General Policies FAQ

FAQs >  General Policies FAQ

Here you will find the rules of conduct people must abide by at METROCON.

METROCON's Intent and Policies
The primary purpose of METROCON is to provide a fun experience for as wide a range of attendees as possible. Hence, the rating of the convention in general is G through PG-13; however, parental guidance is ALWAYS recommended. We do not really recommend METROCON for very young children. Our average demographic is 16 - 19 years of age with fall over on either side of that.

General Conduct
It shouldn't need to be said, but please use common sense when in public areas. A good general rule is: if you have to ask or think twice about whether or not you should do it in public, DON'T. Convention security has the final authority on what is and is not acceptable in public areas, and may ask you to stop an activity, or take it to a private room; compliance with these requests is mandatory. Repeat offenders may be required to hand over their badges and leave convention areas. Remember that you are a guest of the convention center, and that there are other guests utilizing the same facilities - some of whom are not in any way affiliated with the convention. Be courteous and do not disturb other guests with noise or activities inappropriate to the time and place. If the convention center staff request you to quiet down or stop a certain behavior, do so; if you do not, your badge will be confiscated. We're all here to have a good time, so please act responsibly.

Types of Convention Staff
During your stay at METROCON, you will doubtless encounter a number of people wearing badges. All are volunteers in one way or another, giving freely of their time in order to ensure a quality experience. Among the 'official' ranks, you will find the following:
STAFF: These are the true 'employees' of the convention, the section leaders and their deputies. They're the one with clipboards or PDAs and a constant appearance of fatigue. They run the place; listen to them.
SECURITY: If someone from Security tells you something, it's for a very good reason. Please listen to them. They are here for your safety and the well-being of the entire convention.
GUESTS: People wearing a Guest badge are just that - guests of the convention. Notables in the Japanese animation industry in some form or fashion, they're one of the main reasons most people come to conventions. Treat them with politeness and respect.
VOLUNTEERS: By far the most numerous of the staff-level badges, these are people who are working in exchange for free registration and attendance to METROCON functions (when they're not on the clock, of course). Volunteers must work a minimum of 10 hours over the course of the weekend to receive a reimbursement. If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.
PRESS: METROCON will have in attendance various members of the press. Some work for anime magazines, others for online publications... and if we're lucky, we'll get TV coverage as well. These people, too, are working while at METROCON, and should be left alone for the most part.

Appeal Process
Our staff has been selected on the basis of their good judgment and reliability. In general, if a staff member (as opposed to a volunteer) requests you refrain from a given activity, there is a logical and valid reason for that request. If you feel that you are being treated unfairly, you may appeal to a member of the core Convention staff, but their decision is final. Please note that misuse or abuse of the appeal process can result in revocation of your convention badge.

Animals
METROCON gladly complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As such, trained animal assistants ("working animals") are allowed in the public/function areas of the convention in the hotel. If you've never encountered a working animal before, please keep in mind that their owners have them to assist them in everyday life; they are not to be played with, called out to, or otherwise disturbed, as their primary function is to serve as guides. No other animals are permitted in the convention center at any time.

Badges/Wristbands
METROCON convention badges/wristbands must be worn at all times. If you have no badge/wristband, you will not be granted admittance to the convention. If you lose your badge/wristband or find one, please notify Registration immediately. There is a small fee for replacing a lost badge/wristband.

Costumes
This convention is a family-friendly event, and there will be people of all ages present throughout the convention. Please keep this in mind when designing and choosing your costumes, and allow your common sense and good taste to prevail. Certain items, such as whips and collars with leashes, pose a hazard to others in the public areas and for this reason are not allowed. Shoes are required in the public areas at all times.

Please note: METROCON reserves the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and request the wearer make modifications as necessary.

Signs/Banners
You are not allowed to carry signs at METROCON unless it is specifically part of a costume that is well known to have a sign associated with it (example: Genma from Ranma 1/2). Any signs that are obviously not part of a costume or have solicitation of any kind (almost any sign you will see at a convention) will be taken from you without question. If you try to say a sign is part of your costume when it is OBVIOUSLY not AND you argue about it, you MAY very well find yourself ejected.

To be blunt, any signs that say, "Will do (Yaoi/Yuri/Glomp) for (Money/Other Goods)", will be taken from you, destroyed, and MAY result in your possible ejection! Any signs that have hateful, lewd, or lascivious (that's sexual references to those who don't understand) writing on them will again, be taken from you, destroyed and you WILL be ejected from the convention.  If you do this with a whiteboard and think we won't take it, you are incorrect. We could always use new whiteboards. We like them.

