convention rules

CONVENTION RULES 

CODE OF CONDUCT

All attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at our events are required to agree with the following code of conduct. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

Tyler Comic Con is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of guests or participants in any form.  Members and event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the event (without a refund) at the discretion of the Tyler Comic Con event organizers.

Be kind.

If you need to submit a complaint or need help, in regard to the code of conduct, please find the nearest staff member.

COSPLAY POLICY

All attendees must observe county, city, state, and federal laws at all times.  Tyler Comic Con is a family-friendly event, so we ask that costumes reflect that idea.  Costumes and clothing must legal and appropriate for an all-ages event.  While we respect our attendees’ freedom of expression, we do not consider underwear or similar lack of clothing appropriate.  Nudity and clothing with inappropriate language and/or hate speech and associated images are not allowed.  Walking in bare feet on the show floor is also not allowed due to potential hazards like stepping on sharp objects, but you can pose in bare feet (just check your photo area before you do).  We also ask that any costume that poses a risk to others (protruding wires, spikes, loose swinging chains, etc.) be examined by security for risk assessment.  If the costume is deemed a risk, we ask that you respect the decision and either change clothes or alter the costume.

WEAPONS AND PROPS

Tyler Comic Con does not allow live steel or any real weapons of any kind.  Prop weapons may be made of wood (real Baseball bats are not permitted), plastic, foam, plaster, cardboard, cloth, etc.  Fake/toy guns that appear realistic, such as Airsoft or BB guns, must have a red zip tie and cannot be loaded, but props more based on fantasy may not require the orange tip.  All fake/toy gun props and models cannot be loaded or have any ammunition.  We may request that the prop not have its clip in to ensure this.  Volunteers and security may ask your assistance to prove if the prop has any mechanisms, even if it has already been tagged.  Please cooperate with these requests.

Any live steel weapons that are bought from the Vendor’s Room must be removed from the venue immediately and stored either in a vehicle or hotel room.  If your weapon appears to be too realistic, you may be asked to have it checked at Security.

Explosives and chemicals are strictly prohibited (this includes fireworks, sparklers, etc.) as are hover boards and wheeled footwear.  Prop skateboards are allowed but may only be carried and not ridden.  We ask that attendees do not engage in mock fighting in the venue.  Please do not use a prop weapon to threaten, endanger, or harm another person.  If your weapon violates State or Federal laws outside the venue, it violates them here too.  Please ask a staff member if you are ever unsure about your prop.

We currently do not have a size limitation for props and costumes, but we ask that your creations be mindful of a large crowd, entry ways, and smaller rooms.  Anything that becomes a fire hazard or constant traffic blocker may be asked to be removed.

GUEST AUTOGRAPH POLICY 

• Guests may charge for autographs/selfies/videos. 
• Guests set their own autograph prices and all sales are final. 
• Waiting in line does not guarantee an autograph. 
• Guests may refuse to do an autograph/selfie/video at their personal discretion. 
• In fairness to others waiting in line, limit your interactions with the Guests to a minute or less unless otherwise indicated by the Guest. 
• Do not solicit autographs from Guests outside of designated signing times and location. 
• Do not touch any Guest without their permission. 

Prohibited Items include but are not limited to: 

• Bootleg/Pirated/Unofficial Merchandise 
• Items that contain profanity, gore, mature or inappropriate content 

Allowed Items: 

• Licensed/Official Merchandise 
• Fan-creations, including fanart 
• Merchandise/prints purchased from Guest 

Gift Policy: Guests may accept or refuse gifts at their own discretion. 

Allowed gifts include: Fanart, small handmade crafts. 

Prohibited gifts include: Large items and/or food of any kind. 

Failure to adhere to the autograph policy can result in your badge being revoked.

ALCOHOL POLICY

No alcohol of any kind will be allowed to be brought in the premises during the event.

SMOKING/VAPING/E-CIGS

No smoking is allowed inside any of the buildings, including e-cigarettes and vaping.  Please smoke outside and be considerate of others when you do.

BADGE/WRISTBAND POLICY

You will need an attendee badge or wristband to take part in everything the event has to offer.  Badges/wristbands must be visible at all times, worn on the front of the body and above the knees.  Please do not hang them off purse straps or other accessories.  If you lose your badge or wristband, you can purchase a new one at the registration desk.  Please do not share badges.  Anyone caught sharing a badge or wristband will have it revoked.

LOST AND FOUND

Tyler Comic Con is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property during the course of the convention.  A lost and found box will be kept at the Registration desk during the event for anyone who turns in items or wishes to claim them.  Possessions left unclaimed at the end of the convention will be turned over to Harvey Hall Convention Center for any inquiries afterwards.

SIGN PROPS POLICY

Signs with inappropriate language or solicitations are not allowed.  This does not include “free hugs” style signs.  Signs that promote a business or selling of products and/or behavior without the knowledge and consent of Tyler Comic Con are also forbidden.

ADVERTISING FLIERS POLICY

Please do not post signs/fliers on the walls of the venue.  Fliers may only be handed out if you have a booth at the event.  Soliciting and unapproved distribution of fliers can cause you to lose your badge and be requested to leave.  If you have fliers you would like hung up or placed for distribution, please bring them to the Registration desk for approval and distribution.  Unapproved fliers left around the convention can be thrown away by senior staff without warning.

COMMON COURTESY

Please turn your mobile devices to silent or vibrate when you’re in programming and event rooms.  If you must take or make a call, please step outside into a hall.

By attending Tyler Comic Con, attendees understand that they may be photographed or filmed.  As a courtesy, attendees should ask permission before filming or photographing others.

PICTURES AND FILMING

Events where photography and filming are not allowed will be announced during the event.  Please respect people who do not want to be on camera.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Announced events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation.

Except for ADA-compliant service animals, pets are not allowed in the venues.

Have fun!