General Information: Convention Policies

It is important that all Zenkaikon attendees read and understand the policies below. A copy of these policies will be posted at the convention, and all attendees are expected to follow them.

Keep in mind that anything illegal outside the convention is also illegal inside the convention. All Pennsylvania state laws apply.

Zenkaikon has instituted a three strike rule. Any of these disruptive behaviors may be cause to have a strike against an attendee, at the discretion of a Zenkaikon Staff Member. Strikes will be marked by a hole punched in an attendee's badge. Upon reaching three strikes, an attendee is subject to removal from all convention areas and having his or her badge and membership revoked.

Rowdy and Disruptive Behavior

The staff of Zenkaikon strive to create a safe and family friendly environment for the convention. In order to do this, we need the participation of our members in stopping rowdy or disruptive behavior:

  • We ask that you have your convention badge visible at all times. If you are at any time asked to present your badge by a Zenkaikon Staff Member, a Zenkaikon Volunteer, or a Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Staff Member, please do so.
  • Do not run in the hallways, or other convention spaces.
  • Please do not loiter in the center of the hallways. Sit or stand at the sides of the hallways to cut down on hallway congestion.
  • Do not yell, scream, or use disruptive noisemakers, in the hallways, panel rooms, video rooms, etc. Vuvuzelas and airhorns are not permitted in convention spaces.
  • Please limit the amount of public displays of affection (e.g. French kissing).
  • Do not smoke or consume alcohol inside the convention (defined as our official areas in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center). Smoking may be done outdoors in the designated areas. Excessive intoxication may be grounds for removal from convention spaces.
  • Do not roughhouse, play fight, wrestle, or mosh.
  • Please wait patiently in line. If someone is caught cutting in line, they will be sent to the back of the line. We ask that you please do not block entrances or exits with the line.
  • Absolutely no nudity. Zenkaikon staff reserves the right to ask an attendee to change clothes if their clothing (or lack thereof) is deemed inappropriate for a family friendly event.
  • Shoes or footwear are required at all times. No rollerblades, Heelies (with wheels inserted), or stilts are permitted, due to safety and space concerns.
  • Please limit the use of profanity. Zenkaikon is a family friendly event and attendees are asked to act accordingly.
  • No panhandling or unauthorized selling of goods will be permitted (except for approved dealers and artists).
  • Shoplifting or any other form of theft will not be tolerated. Such actions are grounds for removal from all convention areas, revocation of attendee’s badge and membership, and the alerting of the proper authorities.
  • Do not enter any area that is specifically labeled "Staff Only." This also includes sitting in chairs at doors that are for reserved for Zenkaikon Staff and Gofers to check badges, or sitting at any other clearly labeled Staff-Only post.
  • Do not handle or move any convention property, including technical equipment, stanchions, draping, tables, etc.
  • Please respect other attendees' personal space and belongings, and refrain from unwanted physical contact (e.g. "glomp"-ing/hugging/kissing other attendees without permission).
  • Do not enter into the convention areas before the posted hours of operation. If you arrive early, please wait until the registration desk is open.
  • "Stringing" or "poi" of glow sticks (swinging around glow sticks on strings or lanyards) nor moshing will not be allowed during dances due to space and safety concerns.
  • We also prohibit any other behavior that we may have neglected to mention in this list, involving violation of someone's personal space or doing things that common sense, state, or federal laws dictate you should not do.
  • Some behaviors such as theft, assault, or any other action deemed highly disruptive or illegal maybe grounds for immediate removal from convention spaces and revocation of an attendee's membership and badge, per the decision of Zenkaikon Staff.

Minors at Zenkaikon

  • All members who will be under the age of 18 on the date of the convention will be required to complete and bring a signed Parental Consent Form to present at the registration check-in desk. Copies of these forms will be available at the convention, or may be downloaded from the Zenkaikon website.
  • We recommend that all attendees under the age of 18 attend with a parent or guardian.
  • Anyone under the age of 13 is required to have a parent or guardian with them at all times. Accompanying parents or guardians must also be registered for the convention.
  • We do not charge membership fees for children under the age of 6.

