Rocket City Nerd Con 2014 Attendance and Contest Rules
What admission to Rocket City Nerd Con entails:
Upon purchase of a ticket to Rocket City Nerd Con (RCNC), attendees become responsible for their personal liability. Attendees assume all risks with respect to the dangers incidental to RCNC.
The purchase of a ticket(s) to RCNC will be considered agreement to and declaration of the intent to abide by all rules, regulations, guidelines, and policies as stated by any and all RCNC and/or Library Staff and Security, along with all Alabama law enforcement personnel.
Membership Badges are required for entry into RCNC and must be visible at all times. Certain parts of the library building will be open to the public at certain times throughout the convention, however all panels/sessions/meetups/workshops and like events will require you to show your badge.
Membership Badges are non-replaceable, non-refundable, and non-transferable.
Acceptance of a Membership Badge constitutes consent to the use of the wearer's image or likeness in any recording, transmission, or reproduction of RCNC events and/or activities for use by Rocket City Nerd Con or the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system (HMCPL).
Failure to comply with the rules of RCNC, including disruptive or inappropriate behavior, will result in the revocation of Membership and ejection from RCNC.
RCNC and HMCPL retain the right to revoke membership and to eject anyone from the convention at anytime for any reason without a refund.
General Convention Rules
- Follow requests and directions of RCNC, Security, and Library Staff.
- RCNC, HMCPL, and Yellowhammer Brewery are not responsible for personal items. Unattended and lost items will be turned over to proper authorities (Library Management, Huntsville Police Department, Alabama Fire Department, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, etc.).
- Appropriate attire is required at all times, including shoes, pants/shorts/skirts, and shirts/tops.
- Each event room has limited space and seating. Seating is not guaranteed to any persons. Standing room is allowed only at the discretion of RCNC or Library Staff.
- Lining up is permitted no earlier than 1 hour prior to general events, and 30 minutes prior to specific sessions. Documented disabled persons, staff, on-duty volunteers, guests of honor, and vendors are not required to stand in line for events.
- Possession or consumption of alcohol is only permitted at the Yellowhammer Event.
- The legal drinking age in Alabama is 21 years of age. Anyone under legal age found drinking or intoxicated will be reported to RCNC Management and the Huntsville Police Department.
- Smoking is only permitted within designated locations outside the building.
- Theft, assault, drug use, and other illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 10. Discrimination and/or harassment of any form will not be tolerated.
- Do not hinder or obstruct the flow of foot traffic within the convention area, or in public areas of the library.
- Individuals may be asked to remove large or unwieldy bags, props, or other accessories from any part of the convention or library areas.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed inside the convention. Food and drink purchased at the convention must be kept to designated areas at all times.
RCNC and Library Staff reserve the right to search any and all bags, purses or other personal belongings at any time for prohibited materials and/or library materials.
Questions, concerns, or complaints should be brought to RCNC Staff at either the Registration Table, the Props Checkpoint, or to Library Staff at the Circulation Desk at the convention. Prior to the convention, you may email them to: nerdcon@hmcpl.org
Vendors' Walk Policy:
- Vendors will charge the current Alabama Sales Tax of 9%. They may not charge sales tax from other states.
- Bootleg and unlicensed merchandise are not permitted to be sold in the Vendors' Walk.
If you have any questions, issues, or complaints, please contact RCNC staff.
The following items are prohibited throughout Rocket City Nerd Con:
- Alcohol and illegal substances
- Wheeled items (excluding mobility assistance devices), including but not limited to:
- Rollerblades
- Skates
- Skateboards
- Wheelies
- Scooters
- Bicycles
- Revealing and/or offensive attire
- Signs of any kind (The only exception will be for cosplays where it can be proven that the character has a sign. Please see our Cosplay Policy for more details.)
- Weapons, including but not limited to:
- Knives, firearms, and other weapons as described in the Alabama Criminal Code, Title 13A, Chapter 11. (Please see our Cosplay Weapons and Props Policy for more details.)
- Any other potentially harmful weapon, prop, or item as determined by RCNC Security
- Smoke or fog machines or similar devices
- Laser pointers or similar devices (These items may not be used in public unless you are officially sanctioned to lead or present a convention seminar, panel, workshop, or other convention-sanctioned event.)
The following conduct is prohibited throughout Rocket City Nerd Con:
Disruptive behavior, including but not limited to:
- Running
- Screaming, shouting, or yelling
- Playing loud music or noise
- Horseplay or rowdiness
- Unsolicited physical contact
Behavior that annoys, harasses or threatens another person, including but not restricted to the following:
- Conveying threats of any kind of physical force or harm
- Using obscene, abusive or racially charged language
- Engaging in sexual misconduct
- Stalking, staring or invading personal space
- Taking personal pictures of other attendees or cosplayers without obtaining verbal consent
Soliciting funds, panhandling, gambling, selling, advertising or petitioning for contributions or support for any person(s) and/or organization unless approved by RCNC and/or Library Staff
- Being under the influence of or in possession of any intoxicating drug or alcoholic substance on Library grounds
- Sleeping in, or using as sleeping quarters any part of the Library grounds as stated in the Code of the City of Huntsville 1982
- Defacing or damaging RCNC, Library, Yellowhammer, or public properties
- Discrimination and/or harassment of any kind to anyone
- Obstructing the flow of foot traffic within the convention area
- Alcohol consumption and smoking outside of designated areas
- Theft, assault, drug use, and any other illegal activities
- Nudity and inappropriate attire
Failure to adhere to the above rules will result in you being asked to leave the convention, and may result in you being banned from future events and/or facing criminal charges.
