FURPOCALYPSE CODE OF CONDUCT
The staff here at Furpocalypse would like everyone to feel at home and enjoy themselves at the convention. However we have a few rules that help ensure a fun time for everyone! Any persons who violate this Code of Conduct and/or become a liability to the convention or its attendees will be removed from the convention by con staff, hotel personnel, or the authorities and/or permanently banned from future events.
If you have any information about individuals in violation of the code of conduct, or have been harassed, we urge you to report the situation immediately to any staffer, con security personnel, or by calling the Furpocalypse 24hr Security Hotline at 860-698-3871. For other concerns or issues, we can be reached through the Furpocalypse website or [email protected]. Please do not bring issues or complaints to the hotel staff unless it specifically pertains to hotel issues (i.e. billing, room services, etc).
Furpocalypse staff, security, and hotel staff are permitted to enforce this code of conduct and the hotel regulations at all times during the convention and during your stay in the hotel. Enforcement by convention and hotel personnel includes, but is not limited to: asking you to stop certain behavior(s), revoking your badge/registration, entering your hotel room to investigate any suspected code of conduct violation, permanently banning you from convention attendance, and removing you from the convention or hotel property. If deemed necessary, local law enforcement will be contacted. All attendees are asked to respect other con-goers, hotel guests, security personnel, con staff, hotel staff, volunteers and the convention/hotel property at all times.
1. FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION NEEDED TO REGISTER
All attendees are required to produce one of the following forms of valid (non-expired) government or state-issued ID to complete registration.
- Passport
- Drivers License
- State-Issued Photo ID
- Government or Military ID
All minors attending Furpocalypse will also require a notarized parental consent form. Minors without ID 17 or under may provide a birth certificate or other government issued, identifying document. If the minor is accompanied at the convention by a parent or guardian, they do not need to have the form notarized; however, the parent or guardian must accompany them at the time of registration/badge pick-up to verify identification. See the section “MINORS & PARENTAL CONSENT” for more information. Legal guardianship will be verified by con staff of the guardians and minor identity. Any attempt to circumvent these rules will result in removal, banishment and/or contacting local authorities to intervene. Registration fees will be forfeited for those found to be circumventing these rules.
2. BADGES & CONVENTION ACCESS
All persons entering the convention space must be registered with the convention and clearly displaying their own badge; badges may not be shared or loaned out. Anyone without a convention badge or proof of hotel registration will not be permitted on hotel property and will be asked to purchase a registration or removed from the property. Failure to comply will result in removal by the convention, hotel, or local authorities.
3. ALCOHOL, DRUGS, & PUBLIC INTOXICATION
During the convention, drugs and alcohol are not permitted in any convention designated space. The sale or distribution of drugs, distribution of alcohol, or contributing to the delinquency or exploitation of minors will be reported to the local authorities. Drinking should be limited to private rooms or bar areas only, and in moderation. Public intoxication, drinking in non-designated public space, or otherwise acting in an inappropriate intoxicated manner will result in ejection from the con space, and/or permanent banishment.
4. WEAPONS, Props & peace-bonding
Weapons and firearms are not allowed on the hotel property or in any con areas at all times unless being carried by a duly appointed and on duty law enforcement agent, contracted security officer or authorized personnel. Prop, toy or other types of weapons or facsimiles must be inspected by con security and peace-bonded before being allowed into con areas. No live steel will be accepted, even with an inspection tag. All prop or weapon facsimiles are to be inspected by con security and approval of said items will be handled at the discretion of the director of security. Super realistic prop weapons even with blaze orange tips may be disallowed at the discretion of the security director. Persons found with non peace-bonded props will be escorted to security for prop evaluation and peace-bonding. All persons refusing to have props peace-bonded may be asked to place the prop back in their room or asked to leave the convention.
