CONQUEST POLICIES

Updated: November 2, 2022

Health & Safety | Accessibility | Rights | Responsibilities | Behavior | Hotel | Badges | Weapons | Substances | Curfew | Cell Phones | Checks

 

Health & Safety for ConQuesT 54

The safety of our speakers, staff, and conference attendees is our top priority. We will follow all local/national mandates & CDC guidelines* at the bare minimum, and reserve the right to be more strict for the safety and comfort of our members and guests.

Entrance to the upcoming event will require proof of one of the below items:

  1. A full course of COVID-19 vaccination, with the final dose at least fourteen days prior to the event start date. Vaccination card or a photo of the card will work, and it will be verified against a valid state issued ID, boosters are not required for entry, but are recommended.
  2. In the case of an eligible exemption, for medical reasons or sincerely held religious belief, A negative COVID-19 test result (molecular, PCR or antigen) Test results must be dated no more than 48 hours prior to entry.
  3. Minors that do not have a state-issued ID will still need to present proof of vaccination and/or a negative test with their name and date of birth. Security will verify identity upon arrival.

Face masks will be required in all function rooms, including the Dealer’s Room, and are also strongly encouraged in public spaces. Masks will also be required in ConSuite when people are not actively eating or drinking.

If you test positive, are not feeling well, have any COVID-related symptoms, or have recently traveled outside of the United States, please stay home. ConQuesT will work with you to move your registration to a virtual or supporting membership, carry your registration forward to next year’s convention, refund your registration membership fee.

Face masks will be provided at the registration desk, and hand sanitizer will be provided at the registration desk and all programming areas. Proper sanitation of the meeting space will be performed prior to the start of the conference and each night.

We encourage all in-person attendees to return to the same seat after breaks and when staying in the same meeting room for consecutive sessions. For presenters, the computer equipment including the microphones will be wiped down after each use.

We ask that all ConQuesT 54 attendees follow any additional safety protocols established by the Airport Hilton, the State of Missouri, or the city of Kansas City, MO through mandates and/or regulations*.

*Safety requirements and procedures are subject to change based on local & federal regulations and/or mandates.

 

Accessibility

ConQuesT is committed to providing the best possible experience to all our attendees, including those who need visual or auditory interpretive assistance or have limited mobility, or who require other assistance. Our venue, the Kansas City Airport Hilton, is ADA-compliant. Our function space, elevators, public bathrooms, and public areas are completely accessible to scooters and wheelchairs, and we will have seats set aside in the front rows of all programming rooms for vision- and hearing-impaired attendees. If you require special assistance or have questions concerning accessibility, please contact us at chair@conquestkc.org. 

 

ConQuesT Member Bill of Rights

  1. All members of ConQuesT have the right to enjoy the convention without harassment, intimidation, coercion, demeaning interaction, prejudice, or insult.
  2. All members of ConQuesT have the right to be respected and accepted without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, body shape, physical ability, education level, costume/clothing choices, or fannish preferences.
  3. All members of ConQuesT have the right to accessible events and accommodation within the scope and ability of the convention and facility.
  4. All members of ConQuesT have the right to contact convention staff with questions, concerns, problems, and needs, and to have their issues taken seriously.
  5. All members of ConQuesT have the right to set their boundaries and have those boundaries respected. Boundaries can be physical, verbal, intellectual, and emotional boundaries.
  6. All members of ConQuesT have the right to provide feedback to ConQuesT in order to facilitate the ongoing improvement of the convention.

 

ConQuesT Member List of Responsibilities

  1. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to abide by both the letter and the spirit of the Behavior Policy.
  2. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to respect others and to facilitate a positive convention experience for all.
  3. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to maintain and promote a positive reputation for the convention.
  4. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to step up and help other convention members who are in distress, suffering harassment, or are otherwise in need of assistance, within the scope of their individual ability to help. This can include contacting convention staff in serious situations.
  5. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to respect and care for the venue which hosts the convention. Without a venue, ConQuesT doesn’t exist.
  6. All members of ConQuesT have the responsibility to take care of themselves during the course of the convention. It is generally advised that con attendees follow the “5-2-1 rule,” which recommends a minimum of 5 hours of sleep, 2 real meals, and 1 shower each day. Have fun, but take care of yourself.

