Event Etiquette and Policies

Code of Conduct

Following this simple Code of Conduct helps ensure a safe event and that everyone will have fun. Your own good judgment and courtesy towards others are key.

Please watch out for each other, take care of one another, help those who need help, and be careful. Play it clean and safe! Please don’t leave the event with strangers, and make sure that your friends know when you leave or if you are going home early.

  • Please don’t hesitate to call staff or security if you see anything suspicious.

To participate in and/or attend any JFGM Event , you must comply with this Code of Conduct in order to attend and/or participate in these Events. JFG reserves the right to modify and/or update any JFGM policy at any time without prior notice. Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in your expulsion from the Event without a refund. Where the Code of Conduct refers to “JFGM’s written consent”, such written consent may be in the form of a separate written exhibitor/sponsorship agreement, vendor agreement, facility rental agreement, or other form of written agreement or permit.

 

Prohibited Actions and Activities

The following, as such violations are determined in JFGMs sole discretion, are not permitted at the Event or its surrounding areas, including the parking lots, plazas, and structures:

  • Failure to be appropriately clothed, as determined by the sole discretion of JFGM. Please follow local laws, rules, and regulations when selecting your costume.

  • Assaulting, threatening, behaving inappropriately to another person, discriminating conduct of any nature whatsoever, making racial, religious, ethnic, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or other slurs, bullying, and/or expressing any act of hatred towards another.

  • Lewd or offensive behavior, such as profanity, obscene language or conduct, exposing nipples or genitals

  • Photographs or video recordings may not be taken in restrooms, dressing rooms, or from an angle intended to expose or reveal a participant’s undergarments or any part of the body intentionally covered by a costume.

  • Conducting commercial or business transactions without JFGM’s prior written consent, including without limitation, selling food or beverages from unauthorized carts, stands, or ice chests inside or outside Event venues or hotels; solicitation of money, contributions, or donations; distribution of commercial advertising or promotional material of any kind, such as signs, flyers, cards, or offers of discounts on rides, or other products or services; or offering samples of items which are sold, available for sale, or available in exchange for a donation or contribution.

  • Unlawful conduct or failure to comply with the policies, rules, or instructions of JFG, Event staff, the Event facility, or law enforcement officers.

  • Smoking / Vaping:

    • Never Inside: No smoking or vaping of any kind is permitted inside any of the Event Facilities, nor the garden.

  • Possessing any open can, bottle or other receptacle containing alcoholic beverages, except in areas specifically designated for the consumption of alcohol and in compliance with the JFGM’s Alcohol Policy. Alcoholic beverages are only permitted within the Beer and Sake Garden.

  • Possessing any illegal substance. JFGM DOES NOT tolerate illegal substances in or around Events.

  • Any action that impedes the flow of traffic, creates a potential or actual hazardous condition, or is deemed to interfere with the event. Individuals may be asked to move or discontinue their actions. By way of example, an individual may be asked to relocate or terminate an activity in order to disperse a crowd which impedes traffic flow.

  • No Soliciting

  • Riding Hoverboards / Skateboards / Non-ADA Scooters / Segways are not permitted within the event or garden.

  • Using Roller Skates / Roller Blades are not permitted within the event or garden.

Prohibited Items

  • Stilts

  • Weapons (Please see our “Prop / Replica Weapons Policy” for more info)

  • Drones / UAV’s

  • Illegal Substances

  • Stickers / Adhesive Graphics (Keep them in your bags/pockets and off the walls/floors of the Event Facilities)

  • Signs/flags, if they are attached to a pole of any length and are used to solicit or incite any response. All other signs/flags are permitted.

  • Non-Service Live Animals.

  • Helium and Mylar Balloons

  • Lasers or Similar Items

  • Coolers

  • Oversized Backpacks / Bags: No bags over the airplane carry-on size are permitted. As a point of reference, the size limit for a standard airplane carry-on is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. All bags, regardless of size, are subject to inspection at any time.

  • Motorized Vehicles (i.e. go-karts or kids’ battery-operated vehicles.)

  • Wheeled Carts / Wagons

  • Confetti / Loose Glitter (Glitter used on your costumes is OK)

  • Flammable Liquids

  • Open-Flame Use

  • Any activity prohibited by law and/or prohibited by any Event Facilities.

