1. Preface

Okamicon was created to ensure that everyone who wished to attend has the best time possible. To ensure that the greatest number of people can have an excellent Okamicon, we have created this Code of Conduct. By this Code, we seek only to ensure that the behavior of any one person or group does not disturb the attendees or staff, nor does the behavior detract from the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of our events.

This Code of Conduct applies equally to all attendees (this includes ticketed members of the public, Guests, Artists and Traders and Committee Members).

It is important that you read and understand this Code of Conduct. Anyone who attends Okamicon (in person or online) or any other Okamicon-related event is expected to follow this Code for the entire duration of the event, including any informal pre- or post-event activities.

Okamicon reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice and reserves the sole right of interpretation.

We anticipate no difficulties, as our attendees are rational and responsible individuals. However, Okamicon is prepared to deal with any issues related to the Code of Conduct in as rapid and efficient a manner as possible should they occur.

We thank our attendees for their cooperation and for their continued assistance in making Okamicon events enjoyable experiences for everyone.

Have fun – just please remember to be courteous and respectful of those around you while doing so!

2. Respect for Others

Okamicon wants every single one of its attendees to enjoy themselves at its events. As such, we ask that you respect each other. All Okamicon events should be a space where everyone feels welcomed and comfortable, able to express themselves freely without fear of discrimination.

Discrimination based on, but not limited to the following will not be tolerated under any circumstances:

Gender, gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical / hidden disability, culture, or technical capabilities.

Harassment of any kind is not tolerated. If someone tells you “No” or asks/tells you to leave them alone, your business with them is done.

If you feel that you are being discriminated against or harassed, or if you notice anyone behaving inappropriately (such as violating venue or convention policies), we respectfully suggest the following:

If you feel comfortable doing so, point out the inappropriate behaviour to the person(s) involved. Often this will solve the problem immediately.

If you do not feel comfortable talking with the person(s) involved, or if talking to them does not resolve the issue, please report the situation immediately to any Okamicon Committee Members or Volunteer Staff. Committee members and Volunteer Staff can be identified by the uniform they are wearing and will be clearly identifiable throughout the venue. Panel Operators are not always Committee members or Volunteer Staff, but there will be staff present in every room during the event.

Please remember that we need to know about any incidents during the event to take timely action; however, we still encourage people to make us aware after the convention, when able to do so.

3. Privacy, Photographs, and Recording Electronic Information

Okamicon event attendees and members should be aware that photography and video and/or audio recordings are frequently made by Okamicon during events and that their likenesses may appear in those recordings. Attendees and members agree to assign without compensation the use of their likeness for the use of promotional material. Releases for online video recording by Okamicon will be provided ahead of time. If you’d rather not be filmed or photographed, please let the recorder/photographer know at the time.

3.1 Media Relations

Okamicon welcomes members of the press at its events. All journalists, media photographers, and any other members of the press are required to display an official Okamicon Press Badge or be always accompanied by an Okamicon staff member while at Okamicon events.

Members of the press who have not been issued a Press Badge may not conduct interviews or take photographs, audio or video footage without an escort.

3.2 Personal Photography / Recordings

Please be polite and ask before taking photographs or recordings of attendees and members whenever possible. Photography for personal archival use only is generally acceptable, unless individuals make it clear that they do not wish to be photographed, in which case taking any photographs of them is expressly forbidden. Cosplay is not Consent.

In general, please request permission from panelists and other panel/event participants before taking photographs.

Where allowed, we suggest that photographs be taken before or after a panel/event to avoid distracting panelists and audience members from the discussion.

In general flash photography is not allowed after the first FIVE minutes of any panel items.

3.3 Video/Audio Recordings

If members wish to make video or audio recordings of other members, explicit permission must be received from those members before beginning to record. If permission is not given, any recording of them is expressly forbidden.

4. Okamicon Entry/Identification

4.1 Tickets

See our Tickets Terms and Conditions for specific regulations on the Okamicon tickets.

