Arisia Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies
To help ensure our members' happiness and a successful convention, we have established a Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies for all members. We have little desire to police our membership, but we do have some requests and expectations that will help ensure a pleasurable weekend for all.
General Demeanor - Common Sense Required
Reminder: The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the weekend. Members of the general public stay here or visit the hotel to dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals at all times.
Arisia expects its members to respect each other and behave in a generally civilized fashion. Members should respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. If you wouldn't do it at home, please don't do it here.
Please report to the convention committee any incidents in which a member of the convention is abusive, insulting, intimidating, bothersome, or acting in an unsafe or illegal manner. Arisia reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for just cause. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or the hotel security force.
Sleeping in public or convention areas of the hotel is forbidden by the hotel management. This is private property.
The hotel strictly forbids throwing, dropping, or flying anything from the balconies or escalators.
Program participants and event coordinators are responsible for the comfort and safety of convention members in their areas. Disruptive behavior by children or adults is not acceptable, and any actions disturbing to attendees may result in a request to leave.
Convention Badges must be worn and visible to access any convention area (including Dealers Row and Open Parties). Exceptions may be made for special cases, e.g. masquerade participants while on-stage (but masquerade participants do need to have memberships in any case).
Children as Fans and Companions
Arisia makes every effort to protect fans of all ages and provide a healthy environment with many opportunities for fun and learning. Children are a valued part of our community, and we welcome their appropriate participation.
Childcare is available for ages 2-6 years with a Childcare membership. Parents must provide a cell phone or pager number. Space is limited, so purchase Childcare memberships in advance.
Fast Track is a children's program open to fans aged 6-12 years old. Fast Track is billed as a con within a con; offering a wide variety of program items for children. Some items may require the supervision of a child by parents. It is each parents' responsibility to review the Fast Track schedule and decide which items they will allow their child to participate, either with or without adult supervision.
Fast Track does not provide snacks and meals; parents must arrange to feed their children.
Childcare and Fast Track have limited hours; please check the schedule.
Children under 12 years old may attend with either their own paid convention membership, or with a free Kids-in-Tow membership (with and under the supervision of an authorized adult at all times). Arisia requires that there be at least one supervising adult with a membership accompanying every three Kids-in-Tow members.
Parents of children aged 9-12 who believe their children are mature enough (and who have their own paid membership) may choose to allow their children to freely roam the convention on their own. Any child who excessively misbehaves or engages in inappropriate, disruptive or dangerous behavior is subject to having free-roaming privileges or their entire membership revoked.
All children aged 8 and under must be with an adult, in childcare, or in Fast Track con areas. All other unattended children will be sold to the mad scientists for experimentation.
Please remember that many of the costumes the attendees will be wearing, and the displays in the exhibit areas may be made of delicate and easily damaged materials that should not be handled without permission.
Some program items dealing with adult topics may be closed to individuals under 18 years of age. Although children under 18 years of age may register as "adults," membership in the convention in no way supersedes local, state, or federal laws.
Costume and Masquerade Guidelines
All costumes are welcome at Arisia, whether created by the wearer or not. However, purchased and rented costumes are not eligible for awards. Awards are made to the creator of the costume, not the wearer.
Costume weapons are permitted, but must be peace-bonded by Arisia Security when you arrive, unless worn solely for the masquerade as part on an on-stage costume. The use of any real weaponry as part of a costume, as well as the use of any special effects, must first be approved by the Masquerade Director. Remember, it's okay to surprise the audience, but not the staff.
During the masquerade, flash photography, laser pointers, beepers or cellular telephones not set silent are forbidden.
Participants in the masquerade must read and agree to the terms contained in the separate costumer release.
Parties in Guest Rooms
If you'd like to host a party (Open or Closed), you must register with us in advance and use a room in the "Active" room block. Parties registered in advance with Arisia will be moved to a “Party Host room”, can request a free ice delivery from the hotel, and ensures you are covered by Arisia's corkage agreement (allowing you to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks).
Parties may be "Open Parties" (all convention members welcome, and with doors open or ajar) or "Closed Parties" (private, doors closed, no advertising). Serving of alcohol is not allowed in Open Party areas.
Party hosts are responsible for adhering to convention policies, hotel rules, and local, state, and federal laws.
Smoking, Alcohol, Weapons, and Illegal Acts
The Westin hotel bans smoking in all areas of the hotel, including all guest rooms.
Arisia prohibits the consumption of alcohol in all convention areas except for alcohol purchased from the hotel and consumed in the area in which it was purchased. The legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21. You may be asked to provide a valid ID if ordering alcoholic beverages.
Arisia's corkage waiver does not apply to serving of alcohol. According to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and the Boston Licensing Board, all alcoholic beverages must be purchased through the hotel. The hotel may confiscate any privately purchased alcohol, prevent you from bringing it onto the property, or take other actions (such as placing a large corkage charge on your bill).
Laws governing illegal substances, obscenity, weapons, public behavior, and the treatment of minors must be strictly observed. Remember, there may be members of the Boston Police Department on patrol at the convention.
The following weapons are illegal in Massachusetts: blackjacks, billy clubs, any sort of double-edged knife (symmetrical cross-section, even if one side is dull), shuriken (throwing stars) and nunchucks (this list is not exhaustive).
Photography, Videography, and Press Policy
There will be photographers present; if you do not wish to be photographed or recorded please state so clearly and unambiguously.
Photographers, ask permission before you photograph or audio/videotape any person or group. Anyone wishing to take pictures or make audio or video recordings of any part of the convention must read and agree to the terms of the separate photographers/videographers release. Anyone wishing to sell photographs or audio or video recordings of any part of the convention (including the masquerade) must read and agree to the terms of the separate photographers/videographers contract.
If you are acting on behalf of a publication, video production organization, or news medium of any kind (freelance or employed; commercial publication, media, or fanzine), you must go to the Press Office and register for a press pass and press packet.
Individuals or organizations violating these guidelines by selling, reproducing, broadcasting, or publishing materials obtained at an Arisia convention without permission may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If you have any questions as to what is appropriate, contact the press liaison for further information.
Other Policies
Dealers are limited to the Dealer's Room in the Galleria space, and the Dealer's Row on the 16th floor. Any vending from a hotel room not authorized by the Dealer Liaison will be shut down, and the memberships of those involved will be revoked.
All raffles and drawings, whether for profit or charitable reasons, must comply with the City of Boston guidelines.
