabled to shoot a projectile, such as air guns, airsoft weapons, crossbows, and replicas of actual guns. Water guns that are filled with water or any other liquid are not allowed.

3. No Paddles. Regardless of the shape, size, material, or message that may be written on them, paddles of any kind are not allowed.

4. No Explosives or Chemicals. This includes smoke powder and fireworks of any kind.

5. No Bludgeoning Objects. This includes sledgehammers and heavy props constructed mostly of wood, metal or stone.

6. No Signs. This includes all message-based signs, picket signs, polling signs, and dry erase boards. Solicitation for goods or services (free or paid) is not permitted, via sign or any other method.

7. Oversized Items. Single-person costumes or props that are large enough to block hallways or obstruct movement of people are not allowed. Props that are acceptable in open areas may not be acceptable for smaller spaces, such as hallways or panel rooms with limited seating.

All props are subject to review by the convention staff. You may be asked by Cosplay America or the Hotel staff to remove your prop from the convention space. If this happens, you must remove it from the convention space immediately.

Cosplay America and the Hotel do not provide storage for weapons, props, or costumes. Items left in the hotel and convention space (including bathrooms) are not secure. Cosplay America and the Hotel are not responsible for lost, stolen, or discarded items.

Any edged or other non-permitted weapons and props purchased in the Market Place or otherwise obtained at the convention must be sealed in a box, removed from the convention space immediately, and taken to your hotel room or car for storage. Weapons are not allowed to be taken from their packaging while in the convention space.

Failure to adhere to any of our policies can result in immediate expulsion from the convention without refund, and may result in confiscation of non-permitted property without return or refund.

Autograph Sessions

Each Guest of Honor will have designated autograph sessions during the convention. To allow as many attendees as possible to receive an autograph during a session, please obtain only one autograph per trip through the line. Attendees may re-enter the line to obtain additional autographs as time allows after everyone has been through the line once. Please follow the directions of Cosplay America staff and volunteers during the autograph sessions. Attendees should present only properly-licensed products, the convention book, or blank paper for autographing.

Sign Policy

No Signs: This includes all message-based signs, picket signs, polling signs, and dry erase boards.

Liability Policy

Cosplay America and its affiliates are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, injury, or any other grievance. Attendees are responsible for their individual actions and any repercussions that may result from them. Civil or medical emergencies will be handled directly by the proper authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions