Code of Conduct
Behavior at Keycon
Keycon makes the provision of safety for all of its members paramount. Any action which threatens the safety of anyone during the convention by a convention member or by an outsider to a member of Keycon will be dealt with promptly. This may include, revoking of memberships, banning from future conventions, and police action where appropriate.
Keycon welcomes members from diverse communities. Any action that negatively targets individuals based on their gender, sexuality, race, creed, religion, etc, will NOT be tolerated. The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the weekend. Members of the general public stay in and visit the hotel to dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals at all times. Keycon equally expects its members to behave in a civilized fashion and to treat each other respectfully.
Incidents and Reporting
Harassment is NOT tolerated. Harassment is generally any behavior that intentionally alarms or annoys another person or group. This includes: unwanted physical contact (including non-consensual hugs), following a person or group without a legitimate reason, threatening to physically attack someone or using hate-speech.
If you approach someone and they tell you “no” or “leave me alone”, your business with them is done. If you do not leave them as they have requested then your behavior becomes grounds for a harassment complaint.
Please report to any member of 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. If you do not feel comfortable approaching a member of the con-com, feel free to send an email to the Keycon conchairs or to the WinSFA president.
Keycon reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for any reason. Persons violating the law will be turned over to the police or hotel security. All assaults are criminal matters and will be treated as such.
Reporting an Incident
All incidents and issues regarding anyone in the membership fall under the responsibility of Keycon Operations (Ops). Ops functions out of the hospitality floor, and can be contacted 24 hours a day during the convention.
A member of Ops and/or the volunteer committee will be present on the hospitality floor throughout the convention. Ops phone numbers are posted at the entrance to all elevators and in bathrooms throughout the convention space as well as on the door to Ops. Ops members will wear identifiable markers on their badge..
If someone has become too boisterous or needs an escort to a room or taxi, these are the individuals to call.
Ops will also respond to any incidents where this code of conduct has been violated. If you cannot find a member of Ops, we encourage you to call the Ops number, seek out a member of the Convention staff (wearing staff ribbons on their badges), check with the panel or hospitality room coordinator, or email the con-chairs. These members will ensure that you are put in touch with Operations promptly.
ALL convention staff have been trained to respond/intervene in the event of a more extreme circumstances, such as sexual assault, and to protect you and your rights. If you cannot contact Ops before/during these situations, we still encourage you to choose to report the incident afterwards. A member of the convention will ensure that you are safely escorted to care of your choosing and without judgment.
Badge Policy
Badging will be in effect in all areas of the convention and at all times. This means that you must wear your badge from opening ceremonies until the end of the dead dog.
You will also be REQUIRED to show ID for adult-oriented panels and hospitality suites.If you lose your badge you will need to purchase a new one from the Registration Desk!
Anyone caught in any of the convention spaces without a badge (Ghosting) will be asked to either collect their badge or leave the convention!
Badges help staff determine whether a con-goer is over the age of 18 (required by law to imbibe liquor) however badges can also be available if adults do not want to be served alcohol in any suite. Please ask registration about these specific badges. Badges are non-transferrable. Persons found trading or sharing badges will have their memberships revoked without refund.
Weapons and Accessories Policy
Keycon has enjoyed a long safe history of accessorized costumes with next to no accidents or incidents. Let’s work together to keep it that way for everyone’s enjoyment.
You are responsible for your accessory. Watch where your bow or staff is pointing, let’s keep the ankle bruising and noggin knockin’ to a bare minimum, and ensure that your replica weapon does not break any laws.
Any replica guns MUST follow the rules listed by the RCMP: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms/specific-types-firearms
Keep your blades sheathed, scabbarded, etc. Securing them in their sheath so that the item cannot be casually removed (peacebonding) is REQUIRED.
If you need help with securing or confirming your accessories, see Ops and they’ll help out.
Alcohol and Smoking Policy
Keycon’s Hospitality suites are REQUIRED to have a Serve-It-Safe license, and are well informed about the rules concerning food and liquor safety. They must follow all Serve-It Safe practices and legislation.
Hospitality suites will be carefully checking badges and IDs and have the right to refuse service to alcohol to anyone deemed a minor, or over the serving limit.
If any minor is found partaking of an alcoholic beverage, or a suite is found over-serving a patron, that Hospitality suite will be shut down immediately, for the duration of the convention.!
Smoking under Winnipeg Health laws smoking is only permitted in “smoking” hotel rooms and in designated outdoor areas. Please remember to time your smoking breaks accordingly to allow for travel time especially at peak periods.
Appropriate Dress
We welcome the use of costumes and enjoy seeing them in the hotel. We must however stress that there are other guests who are not involved in Keycon and minors present as we are a family friendly convention. All costumes must cover the member’s body – there can be no nudity (partial or otherwise) in the common areas.
There may be 18+ paneling content, and we will be IDing at the door, however appropriate dress to and from these spaces is still mandatory. Anyone who does not follow this dress code will be asked to change their attire or may need to leave the hotel immediately.
Photography
Photography and videotaping of individuals (be it guest, con-com, or general member) are NOT permitted without permission. In group settings, it is expected that some photography may be taken by members of the convention, or by the convention staff. If you see anyone taking photos or video in group settings, and you do not wish to be included, POLITELY inform the individual to not include you.
To protect the safety of the masquerade participants, we do not allow flash photography during the masquerade.. Do not use tripods and other bulky equipment where they might impede access to seats, doors, and walkways in the event a room must be evacuated.
If a photo (taken in ways other than the conventions cameras) is desired by the convention for promotional use, permission will be requested before any images or videos will be obtained.
Children as Fans
Children under 12 years old may attend with a free babes-in-arms membership, however it will be under the supervision of their legal parent or guardian AT ALL TIMES. The guardian may ask another member to assist with this, but Keycon REQUIRES that there be at least one supervising adult with a membership accompanying every babe-in-arms member.
Parents of children aged 12-17 who believe their children are mature enough 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. In this case they would be escorted to Ops, until claimed by their parent or guardian.
Some program items dealing with adult-themed topics may be closed to individuals under the age of 18. Photo ID will be required to access these events. Membership in the convention never supersedes the law.
Liability
Neither Keycon nor the hotel shall be responsible for any items lost or damaged in the public areas of the hotel, or other general public areas during attendance at Keycon. All attendees will take responsibility for their own possessions.
If another attendee damages your possessions, it is your responsibility to seek recompense from them directly. If escalating, Ops can be contacted.
If an attendee damages hotel property, Ops will be notified, and they will likely be held personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for repaying any debts incurred.
To Note: The Code Of Conduct is under constant review, and open to helpful and polite revisions.