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.

Rowdy and Disruptive Behavior

The staff of Zenkaikon strives 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 with you at all times. If you are at any time asked to present your badge by a Zenkaikon Staff Member, a Zenkaikon Gofer, a Scanticon Hotel Staff Member, or a VFCC Staff Member, please do so.
  • Do not run in the hallways.
  • Do not loiter in the center of the hallways. Please sit or stand at the sides of the hallways to cut down on hallway congestion.
  • Do not yell or scream in the hallways, panel rooms, video rooms, etc.
  • 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 Scanticon and VFCC). Smoking may be done outdoors in the designated areas.
  • Do not roughhouse, play fight, or wrestle.
  • 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.
  • Please limit the profanity. Zenkaikon is a family friendly event and attendees are asked to act accordingly.
  • Do not panhandle or sell goods (except for the dealers and artists).
  • Shoplifting or any other form of theft will not be tolerated. Such actions are grounds for removal from all convention areas, cancellation of attendee's badge and membership, and 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.
  • Please respect other attendees' personal space and belongings, and refrain from unwanted physical contact (e.g. "glomp"-ing/hugging 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. If you have pre-registered and are eligible for Thursday evening badge pickup, please be aware that you must leave the convention area until normal convention hours.
  • "Stringing" or "poi" of glow sticks (swinging around glow sticks on string or lanyards) or moshing will not be allowed during the Rave 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.

Children at Zenkaikon

  • We recommend that all children 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.
  • We do not charge membership fees for children under the age of 6.

Cameras and Photography

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.
  • Do not harass minors or small children for photos or attention.
  • Please be considerate when stopping to take photos in the hallway by making the photo stop short and not blocking the main flow of hallway traffic.

Guests Etiquette

  • Autographs are limited to two items 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.
  • Do not 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", etc.).
  • 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).

Weapons and Cosplay Props

Please use common sense when bringing prop weaponry to Zenkaikon. If you would not carry your item on public transportation 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 large props that are over three feet (3') in any direction 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 Center.
  • 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.

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. We will make an exception only for posing for photos and cosplay skits.
  • Masks covering an attendee's face should be easily removeable upon request by hotel or Zenkaikon staff.

Types of Weapons or Props NOT Allowed

  • No guns, whether they are real or fake (including airsoft guns, flare guns, etc.). The hotel has asked that there be no toy or prop guns of any kind, excepted to this rule will ONLY be made for Cosplay Judging and the Cosplay Masquerade (see section below).
  • No live steel; Live steel is defined as any objects 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

Types of Weapons or Props Allowed ONLY for Cosplay Judging and the Cosplay Masquerade

  • For Cosplay Judging and the Cosplay Masquerade only, prop guns will be permitted, provided they are easily identifiable as fakes (e.g. plugged barrels with red or blaze orange caps). At all other times, the hotel has asked that these items be stowed in your room or vehicle.

In all cases, the final decision on what constitutes an inappropriate prop belongs to the Zenkaikon Staff, along with the VFCC and Scanticon Hotel 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.