POLICIES
Expected Behavior
All attendees, guests, exhibitors, and staff are expected to:
- Treat others with respect, kindness, and empathy.
- Respect personal boundaries and consent.
- Refrain from harassment, discrimination, and bullying in any form, including but not limited to: verbal, physical, sexual, or online harassment.
- Refrain from disruptive or inappropriate behavior that interferes with others’ enjoyment of the convention.
- Adhere to all applicable laws and regulations.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
Alcohol and drug use must comply with all applicable laws and venue regulations. Excessive or disruptive behavior due to intoxication will not be tolerated.
Photography and Videography
Always ask for consent before taking photographs or videos of others. Respect their right to decline.
Consequences of Violation
Violations of this Code of Conduct may result in consequences ranging from verbal warnings to expulsion from the convention without refund, depending on the severity of the offense and the discretion of convention staff.
Conclusion
By attending the Hall of Heroes Comic Con, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct Policy. Together, we can create a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Any photographs or videos of attendees taken by Hall of Heroes Comic Con staff in an official capacity may be used or published by Hall of Heroes Comic Con without further consent of the attendees being recorded or photographed.
Any indecent exposure (public exposure of genitalia, buttocks or (female) breasts) is not permitted. When choosing and/or creating your costume, please keep in mind the constraints of local laws and customs concerning public decency. Just because an anime character wears only a face mask, you may not do so.
Sturdy and fitted costumes are required, should you choose to cosplay. You should not be falling out of your costume and it should be falling apart around you. Also, remember to have proper support such as bras and/or athletic cups, especially if you plan to be physically active, i.e. dancing or running.
If you have a bulky or large costume, please be aware of your surroundings. Try not to hit other attendees, block walkways or access points, or cause a disruption. You are responsible for your own costume and you should respect those around you.
The Hall of Heroes Comic Con is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerated harassment of convention participants in any form. Convention participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the convention, without a refund, at the discretion of the convention organizers.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. It also prohibits sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassment via photography or recording, sustained disruption of panels or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors in the event space, sponsor or vendor booths are also subject to the anti-harassment policy.
If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the convention organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of the Hall of Heroes Comic Con staff immediately. Staff can be identified by polo shirts or special badges.
Hall of Heroes Comic Con staff will be happy to help participants by contacting security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the convention. We value your attendance and your safety is our primary concern.
All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued for admission tickets under any circumstances, including guest cancellations. While we strive to bring you an exciting lineup, guest appearances are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as scheduling conflicts or personal matters.
However, if a guest cancels and you have purchased a photo op with them, you will receive a full refund for that specific photo op. Refunds will be processed automatically, and no further action is needed on your part.
Smoking is not allowed. This includes traditional cigarettes, pipes, cigars, E-cigarettes, or any vaping product or device. This policy includes the Vendor Hall, Cosplay Central, all the programming rooms, and all event spaces at the Northern Indiana Event Center and additional venues. You are welcome to step outside the Event Center to smoke in designated smoking areas only, but please be considerate of others when you do. This policy is in place not only for the comfort of attendees but also to comply with Elkhart County ordinances prohibiting smoking at public events near any doorway, entrance, exit, or operable window. Please comply with this policy; noncompliance may result in ejection from the convention.
No retail sales are allowed anywhere in the Northern Indiana Event Center unless you purchased or were allocated exhibit space. This includes the Vendor Hall, Cosplay Central, common areas such as lobbies, hallways, and program rooms, or outside venues, such as the Northern Indiana Event Center grounds as well as any venue featuring official Hall of Heroes Comic Con events. Retail sales are strictly limited to the exhibitors in the Vendor Hall. In addition, there is no solicitation of tips, fees, or donations for any reason, unless you have a booth, table, or official space allocated by the Hall of Heroes Comic Con.
Our show has always been and will always be as cosplay friendly as possible. We love the craftsmanship that goes into everything cosplayers do, but we also have a duty to make sure that everyone who attends our convention is safe and happy. We ask that you review the following cosplay weapon policy.
Please note that everyone is subject to a safety screening and all weapons deemed safe by our staff will be tagged before you proceed inside.
Allowed Props
- Lightsabers, wands, sonic screwdrivers
- Unstrung bows
- Arrows if they are non-removable from the quiver or have a foam or no tip
- Shields of all materials with no sharp edges. Metal shields are allowed, but may take longer to screen
- Lightweight plastic bats
- Staffs and brooms
- Whips (must be zip tied or otherwise attached to your person)
- Swords constructed of light foam, plastic, or cardboard
- Other items made from cardboard, foam, rubber, Worbla and likewise lightweight materials
- Sci-fi or fantasy guns are allowed (e.g. Portal Guns, Han Solo blaster, phasers)
- These MUST NOT resemble real world guns
- They MUST be inoperable and cannot launch projectiles
Prohibited Items
- Realistic and replica firearms of any kind
- Tasers
- Glass or stone props
- Projectile weapons or ones that can launch anything (e.g. slingshots)
- Brass knuckles
- Real, replica, or simulated explosives, ammunition, chemical weapons of any kind, including but not limited to: simulated bomb vests, cartoon bombs, bullets, hand grenades, claymore mines, firecrackers, pepper spray, mace, powder caps
- Metal or wood swords and other sharp edged weapons
- Excessively noisy props, including but not limited to: airhorns, bullhorns, whistles
The Hall of Heroes Comic Con reserves the right to change or modify any policy or rule at any time and without notice.