Okamicon is a ticketed-only event. All attendees coming to Okamicon in person must always have their wristband visible. A Wristband/Ticket is valid only for the person to whom it was issued; wristbands/tickets may not be shared under any circumstances.

Okamicon requires that any children 13 or older have a purchased ticket for the convention.

Okamicon also requires that children under the age of 13 always be under the direct supervision of an adult Parent/Legal Guardian. The Parent/Guardian are responsible for the conduct of the minor(s) under their care, as such any breach of this Code of Conduct will be the responsibility of the Parent/Legal Guardian and may result in removal from the event without reimbursement.

We cannot take responsibility for minors all must be accompanied.

4.2 General Rating of the Convention

All convention areas are open to attendees of all ages, except for events or exhibits that are specifically noted to be inappropriate for minors, access to which is controlled.

Please be aware that handcarts, trolleys, oversized strollers, rolling luggage, and wheeled backpacks are not allowed in the convention halls or panel rooms as they are a health and safety hazard. These must be checked into the cloak room.

5. Venue

Griffith College Dublin: https://www.griffith.ie/conference-centre

Please follow all rules set by the convention venue. Okamicon asks that you pay special attention to the following:

5.1 Damages

Any act of vandalism, deliberate or excessive damage to venue property, or interference with venue staff in the performance of their duties will have negative consequences for individuals and the convention.

Consequences for individuals could range from being billed for damages, being evicted from the college and/or convention, and criminal charges. These types of incidents can also harm the relationship Okamicon has with the venue, resulting in monetary losses or cancellation of our contract.

5.2 Smoking

Smoking or Vaping is not permitted in any area of Okamicon or any internal area of Griffith College.

Designated smoking locations can be found outside the entrances to the venue.

5.3 Pets

The venue does not allow pets in function space. This is for the protection of the pet, the pet owner, our attendees, and venue guests. Only service animals are permitted.

5.4 Signs

Signs may be posted only in designated areas with permission. Any signs posted in designated areas must be affixed using white tack ONLY. Do not affix anything to the walls of the venue, to the elevators, or to Okamicon signage.

5.5 Non-convention guests/general public

Please remember that the convention is held in an area where we will encounter non-fans. Please be respectful of the venue’s other guests and use common sense, especially in the public areas of the venue.

5.6 Weapons

See Okamicon Cosplay Terms and Conditions for information regarding weapons regulations:

https://www.okamicon.com/cosplay-terms-conditions

5.7 Alcohol

The legal drinking age in Ireland is 18.

Please follow the venue’s policies on alcohol consumption / transportation in venue public spaces, such as the lobby, or function rooms.

6. Breaches of the Code of Conduct

In the event of someone breaking the code of conduct:

Okamicon reserves the right to revoke access from and eject anyone at any time from an Okamicon event without a refund.

Failure to adhere to any of the above policies may result in several possible consequences.

Consequences include, but are not limited to:

Talking with all parties involved and attempting to mediate a solution to the problem.

Issuing verbal warnings.

Revoking ticket(s) and requesting that the person(s) leave the event.

Involving venue staff or security.

Contacting An Garda Síochána.

Banning of attendance and to future Okamicon events.

Okamicon reserves the right to refuse entry or to ask you to leave the convention and refuse to refund your money if you are breaking any of our terms and conditions or behaving in an inappropriate manner.

Tickets cannot be exchanged from one person to another.

Refunds are permitted up to one week before the scheduled date of the event. (Certain extreme circumstances may allow for an extension of this but we must be informed).

Lost Tickets will not be replaced.

Tickets will only be available for sale during the event if there are tickets available after our online sales.

As an attendee you are not permitted to sell any items at the convention. Failure to comply with this will result in your immediate removal from the convention. If you wish to sell at our convention, please see our Trader/Artist applications.

All of our terms and conditions are created with your enjoyment and safety in mind, please ensure you know and follow them to avoid disappointment.

Costume and Props:

Your costume and props MUST be able to fit through the convention door unassisted and you must be able to walk around the convention safely without fear of hurting yourself or others. If your costume obstructs your vision, you must have assistance from a friend when walking around the venue.

