Rules of Conduct

To provide a safe, secure, and pleasant environment for all, Memphis Comic and Fantasy Convention (MCFC) Attendee, Members, and Staff must follow the following rules of conduct.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding our policies, please contact us.

Those engaging in Cosplay, are not consenting to harassment. I.E. “Cosplay is not consent.

Do not touch costumes, unless express permission is given by the Cosplayer!

The following activities are not allowed during MCFC:

  • Engaging in disruptive and unsafe behavior that disturbs the public, hotel, or MCFC staff.
  • Physical or verbal harassment, stalking, or assault of the public, hotel, or MCFC staff.
  • Any act which could result in substantial risk or harm to people or property.
  • Sexual misconduct, such as indecent exposure, offensive touching, or sexual harassment.
  • Engaging in any activity prohibited by law.
  • Possession of any item defined as a weapon, illegal or not.

Individuals whose actions violate these rules will be asked to stop such actions. MCFC reserves the right to require anyone violating these rules of conduct to leave the event. MCFC may temporarily or permanently withdraw permission for a person to re-enter the event if that person continues to violate these rules. The proper authorities will be no notified of any violation of the rules of conduct which involve activities prohibited by law.

1. Badges

Yes, you DO need your stinkin’ badges! Current badges must be prominently displayed at all times. Badges must be worn above the waist, so the MCFC Staff can see them without having to ask. This is a courtesy to us, and a benefit to you.

Individuals caught trying to gain access into any MCFC function space with an expired badge will be detained by MCFC Security and charged full price for a current membership. This is considered “Theft of Services” which is a prosecutable offense.

Non-members will not be granted access to any of the other convention spaces. A fee will be charged for replacing a lost badge. Replacement badges will be authorized by the MCFC Registration. Check at the MSC Operations Room for lost badges. Please return any found badges to MSC Staff immediately.

 

2. Weapons

All bladed weapons and look alike props MUST be peace bonded for the duration of the convention. The only exceptions to this rule are during the official MCFC Masquerade presentation, in the Dealer Room for display purposes only, and for participating members conducting demonstrations for the Society for Creative Anachronism.

No Members will be permitted to carry any kind of functional projectile weapon. This includes bows, crossbows, potato launchers, and guns of ANY kind. Anyone found in possession of such a weapon is subject to immediate revocation of his or her membership. Individuals caught in the illegal possession of a functioning projectile weapon will be reported and turned over to the proper authorities.

Due to State and local regulations, MCFC Security MUST reserve the right to examine all weapons and costume props to make sure that they are either non-functional or properly peace bonded. MCFC Security will make the final determination weather or not a weapon or costuming prop will be allowed in the convention space. Please don’t be offended if they ask to see your weapon or prop. They are only doing their job.

Peace bonding will be conducted by MCFC Security. Also you may go to the MCFC Operations Room to obtain a convention-recognized peace bond. Complete this action BEFORE wandering through or around the convention space.

All bladed items must be kept in their sheaths at all times in the convention space. Weapons should never be waved around in a manner that may be construed as use of the weapon (this is considered brandishing).

Gun replica or other replica projectile weapons should not be pointed at anyone, at any time. Replica pistols need to remain in a holster; replica rifles need to be slung.

Drawing a weapon may result in immediate revocation of convention membership. Keep in mind that hotel security and police will assume all drawn weapons are functional, and will act accordingly. If you are unsure whether your weapon is acceptable in the convention space, please ask MCFC Security Staff or ask at the Operations Room.

 

3. Drinking

Individuals must be 21 years of age to consume alcohol in the United States. This also applies to our international Members. Serving alcohol to minors is against United States law. You must provide identification at registration so that your badge will indicate that you may obtain alcohol in the MCFC Suite. Alcohol must be consumed in the Con Suite. No alcohol is allowed in the hotel lobby, hallways, or meeting rooms. Individuals who appear to be intoxicated will not be allowed in the convention space. If you drink, don’t drive! Please have a designated driver.

 

4. Smoking

Memphis Hilton Hotel is a non-smoking facility. Smoking is not allowed in any of the function space, pre-function space, rooms, hallways or balconies of the hotel.

 

5. Illegal Substances

Any illegal substance abuse will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

 

6. Harassment, Stalking, and Assault

MCFC does not tolerate harassment. Harassment is any behavior that intentionally annoys, threatens, or alarms another person. This includes any unwanted physical contact, following someone without a legitimate reason (stalking), or threatening to physically harm someone. Remember, if someone approaches you and you tell them to leave you alone, their business with you is done. If they do not leave you alone as you have requested, notify MCFC Security or Staff Member immediately. Their actions may be grounds for a complaint of harassment.