5. PUBLIC BEHAVIOR
While in convention and hotel space (i.e. anywhere not your room) please remember you are representing Furpocalypse and the community. Always act in a respectful manner towards other attendees, con staff, hotel employees, and everyone you meet. Any displays of overly sexual behavior or affection, vulgar language, profanity, use of hate speech or inferred insignias, being a self-declared member of a hate organization, shouting, horseplay, unsolicited contact, stalking, or unsavory behavior may result in disciplinary actions up to but not limited to barring from the con space or banishment from current and future events. “Unsavory behavior” will be defined by management on a case by case basis.
6. PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Please limit public interactions to a PG-rating at all times. All complaints of public displays of affection are to be assessed and handled by management. Violations of this could result in but are not limited to asking you to return to your hotel room or being asked to leave the event.
7. INTERACTING WITH HOTEL GUESTS & STAFF
Please be polite and respectful of others while at the convention. Any attendee who shows rude, disrespectful, or offensive behavior to other guests or staff may have their badges confiscated and be removed from the convention.
8. DRESS CODE
There will be no nudity or explicit outfits allowed in public areas of the convention or hotel. Fursuits are not permitted in or near pool areas. Footwear is required in all areas. Any questions or concerns regarding outfits and attire should be directed to con ops and security. Management has final say on what is defined as “explicit” outfits.
9. LOITERING
Please refrain from congregating in large groups in non-designated areas of the hotel, elevators, or parking lot. Additionally, please be aware that the doorways, lobbies, and exterior entrance ways must allow for the free flow of traffic. If these areas become congested you will be expected to move to another location at the request of Furpocalypse staff, security volunteers, or hotel staff.
10. NOISE
Please refrain from yelling, screaming, and shouting in any area of the convention and hotel, including your guest room. Portable speakers or noise-making objects are prohibited in hotel and convention spaces. Noise curfews for rooms go into effect at 10pm for general attendee floors and 12am for the late night block. Please respect other guests by limiting noise after these hours. Con or hotel staff will enforce noise ordinances and enforcement may result in disciplinary action and/or revocation of hotel room privileges and removal from the event without refund of room or registration.
11. ROOM PARTIES
Personal room parties are not sponsored or endorsed by Furpocalypse. Any room parties must adhere to hotel regulations and the Furpocalypse code of conduct. Noise or music must be contained within your room. No loitering in the hallways or room overcrowding. Doors should remain closed at all times. PG-rated flyers advertising parties may only be posted on the con bulletin board; flyers (see SIGNS, FLYERS, & DECORATIONS for more definition) must note that party attendees are limited to the ages of 18+ or 21+ if alcohol will be served. If you are hosting a party, you will be responsible for verifying the age of all participants. Any room party or persons found to be contributing to the delinquency or exploitation of minors will be reported to the local authorities.
12. HOTEL ROOM TREATMENT & RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Hotel rooms must be returned in the condition they were received. Any attendee who damages hotel property, or leaves an unreasonable mess, will be charged for damages by the hotel and banned from future events. The person who registered the room is responsible for all charges brought forth by the hotel. Furpocalypse is not responsible for any damage incurred to private hotel rooms or its structure or damage or defacement to convention/hotel space by an attendee.
13. SLEEPING ROOM CLEANLINESS: ODORS & TRASH
All trash and smells should be kept within the confines of your rooms. Please bag all large messes or odorous materials yourself. Do not leave them for hotel staff. Hotel staff and/or con security will intervene if these rules are not being adhered to. Trash bags may be available upon request at con ops.
14. HOTEL & PUBLIC AREA CLEANLINESS
Please don’t litter or leave large amounts of trash in any areas of the hotel or con space. Always clean up after yourself and properly dispose of all trash both inside and outside the venue space. Trash bags may be available upon request at con ops. Persons found littering or dumping trash or hazardous materials in non designated areas or receptacles will be subject to removal from the event and up to banishment.
15. SMOKING & VAPING
Smoking and vaping is permitted in designated areas ONLY. We ask that this is respected out of appreciation for the hotel providing a space for us. Please properly dispose of all related waste in receptacles. All local laws must be followed regarding the use of tobacco or cannabis products and are limited to persons 21 and older.
