Last Updated: May 8th, 2023 – added cosplay and weapons guidelines

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
All attendees, guests, sponsors, volunteers, and staff at the event are required to agree with this code of conduct to ensure a safe environment for all participants. We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free event for everyone, regardless of age, race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, body size, ethnicity, religion or lack thereof, or technology choices. What is acceptable for you might be uncomfortable for others. In short, treat everyone with kindness and respect. Anyone violating these rules may be asked to leave the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers.

PRIORITY POLICY – STATE/COUNTY/CITY COVID-19 MANDATES
https://covid19.ca.gov/mega-events/#indoor-events

OffKai Expo falls under the following state and federal mandates regarding large public gatherings and requirements concerning COVID-19 precautions.

Although currently the state and county does not currently enforce masking mandates, all attendees will be required to wear a mask in any indoor convention space.

RECORDING AND PHOTOGRAPHY NOTICE
While at the event you may be in areas where photography, audio, or video recordings may occur. These recordings may be broadcast to streamers to provide them with live audience feedback and participation or generally posted to our website and social media accounts. By entering the event you give us your general consent to use  photos or recordings taken at the event for these purposes.

GENERAL RULES
All federal. state, and local laws apply to our event. We ask that you use common sense. If it is illegal to do it in public, it is not allowed at our event.

• Display your badge at all times and comply with any requests to show your badge by volunteers or staff. If your badge is lost, proceed to Registration or Con Operations to obtain a replacement.
• Anyone attending on a Child badge must have a guardian or caretaker with them at all times.
• Badges are non-transferable and may be revoked at any time by staff or security.
• Obey posted signs, including limitations on filming or photography.
• Filming and recording of panels and events are not allowed unless prior permission is obtained
• Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted in event spaces. If you are visibly intoxicated in event spaces, you will be asked to leave. Alcohol is permitted in private spaces (i.e., hotel rooms).
• Smoking and vaping are not permitted in event spaces, within the hotel, or within 25 feet of any entrance.
• You may not tamper with, adjust, move, or otherwise interact with furniture or fixtures in the hotel. You may not affix items to hotel walls. Please promptly report any damage to event staff.
• Please limit advertisements to designated areas or tables
• The hotel is pet friendly, but pets are not allowed in event space. Service animals are allowed as permitted by law.
• You may not fly drones in convention space without prior written permission of the event.
• Cosplay is not consent. Consent may be revoked at any time. Please ask all cosplayers for their  permission before photographing or touching. Stalking, intimidation, unwelcome physical contact, and any behavior that threatens any event participant’s sense of safety and personal space are prohibited.
• Cosplay weapons must be visibly peace bound at all times. Please proceed to ConOps to have weapons inspected and peace bonded.
• Convention space is considered a public area, and public decency rules apply to all attire, including cosplay. Please wear at least shoes, shorts, and a shirt (or their coverage equivalent) while in public areas.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY
OffKai Expo has a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. “No” means no. “Stop” means stop. “Go away” means go away. If someone won’t understand these simple rules, please contact convention operations.

Harassment is any behavior that intentionally annoys, or alarms another person. This includes unwanted contact, following someone in a public area without a legitimate reason, or threatening physical violence. It may also include conduct, attire, speech, or other behavior that intended to cause distress to other attendees or members of protected classes (such as those based on race, age, religion, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. Unintentional or misinterpreted behaviors may also be harassment, as is inappropriate photography of minors or individuals without their consent. Verbal or physical disruption of sanctioned and scheduled events constitutes harassment under our policies.

Anyone breaking our anti-harassment policy face losing their badge and the matter may be referred to the proper law enforcement authorities.

If you experience any sort of harassment at our event, please report it immediately. The back of your badge has information on how to get help or report harassment, as well as other emergency contact information. You may also report any harassment directly to convention staff. Reporting harassment after the event makes it much more difficult, if not impossible, to address and resolve.

OffKai Expo takes the safety of everyone at our events very seriously. If you have any security concerns, or are feeling harassed by anyone at the event, please reach out via the contact information on the back of your badge so that we can help.

