Code of Conduct
To ensure the maximum enjoyment of everyone involved, please read the following rules which make up the official Octocon Code of Conduct...
1. First and foremost, have a good time. That’s the whole point of the convention!
2. Badges: The badge tells us that you’ve paid and are entitled to be admitted. It’s your passport to the convention. Please keep it visible at all times. If the security gophers can’t see it, they’ll have to ask you for it. If you lose your badge, don’t panic. You can get a new one from the registration desk for a small fee.
3. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the hotel except smoking-permitted bedrooms. This is in accordance with Irish law and not the hotel being mean. There is an outdoor smoking area off the corridor leading to the convention centre.
4. Children under 12 may only be admitted to the convention if accompanied by an adult member. Adults bringing children to the convention must be responsible for them at all times during the convention, and are asked to ensure that they are responsibly cared for, and not allowed to cause disruptions during events. Please note that while Octocon is aimed at all ages, some events - particularly those later in the evening - may be unsuitable for minors.
5. Unless otherwise stated, normal still photography is permitted in general convention areas. Please seek permission from dealers before taking photographs of their stands or any items thereon. Also, some masquerade costumes may mean that the costumers may have limited visibility and may not appreciate being blinded at a crucial moment by a flash going off in their face. Film, video and audio recording will only be permitted where the permission of the convention committee and the persons involved has been sought first. Otherwise, use your common sense.
6. The issue of weapons is always an area of controversy, however for insurance and legal reasons we have to draw a line in the sand. Accordingly we are decreeing that real and realistic-looking weapons or otherwise dangerous objects cannot be brought into the convention unless they are being used as a prop in the masquerade or other convention event. In such cases, they must be safely bound and may not be displayed outside the specific event. The committee must be informed of any such weapons and reserves the right to refuse their admission to the convention.
7. It is not normally permitted to bring food and drink into the hotel. There is a corkage charge on bottles of wine. If hotel staff discover you bringing in food or drink, you’re on your own.
8. The committee reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member whose behaviour they feel is disruptive and is preventing others from enjoying the convention.
9. Due to health and safety regulations at the hotel, no live animals - with the exception of guide dogs - may be brought into the convention.
10. The video equipment has to go back on Monday, so please, if a problem arises, don’t try to fix it yourself. There should be a member of staff present, but if there isn’t, please find one.
11. Members entering the masquerade are requested to cooperate with the masquerade director. See also points 3 and 5.
12. Remember, the convention guests are people too! Please try not to monopolise their time or otherwise unnecessarily inconvenience them, lest you befall point number 8 above!
13. To avoid disruption, mobile phones must be switched off during panels; see point 8 above.
1. First and foremost, have a good time. That’s the whole point of the convention!
2. Badges: The badge tells us that you’ve paid and are entitled to be admitted. It’s your passport to the convention. Please keep it visible at all times. If the security gophers can’t see it, they’ll have to ask you for it. If you lose your badge, don’t panic. You can get a new one from the registration desk for a small fee.
3. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the hotel except smoking-permitted bedrooms. This is in accordance with Irish law and not the hotel being mean. There is an outdoor smoking area off the corridor leading to the convention centre.
4. Children under 12 may only be admitted to the convention if accompanied by an adult member. Adults bringing children to the convention must be responsible for them at all times during the convention, and are asked to ensure that they are responsibly cared for, and not allowed to cause disruptions during events. Please note that while Octocon is aimed at all ages, some events - particularly those later in the evening - may be unsuitable for minors.
5. Unless otherwise stated, normal still photography is permitted in general convention areas. Please seek permission from dealers before taking photographs of their stands or any items thereon. Also, some masquerade costumes may mean that the costumers may have limited visibility and may not appreciate being blinded at a crucial moment by a flash going off in their face. Film, video and audio recording will only be permitted where the permission of the convention committee and the persons involved has been sought first. Otherwise, use your common sense.
6. The issue of weapons is always an area of controversy, however for insurance and legal reasons we have to draw a line in the sand. Accordingly we are decreeing that real and realistic-looking weapons or otherwise dangerous objects cannot be brought into the convention unless they are being used as a prop in the masquerade or other convention event. In such cases, they must be safely bound and may not be displayed outside the specific event. The committee must be informed of any such weapons and reserves the right to refuse their admission to the convention.
7. It is not normally permitted to bring food and drink into the hotel. There is a corkage charge on bottles of wine. If hotel staff discover you bringing in food or drink, you’re on your own.
8. The committee reserves the right to revoke the membership of any member whose behaviour they feel is disruptive and is preventing others from enjoying the convention.
9. Due to health and safety regulations at the hotel, no live animals - with the exception of guide dogs - may be brought into the convention.
10. The video equipment has to go back on Monday, so please, if a problem arises, don’t try to fix it yourself. There should be a member of staff present, but if there isn’t, please find one.
11. Members entering the masquerade are requested to cooperate with the masquerade director. See also points 3 and 5.
12. Remember, the convention guests are people too! Please try not to monopolise their time or otherwise unnecessarily inconvenience them, lest you befall point number 8 above!
13. To avoid disruption, mobile phones must be switched off during panels; see point 8 above.