16. ELEVATOR PROTOCOL
Elevator groups are limited to six (6) individuals. Please do not disrupt the operation of the elevators. Always allow suiters, persons with mobility issues, other guests, and the elderly priority access to the elevators. Convention staff may intervene to assist with elevator overcrowding or line control.
17. SIGNS, FLYERS, & DECORATIONS
Any signs or flyers may only be displayed on the con bulletin board or temporarily on the doors of rooms where an event is being held using masking or blue painters tape. All postings must be rated PG and annotate if room parties are 18+ or 21+. Do not damage or deface hotel property when posting signs or flyers. Any damage incurred in the removal of signs will result in charges to the responsible host’s room.
18. STICKERS & LABELS
Any persons or parties found to be affixing stickers or labels to the hotel, con or surrounding properties or equipment will be responsible for all costs associated with removal. Parties found to be violating this rule will be charged the removal fee and face possible removal from the event and up to permanent banning from future events. Stickers should only be affixed to designated areas such as the note board located on the second floor.
19. MINORS & PARENTAL CONSENT
Minors (anyone under the age of 18 as of the first day of the convention) attending the con without a parent or guardian are required to have a notarized copy of our Parental Consent form located on our website when they register at the convention. If the minor is accompanied at the convention by a parent or guardian, they do not need to have the form notarized; however, the parent or guardian must accompany them at the time of registration/badge pick-up to verify identification. Minors aged 15 or under need to have a parent or guardian present in the hotel for the duration of the convention. Children 13 and under must be accompanied at all times by their parents or legal guardian. Minors or guardians in violation of this policy will be asked to leave or turned over to local authorities.
20. VIDEO/AUDIO, PHOTOGRAPHY, & MEDIA RELATIONS
a. Recording Policy
Video and audio recordings of Furpocalypse are allowed for personal use only. Furpocalypse, Inc. retains all rights to any audio or video recordings of convention events.
b. Photography & Recording of Individuals
Attendees may not photograph or record video or audio footage of any individual without their consent. Photographic images of the convention may be used by the creators for personal use or on their respective websites, web pages, and blogs, provided that prior consent has been obtained from the subjects featured in the images.
c. Use of Attendee Images & Voice
All attendees grant Furpocalypse the rights to use their image and voice, as captured by official Furpocalypse photographers and videographers, for promotional and historical purposes, including but not limited to the convention’s YouTube channel, or marketing materials without any compensation. Attendees who voluntarily submit photos and/or video or audio footage to Furpocalypse give consent for the convention to use their works for promotional and historical purposes without credit or compensation of the creator. Photos or video/audio footage of items in Furpocalypse’s Charity Raffle/Auction or any items for sale in the Dealers Room are strictly prohibited.
Individuals who violate these terms or falsely claim to represent official Furpocalypse staff will have all video/image devices confiscated and may be escorted from the premises, subject to further legal or criminal action.
d. Media Coverage
Members of the media must obtain consent from Furpocalypse, Inc. management before seeking out, interviewing, photographing, or filming hotel, convention guests, attendees, or staff for publicly available recordings or accounts. Press passes may be issued to members of the media at the con ops / security desk upon request and at the discretion of management.
21. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL BELONGINGS
Neither Furpocalypse nor the hotel shall assume liability for any lost or damaged items occurring in the public or private areas of the hotel, including the hotel’s parking lot or any other parking area used during attendance at Furpocalypse. All attendees or vendors are solely responsible for their own possessions. In the event that another attendee, staffer or vendor causes damage to your belongings, it is your responsibility to seek compensation directly from the individual involved. To safeguard valuable items, especially fursuits, computers, or other valuables kept in your sleeping room, we strongly recommend displaying the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the exterior of your door at all times. Furpocalypse cannot be held responsible for any damage or theft that may occur to fursuits or personal and professional items left unattended in the hotel’s public or private areas, including but not limited to the main events space, headless lounge, restaurant, bar, con ops, Dealers Den / Artist Alley or lobby area. Furpocalypse is not liable for any damages or loss to personal or professional items caused by attendees, staff or unknown parties. If an attendee, vendor or staff causes damage to hotel property, they will be held personally accountable for their actions and responsible for any resulting financial obligations.
22. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: PERSONAL INJURY
By attending the Furpocalypse convention and staying at the hotel, you acknowledge and accept that there are inherent risks involved. Neither Furpocalypse nor the hotel can guarantee your safety, and you voluntarily assume all risks associated with your attendance. Furpocalypse and the hotel shall not be held responsible for any personal injury that occurs before, during, or after the convention. While precautions are taken by the convention and hotel staff to ensure the safety of attendees, accidents, mishaps or unexpected events may still happen. In the event of an injury requiring medical attention, Furpocalypse and the hotel will assist you in contacting medical professionals. However, it is important to note that the hotel nor Fuprocalypse cannot provide on-site medical care for attendees, but any care rendered by hotel or convention staff will fall under Connecticut’s Good Samaritan Law. (OLR: 2024-R-0009)
23. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: EQUIPMENT DONATIONS
Any items loaned to Furpocalypse for use during the convention are loaned at the owner’s risk. If you are loaning equipment to the convention, please mark it with a printed label or write your contact information on masking tape attached to the item and any accessories so they may be returned to you. Be prepared to have your badge or other identification checked by the event’s staff before you are allowed to remove equipment from the room. Furpocalypse is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items donated to the convention for its use.
24. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: THIRD-PARTY ACTIONS
Furpocalypse shall not be held liable for the actions or conduct of third parties, including other attendees, hotel staff, or external service providers. Attendees participate in the Convention at their own risk and agree to hold Furpocalypse harmless for any damages or losses resulting from interactions with third parties.
25. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: FORCE MAJEURE
Furpocalypse shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under this Agreement if such failure or delay is due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, terrorism, or government regulations.
26. LOST & FOUND
Any items found at the convention may be turned over to Con Ops or Security. Furpocalypse will hold any items turned in until they are claimed by their owner. Any items remaining unclaimed after two (2) months from the end of the event date will become Furpocalypse property and will be disposed of or donated.
27. SELLING MERCHANDISE & SERVICES
Merchandise or services may only be sold at the convention in the Dealers Room, Artist Alley, Con Store, Registration Room or other designated area by the guidelines governing those areas. Local regulations state that it is illegal to sell merchandise or services outside of the convention’s designated areas.
28. RIGHT TO REFUSE, BANS & NON-DISCRIMINATORY STANCE
Furpocalypse is a private event that welcomes attendees to join in the festivities. While we strive to create a welcoming environment for all, we reserve the right to refuse or revoke admission to any individual for any reason. However, we believe in transparency and would like to provide further clarification regarding this policy.
Revoking admission and bans: In certain cases, we may find it necessary to revoke an individual’s admission to Furpocalypse. Removals from the event could constitute a ban with a predetermined end date or indefinite ban depending on the situation. This may occur if an attendee engages in disruptive behavior, violates the attendee code of conduct, poses a threat to the safety of other participants or is self-declared member of hate groups as defined by the Board of Directors based off the guidance of the definition used by the Anti-Defamation League. Such decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Information from law enforcement or court sources will be required when factoring into bans for incidents that occur outside of the Furpocalypse annual event.
Refunds will not be issued to individuals who are asked to leave, who are removed or who are banned from the event.
Non-discriminatory stance: Furpocalypse is committed to maintaining a non-discriminatory environment. Our refusal or revocation of admission will not be based on factors such as but not limited to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information or learning disability. We value diversity and inclusion, and any decision regarding admission or banishment will be made solely on grounds unrelated to protected characteristics.
We believe that by exercising our right to refuse or revoke admission when necessary, we can uphold the integrity and safety of Furpocalypse for all attendees. Any ban appeals must be made in writing to [email protected].
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in adhering to these policies and code of conduct as we work together to create a fun and enjoyable event for all.