All props must be safe i.e. NO real weapons. Your prop cannot be heavy or sharp enough to be used as a weapon. If security or volunteers believe your prop can cause harm it will not be allowed into the convention and it will be confiscated. All weapons will be checked by our staff prior to entry and marked with a tag if approved. Staff have permission to re-inspect props at any time.

Your costume must be decent. This is a family friendly event! This means all costumes must at least cover the same amount as a modest swimsuit.

Suitable footwear is mandatory for safety reasons.

Slingshot, liquids that can be thrown or cause slippage, laser pointers, projectiles or any pyrotechnics(including smoke bombs etc) are not allowed.

Weapons prohibited by the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009 or Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 are prohibited from the event. Possession of any prop listed as prohibited will result in the prop being confiscated, with the potential of Gardai being notified in extreme cases.

Airsoft/ paintball weapons must be degassed and no ammo present.

All realistic looking firearms must have a orange indicator on muzzle.

Bows must not have Taut bow strings.

Conduct:

COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT. You MUST ask before taking pictures of attendees and you MUST have their consent before touching any part of their costume, prop or them. Please respect the cosplayers and their costumes.

No excess swearing, remember there will be children at the event.

No indecent gestures or signs of any kind.

If someone doesn't want you to take their picture DO NOT continue to ask them. It is their decision to have their photo taken and everyone must respect that.

Breaking of any of these rules will result in you being barred from the cosplay masquerade or removed from the con.

This is an extension of the cosplay terms & conditions with added considerations for entrants to the cosplay masquerade.

You must have a valid ticket for the day of the competition for Okamicon 2024 in order to participate.

Applications for our cosplay competition will be strictly online application only for all categories except under 16s.

Under 16s may apply online and will have limited space for on-the-day sign ups. If the competition has hit maximum registrations we will not be able to offer additional sign ups. If you are under the age of 13, you must have your parent/guardian’s permission to enter and also be accompanied by your parent/guardian during judging and the contest.

Entrants must arrive 30 minutes before the start of the masquerade. Late entrants may be refused for safety reasons.

We want the cosplay masquerade to be fun and easy for everyone! So please avoid messing or being obnoxiously loud when waiting to go on or when you are off stage waiting for the masquerade to finish. Everyone should be treated with respect and get the same chance to perform without being interrupted.

Entrants must be able to enter and exit the stage unassisted and in a timely manner. A handler is allowed if required but will not be provided by the event or staff.

Entrants with disabilities are welcome to ask for additional assistance from our cosplay staff during the competition. If you think you will require additional assistance, please contact us prior to the event for further organisation.

All elements of your costume must be able to leave the stage once your performance is completed.

Breaking of any of these rules will result in you being barred from the cosplay masquerade or removed from the con.

This is an extension of the cosplay and cosplay masquerade terms & conditions with added considerations for entrants to the professional cosplay competition.

You must have a valid ticket for the day of the competition for Okamicon 2024 in order to participate.

75% of the costume must be constructed or altered by the entrant. If you are modelling a costume made by someone else, they must be in attendance during pre-judging in order to be eligible for awards.

Costume must have an official reference. Fanart and personal creations are not allowed for this contest.

Entrants are expected to be available for prejudging 1 hour prior to the professional competition start time. Non-attendance may affect your final scoring.

Entrants are required to complete an online application to outline the construction of their costume. This will strictly be an online application and no applications will be accepted after the deadline has passed.

Our professional competition will only be available for individual applications.

A 30-90 second performance is required for the professional competition. A penalty may be inflicted if performance exceeds this time.

Please include your chosen music and outline the details of the performance in your application. No microphones will be allowed, all voices must be included in the sound file.

Entrants must be able to enter and exit the stage unassisted and in a timely manner. A handler is allowed if required but will not be provided by the event or staff.

Entrants with disabilities are welcome to ask for additional assistance from our cosplay staff during the competition. If you think you will require additional assistance, please contact us prior to the event for further organisation.

All elements of your costume must be able to leave the stage once your performance is completed.