Midwest
FurFest's guiding principle of behavior is:
"Use common sense, and be courteous of others."
Because Midwest FurFest
is responsible to the hotel for the behavior of its members,
this Code of Conduct applies for the duration of members'
time the hotel premises regardless of whether the convention
has officially begun or ended.
In order to provide a
safe, fun, and enjoyable atmosphere for all convention
attendees, each attending member of Midwest FurFest agrees
to abide by the Midwest FurFest Code of Conduct as a condition
of attendance and receiving a badge. By following the
simple guidelines below you will ensure that you, as well
as the people around you, have a safe and enjoyable convention
experience.
GENERAL RATING
AND BEHAVIOR
Public spaces open to
patrons of our host hotels are rated 'PG' at all times.
All programming during the day will be open and appropriate
for all members of Midwest FurFest. During the evening
hours, some events may contain strong language or adult
themes; these events will be restricted to mature audiences
only, and minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted
without their parent or guardian. Convention Security
will check badges at the doors of these events.
As part of the PG rating,
we require that parents accompanying children under the
age of 16 be aware of where and what their child is doing
at all times.
Individuals violating
the public rating will be warned once. A second offense
will result in the confiscation of their convention badge,
and revocation of their membership privileges. Violations
can include, but are not limited to: wearing unacceptably
revealing clothing, openly displaying adult artwork, and
overly lewd public displays of affection.
Shirts, pants, and footwear
must be worn when in areas of the hotel or convention
center that are accessible to non-Midwest FurFest attendees,
such as lobbies, restaurants and concourses, except for
the pool area. Swimwear is not considered appropriate
attire for any public area outside of the pool area. Collars
are acceptable attire, however leashes are not.
For safety reasons, fursuits
are not permitted in the hotel swimming pool area or in
the hotel restaurants.
Sleeping in the public
spaces of the hotel or in The Den is not permitted.
Midwest FurFest events
and function spaces are open only to members, and all
attendees should wear their membership badges at all times.
A badge is valid only for the person to whom it was issued;
badges may not be shared under any circumstances.
There is no smoking in
any area within the Westin, including the guest rooms.
Smokers are asked to use designated smoking areas and
to comply with any other smoking rules imposed by the
Westin. Cigarette butts must be disposed of properly and
not left on the ground.
Do not affix anything
to the walls of the hotel, to the elevators, to Midwest
FurFest signage, or to hotel room doors. Midwest FurFest
provides a message board in a public area where members
may post messages or place announcements.
The offering for sale
of any merchandise or service at the convention may be undertaken
only in the Dealers Room or Artists Alley; in all cases
the sale will be governed by the rules applicable to those
areas. It is forbidden to sell any other merchandise or
services in any other areas, including The Den.
Elevators have historically
been a difficult issue for furry conventions, and Midwest
FurFest is no exception. At peak times when the elevator
traffic becomes too congested, it may be necessary for
Convention Security to handle traffic flow. Attendees
are requested to form orderly lines and wait for an elevator
as instructed. The following are permitted to move to
the head of the line without question (in order of priority):
-
Non-convention attendees (including food deliveries)
-
Those with impaired mobility
-
Fursuiters (with ONE handler)
No other exceptions will
be made.
MINORS AT MIDWEST
FURFEST
Anyone who is under the
age of 18 years at any time during the convention must
present a signed and notarized parental permission form
unless accompanied by a parent or able to produce evidence
of legal emancipation. There are no exceptions.
Minors are not permitted
under any circumstances to enter areas that have been
designated for mature audiences.
Anyone providing false
documentation of identity or age will be denied membership
and reported to the police.
CONVENTION SECURITY
Convention security volunteers
enforce our Code of Conduct. A security ribbon affixed
to their badge easily identifies them. Enforcement is
a two-step process. On first offense, you will be given
a warning. If a second offense occurs, security will confiscate
your badge and all convention membership privileges will
be revoked without a refund. In extreme cases, the warning
may be bypassed.
