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Intent & Policies

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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 is PG-13; however, parental guidance is ALWAYS recommended.

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 staff 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 elsewhere; 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 both the convention center and the hotel you are staying in, and that there are other guests utilizing the same facilities - some of whom may not be 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.

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 fee for replacing a lost badge/wristband.

TYPES OF CONVENTION STAFF:

• STAFF: These are department heads and the people directly underneath them. Staff has the final authority on any decision regarding your behavior or any other policy.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• SPECIAL GUESTS: People wearing a Special Guest badge are just that - guests of the convention. Notables in the Japanese animation or video game 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 people you are most likely to encounter throughout the weekend, these are the people who are working in exchange for free registration and attendance to METROCON functions (when they're not on the clock, of course). These are door guards and other stationed positions throughout the convention who have received direct instruction from the staff.

• CAST: There are several shows and performances at the convention, and many of the performers are wearing official cast badges. These are some of the most knowledgeable people at the convention - feel free to ask them for help or assistance if you can not find a staff member or volunteer. Cast members may, on occasion, be acting as staff members or volunteers, so respect them as such.
  
  
• PRESS: METROCON will have in attendance various members of the press. Many work for large TV networks or local newspapers, and others work for podcasts or anime magazines - if you can comply with their requests, try to do so in a polite manner. They're just trying to do their job.

APPEAL PROCESS:
Our staff has been selected based on the knowledge they possess of their departments, and our trust in their judgment. If a STAFF member requests something of you, please comply. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, you may request to speak to their superior, however this is not always possible due to time constraints throughout the weekend, and will most likely result in the same answer you were originally given, in addition to time wasted that you could have spent enjoying the convention.

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 center and 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.

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 removal from the convention.  There is no drinking in public/function spaces. It is likely that hotel security will be conducting spot checks to ensure compliance in the hotel rooms. If you drink, please drink responsibly. Public drunkenness will result in your being asked to leave the convention and not return. If you drink, don't drive! Please have a designated driver. The TampaConvention Center staff will be happy to call you a cab if you need one.

FLYERS:
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, at the discretion of the Head of Registration.

FOOD:
There is no food from outside sources allowed in the TampaConvention Center. Only food purchased in the convention center is allowed on property.

SPECIAL GUESTS:
The special 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. Mob scenes and other unruly behavior, will result in your removal from the convention. 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 an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act which creates a well-founded fear in such other person that such violence is imminent; in the state of Florida assault is a 2nd Degree 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 staff, security staff, or Tampa Police Department. Offenders will be required to leave the convention, and may be liable for criminal charges as well.  We recommend that all harassment be reported 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. 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 the Tampa Convention Center Information Desk, near the Franklin St. entrance. Questions regarding lost or misplaced items will be addressed by Registration during registration hours. See our program book for more information on Stuff Check, located at our Merchandise Booth just outside of Main Events, to avoid losing your personal belongings in the first place.

MERCHANDISE:
Be sure to keep your receipts with your purchases at all times. 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. Shoplifting will not be tolerated, and will be handed over to the proper authority.

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. Keep it clean and keep it legal.