North Country Comic Convention (Nococon) Attendee Code of Conduct
North Country Comic Convention, also known as Nococon, is the premier Pop culture convention in the North Country. We aim to provide our guests with an amazing time at an event tailored to their fandoms, hobbies and interests.
We pride ourselves on providing an exciting, safe and inclusive event for everyone.
Harassment
Nococon is committed to keeping our convention attendees and guests safe. Nococon has Zero tolerance for Harassment of any kind. We will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior, including but not limited to: harassment about attire, age, disability,
marital status, race or color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. This also includes inappropriate behavior towards any type of cosplay or costumer in any way.
Threatening behavior with the intent to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another is absolutely unacceptable and is grounds for removal from the convention without refund. If unacceptable behavior continues upon being escorted from the show
floor, local authorities may be contacted to pursue criminal charges.
Consent
Nococon is a space that is pro-consent. Attendees should feel comfortable expressing boundaries and are expected to respect boundaries set by other congoers. Consent is not only about potential sexual situations but also includes social interactions like “Can
I sit with you?”, “Would you like to chat?” or “Do you Mind if I take your photo?” and countless other interpersonal interactions.
Cosplay is Not Consent. Cosplay is about fun, creativity and mutual respect. Attendees are expected treat every on with respect. A cosplay costume may be revealing but that is not an invitation for inappropriate behavior from anyone. Speak Out; Speak
Up; Help keep cosplay comfortable and fun!
Anyone who sees or feels that their convention experience is being compromised due to unacceptable or questionable behavior of others is encouraged to speak with any staff member, volunteer, or security teammate.
General Rules
You must wear your badge or wristband at all times while at the convention. You may be asked to show your badge or wristband when re-entering convention.
All congoers must enter through the main gate and present or purchase a valid badge or wrist band during convention operating hours.
Nococon Staff members are ready to help with any questions you may have, if you need immediate help please find a staff member or come to the front desk and we will guide you to the correct resources to fix your situation.
Announced events and guests are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Every effort will be made to announce any changes via show floor announcements, social media, and the web site.
Attendee Behavior
Be kind. Everyone attending the convention is there to have a good time. Be courteous and aware of others around you. We are a “family friendly” convention guests of all ages will be in attendance.
Please abide by our Costume/Prop Policy (see below). It is important to North Country Comic Con that everyone is safe and has a good time.
Don’t block Aisles, to ensure the convention complies with fire code is accessible to everyone, aisles, hallways and pedestrian spaces need to be kept clear and free of obstructions
Please do not abuse the convention facilities:
No posting signs, posters, Flyers etc. on walls, doors or other surfaces.
No leaving trash anywhere other than a garbage cans.
No climbing on the bleachers or any other equipment.
Please notify a Nococon Staff member if there is an issue with the facility.
Guests are only permitted in public areas of the arena, areas marked as private, for staff only, etc. are off limits.
Nococon Staff members and Security maintain the right to ask any attendee to leave if they do not abide by the rules and policies enforced by the convention. If you are asked to leave due to a violation of rules and policies, no refunds will be given.
Pets and Service Animals
Nococon is committed to providing an inclusive, safe and accessible environment for our guests and we welcome all trained service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)and New York State Law with proper supervision.
As permitted by the ADA and NY law, staff may ask you “Is this animal a service animal required because of a disability?” and “What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?” However, you will not be required to present a license, document, or
other proof that your animal is a service animal.
No other live animals, including but not limited to Pets and Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are permitted at Nococon.
Smoking/Substance use
Nococon is committed to following all local, state and federal laws regarding substance, alcohol and tobacco use at Nococon and all associated events.
There is Zero tolerance for smoking, vaping or substance use inside the Watertown Municipal arena.
Anyone who is found in violation of this will be escorted out of the convention with no refund and will be permanently barred from all future events associated with Nococon.
Weapons
No functional weapons are allowed at Nococon or associated events. Except for On Duty Law Enforcement Officers,
anyone including legally issued permit holders found to have a weapon on premises will be asked to leave with no refund issued.
