Code of Conduct

Introduction

Our goal at the Islington Furmeet is for all of our attendees to feel welcome and accepted and have a safe and fun experience. To ensure this, as well as to ensure a good relationship with our host hotel and the general public, we have this code of conduct.

This code should not be considered a complete list of what is and is not allowed. Any behavior that negatively impacts other attendees, the operation of the convention, or our relationship with the hotel, other hotel guests, or the general public will result in action being taken against those responsible.

These actions, depending on the severity of the infraction, may include but are not limited to any combination of the following:

A warning from a staff member;
Temporary removal from convention space;
Revocation of con admission, without refund;
A ban from future events;
Reporting to other parties including the hotel or other conventions;

For infractions involving illegal activity, the individual(s) involved may be reported ot the police.

Badges

Once you have your convention badge, you must keep it visible on your person at all times in con space. Badges are not transferable under any circumstances. Staff may request that you show your badge for admission to convention areas. If for any reason you are ejected from the convention for violating this Code of Conduct, your badge must be forfeited.

Should you lose your badge at any point throughout the convention, return to registration for a replacement badge. A nominal deposit will be charged if you have proof that you previously received a badge.

Health

Please make sure you are clean and healthy when coming into con space. If your health or hygiene causes disruption to other attendees, you may be asked to leave con space and return when the issue is resolved.

Rating

As we welcome people of all ages and backgrounds and have minor (under 18 years of age) and mature attendees, our behaviour must be consistent with this.

Public spaces of the hotel open to other hotel guests are designated as suitable for general audiences (PG rated) at all times.

Unless otherwise designated, all convention space is suitable for general audiences. Any programming with strong language or adult themes will be controlled by security. Attendees under the age of 18 may not access such events.

Attendees must be appropriately clothed at all times (shirts, pants/shorts and footwear, or a costume). Attire and costumes should not be unacceptably revealing or indecent.

Collars may be worn, but leashes are permitted only as part of costumes. Anything more suggestive (e.g. fetish wear and demonstrations) is not permitted.

Public displays of affection should be limited to what you would do in polite company (nothing lewd).

Artists and dealers must post “figleaf” stickers over the genitalia of any explicit artwork, or keep such pictures in a “mature” portfolio and check ages before allowing it to be viewed. Physical items of a sexual nature can not be displayed.

Harassment

Harassment is not welcome. Everyone, including staff, volunteers and attendees, has the right to freedom from harassment, regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or personal beliefs. ANY harassing behavior (whether physical, verbal or sexual) that attempts to intimidate, frighten, or coerce someone will not be tolerated, and should be promptly reported to Security.

Hotel

Ultimately this is the hotel's space and we want to be able to use it in the future. Please show the hotel staff, security, and property all the respect that you can!

For security reasons, we do NOT allow anyone to sleep in convention space.

If you're staying at the hotel, please leave your room in the condition that it was when you entered it. This includes cleaning up any refuse and making sure that hotel property remains undamaged. Fire codes also require that only four people sleep in a room.

Be considerate of non-convention guests in the hotel and avoid disrupting any other events. Noise should be kept minimum at all times, especially during room party events. The hotel has a quiet hour after 11:00 pm, so make sure your parties are in “quiet mode” after this time. Hotel and convention staff will cooperate in giving violators ample warning before more drastic action is taken, but you will only get one warning before your event is shut down.

Please note that the individual renting any hotel room is fully responsible for all events occurring in the room for the duration of his or her stay. If a room party in your room gets our of hand, regardless of whether you were running the event, you are responsible. If there is damage to hotel property or excessive trash in your room, you are responsible.

Food and Drink

Outside food and drink not permitted in the convention space. Only food and drink purchased in the hotel are permitted in the convention space.

Alcohol, Smoking and Other Substances

Alcohol will not be served at the convention and may not be brought into convention space.

If you do choose to drink in private, please enjoy responsibly, and if you leave the convention after drinking, please don’t drive. Please refer to taxi numbers and TTC schedules available in con space and at the hotel to get home safely.

The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19. It is illegal by Ontario law to consume alcohol if you are underage, or to provide alcohol to those who are underage. Failure to abide by this will result in referral to the police.

Smoking (including tobacco as well as electronic cigarettes / “vaping”) is prohibited anywhere in the hotel.

This is hotel policy, and municipal and provincial law. The hotel will charge a $250.00 cleaning fee to the account of any guests who smoke in their guest room. Individuals who wish to smoke must do so outside the building, at a sufficient distance from the hotel. Please be considerate and dispose of cigarette butts in provided containers.

The use, distribution, or trafficking of any illegal drug or controlled substance per the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is a federal offence and will result in a report to the police.

Pets

Please don’t bring your pets into con space for the protection of the animal and our attendees. Service animals (guide dogs and the like) are always welcome.

Weapons

Weapons (e.g. swords, airsoft guns, pellet and paintball guns) may be brought to the convention for display as part of a costume or in an exhibit, subject to the following.

No real firearms are permitted in convention space under any circumstances. Laser pointers and sights are also not permitted. Items that clearly do not resemble a weapon and are marketed as toys (e.g. Nerf guns, water guns) are not required to be peace-bonded but are subject to all other provisions.

Before displaying or carrying a weapon it must be brought to Security for inspection and peace-bonding (except for toys as defined above). Security or convention staff also reserve the right to request inspections through the convention.
No weapon may be loaded with ammunition, made ready to fire, fired/swung/discharged in any manner, or used to threaten another individual. Exceptions may be made for special events with defined rules of engagement (Nerf tournaments, con photography, etc.)
You are responsible for the weapon at all times, including if it is loaned to a third party. Peace-bonding tags must remain on the item for the duration of the convention.
Displaying a weapon at the con is a privilege, not a right. Ontario Furries Expo reserves the right to suspend or revoke your privilege to display weapons, or to confiscate an item for the duration of the convention.

Transactions

Dealers assume all responsibility for adhering to provincial and federal laws for retailers, including the collection of sales taxes if applicable to your business, and must provide evidence of having complied with said requirements upon request.