Convention badges are
the property of Midwest FurFest for the duration of the
convention and must be presented and/or surrendered to
any Midwest FurFest staff member upon request. If you
have a complaint about any action taken by a staff member,
you may take the matter up with the Convention Chairman.
While every attempt at reasonable complaint resolution
will be made, behavior that threatens the well being of
our members will not be tolerated.
CONTROLLED &
ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES
Midwest FurFest is a
dry convention. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted
in convention spaces. Convention members observed to be
visibly intoxicated in public convention space will be
asked to retire to their private hotel room.
Midwest FurFest has a
zero tolerance policy towards illegal substances. Any
convention member found to be selling or otherwise distributing
any controlled substance will have their membership immediately
revoked, and will be immediately reported to the local
police.
Anyone knowingly or unknowingly
providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 will be
guilty of a felony and will be turned over to the authorities.
It is the sole responsibility of persons serving alcohol
in room parties to ensure that every person in attendance
is over the age of 21, even if that person is not drinking
alcohol
WEAPONS &
REPLICAS
No functioning or realistic
appearing firearm may be carried or displayed in convention
space at any time. If the weapon can fire any projectile
or cause annoyance to others, it is not allowed.
Edged weapons may be
worn as a costume accessory only if they are covered by
a sheath that covers all sharp edges and points. The weapon
must also be secured from removal by a cord or tie (often
referred to as 'peace bonding'). Temporary exceptions
may be made for newly purchased weapons carried DIRECTLY
to one's room or out of the hotel.
Pocketknives with single-edged
blades less than 5 inches in length are exempt.
Brandishing any weapon
for any reason is not allowed, and will result in the
confiscation of the weapon for the duration of the convention,
and a warning from security. Repeated warnings will result
in revocation of membership.
PHOTOGRAPHY &
VIDEO FILMING
Photography and video
filming by convention members for personal use is generally
allowed in all common areas of Midwest FurFest. Please
note that there is no photography or filming allowed in
the Art Show. Show courtesy when photographing or filming
individuals or costumes and ask permission first. If an
individual does not wish to be photographed or filmed,
please respect their wishes.
Photography, filming,
or taping for the purpose of sale, publication, public
media, or dissemination is expressly prohibited without
written authorization from Midwest FurFest. All pictures,
film, and tape shall be for personal use only.
All journalists, media
photographers, and any other members of the press are
required to display an official Midwest FurFest Press
Badge and be accompanied by a member of Midwest FurFest
staff at all times while in the Westin, or any Midwest
FurFest hotel. 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
and may be subject to removal from hotel property. Media
representatives who do not have Press Badges and are not
escorted by Midwest FurFest staff member should be reported
to Convention Security staff or to Convention Operations
immediately.
The names "Midwest
FurFest" and "FurFest" are registered service
marks of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc., and must not be used
in any fashion that disparages or dilutes that mark. Members
agree to remove from circulation or publication any image
or recording that in the sole opinion of Midwest Furry
Fandom, Inc. misrepresents or defames its service mark.
REVOCATION OF
MEMBERSHIP
Midwest FurFest prides
itself in welcoming furry fans from all walks of life,
but we acknowledge that we also have a responsibility
to help ensure the safety of congoers. Thus: Any member
who is deemed by the chairman of Midwest FurFest (or his
or her designee) to have seriously violated these Rules
of Conduct may have their membership suspended for the
duration of the convention. Additionally, that
individual is automatically prohibited from registering
for the next year's convention as well as any subsequent
events sponsored by Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc. until such
time as their attendance is approved by the Board of Directors
of Midwest Furry Fandom, Inc.
A suspended member may
appeal their prohibition in writing, and only in writing,
to the Board of Directors at Post Office Box 508, Mount
Prospect, IL 60056 before the next convention. The Board
of Directors reserves the final authority to grant or
deny membership.
If
a member is prohibited by the hotel management from its
premises for any reason, Midwest FurFest has no choice
but to revoke current membership and deny future membership
for the duration of the hotel ban.
Midwest FurFest reserves the right to change, amend, or
modify these rules at any time without prior notice.