18+ Programming

  • Some Zenkaikon programming will be labeled as 18+ only. Anyone who wishes to attend 18+ programming must be at least 18 years of age, and must obtain an 18+ wristband from the wristband booth prior to the event.
  • Only government-issued ID will be accepted as identification for issuing 18+ wristbands.

Cameras and Photography

With the exception of video screening rooms, most areas of Zenkaikon allow photography, unless otherwise specified. Additionally, there are some photo guidelines we request that attendees follow:

  • Do not harass guests or attendees for photos. It is proper procedure to first ask if you may take a photo. If they decline, please respect their request.
  • Please be considerate when stopping to take photos in the hallway by making the photo op quick and not blocking the main flow of hallway traffic.

Guests Etiquette

  • Autographs are limited to one item per person.
  • Guests will not sign any bootleg or illegal items. Please bring licensed items only.
  • Please have whatever item you want autographed ready to be signed by the time you reach the front of the line. (e.g. Remove CD sleeves/DVD cover from their cases before you get to the guest.)
  • Please try not to take up a lot of the guests' time when you reach the front of the line. To save time, think of what you want to say to the guest as having a 30 second limit, and try writing it down before you get there.

Signs Policy

  • Please do not bring solicitation signs ("Glomps for Free", "Free Hugs", "Glomp Me", etc.). Included are shirts and other clothing with solicitation phrases used in lieu of physical signs.
  • Other types of signs are allowed only if they are an integral part of a costume (such as the sign carried by Genma the Panda in Ranma 1/2, or Pheonix Wright characters).

Weapons and Cosplay Props

Please use common sense when bringing prop weaponry to Zenkaikon. If you would not carry your item in public, in plain sight, then you should not have it at the convention.

  • All prop weapons MUST be easily identified as being replicas.
  • All weapons and props must be inspected and peace-bonded.
  • The maximum prop size is five feet (5') in any direction.
  • Misuse of your prop, by swinging it or endangering others with it, will result in Zenkaikon staff asking you to remove the prop from the convention spaces.
  • Weapons, which include swords, daggers, or paddles, that have been purchased in the Dealer’s room must remain boxed and immediately removed to your car, room, or other private quarters. Zenkaikon does not store attendee items.

Types of Weapons and Props Allowed

  • Wooden swords including boken, bo sticks, and shinai.
  • Anything made of paper mache or other material that is not dangerous to others (e.g. has no sharp edges, or parts sticking out that might trip people as they walk by).
  • Any metal chains less than three feet (3'). This includes, but is not limited to, chain wallets or chains on non-costume clothing. While you can have chains, you can NOT hold the chain like a leash and lead others around the convention.
  • Masks covering an attendee's face should be easily removable upon request by Expo Center or Zenkaikon staff.

Types of Weapons or Props NOT Allowed

  • Any weapon that can shoot a projectile, or could in the past, will not be permitted. Prohibited examples include, but are not limited to:
    • Airsoft guns - Even if it has been disabled or modified
    • Water guns/pistols/rifles/blasters
    • BB/Pellet guns
    • Crossbows, bows, dart guns, or blow guns
  • Props, resin casts, and toys simulating the appearance of such items will be allowed only if they:
    • Are easily identifiable as toys or props
    • Have no moving parts
    • Are marked with a non-removable orange tip
  • No live steel; Live steel is defined as any object made of metal that is capable of taking an edge, whether or not the object is actually sharp, and whether or not the object is sheathed.
  • No nunchaku.
  • No explosives or chemicals of any kind.
  • No handcuffs.
  • No paddles.

In all cases, the final decision on what constitutes an inappropriate prop belongs to the Zenkaikon Staff, along with the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Staff. If your prop is deemed inappropriate or dangerous to others, you will be asked to remove it to your car, room, or other private quarters.