 

Behavior Policy

This is the official Behavior Policy of the Kansas City Science Fiction and Fantasy Society, Inc. and ConQuesT.

 

Definition of Harassment

Harassment is any form of behavior that is unwelcome, unreciprocated, and unsolicited which makes an unpleasant, humiliating, or intimidating environment for the person who is the target of that behavior. To provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all convention attendees/club members and allow for a wide diversity of beliefs, lifestyles, and relationship dynamics, we will adopt and maintain the following behavior protocols.

Types of harassing behaviors include (but are not limited to) cornering people, following people, continuing to talk to someone when they’re trying to walk away, taking photos without permission, touching people without permission, continuing to flirt when someone has already said no, or trying to force your personal views and demands on other people against their wishes.

Sometimes, a person means “no” but is unable to fully express that message or someone else isn’t hearing the message. Let us be clear:

Only “yes” means yes.

If a person does not express clear consent for attention or personal interactions, then consent has not been given.

 

Witnessing Harassment

If you see harassment, contact Con Staff at Operations or speak with a ConQuesT Staff member in your area. If circumstances warrant, intervene within the scope of your ability as good judgment dictates.

If you witness someone having trouble saying “no,” or see someone not understanding an implied “no,” get involved using your best judgment. Ask if they’re okay. Help them walk away from a bad interaction if you can. Encourage them to talk to Con Staff. If you are unable help directly, please contact Con Staff to intercede in the situation.

 

Cosplay is Not Consent

You have the right to engage in cosplay without being harassed. You have the right to set boundaries as a cosplayer. ConQuesT staff is happy to help you in an affirming way if you are having issues with unwanted types of attention for your cosplay.

If you see a person in a cosplay or costume you appreciate, express your appreciation for that cosplay without lewd or sexual comments. Ask the cosplayer if you may photograph them. Respect the cosplayer’s wishes. If a cosplayer walks away from you, do not follow them.

If you see a cosplay you dislike, walk away. Do not insult or demean other convention members for any reason, including their costumes.

If you see a cosplay or costume that portrays hateful ideologies (eg. Nazi uniforms), do not confront the cosplayer. Speak to convention staff if you have concerns about the nature of a cosplay.

 

Other behaviors not specified

The code of conduct describes common problems encountered at fan conventions, but it is not exhaustive of all unacceptable behavior. The Staff of ConQuesT reserves the right to assess any disruptive or unacceptable behavior and to determine the consequences on a case-by-case basis.

In other words, just because we didn’t specifically list something you can’t do, that doesn’t mean you’re going to get away with it.

 

If there is a complaint issued against you

Full consequences will depend on the nature of the complaint and are at the discretion of Convention leadership.

In all cases, you will have no further contact of any sort with the convention attendees/club members who registered the complaint(s) against you. This includes voice, written, electronic, and face-to-face contact. Inadvertent contact during the course of club and convention events is sometimes unavoidable, and must not be used as a method of initiating unwanted attention. If you remain at the convention following a complaint and you encounter the person who lodged the complaint against you, it is your responsibility to actively avoid contact with that person.

 

Consequences

Failure to adhere to KaCSFFS/ConQuesT policies will result in some or all of the following:

  1. Mediation by the ConCom with all parties involved in an incident
  2. Verbal warning
  3. Removal of membership and ejection from ConQuesT
  4. Banning from future ConQuesT conventions
  5. Contacting of local law enforcement

KaCSFFS/ConQuesT is prepared to deal with any violations of our policies as rapidly and efficiently as possible within the scope of the law. We hope that all members will help to make ConQuesT an enjoyable experience for all by respecting the rights of all attendees while in attendance.