Drinking
Federal and state laws prohibit serving alcohol to people under the age of 21. Underage drinking will not be tolerated and will result in your convention access being restricted.  There is no drinking in public/function spaces, except in your hotel's restaurant and lounge. All parties serving alcohol must check ID; it is likely that hotel security will be conducting spot checks to ensure compliance. If you drink, please drink responsibly. Public drunkenness will result in your being asked to leave to sleep it off or expulsion from the convention. If you drink, don't drive! Please have a designated driver. The convention center staff will be happy to call you a cab if you need one.

Flyers
METROCON will have a message board available for people to post information about room parties or meetings. Please do not post any flyers to the doors & walls of the convention center. They will be removed immediately if they are put up. Also, make sure your flyers stay within a PG-13 rating. If you wish to hand out flyers for your anime club, or other event, there will be a fan table available to place your flyers on.

Food
There is no food from outside sources allowed in the Tampa Convention Center. Only food purchased in the convention center is allowed on property.

Guests
The guests have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us, and attendees should in turn be considerate of their time while at the convention. All our guests love to mingle and chat, but how much they'll be able to do this depends on you. Attendees will be able to gather autographs of the guests during specified times such as during the Guest Reception, Guest Panels, Viewing Rooms, and in the halls. Mob scenes and other unruly behavior, will result in your participation in the festivities being revoked (a.k.a. your badge will be "pulled") and the guests will be sequestered for their safety. We want their stay at METROCON to be a positive one, so that they will come back in the future and spread the gospel of METROCON to others in the industry.

Harassment and Assault
Harassment is generally any behavior that intentionally annoys or alarms another person. This includes any unwanted physical contact, following someone around a public area without a legitimate reason, or otherwise infringing on their personal liberties. Assault is legally defined as threatening to physically attack someone, and in the state of Florida is a Class B misdemeanor. Neither activity will be tolerated at METROCON. Please remember that if you approach someone and they tell you 'no' or to leave them alone, your business with them is done. If you do not leave them alone as they have requested, your actions may be grounds for a complaint of harassment. If you feel that you are being harassed, or you have been assaulted, please report the matter immediately to convention security. Repeat offenders may be required to hand over their badges and leave convention areas, and may be liable for criminal charges as well.  We recommend that all harassment be reported to METROCON security immediately.

Hotel Room Stuffing
Room stuffing is not allowed. The limit to standard hotel rooms is 4, except by the hotel's permission, i.e. an infant. If you have an RV and would like to park it on hotel property, the hotel will most likely charge you a night's stay for each night you are there if you do not rent a room. Please call them for confirmation that this is possilbe.  Do not sleep in the convention areas, halls, stairways, and other public spaces. Security will be performing random sweeps and will remove anyone caught abusing convention facilities in this manner.

Liability
METROCON, its staff and its affiliates are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury occurring during the convention. Attendees are wholly responsible for their individual actions and any repercussions that may result. Staff is on hand for assistance in any situation, and will be glad to help in any way they can. Civil or medical emergencies will be handled by the appropriate agencies. Any lost parcels or unattended packages will be taken to our Lost & Found department; questions regarding lost or misplaced items will be addressed by Registration. See our program book for more information on bag check areas, security staff posts, and emergency numbers and information.

Merchandise
All merchandise must be paid for, obviously. Be sure to keep your receipts with your purchases at all times. Security will be checking packages as they leave the dealer's room to verify the receipts match the contents. We know things can get crowded and busy (especially in the dealers room), but please wait your turn and pay for the things that you buy.

Public Exposure
Florida State law says that a violation of public decency laws has occurred when the genitals, buttocks, or breasts are exposed to public view for any reason. In keeping with this, we require that all attendees wear at least a non-thong swimsuit while in public. This includes the balcony areas of those rooms having balconies. "Flashing", or otherwise showing what shouldn't be shown, is grounds for immediate expulsion from the convention. Convention security may, at their sole discretion, ask you to change your attire if you are not complying with this policy. Repeat offenders may be required to hand over their badges and leave convention areas. While in the convention areas, please be reasonable and discreet in your dress and behavior.

Smoking
In accordance with the Florida Indoor Clean Air Act, there is no smoking in public/function areas. Please do not smoke in nonsmoking rooms. There are smoking areas available; please consult a convention staff member or your hotel's staff for directions.

Room Parties
If you are hosting a room party, you -- the person renting the room -- are responsible for the legality and well being of your partygoers, as well as any damage or clean-up costs associated with it. Remember, hotel personnel are allowed to spot check your party and have the authority to shut it down if it is too unruly or disruptive. Keep it clean and keep it legal.

Weapons
For a more complete listing of what is and is not allowed, please see our Weapons Policy page. Basically, only prop weapons are permitted in convention areas, and must be registered with Security for the safety of all convention guests. If a live weapon is drawn in a public/function space, your badge WILL be revoked. We will call the police if necessary. Keep in mind, police assume all drawn weapons are functional and will be used. If you are unsure that your weapon is acceptable in public/function spaces, please ask convention security or convention operations.