Zenkaikon Rules and Regulations

These rules are really important to read and understand. A copy of the rules will be posted at the convention and we expect everyone who attends Zenkaikon to follow the rules on this page.
Please click the link to select the policy type:


As a general rule, anything illegal outside of Zenkaikon is ALSO illegal inside our event.
All Pennsylvania state laws apply.


Rowdy/Disruptive Behavior

We strive to make Zenkaikon as safe and family friendly environment as possible, but to do that we need the participation of our members in stopping rowdy/disruptive behavior. Below are some guidelines as to what we won't allow:


  1. No running in the hallways.


  2. No loitering in the center of the hallways.
    Please sit on the couches and chairs at the sides of the hallway to cut down on hallway congestion.


  3. No yelling or screaming in the hallways, panel/video rooms, etc.

  4. No spin the bottle, truth or dare, or any other inappropriate games of that sort.


  5. Limit the amount of public affection (french kissing and whatnot).

  6. No smoking or drinking (alcohol) at the con (defined as our official areas in the downstairs of the Scanticon). Smoking may be done outside the Scanticon in designated areas.


  7. No roughhousing/wrestling.


  8. Please wait patiently in line, no line cutting. If we catch you line cutting or saving places, you will be sent to the back of the line. Please do not block doorways or entrance/exits with the line, leave a gap there.


  9. No nudity or profanity. The dresscode for this convention is at max, PG13. Zenkaikon is a family event and attendees are asked to dress accordingly. Zenkaikon staff reserves the right to ask an attendee to change clothing if it is deemed inappropriate.


  10. No solitication signs (ie. GLOMPS for FREE).


  11. No panhandling/selling (except for the dealers and artists).


  12. No entering any area that is specifically labeled STAFF ONLY (if you are not on staff). This also includes sitting in chairs, at doors, that are for Zenkaikon staff/gophers only to check badges, or sitting at any other staff only post.


  13. No glomping/hugging/touching people without their permission.


  14. No admittance to the convention areas before it is open (before posted hours of operation). If you arrive early, please wait in the lobby of the Scanticon until the registration desk is open.


  15. We also prohibit any other behavior that we may have neglected to mention in the list, but involves violating another person's personal space or doing things that common sense dictates you should NOT do.


We (the staff of Zenkaikon) will not tolerate any kind of disruptive behavior. We can and will take action when we see something we feel is dangerous or disruptive. The actions taken may range from a private warning to escorting attendee(s) from the convention, revocation of attendee(s) membership to Zenkaikon, or even criminal charges. The action taken is solely at the discretion of Zentrancon, LLC.



Cameras/Photography

Most areas of Zenkaikon allow photography unless otherwise specified. Signs will be posted on doors of rooms notifying you to that effect. Additionally, there are some photo guidelines we would like attendees to follow:


  1. No harassing attendees OR guests for photos of or with them. It's proper procedure to FIRST ask people if it's OK to take a photo, and if they say no, then please respect that decision.


  2. No harassing small children or minors for photos or attention.


  3. 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. Move to the side of the hallway or to a less crowded area.



Signs Policy

Below are our rules about signs:


  1. No solitication signs (ie. GLOMPS for FREE).


  2. Other types of signs are only allowed if they are an integral part of a costume (such as the sign carried by Genma the Panda in Ranma 1/2).

Etiquette With Guests

We have one general rule: we do not allow harassment of guests for photos or autographs. It's proper procedure to FIRST ask people if it is OK to take a photo, and if they say no, then respect that. The convention schedule will notify you, the attendee, about autograph session time and place before the convention.

Autograph Etiquette/Policy


  1. Autographs are limited to TWO items per person.


  2. Guests WILL NOT sign any item that is bootleg or illegal, so bring licensed items only.


  3. If you are having a CD autographed, please remove the CD insert before you reach the front of the line to save time.


  4. Please have whatever you want signed out and ready to be signed by the time you reach the front of the line.


  5. Do not take up alot of the guests (or attendees waiting in line behind you) 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.

Weapons Policy


  1. No real weapons. NO GUNS. No real guns. The Scanticon Hotel and Conference center has asked that there be no toy OR prop guns of any kind, air/airsoft guns, flare guns, etc.


  2. NO LIVE STEEL including swords, daggers, katana, etc. We define "live steel" as: any object made of metal that is capable of taking an edge, whether or not the object is actually sharp or not, or whether a sword/object is sheathed or not.


  3. Weapons purchased in the Dealers room must remain boxed and IMMEDIATELY removed to your car, room, or other private quarters.


  4. No Nunchaku.


  5. No explosives or chemicals of any kind including, but not limited to, smoke powder, sparklers, and fireworks.


  6. Types of fake weapons that are allowed: Wooden swords including boken, bo sticks, shinai are allowed. Anything made of paper mache or other material that is not dangerous to others are allowed (e.g. has no sharp edges, or parts sticking out that might trip people as they walk by). Please use common sense. If you were to take public transportion and would not bring your weapon with you in plain sight, then you should not have it at the convention.


  7. Any metal chains are to be less than three feet (3'). This includes, but is not limited to, chain wallets or any non-costume chains as well.


  8. ALL weapons and larger props (anything over 3ft in any direction) must be bonded. In other words, at the sign in table, it will be inspected by a member of Zenkaikon staff assigned to bond weapons. If approved, it will then be tied with a little piece of colored string/tape. If you do not have your weapon or prop with you at sign in, then just find a member of staff when you bring it in and they will either bond it or find someone who can.


  9. Maximum Prop size: 5 feet


  10. Misuse of your prop, such as swinging it or endangering others with it, will result in us asking you to remove the prop from the convention space.

All props and weapons brought into the convention may be inspected and approved or rejected by Zenkaikon staff. This includes those items that may have had prior approval (here or elsewhere).
All questionable weapons or props will be decided on a case-by-case basis. All decisions made by Zenkaikon Security Staff, or Scanticon Valley Forge Hotel and Conference Center Staff are final.

Children at Zenkaikon


  1. We recommend that all children under the age of 18 attend with a parent/guardian.


  2. Anyone under the age of 13 is required to have a parent/guardian with them at all times.
    We do not charge admission for children under the age of 6 years old to come to Zenkaikon (only their escorting parents/guardians).



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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