PRIVACY POLICY
As a VTuber-centered convention, we believe a VTuber’s right to privacy is paramount. OffKai Expo may revoke badges and/or eject from the convention any individuals endangering the privacy of any other participant. Actions include, but are not limited to:

• attempting to gain access to private details of a VTuber without their consent;
• spreading, discussing, questioning, and making threats concerning private details of a VTuber within a public space; and
• any and all actions that could be read as doxxing.

While gossip and speculation is tempting, we ask that all participants at OffKai – including attendees, staff, volunteers, and guests – refrain from discussing the private details of a VTuber in public and/or in presentations. This includes, but is not limited to speculating about or discussing:

• personally identifiable information and private life details, such as legal names, gender identity, age, addresses, places of work, sexual orientation, relationship/marital status, etc.;
• unconfirmed connections between a VTuber and their past, such as past VTuber work; and

• making jokes or implications that hint at a connection between a VTuber and private information.

Generally, please remember to be mindful of the privacy of all individuals. The final decision on what may be considered a breach of this policy is up to OffKai staff.

We ask that everyone play a part in making sure that privacy is respected and that VTubers feel safe to participate in conventions in the future!

INDEMNIFICATION
Attendance of the event is at your own risk. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless OffKai Expo, the hotel, and the volunteers and staff of either from any claims or losses arising out of the event. Any liability is expressly limited to the cost of your membership.

OffKai Expo reserves the right to modify the Code of Conduct at any time without notice.

COSPLAY AND WEAPONS POLICIES.

Please abide by these general guidelines and prohibited items while appearing in cosplay at OffKai Expo. These rules are not comprehensive and made be modified at discretion of staff and you may be asked to change or modify your cosplay at any time in convention space. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and aware how your cosplay may be affecting those around you.

• • All cosplay, costumes, and props must comply with local laws.
  • The final decision on cosplay allowed into the event space is at the discretion of OffKai Expo staff.
  • Shoes/footwear are required at all times.
  • Masks covering the face should be easily removable upon the request of event or hotel staff.
  • Cosplay must not obstruct or impede the flow of foot traffic throughout the event space and should be able to fit through entrances to the event space.
  • Attendees are encouraged to have “handlers” accompany them if their cosplay is large or cumbersome, obstructs their vision, or has large protrusions such as wings.
  • Any paint, including body paint, must be dry and non-transferrable. You will be solely liable for any damage caused to hotel furniture or spaces due to paint rubbing off from your costume or body.
  • All props must comply with local laws.
  • All props must be inspected and improved by event staff at the designated Prop Check location.
  • The final decision on the usage of props allowed into the event space is at the discretion of OffKai Expo staff.
  • All prop weapons must be easily identifiable as replicas.
  • The maximum allowed size for props is no more than 6 feet measured in any direction.
  • Misuse of props by brandishing, swinging recklessly, sparring, etc. may result in staff asking you to remove said prop from the event space for the duration of the event.
  • Any prop weapon purchased from a vendor must remain boxed and immediately be transported to the attendees lodging or car unless they go through prop check.
  • Prop firearms are allowed only if.
    • They are easily identifiable as props (e.g. are made of plastic)
    • Have no moving parts
    • Possess a non-removable orange tip
  • Bows are allowed only if they are strung without tension and are otherwise incapable of firing arrows, bolts, or other projectiles.
  • Props may be restricted at certain events.

List of prohibited actions and items

• Full or partial nudity. In general, your attire should cover any areas a swimsuit does.
• Rollerblades, Heelies, hoverboards, or stilts.
• Functioning wheels, except for accessibility purposes.
• Realistic depictions of American law enforcement.
• Dangerous or sharp protrusions.
• Any props that can shoot a projectile. Any such prop must have its firing mechanism disabled (e.g. immobilizing the trigger with a ziptie) and have no ammunition loaded.
• Live steel. Live steel is defined as any metal prop that can hold an edge, regardless if said edge has been or is dulled.
• Explosives and hazardous chemicals.
• Nunchaku, any flail with a hard head, any chain longer than 3 feet.
• Handcuffs.
• Lasers.
• Props that intentionally produce live flame, sparks, aerosols, electrical arcs, liquid jets/sprays, confetti, glitter, or would otherwise be messy.