ConQuesT is a private, members-only event. Membership for ConQuesT is a privilege, not a right. KaCSFFS/ConQuesT reserves the right to revoke membership and eject any individual at any time from ConQuesT. No refunds will be provided.

If you have questions about any of ConQuesT policies, please use the contact link on our website.

 

Hotel

Please treat the hotel’s staff and general patrons with courtesy and respect. As you should at any hotel, please practice basic safety and security measures: secure your belongings, keep an eye on your children, be aware of strangers, and don’t leave anything in your car that would tempt thieves.

 

Badges

To be granted access to convention areas, your badge must be worn in a visible location at all times. Please comply immediately if asked to show/produce/wear your badge. Parties associated with the convention are required to check for badges as well as ID.

Your badge is your responsibility. ConQuesT will not replace lost badges.

 

Weapons

Replica weapons may be worn as part of a costume at the convention, but must be approved and tagged by a ConQuesT Operations member or staff. For safety and liability reasons, no real weapons of any kind are allowed at ConQuesT. This includes but is not limited to realistic-looking firearms, Airsoft guns, and sharp metal implements (also referred to as “live steel”). If your prop or replica could be mistaken for a real weapon by a police officer, it will not be allowed at ConQuesT. A realistic or real weapon cannot be “peace bonded” and allowed at the convention. (For example, a sharp sword cannot be tied into its scabbard and carried around the convention.)

Replica firearms must have the orange muzzle cap and/or be visibly disabled/unable to fire.

Weapons purchased during the convention which are not in compliance with these restrictions must be taken directly to your personal space (room, vehicle, etc.) upon purchase.

 

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drugs

The legal drinking age in Missouri is 21. Minors caught with alcohol or adults caught serving alcohol to minors will forfeit their membership and will be evicted from the facilities. Liquor Control agents have been known to mingle among us. Please drink responsibly and act accordingly.

If you are 21+ years of age and are drinking alcohol within the convention, you must have a legal form of photo identification on your person. You can be asked to show your identification at any time if you are drinking in an open area of the convention, including open parties.

All open room parties which involve alcohol must ensure that of all persons consuming alcohol in the room are at least 21 years of age. Persons hosting open room parties are responsible for all alcohol consumed within the room, and are responsible for ensuring that underage persons do not consume alcohol. An “open room party” is defined to be a room party with the door held or propped open, and/or allowing admittance to general members of the convention. If you are hosting a room party and have questions or concerns about the details of this policy, contact staff.

If you are at least 21 years of age, and you choose to drink alcohol, drink responsibly. Excessive intoxication is a violation of the convention behavior policy. If you are unable to stand on your own, you cannot be in convention spaces.

NOTE: Alcohol is not permitted in public areas of the hotel.

ConQuesT does not condone the consumption or use of illegal substances. Law enforcement professionals are members of ConQuesT and will take action as necessary. Please do not make them work this weekend!

All convention areas and sleeping rooms are non-smoking by city ordinance. Areas immediately surrounding exit doors are not smoking areas. Please stand far enough away from the exit doors so that smoke does not enter the building.

All members of ConQuesT are expected to abide by state and federal laws. Failure to comply will result in expulsion from the convention without refund.

 

Curfew

Party Floor Curfew: Children 15 and under must leave the party floor by 11:00 p.m. unless accompanied by parent or guardian. Additionally, strollers and other devices that can block the doors/hallways are not permitted on the party floor, save for the transportation of children to their room on that floor.

 

Cell Phones

To ensure that programming events are not disrupted, please turn off or silence your electronic devices. If you wish to record a programming event, please ask the panelists or presenters.

 

Checks

If any person writes a check to ConQuesT with insufficient funds, that person will henceforth be on a cash (or credit card) basis only. There will also be a $20 charge in addition to the amount of the check.