Code of Conduct

NOTE: These policies are subject to change.  Please check regularly. 

Katsucon is a family and friend-oriented convention. We want all attendees of our convention to have fun and be safe. Our main rule is “be polite and friendly.” 

Katsucon does not tolerate harassment of any kind. Whether it’s based-on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, height, weight, planet of origin, or any other physical or civilized beliefs. This applies to all attendees, guests, panelists, staff, and/or hotel employees. Harassment is defined as derogatory comments, stalking, aggressive behavior, unnecessary intentional physical contact of others, or altercations of any sort. If you believe you have been a victim of harassment, please find a Katsucon Public Safety staff member as soon as it occurs. Please present details calmly and concisely. If you feel your safety is at risk, we want to know about it and stop it before it affects more people. If you feel our staff has not been able to meet your needs, or if you have further questions/concerns, please request a Chair come to your location. 

The hotel, convention space, and surrounding businesses are not dedicated completely for Katsucon use for the weekend. Members of the general public or other groups stay or visit the hotel to dine and socialize, or travel as this is considered a resort. Please be considerate and respectful of non-convention individuals at all times. 

General Rules 

  • Please do not damage the convention space or hotel rooms.
    • This includes, but not limited to, painting or sketching on walls, slamming doors, stickering the walls/doors, etc.
  • Do not hang any flyers on any wall or other surface of the convention space.
  • Please wear your attendee badge so that they are clearly visible above the waist at all times.
    • There will be badge checkers throughout the convention space and you will be asked to return with your badge if you do not have it on you in order to access convention areas.
  • Many hallways have tape on the floor to indicate where paths are such as:
    • The “traffic lanes” (where we need to keep moving)
    • “Parking areas” (where we can stand and hang out)
    • “Caution areas” (where we need to keep moving/be careful, i.e., tops and bottoms of escalators)
    • “Restricted areas” (where we should only for a specific purpose)
    • “Photo areas” (where you can take pictures) are
  • Please keep an eye out for this tape and respect any Katsucon or Gaylord staffer who is trying to keep the hallways moving and doorways clear, a lot of people are trying to get to different places they want to go in the convention.
  • Katsucon, KEI, and the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (GNRCC) are not responsible for missing items.
    • Any bag(s) or other item left unattended around the convention space will likely be picked up by either a Katsucon staffer or another attendee and be taken to Lost and Found in Katsucon Security or to the Gaylord.
    • Please check with both places to locate your item. The item may be turned over to the police if deemed necessary.
  • Please step off the main path to take photos. If someone asks you for a photo, please make sure you step out of the way of traffic, entrances, stairs, and escalators so that everyone else can still get by and no one gets trampled.
  • Keep noise volumes to a minimum when on the hotel room floors and inside the rooms. If noise levels become excessive, Gaylord staff may come to address the concern or complaint. Please be mindful and considerate of your surroundings and people.
  • You must be 21 years of age to possess, purchase, drink, or transport alcohol.
    • Private parties off the convention space are the responsibility of the individuals throwing the party.
  • Do not carry any open alcoholic beverages around the convention area.
    • Please remain within the confines of your home or hotel room if intoxicated.
    • If Katsucon staff deems that you are too intoxicated to be in convention center spaces, you will be asked to leave of your own accord.
    • Further action could result in being escorted off the premises, removal of your badge by Katsucon leadership, and being reported to the Prince George’s County Police Department.
  • Don’t run, horseplay, or throw things inside convention space.
  • Don’t carry a radio, iPod or other device that is playing music at a loud volume
  • Bags/Packs/Purses are not allowed in the following areas of the convention; Coat check (hours to be posted) and locker rentals are available for stowing your items.
    • Video Game Rooms
    • Art Show: Staff will have coat racks available upon which attendees can hang their bags/packs/purses and coats as the enter Art Show.
    • Dances and Concerts: See below
    • Katsucon is not responsible for any items left at the bag check areas described above.
  • You may need to wait in line to get into the Dealer’s Room or major events; please follow staff directions as to where the line is located.
  • Convention Guests, staff, associates, and persons with disabilities will be called for advanced entry into events.
    • Please see our Disability Services page for more details.
  • Sales at the event are only permitted within the Merchants Hall and Artist’s Alley.
    • Sales within these halls are subject to their internal policies that are posted on their pages on the website.
    • If a person is discovered performing sales outside of these halls either in the convention or in the hotel, they will be warned the first time. If the sales persist after the formal warning, the person’s badge will be forfeit and they will be escorted from the venue.

Dances and Concerts

  • No outside food or drink
  • No drugs or alcohol
  • No large coats
  • No props on strings – must crack glowsticks before entering
  • No bags EXCEPT:
    • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.”
    • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
      • The clear bag must be utilized during the dance.
  • Attendees are not allowed to bring empty prohibited bags to transfer their items into upon entry.
  • An exception will be made for medically necessary items
    • These items MUST be tagged by the first aid desk!

18+ Events

To save you time and hassle, we will be issuing wristbands to attendees who wish to view/attend/participate in 18+ programming at Katsucon.

To obtain an Over 18 wristband:

  • You must be over legal age of 18 years by convention time.
  • Have a government issued photo ID, the same on you used for picking up your badge, such as:
  • Driver’s License
  • State ID
  • Passport
  • Military

  • While registration is open you can receive your wristband from a table setup by the registration area.
  • When registration is closed you can get the wristband from Public Safety in the Prince George’s Coat Check (on the same floor as Registration, under the escalator).
  • Wristbands are free, and available 24 hours a day.
  • If you lose your wristband you may come for a replacement at any time.
  • ID’s are not accepted at the door to events, so please make sure to get your wristbands ahead of time.
  • Wristbands may not be shared, traded, given to another person, or picked up for another person.
    • Doing so is a violation of your agreement with the convention and may cause you to be ejected from the convention. See Guidebook for details.

Medical Necessity Bag Check Policy

As an exception to the general rule of “No Bags” inside dances, there are exceptions for what is deemed a “medical necessity bag.”  

  • Medical necessity bags are those that carry medication or medical devices that could be needed in case of emergency for a serious medical condition
    • Ex. Inhalers, epi pens, insulin, diabetic testing supplies, etc.
    • This does not apply for general medications or over the counters such as vitamins, cough suppressants, etc.
  • Medical necessity bags should not be overly large and in general should be just large enough to comfortably hold the medically necessary items
    • i.e., inhalers should be in a fanny pack or clutch purse, not a backpack
  • In general, size guidelines should follow 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller that can have a single over the shoulder, or cross-body strap, a fanny pack or small thigh bag, or be handheld (such as a clutch purse).
  • Bags should have a zipper closure to be able to be secured by the on-site First Aid team and discourage the addition of prohibited items inside the dance.
  • If you believe your bag qualifies for medical necessity, it is required that it be taken to the on-site First Aid team.
  • Your bag is subject to search and the First Aid team may ask about the medically necessary items in the bag and determine if the size/type justifies necessity.
  • If the bag and medications are deemed compliant your bag will be sealed with a zip tie through the zipper and marked with a medical tag.
  • In case of emergency, the zip tie can be removed and the medical tag will be a visual alert to any staff or responder of the presence of medical necessities.
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