Attendee Policy

Welcome to BronyExpo! Before attending our event, make sure you read over our policies so you can work together with our staff to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Event Rating

BronyExpo is primarily an all-ages event. During daylight hours, please keep in mind that there are minor attendees in and around our venue. Refrain from inappropriate dress, strong language, depictions of intense violence or adult content, and anything else that may not be considered all-ages. After 9:00 PM, a section of our event space will be devoted to 18+ programming as well as a one-night 18+ market space. Despite this, we ask that you keep your appearance in mind as you go to and from this space.

Anti-Harassment

Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated at BronyExpo for any reason. BronyExpo does not allow harassment of any kind, including but not limited to behaviors such as: stalking, offensive comments, hate speech, bathroom policing, inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact, recording or taking pictures without permission, and repeatedly disrupting conversations you have been asked to leave. The aforementioned comments or hate speech could be in relation to: age, race or ethnicity, color, citizenship or national origin, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or presentation, appearance, clothing, body size, pregnancy, disability, or religion. This list is not an exhaustive list.

Depictions or allusions/references to any hate symbols or hate speech are strictly disallowed.

If you feel uncomfortable at any time due to the actions of another attendee, please notify the nearest member of our Staff as soon as you are able.

If the offending attendee also happens to be a member of Staff, you may contact any of our three chairs directly by sending an email to chairs@bronyexpo.com.

We will always do our best to help you feel safe. If there is a refusal by any party to follow our guidelines, BronyExpo may ask you to surrender your badge and leave the event space.

Minors

Everyone is welcome to attend our event, however all minors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian age 18 or over for the duration of the convention. The adult must have purchased a badge. Attendees aged 5 and under at the time of the event may attend free of charge with their legal guardian.

Badges

Badges must be visibly displayed on your person while in event space. In case of a lost badge, one replacement will be available with presentation of photo ID. Additional replacements will be charged full price.

Lost and Found

If you have misplaced something during the event, all items turned in will be stored at Con Ops until programming concludes on Sunday evening. Please visit Con Ops to report or claim missing items. After the conclusion of the event, any remaining lost items will be turned in to our host venue.

Hotel

You must comply with hotel and government rules while on hotel premises. What’s illegal outside the hotel is illegal inside the hotel. Please follow any instructions given to you by members of hotel staff. If you have concerns, contact any BronyExpo staff member.

Do not stick anything to hotel walls. Any unapproved material on hotel walls will be removed, and any damage caused will be the responsibility of the poster. Flyer distributions are allowed as long as they comply with a PG content rating. A community advertising board will be present near the Information Desk.

Cosplay

While we are an event with a focus on My Little Pony, cosplay from all fandoms are welcome as long as they follow our rating guides and the below rules:

• Our coverage policy is gender-neutral. All clothing or costumes must cover the complete groin, buttocks, and breasts.
• All clothing worn in convention space must be appropriate for our primarily PG rating. This includes text on costumes or accessories attached to costumes.
• Clothing printed with pornographic imagery, including any ahegao clothing, is not permitted.
• Footwear is required at all times.
• Costumes worn in the event space can not be so large that they obstruct or impede the flow of traffic or entryways for the safety of all attendees. If the costume cannot fit through a standard doorway, you may be asked to store it.
• Attendees with bulky costumes, costumes that obscure vision, or costumes with large extensions such as wings or spikes, should have a designated “handler” to assist them through the hallways and crowds. If the attendee does not have a handler, the attendee may be asked to leave the convention space to remove the cosplay or the parts of the cosplay creating bulk or obstruction.
• No costumes may depict law enforcement, military uniforms, first responders, emergency medical personnel, or any official government agent.
• Costumes may not target or harass any specific person, culture, nationality, or anything else that may come off as rude or inappropriate. Our anti-harassment policy applies at all times.

Weapons

If your cosplay includes an appropriate weapon/prop, we ask that you visit our Information Desk to have your weapon “peace bonded”. Peace-bonding involves the application of a brightly coloured ribbon or band to ensure that your prop or weapon is safe and approved for the event space.

Live Steel

Live steel props are any props crafted from metal with a pointed end or blade-like edge, whether blunt or sharp. All such objects are strictly prohibited in convention spaces. This rule does not apply to objects with only the appearance of metal, such as wooden swords wrapped in aluminum foil.

Weapons

Projectile weapons such as bows, slings, or crossbows must be disabled and unloaded. Bows must be unstrung or strung with a flimsy and loose material such as twine. No bolts or arrows may be carried as part of a costume unless they are fake, cannot be fired, and not sharp or dangerous.

Gun-like Props

All props that can reasonably be perceived to be a real firearm due to their color, size, shape, or other characteristics are prohibited from the convention. Gun-like props that do not fall under this restriction must have an orange tip as part of the prop at the point of manufacture. (That is, using orange tape or paint on the tip does not qualify unless you made the prop yourself, e.g. out of Styrofoam.) Furthermore, no airsoft guns of any kind are allowed in convention space, disabled or otherwise, and no ammunition of any kind may be carried. Toy guns (such as NERF guns) must be unloaded and their magazines, if present, must be removed except during photos. In all cases, take care to avoid gun-like props with color schemes commonly found on real firearms such as black, gunmetal gray, or tan.

Guns

Real firearms, even if disabled or unloaded, are strictly prohibited in all convention spaces. If you are an off-duty law enforcement officer, carrying your sidearm through convention space is at the discretion of the Safety Department Head. Please ask to see the Safety Department Head when you enter the con so there are no unfortunate misunderstandings.

Accessibility

BronyExpo is committed to working with attendees to provide as many accessibility options as possible. Our venue has information about their accessibility at the bottom of this page. You may view room options here, along with information about pet accommodation.

If you predict that you will need special services or accommodations at BronyExpo, please send an email with details specifying those needs to info@bronyexpo.com prior to your arrival so we can help you to the best of our abilities.

Can’t stand in line? Visit our Information Desk to let us know when and where you’ll need assistance. We can provide you with seating to wait in line, or early access to specific events or panels. If you would like an “ADA” badge ribbon, you may visit the ADA Registration table or our Information Desk. Display this ribbon at the bottom of your badge and show a staff member wherever you need extra assistance.

Photos and Videos

BronyExpo attendees should be aware that audio and/or video recordings are frequently made in convention areas and that their likenesses may appear in those recordings. Individual members agree to assign without compensation the use of their likeness(es) at BronyExpo for the use of promotional material such as highlights and videos.

Everyone must comply with the BronyExpo anti-harassment policy when taking photos or videos of others. Be respectful and remember that cosplay is not consent.

BronyExpo has staff photographers who may take audio/video recordings during times when attendees are not permitted to record. If you are taking photos for personal use, we request that you give staff photographers priority and move out of their shot if asked.

Revisions

Policies are subject to change at any time. The most recent and accurate policies will be displayed on this webpage, and may not necessarily align with the published contents of our Convention Book due to restrictions around printing timeframes.

We appreciate everyone's cooperation in abiding by our event's policies.