Cosplay Policies

At Otaku Smash Fest, we celebrate the creativity of cosplayers and encourage everyone to cosplay whomever they wish–regardless of size, gender, age, religion, shape, color, or even species. Cosplay is all about having fun!

We simply ask that you follow the guidelines below so everyone may enjoy this event together.

  • Shoes are required at all times.

    • Cosplaying a character that’s barefoot? Please check out this tutorial on how to make “invisible shoes.”

  • Costumes and clothing should not expose the body in such a way as to be deemed indecent exposure by the City of San Diego or the State of California. Private parts must be covered in an opaque material that will not slip or have gaps.

  • Males wearing tight-fitting costumes are required to wear a dance belt.

  • Costumes worn in the garden must not obstruct or impede the flow of traffic or entryways. If the costume cannot fit through a standard doorway, it may not be allowed during general convention hours. Exceptions may be made day-of for Masquerade contestants.

  • Attendees with bulky costumes, costumes that obscure the vision, or costumes with large extensions such as wings or spikes, should have a designated “handler,” to assist them through the hallways and crowds.

  • Functioning wheels cannot be used as part of a costume or prop (i.e. anything that you might ride, push, or pull). We love your creativity, but please save the wheeled costumes/props for your photoshoots.

  • No costumes may be realistic depictions of American law enforcement, current American military uniforms, first responders, emergency medical personnel, or any official government agent. “Vintage,” historical, any non-current uniforms, and any military or police-style costumes may be addressed at the garden’s discretion (i.e., Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, etc.)

Prop / Replica Weapons Policy

Your participation in JFGM events means that you agree to comply with this Prop / Replica Weapons Policy.

You further understand and agree that, for your own safety and the safety of everyone at an Event, JFGM has the absolute and immediate discretion and right to inspect your costumes, prop weapons, and any other item you bring to the Event. We may temporarily or permanently remove any attendee in our sole and absolute discretion at any time for violating this Prop / Replica Weapons Policy— because your safety and the safety of every attendee is of the utmost importance.

JFGM reserve the right to modify and/or update this policy at any time in their sole discretion and without prior notice.

Prohibited Items

No Real Weapons Are Allowed at an Event.

This includes firearms, knives, curios, relic antique firearms, any form of ammunition, any items designed or manufactured with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, whether carried openly or concealed, even if any such weapons are inoperable or unusable and irrespective of whether you are licensed to possess such weapons. Items that may otherwise be legal for you to own or carry are not welcome at any Event if they violate this Prop / Replica Weapons Policy.

The following items are not permitted at any JFGM Event:

  • All Metal Weapons

  • Firearms, Ammunition, Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Blowguns, Tasers, Laser Pointers, Laser-Aiming Devices or similar Laser Devices

  • Explosives, Incendiary Devices, Chemical Weapons, and Pepper Spray / Mace

  • Knives, Live Blades/Swords (including Katana and other Martial Arts Style Swords), Daggers, Sword Canes, Switchblades, Bali-Song (Butterfly Knife), Axes, Kunai, Ice Skates, and Hatchets

  • Metal Pole Arms, Wooden/Metal Bats, Paddles, Stilts, Golf Clubs, and Vuvuzelas

  • Archery and Hunting Bows, Arrows, Nunchucks, Brass Knuckles, and Whips

  • Any item designed or manufactured with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or property, any item that is illegal in the state of California, or any item that appears, in JFGM’s sole discretion, to be dangerous or which would pose or place others at risk or harm, immediate or otherwise.

Everyday Items

  • Items that people normally carry such as umbrellas or walking sticks/canes are permitted within the Event and subject to inspection upon entry.

  • Lightweight plastic or foam bats, paddles, and clubs are permitted.

  • Roller skates/blades, skateboards, scooters, go-karts, hoverboards, etc. are not permitted within the Event area.

  • Ice Skates are not allowed, even with skate guards attached.

  • Power tools are not permitted e.g. chainsaws, drills, or hedge trimmers.

Law Enforcement Uniformed Costumes

COSTUMES THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS ARE NOT PERMITTED AT THE EVENT.

It is against the law to impersonate local law enforcement, emergency personnel, or first responders. JFGM has the absolute right and sole discretion to decide whether your costume looks too much like one of these uniforms, and to request the removal or modification of that costume. Should you refuse to cooperate, we may expel you from the Event in order to protect the safety and welfare of everyone at the Event.