Cosplay Rules and Requirements
Rocket City Nerd Con is pleased to invite attendees to participate in the Costume Contest, and encourages con-goers to show off their cosplays throughout the convention. The following rules and regulations must be adhered to for the safety and enjoyment of all attendees. Failure to comply with the rules below will be cause for your expulsion from the convention. Repeated offenses will be grounds for banning from all future conventions. All costumes and/or cosplay outfits must adhere to the following guidelines, regardless of the attendees’ age. Underage attendees violating the rules will be asked to leave along with their accompanying adult over age 18. There will be no exceptions.
Cosplay Costume Policy
- Use common sense. Overly outlandish or movement restricting costumes are discouraged as library walkways and rooms may not accommodate your costume. If you are participating in the Costume Contest and have large wings or other appendages for your costume, you are advised to make them detachable so that you may enjoy the rest of the convention without damaging them.
- Cover your body parts. Excessively revealing or vulgar costumes will not be permitted, regardless of the character being portrayed. No intentional or unintentional “wardrobe malfunctions” are allowed. If you are not within the guidelines of appropriate costumes, you will be asked to cover up. RCNC and HMCPL will approve all costumes at the Registration Table before you are admitted to the Con.
- All costumes should be sturdily constructed; this includes proper undergarments and durability throughout the day.
- Do not wear any uniforms that may be too realistic. You should not be confused with official law enforcement, military personnel, or Security Staff.
- Hate symbols, even historical hate symbols, will not be tolerated at Rocket City Nerd Con.
- Offensive costumes are not allowed.
- Please do not incorporate in your costume any signs offering services or making requests to be hugged or touched, even if they are in character.
- Costumes with moving parts or extra appendages must remain in the wearer's control at all times.
- Changing rooms or stations will NOT be provided. No rooms in the library, including all bathrooms and study rooms and offices, are acceptable for attendees to change clothing in.
Please come in the outfit or costume you intend to wear for the day. You will be allowed to leave during the convention, and can leave to change costumes or change into regular clothes after the Costume Contest before returning to the convention if you desire, but all new costumes must be re-approved at the Registration Table and Props Checkpoint.
Attendees whose costumes violate the above rules or are otherwise deemed unfit for the convention will be asked to leave. Attendees may choose to change outfits and return to the convention in appropriate attire, at which point they will be allowed entrance if they left the convention in good standing.
Cosplay Props and Weapons Policy
- All prop weapons must conform to state and federal law.
- Do not bring real swords, guns or any other type of an authentic weapon. Only prop (fake) weapons are allowed.
- Prop Weapons must be easily distinguishable from real weapons; all prop firearms must have an orange cap on the barrel. All prop blades must be dull and have no sharp or cutting edges whatsoever.
- Airsoft firearms are forbidden, even if they are unloaded.
- Props should not be able to fire, launch, or eject any type of projectile or object. If your prop has this capability, it must be disabled, unloaded, or otherwise rendered inert. This includes all water pistols, nerf or nerf-like darts or projectiles, and any other projectile.
- Metal weapons are not permitted. Props should be made of lightweight materials such as foam, cardboard or plastic.
- Prop swords must be tied/secured to your costume in such a way that they cannot be drawn.
- Practice swords including bokens and kendo bamboo practice swords are forbidden, as are all chains, spikes, whips, leashes or similar items.
- Over-sized props that do not fit reasonably through library doorways, walkways, and other public locations are prohibited.
- There will be absolutely no play-acting or stunt fighting with props allowed during the convention and/or on any part of the library property. This includes but is not limited to the library building, the library grounds, and any offsite event spaces.
- All prop weapons must be checked by RCNC Security Staff. Once a costume's props have been checked, it will be tagged by security. You will be given a wristband to designate that your weapon has been checked. Security will escort you to the Props Checkpoint for inspection if your costume is not tagged.
Please note that the library will be open to the public for parts of the convention. If your prop is deemed to be acceptable BUT found to be overly frightening or likely to cause alarm to our regular patrons, you may be asked to leave your prop at the Props Checkpoint until public hours are over.
RCNC Security Staff will be monitoring all convention space to make sure all props/weapons adhere to the above rules and regulations. Should you have any questions regarding your item, you may visit the Props Checkpoint at any time to have your items inspected to make sure they adhere to the rules and regulations.
If you do not want to have your prop weapons inspected, or if you are unwilling to comply with these policies, please do not bring your prop weapons.
RCNC Staff and HMCPL reserve the right to reverse or amend any decisions on acceptable props at any time during the convention.
Costume Contest Rules
- You must indicate on your registration form that you intend to participate in the Costume Contest. Last-minute or unregistered entries in the contest are not guaranteed a chance to compete.
- You will be given your entry number the day of the contest at the Registration Table. Contestants will be seen by the judges in order of entry.
- Your costume must meet all of the Cosplay Costume and Props/Weapons Policies as stated above.
- Group costumes are allowed. If a member of your group is late, you may be asked to let other contestants go ahead of you.
- Please do not linger on the stage, in character or not. Everyone deserves a chance to have their costume seen, so please be mindful of contestants waiting their turn behind you.
- Heckling, cat-calling, or other disruptive or bad sportsmanlike conduct will result in your disqualification from the contest, and you may be asked to leave the convention.
- No part of your costume should be removed, destroyed or otherwise startle or interact with the audience.
- Humans are the only lifeform that should be a part of your costume. Pets and/or wild animals are forbidden.
- Robots adhering to Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics are allowed, provided they are kept strictly under a human operator's control and the operator is also entered in the contest under the same entry and is present on stage with them.
There are three age categories for the costume contest. Judges will view all participants from each age group and then one winner and one runner-up from each group will be announced. Prizes will be awarded at the time winners are announced. All judges’ decisions are final.