fbpx
Tickets

Code of Conduct

Guidelines for a Respectful Experience

Entry to events run by Animaga is bound by the following code of conduct. Failure to comply may result in removal from the event without prior notice being given, and may also result in the banning or blacklisting from future Animaga events.
Animaga wishes to create a fun and safe event for people of all ages to enjoy, this code of conduct exists so that injuries can be prevented and all attendees can enjoy themselves.

condition of entry
  • Event attendees are required to visibly display their event passes or wristbands at all times.
  • Wristbands corresponding to the purchased tickets will be provided to attendees. Animaga is not responsible for lost or stolen wristbands, and replacements will not be issued.
  • All attendees are expected to adhere to the rules and guidelines established by Melboune Convention Exhibition Center (MCEC).
  • Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is over 18 years old. Those in violation of this requirement will be asked to leave the venue.
  • Any form of theft is strictly prohibited at the event. Law enforcement will be contacted if theft is identified.
  • Tickets for individual events, screenings, or tournaments are non-refundable in the event of scheduling changes or cancellations.
  • Animaga, its board, management, staff, volunteers, membership, associates, and the venue shall not be held liable for any loss, damage, theft, or injury incurred on the premises during the event.
  • Weapons, glass items, fireworks, illicit drugs, and alcohol are strictly prohibited within the venue and its surroundings.
  • Smoking is not permitted indoors or within the general event premises.
  • Animals and pets, except for Registered Guide Dogs, are not permitted at the venue or the event.
  • Unauthorized tampering with barriers, crowd control structures, or any alterations will not be tolerated. Individuals engaging in such activities will be required to leave the venue.
  • By attending, pass holders consent to being filmed or recorded as part of the crowd and/or audience. Individual photography or filming of attendees requires their permission.
  • Animaga reserves the right to deny entry or remove any individual from the event whose behavior is deemed to be potentially harmful, harassing, or unsafe to other attendees, Animaga staff, or venue staff. This measure is taken to ensure a safe and positive environment for all participants.
filming and photography
  • Photography and video recording of attendees in public areas of the event are generally permissible. Specific guidelines pertaining to video, audio, and photography are applicable in designated event areas.
  • Compliance with all directions and restrictions provided by Animaga at any event or within any area of the event is mandatory.
  • Prior consent must be obtained before photographing or recording individuals or their costumes. Individuals retain the right to decline photography or recording.
  • Photographs and recordings taken during the event, featuring its activities, staff, or attendees, cannot be used for commercial purposes without written permission from Animaga.
  • When sharing images or videos, it is important to identify them as captured at an Animaga event.
  • Animaga holds the right to assess whether an individual’s use of photography or video technology is inappropriate.
  • In cases where inappropriate use of photography or video technology is identified by Animaga, the responsible parties may be asked to leave the venue.
  • By attending the event, you provide consent to be filmed or photographed by Animaga’s Board, Management, Staff, Volunteers, or their designees during the event without compensation.
  • By attending the event, you grant Animaga an irrevocable, non-exclusive, and perpetual right to reproduce, display, distribute, perform, create derivative works from, and use any images or footage of you.
Ensuring Safe Conduct:

By accepting this Code of Conduct, you acknowledge that any breach of its terms that encompasses activities prohibited by law will prompt the notification of appropriate authorities. Such violation will lead to your removal from the Convention without refund and may result in your denial of entry to future Animaga events.

  • Animaga enforces a strict prohibition of hazardous activities, which includes but is not limited to:

– Aggressive conduct towards Staff, Traders, Volunteers, or Attendees

– Engaging in fights or altercations

– Carrying weapons

– Displaying offensive behavior

– Indecent exposure

Safety Disclaimer

Animaga assumes no liability for any injuries, damages, or losses arising from these activities. In the event of an emergency evacuation or situation, please adhere to official directives.
Comprehensive precautions have been taken to guarantee the safety of the venue.

  • Animaga, its board, management, staff, volunteers, members, and venue(s) shall not be held accountable for any loss, damage, theft, or injury that may transpire during the event.
  • Staff members may offer aid during emergencies, but such assistance is provided at your own discretion and risk.
security policy
  • Security is stationed at events to ensure the safety of attendees, staff, volunteers, and the venue.
  • Visible security presence and regular patrols will be maintained.
  • Security personnel and/or Police will address any instances of wrongdoing.
  • Decisions rendered by Security personnel are conclusive and must be respected.

