Code of Conduct

Last updated August 3, 2010

Introduction

Our first and foremost goal here at Furnal Equinox is for all of our attendees - including you - to have fun and walk away with great memories of the weekend. To ensure that nobody's experience is less than it could be, as well as to ensure a good relationship with our host hotel, guests, and the general public for future years, we've developed this Code of Conduct for all attendees to follow.

This code should not be considered an exhaustive list of dos and don'ts, merely examples. Any behavior that negatively impacts other guests, the operation of the convention, or our relationship with the hotel will result in action being taken against those responsible. These actions, depending on the severity, may include but are not limited to warnings, revocation of con membership without refund, a ban from future events and/or reporting to the police.

Members of the convention committee, staff, and security of Furnal Equinox have the authority to enforce this document throughout the course of the convention. In case of dispute, appeals may be made to the convention chairman, whose decision is final.

By clicking the appropriate statement accepting the terms of this Code of Conduct on the pre-registration page, or by accepting a convention badge, you agree that you are familiar with this document and agree to be bound by it for the duration of your stay.

Limitation of Liability

By registering for the convention and accepting a convention badge, you agree that Furnal Equinox, Anthropomorphic Events of Ontario, and its associated directors, convention committee members, staff and volunteers shall be indemnified and held harmless from any damage or loss of personal property, as well as any personal injury or death arising out of your attendance at the convention.

This agreement is binding upon you, the attendee, as well as your heirs, next of kin, executors and administrators. If the attendee is under 18, the parent or legal guardian must agree on the attendee's behalf.

Identification and Badges

To be issued your convention badge at registration, you must present identification that provides proof of your identity and age (a driver's license, photo health card, or passport would be sufficient). Personal information is collected in accordance with our privacy policy and will be kept confidential. There are no exceptions - failure to present proper ID, or presenting fraudulent ID, will result in refusal to issue a badge and being asked to leave the convention area. If you believe you will have difficulty providing proof of identity and age, please contact Registration.

Once you have your convention badge, you must keep it on your person at all times in con space - badges are not transferable under any circumstances. Concom, staff and security - who are all identifiable by their own badges or clothing - may request that you show your badge for admission to convention areas. If for any reason you are ejected from the convention for violating this code of conduct, your badge must be forfeited.

Should you lose your badge at any point throughout the convention, return to Registration for a replacement badge. A nominal deposit will be charged.

Underage Attendees

Attendees who are under 18 years of age as of March 11, 2011 may attend provided that they present the Parental Consent Form at registration prior to being issued their convention badge. This form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian. Underage attendees will be issued a badge that provides access to all areas of the convention except those clearly marked and controlled by convention staff as 'mature'.

Individuals who are under 15 years of age must attend under the direct supervision of their parent or legal guardian, who must be with them at all times. The adult under whose supervision they are attending the con must sign the statement on the parental consent form which states said minor must not be left unattended at any time while in convention areas - this gives us a record of who is (supposed to be) legally responsible for looking after the children. Registration will note the adult's con badge and verify their identification when all concerned are present.

Keeping the Con "PG"

All convention space is designated as suitable for general audiences (i.e. PG rating), except for space clearly marked as 'mature' and controlled by convention staff. Attendees should therefore keep issues like the following in mind when it comes to maintaining the "PG" content level. If you have to think twice about what you're doing...it's probably not PG! Examples of PG include the following:

Artists and dealers must have "figleaf" stickers over the naughty bits of any explicit artwork, or keep such pictures in a "mature" portfolio and check badges before allowing this to be viewed.
Attire and costumes should not be unacceptably revealing or indecent (considering the weather in Toronto during this time of year, we don't recommend it anyway!)
While collars are acceptable as furry fashion statements, leashes are permitted only as part of costumes. Anything more suggestive (fetish wear and demonstrations, etc.) is not welcome in convention space.
Public displays of affection should be limited to what you'd show in polite company. Hugs are definitely not a problem, but tongue-tangos and beyond should definitely be done in private.