Offenders may face revocation of their membership if the offense warrants such action.

If an assault occurs, call 911 immediately, and then please report the matter to hotel and MCFC Security. MCFC will IMMEDIATELY eject any attendee who commits an assault.

A person who harasses, assaults, or stalks another person is guilty of a crime under Tennessee State law.

 

7. Indecent Exposure

MCFC requires that all Members wear attire equivalent to a one-piece swimsuit while in the convention space. Genitals and nipples must be covered. MCFC Staff may, at their discretion, ask Members to change their attire if they are not complying with this policy.

Overt sexual behavior or attire will result in MCFC Staff and Security asking the member to stop.

 

8. Merchandise

All merchandise must be paid for. Members must keep receipts with them at all times. Please wait in line and do not crowd the dealer’s tables. Any weapons purchased from the Dealers Room must immediately taken to a hotel room or peace bonded, as per the Weapons Policy (see article 2).

 

9. Theft

Any MCFC Member caught in the act of shoplifting or stealing will be handed over to the authorities, have their membership revoked, and refused service into all future MCFC events. No exceptions!

 

10. Minors

When minors pick up their badges, they must be accompanied by a parent or designated guardian. A designated guardian must have written permission from the minor’s parent or legal guardian. All guardians must be age eighteen or over and a registered Member of the convention.

All minors must have a parent or guardian on the premises at all times.

Minors age 12 and under: all children age twelve and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is a registered Member of MCFC.

Minors age 13 to 17: all minors thirteen to seventeen must have a parent or guardian in the convention space at all times. All parents and guardians must be registered Members of MCFC.

 

11. Curfew policy

MCFC has a curfew for unaccompanied minors, 17 and under at 10:00 PM. All minors without a parent or guardian present, after 10:00 PM, will be asked to leave. MCFC Security reserves the right to initiate a curfew on ANY unaccompanied minors after midnight. Minors who become disruptive will be asked to leave all MCFC function space. Curfew time ends at 5:00 AM.

 

12. Art on Display

There is no photography allowed of art and displays without express permission of the artist.

 

13. Masquerade and Costumes

We are all excited about the Masquerade, and dressing up in costumes for MCFC. MCFC Staff reserves the right to deem a costume unacceptable and request the wearer to make modifications as necessary. This convention is a family friendly event. Please keep this in mind when choosing costumes and allow common sense and good taste to prevail (see article 7). Remember, after the Masquerade all blade weapons must immediately be re-peace bonded or taken to your hotel room (see article 2).

 

14. Media Room

Cameras, camcorders, or other recording devices are not allowed in Media Rooms.

Illegal duplication of copyrighted material violates State and Federal laws.

 

15. Guests of Honor

MCFC Guests of Honor have taken time out of their busy schedules to attend. Please respect the privacy of the Guests of Honor. Unruly behavior towards our guests may result in disciplinary action up to termination of membership.

 

16. Press

Press MUST check at MCFC Registration, and receive a press badge. Press are expected to follow the same rules as the regular MCFC members. MCFC reserves the right to grant or deny approval for all video recording requests. Permissions and entry may be retracted at any time. Badges are only available for Television, Radio, or Newspaper Representatives.

 

17. Room Parties and Events

MCFC does not recognize or endorse room parties. MCFC Staff will work with the hotel to keep records of actions taken by hotel security, and will revoke convention memberships from individuals removed from a convention hotel site by hotel security.

 

18. Parking

Park at your own risk! MCFC is not responsible for parking arrangements, reservations, or fines due to violation of rules caused by unauthorized parking. MCFC is not responsible for theft or damage to vehicles. Do not leave valuables lying about, in plain sight, in a vehicle. Lock them in your trunk or hotel room.

 

19. Liability

MCFC and its affiliates are not responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or injury. Members are responsible for their individual actions and any repercussions that may result. Civil or medical emergencies are to be handled directly by the proper authorities.

 

20. MCFC reserves the right to revoke any and all memberships, and eject anyone from the convention at any time without a refund, if they are engaged in behavior that MCFC Staff deems inappropriate.

Criminal actions are referred to local law enforcement and will lead to immediate ejection from the convention.

Hotel security and staff do not have general responsibility for any aspect of the convention, but can choose to respond to any disruptive action. If the security or staff from any public function space should choose to remove an individual from the convention site, MCFC will immediately revoke membership.

MCFC Staff reserves the right to revoke membership and eject anyone at any time from the convention without a refund.