For Costume Props please see the Costumes and Cosplay section below:
Cosplay Fit Rules
All costumes and clothing must fall in a PG rating. Apparel should not depict vulgar or offensive images or text. Nococon Staff may determine if a costume is appropriate for the convention.
Shirts, shoes, and pants/shorts must be worn at all times. This is both for your safety and in accordance with health code restrictions. Violation of this will deny you entry to the convention.
Any form of nudity or partial nudity is prohibited in the convention proper and in The Watertown Municipal Arena.
All attendees must have proper footwear. Bathing suit areas must be covered. Any form of nudity is prohibited.
Examples of acceptable clothing as long as you are fully covered: sports bras, muscle shirts, spanks, leggings, etc.
No exposed hard materials including, but not limited to, wood, plastic, and metal. These materials may only be used as a structural base for your costume and then must be covered in foam or similar soft material to prevent injury to others.
If your costume is deemed unsafe, you will be asked to change into a different outfit. No sharp edges or points. These must be blunted or made out of a soft material to prevent injuring others. Free floating chains or trains must be no more than 1 foot long and must not flail around. Your costume must be able to fit through a door of standard height and width (~7.5' x 3'). No part of your costume should obstruct the path of another attendee.
If your view is obstructed, please have a guide to direct you. If you and your costume require more than one seat in any event or panel room or obstruct the view of any other attendee, Nococon staff may designate seating for you that causes the least disruption. If you wish to take part in the Cosplay Contest, in addition to the rules above, you must adhere to the Nocoon Cosplay Contest Rules.
Lost Items
If you find that you have lost items, please find a Nococon staff member and they will guide you to the lost and found. Please note that North Country Comic Con is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property, or for injuries sustained during the convention.
Photography
By entering the convention, you consent to be photographed and video-recorded.
Guests are welcome to pictures and record video around the show as long as they do so in a respectful manner. Please refrain from taking pictures/video of artwork and merchadise without asking permission from the artist/vendor
Drones
The operation of Drones within the arena including public spaces, concourse, lobbies, corridors, courts the parking lot and is prohibited without written permission from both convention and arena management.
Costume Prop Policy
The Costume Prop Policy is subject to change at anytime and final approval costume props will be at the sole discretion of our Prop Safety Staff at the convention.
Costume/ Prop Check
All Costume props must be inspected daily at the security/prop check desk in the arena lobby
After your costume props have been checked they will be tagged to designated that they have been inspected/approved. This tag must remain visible on your costume prop while you are at the event.
Security will escort you to the Costume/Props check desk for inspection if your costume props are not tagged.
Prop Weapons
Simulated or costume prop weapons may be allowed as part of your costume subject to approval by our Prop Check Staff and with the following:
All Cosplay must abide by the Nococon Attendee Code of Conduct.
No functional or Sharp-Edged props or weapons are allowed at Nococon, except in the case of scheduled demonstration/content by vendors/attractions preapproved by convention management.
Prop weapons must not easily be confused for real weapons.
All costume props must comply with state and federal laws
Replica projectile props must be rendered inoperable and covered with bright colored caps. This includes but is not limited to “toy” dart shooters, squirt guns and homemade props
Functional (Real) Arrows must have their tips removed and be bundled and zip-tied into a quiver.
Certain Props may need to be Tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn.
Costumes
Generally costumes do not need to be inspected unless there is a safety concern, please be considerate of those around you, but be as creative as you want to be.
Costumes featuring stilts must be approved at the Security/Prop Check desk
Realistic cosplay of first responders and/or security are not permitted
At certain times, due to crowds and/or safety concerns, oversized costumes may be asked to leave the convention hall and or programming rooms.
If you do not want to have your costume props inspected or tagged, or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume/props to Nococon
The information provided above is a general guideline, to ensure safety, Prop Safety Staff have the final say determining what is allowed in the convention hall.
The Costume/Props Policy is subject to change at any time, We will do our best to publish and post about any substantive changes. Please be sure to continue to check this website closer to the event to ensure your costumes/props comply with the current Costume/
Props Policy
Last but not least: Have a good time! Feel free to tag Nococon in your pictures through social media: Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram with the #nococon