In respect for other hotel guests, we ask for noise in the lobby areas and hotel rooms to be minimized after 11:00 PM. Please note that we will NOT allow anyone to sleep in convention space for security reasons.

Be courteous to your fellow attendees and make sure to keep yourself clean before venturing into convention space...don't make us use soap and cold water on you! This is especially important considering recent worldwide public health concerns such as H1N1.

Harassment of other individuals - i.e. ANY behavior that attempts to intimidate, frighten, or coerce someone in a way that is known to be unwelcome to that person, whether physical or verbal - is not permitted under any circumstances whatsoever. If you are being harassed and telling the individual to desist has not been successful, please report it to staff immediately.

Hotel Matters

Ultimately, this is the hotel's space, and we want to be able to use it in future years. Please show the hotel staff, security, and property all the respect that you can!

If you're staying at the hotel, make sure to leave your room as close to the condition that it was in when you entered it - that includes cleaning up any refuse, making sure hotel property remains undamaged, and the like. Fire regulations also mandate that no more than four people share a room for sleeping quarters - we ask that attendees hold to this.

Be considerate of non-convention guests in the hotel and avoid disrupting any other events in any way, shape, or form - including keeping noise to a minimum at all times, especially during room party events. The hotel has a quiet hour after 11:00 PM, so make sure your parties are in "quiet mode" after this time. Hotel and convention staff will cooperate in giving violators ample warning before more drastic action is taken, but you will only get one warning before your event is shut down.

Above all: please note that the individual renting the room is fully responsible for all events occurring in the room for the duration of his or her stay. If a room party gets out of hand, regardless of whether the renter is the one running the event, the renter is responsible. If there is damage to hotel property or excessive trash in your room, the renter is responsible. This responsibility is both to the hotel (in the form of restitution if needed) and the convention (in terms of forfeiture of membership.)

Alcohol, Smoking and Other Substances

Alcohol will not be provided and is not allowed in convention space. If you do choose to drink in private, please enjoy responsibly, and if you leave the convention after drinking, make sure to seek alternative transportation - don't drink and drive.

Please note the legal drinking age in the Province of Ontario is 19. Despite this age being lower than our US counterparts, it is absolutely forbidden to consume alcohol if you are underage, or to provide alcohol to individuals who are underage; both by convention policy and Ontario law. Failure to abide by this will result in revocation of your con membership and referral to the police.

Smoking is prohibited in convention areas or anywhere in the hotel per City of Toronto municipal by-laws and the Province of Ontario's Smoke-Free Act. Individuals who wish to smoke should do so outside the building, at a sufficient distance from the hotel. Please be considerate and make sure to dispose of cigarette butts too!

The use, distribution, or trafficking of any illegal drug or controlled substance per the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is a federal offense and will result in the revocation of convention membership and report to the police.

Pets

Please don't bring your pets into con space for the protection of the animal and attendees. Service animals (guide dogs and the like) are always welcome.

Weapons

Bringing any sort of weapon into con space is strictly forbidden as it presents a massive liability issue for our event and may be illegal by provincial and federal law. Weapon replicas that are intended for use as part of a costume must be brought to security for peace bonding before being used in convention space. They must be appropriately secured and inaccessible (i.e. in a case) when not in use.

Transactions

Sales of merchandise may only take place in authorized areas; i.e. the Dealers' Den or at artist's tables in the lobby. Dealers assume ALL responsibility for adhering to provincial and federal laws for retailers, including the collection of sales taxes if applicable to your business, and must provide evidence of having complied with said requirements upon request.

Media

Furnal Equinox's stance with regards to commercial media is covered in its Media Policy.

Furnal Equinox's attendees are permitted to take photos and video recordings of convention events and attendees for their own personal and non-commercial use, as long as the consent of other individuals featuring prominently in said media is obtained (however, we will not intervene in disputes that arise over this). Photographs of any type (including cellphone camera use) are not permitted under any circumstances in dealer space, however, as this may result in violation of artist's copyrights.