AVGC understands the importance of creating a safe space for everyone who attends. AVGC is committed to providing everyone with the best convention experience possible. We want you to not only have the best day ever but to experience AVGC in an environment where you feel safe and accepted.

Please read the following policies before attending AVGC. Failure to follow these policies may result in your removal from the convention without refund.

 

Anti-Harassment Policy

AVGC wants everyone to enjoy the convention and our goal is to provide you with the best experience possible. AVGC has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind, including but not limited to:

  • Stalking
  • Intimidation
  • Offensive verbal comments
  • Physical assault and/or battery
  • Harassing or non-consensual photography or recording
  • Sustained disruption of panels, signings and other events
  • Bathroom policing
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome physical attention

AVGC has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment in relation to, but not limited to:

  • Race
  • Color
  • National origin
  • Gender
  • Gender identity
  • Gender presentation
  • Sexual orientation
  • Age
  • Body size
  • Disability
  • Appearance
  • Religion
  • Citizenship
  • Pregnancy

If a person engages in harassing behavior, AVGC Staff will take prompt disciplinary action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from AVGC with no refund. Our policy applies to EVERYONE at the convention including Exhibitors, Fans (Attendees), Speakers, Guests, Professionals, Press, Staff, Volunteers, and Security. EVERYONE is subject to our anti-harassment policy and will be held to the same standards.

Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness the same happening to someone else, you should immediately contact AVGC Staff, Security Team or a Crew Member. You may also come to our Information Desk at the front entrance to report an incident.

If necessary, we will contact local law enforcement, provide escort, offer a safe place or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to make sure they feel safe for the rest of AVGC.

Remember: COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT. Keep your hands to yourself. If you would like to take a picture with or of another AVGC Fan, always ask first and respect that person’s right to say no. When at AVGC, be respectful, be nice, be cool and be kind to each other.

Costuming and Props Guidelines and Rules

AVGC considers cosplay a central part of our event. We encourage any persons who wish to cosplay to do so. However, in accordance with local, state, and federal safety regulations and laws, and to maintain a level of family-friendliness there are some restrictions in what can be worn. Please be mindful and respectful of other people. AVGC encourages cosplayers of all body types, and thus takes a strict no-tolerance stance against body shamming. Any minor infractions of the rules will result in being asked to change. Any major or repeat infractions will lead to expulsion from the convention without a refund.

Costume Rules
  •  The bottoms of your feet must be covered at all time. Invisible shoes are acceptable: How to Make Invisible Shoes.
  • Nobody areas illegal to expose in public may be exposed at the convention. Women’s cosplay must have at minimum the same coverage as a bikini, and men’s cosplay must have the same coverage as at minimum a brief style swimsuit. A dance belt is required if a costume is “tight fitting”.  Costumes must obstruct the underlying features, however, skin colored coverage is allowed.
  • Costumes may not have sharp edges or corners; spikes or other protrusions must be made out of a soft material that will not hurt other attendees or damage property.
  •  All costumes must fit through a standard doorway. If costumes impede the flow of traffic you also may be asked to remove your costume or go change. Exceptions to this rule will be granted for the cosplay contest or masquerade.
  • There may be no realistic depictions of the current American military, law enforcement, or other official government uniforms. Cosplays also cannot resemble a modern first responder or EMT’s uniform. No article of clothing can be labeled with words that may confuse attendees as to your official position with the convention. i.e. Unless you are actively working for the con you cannot wear a shirt that says “staff,” “volunteer,” etc.
Prop Rules:

Props brought into the convention and surrounding spaces are the responsibility of the owner. The owner assumes all risk to the prop including damage, loss, or theft. The owner also assumes all liability for oneself or others. AVGC reserves the right to not permit any weapon for any reason into the convention. Neither AVGC, nor any of its owners shall be liable for any injury, harm, damage, or other liability associated with any person’s use of any weapon (permitted or banned), any prop, or costume during the course of the convention weekend.  All props are subject to inspection by staff at any time.

  • No live steel/metal – Any metal objects sharpened to a point or blade are not allowed; dull wood or plastic swords may be used as props, but may not be swung, brandished, or involved in other sorts of motion.
  •  No compound bows are allowed. Professional recurve bows and straight bows are also not allowed. Arrows may not contain any metal and may not come to a point. Loading even a toy bow is not permitted and is grounds for expulsion.
  •  No real guns or other firearms are allowed on or in the surrounding areas. Realistic looking guns may only be allowed if they have a very bright, obvious orange tip with no opening in the barrel. All firearms must be non-projectile, not being able to fire anything. Any firearm that might be mistaken by the public as real, are not allowed. Toy or fantasy guns that are obviously fake are allowed.
  • Be mindful of your oversized props. If large or oversized props become a problem in hallways or crowds, AVGC reserves the right to prohibit any items or ask you to return them to your hotel room or car at any time. Please be mindful of oversized props in narrow hallways. You will be responsible for the damage caused to the location due to your props.
  •  Using props in a way that violates the rules, or in any way that is deemed unsafe by the staff could result in expulsion from the con without refund.

 

Weapons Policy

If you’re bringing, buying or selling something that could maim, damage or cause serious bodily harm, we’re going to take issue. The following items are forbidden at AVGC:

  • Functional firearms (including air soft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns, and pellet guns)
  • Realistic replica firearms (including reproduction, fake or toy guns that can be confused for functional firearms)
  • Functional projectile weapons (including blow guns, crossbows, long bows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons and water guns)
  • Sharpened metal-bladed weapons (including axes, daggers, hatches, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords, sword canes and switch blades)
  • Explosives (including firecrackers and fireworks)
  • Chemical weapons (including mace and pepper spray)
  • Blunt weapons (including brass knuckles, clubs and nunchaku)
  • Hard prop weapons (including props made of metal, fiberglass, and glass)
  • Instruments that cause excessive noise levels like vuvuzelas, grenade whistles, and grenade horns
  • Whips
  • Aerosol mustard

Prop weapons will be allowed providing they are composed of foam or cardboard only. Prop firearms are allowed only if they cannot be mistaken for real weapons. The barrel of all prop firearms must be covered with brightly-colored caps. Prop bows will be allowed providing all arrows have soft tips.

 

18+ Events Policy

All 18+ Events will require proof of age with photo ID. The list of valid ID’s include:

  • State Driver’s License
  • State Identification Card
  • Passport
  • Military ID

All Attendees wishing to participate in 18+ events MUST be over the age of 18. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS MADE.  If you are over the age of 18, you may NOT escort another person under the age of 18 into the room. Please do not leave children unaccompanied to attend an 18+ event.

 

AVGC reserve the right to modify and/or update these policies at any time.