By attending the event, you acknowledge that security personnel have the authority to remove you from the Convention if your actions jeopardize the safety of attendees, staff, volunteers, the venue, or yourself.

animaga harrassment policy

Animaga maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards all forms of harassment and bullying. Individuals found in violation of this policy, whether they are staff, traders, volunteers, members of the press, or attendees, will be promptly removed.

Harassment is defined as, but not restricted to:

  • Verbal Abuse (Insults, Aggressive Yelling, etc.)
  • Physical Abuse (Punching, Kicking, Slapping, etc.)
  • Sexual Harassment (Unwanted Touching, Unwanted Sexual Advances, etc.) [1]
  • Intentional Intimidation
  • Stalking
  • Willful damage to another person’s belongings (Costume Vandalism, Bag Defacing, Wig Tugging, etc.)
  • Capturing pictures/movies without Attendee Consent [2]
  • Persistent Disruption of Events/Panels/Meetups
  • Displaying overtly sexualized imagery to others

Participants are expected to cease the behavior immediately upon request.
If harassment persists after being made unwelcome, report it to an Animaga Staff Member who will gather statements from both parties, assess the situation, and determine appropriate action.

Potential responses if the complaint is substantiated include:

  • Issuing warnings to the offenders
  • Ejection from the convention
  • Banning from future Animaga events

In case of harassment at Animaga, or if you witness it, contact a volunteer or staff member to help resolve the situation. Comprehensive statements will be obtained from all parties involved, guiding the ensuing action.

[1] Due to previous incidents at other conventions, actions such as Free Hugs and Glomping are prohibited due to potential exploitation.
[2] Photography/filming must explicitly state their purpose before commencing.

Animaga retains the right to modify and update this policy at its discretion, without prior notice.

props and weapon policy

In order to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, Animaga enforces the following guidelines regarding props and weapons at the event:

General Prop and Weapon Rules:

  • You may be asked to leave any large props and prop weapons in our cloakroom for the duration of the event. They may only be used during the Cosplay Competition.
  • Your prop must not exceed 1.5 meters in length when fully constructed, or be excessively heavy as determined by a member of the cosplay team.
  • Props must not be made of metal, except for certain exceptions as specified below.
  • Roller skates, blades, and skateboards are prohibited from use within the venue; they may only be used as props for posing to ensure the safety of all participants.

Bladed and Martial Arts Props:

  • All swords or bladed martial arts props must have blunt edges and cannot possess any sort of cutting or sharpened edge.
  • Metal sword props, including those purchased at the event, must remain sheathed or in their original packaging throughout the event to ensure safety.

Archery Props:

  • All bow props must either be unstrung or have a low-tensile thread, making them incapable of shooting.
  • All arrow props must have non-metal, blunted tips.

REAL WEAPONS ARE PROHIBITED

No real weapons are allowed at Animaga events. This includes, but is not limited to: firearms, knives, and any items designed or manufactured with the intent to cause harm, even if they are inoperable or unusable. Carrying such a weapon to any Animaga event violates this policy, regardless of whether you are licensed to carry it.

TOY, LOOK-ALIKE, OR IMITATION FIREARM

In the state of Victoria, devices that could reasonably be mistaken for functional firearms based on their appearance are classified as imitation firearms and are prohibited weapons. Any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm must have a green or orange tip to be allowed into the event. If your prop weapon looks like a working firearm and lacks such a tip, Animaga and its associated personnel reserve the right to deny entry or ask for its removal.

For further clarification, please refer to the guidelines provided by Victoria Police.

Legal Compliance:

Animaga is not responsible for any actions taken by local law enforcement if you choose to display or brandish your prop at or outside the event. Attendees are advised to exercise discretion and consider the public perception when carrying prop weapons.

costumes policy

GENERAL COSTUME RULES:

  • Costumes should not be overly sexualized.
  • Exposure of genitalia, buttocks, or breasts is strictly prohibited.
  • Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times; the soles of your feet must be covered.
  • Oversized costume wings or attachments (that extend significantly beyond your body dimensions) are generally not permitted in the exhibitor’s hall. Please store these in the cloakroom and retrieve them for the cosplay competition or photo booth.
ANIMAGA OFFICIAL GUEST PHOTO BOOTH policy
  1. Please follow all instructions provided by staff.
  2. While we aim to accommodate everyone, we cannot guarantee photos with any particular guest. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.
  3. Each Photo Booth Token grants you two photo shoots for a group of up to five attendees.
  4. To keep the line moving smoothly:
    • Limit conversations with the guest.
    • Be prepared when you reach the front of the line.
  5. Respectful behavior towards our guests is mandatory. Anyone displaying rudeness or malicious intent will be removed from the event.
  6. Animaga reserves the right to close the Photo Booth line at any time.
  7. Entry can be refused to any attendee who does not follow these rules.

ON-THE-DAY ENQUIRIES AND ITEM CHECKS

Should you have any questions about our signing policies, general inquiries, or if you’re unsure whether your item is suitable for signing, our staff will be available at a designated location in the Animaga Guest Area to assist you.

Assistance will be provided for:

    • Queries related to signing sessions.
    • Examination of items for signing.
    • Handling of gifts intended for guests.
guest signing policy

Guests will be available for autographs during the weekend in the Animaga Guest Area in MCEC. Please check the schedule for specific signing times for each guest. Our guests are delighted to meet and greet their fans during these sessions. However, due to high demand and limited time, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will receive an autograph from a particular guest.

To ensure that as many people as possible can obtain Signing Tokens, please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Signing Tokens will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the Animaga Guest Area.
  • The Animaga Guest Area will serve as the central location for distributing a limited number of Signing Tokens prior to each session. These tokens are only valid for the signing session occurring on the day they were distributed.
  • Each attendee may receive only ONE Signing Token per guest.
  • Attendees may not line up for an autograph session without a Signing Token.
  • Lining up for an autograph session more than 30 minutes before the scheduled start time is not permitted.
  • To keep the line moving efficiently, attendees are requested to bring only ONE item to be signed. Please have your item ready when you are in line. (For CDs and DVDs, consider removing the cover in advance if you wish for the guest to sign inside.)
  • Guests are happy to sign your program guide or any officially licensed merchandise. The signing of other types of items is at the guest’s discretion. Bootleg items will not be signed.
  • Staff reserve the right to inspect items before they are presented to the guest for signing.
  • Photography is strictly prohibited during signing sessions.
  • Please be considerate of your fellow attendees by avoiding lengthy conversations with the guests during the signing session.
  • Animaga reserves the right to conclude any autograph session at its discretion.
  • The above policies are in addition to the general Animaga Code of Conduct.
gifts for guests

If you plan to bring a special item for a guest, such as a personal note or a small gift, we request that you follow certain guidelines for both practical and safety reasons. Guests appreciate these thoughtful gestures, but kindly refrain from bringing anything large, bulky, or easily damaged.

  • Make sure to include the name of the guest, as well as your own name and contact information, either written on the outside of your note or clearly attached to the exterior of the gift.
  • Do not use tape or ribbon to wrap your gift. A gift bag or simple tissue paper is acceptable for covering it, as Animaga staff must be able to screen all gifts.
  • Given that many guests travel a considerable distance to attend Animaga, they may have limited luggage space. Therefore, gifts should be small, durable, and easy to pack.
  • Please note that we cannot accept any food items as gifts.
  • Gifts containing human DNA (such as blood, skin, or hair) will not be accepted.
  • If you have a gift to present at any guest appearance, kindly consult the Animaga staff member overseeing that specific appearance before handing it over.
  • Gifts can also be taken to the merchandise table, where our staff will assist in ensuring the guest receives it later.
  • It is inappropriate to use Q&A time during a guest’s panel to present your gift. This is not only disrespectful to the guest but also unfair to other attendees who wish to hear the guest speak.
  • If you’d like to give your gift during a signing session, please consult our staff first to inspect the item before it is presented to the guest.
  • If you have any unique or specific gift requests, please confirm them with Animaga staff in advance.