All-Star Con Safety Policy

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Welcome to All-Star Con! It’s our wish for this weekend celebrating fandom and pop culture to be a positive, embracing, memorable and safe event for every fan, guest, and exhibitor. We’ve worked closely with our security team and the Sheraton Tysons to review our overall security plan. 

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• There will be only one entrance to the Sheraton Tysons for convention attendees– the hotel’s main entrance under the lighted canopy area (where you typically pull up to check-in with valet parking). Signs will be posted to inform attendees of the proper entrance.

• All attendees with bags, backpacks, purses, etc. will need to go through a bag check at this entrance.

• Attendees with cosplay props will go through a weapons check at this entrance.

• We will have security at this entrance and throughout the con.

• Functional firearms and realistic props that could be confused for real guns will not be allowed at All-Star Con.

• All All-Star Con participants must follow these rules, and there’ll be a separate check-in areas and times for exhibitors, press, artists, panelists, and VIPs. 

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To make your entry to All-Star Con quick and smooth, we suggest you arrive early, don’t bring a bag, and make sure any cosplay props don’t conflict with our prop policy. We’re not looking to restrict your fun, and we want to keep All-Star Con a community that is inclusive, welcoming, and safe – and we want to thank our security team and the hotel for all their hard work to assure our event is fun, exciting and once again safe. 

 

 

All-Star Con Costume Prop Policy

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We believe that cosplay is a HUGE part of what is going to make All-Star Con such a memorable event. During the weekend, we will have 3 contests and the announcement of our Cosplayer of the Year Award. We want to make sure that everyone has a fun and safe time at the con. Please read this policy and follow the rules! If you violate this policy, you could be asked to leave All-Star Con without a refund.

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Any weapon that could seriously hurt somebody is not allowed. Specifically, but not limited to:

• Functional firearms – that includes paintball, airsoft, bb guns, cap guns, any gun that shoots a real projectile (or has the ability to) or causes (could cause) a real explosion.

• Realistic firearms – any gun that could be confused for a real gun.  If it looks like a real gun, it cannot come into All-StarCon. Realistic prop guns with brightly-colored caps are not allowed.

• Prop weapons made of a hard material such as metal, wood, or glass.

• Functional projectile weapons – any weapon (crossbow, slingshot, etc) that discharges (or has the ability to discharge) a projectile.

• Metal-bladed weapons.

• Whips.

• Explosives.

• Blunt weapons like bats, clubs, or hockey sticks made of metal, wood, or glass.

• Loud props such as whistles, horns, etc.

• Any object over 8 feet in length or weighing 60 pounds or more.

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Prop weapons are allowed at All-Star Con, as long as they meet the following criteria; That they are composed of cardboard, foam, something light. Prop firearms are allowed only if they cannot be mistaken for real weapons. Prop bows will be allowed providing all arrows have soft tips and will not be shot. Functional (real) arrows must have their tips removed and be bundled and zip-tied to a quiver. Plastic props are allowed as long as they are blunt with edges protected or removed. 

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All costume props and weapons must be inspected at the Costume Props Desk, Located in the hotel lobby as you enter the Sheraton Tysons. 

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Prop weapons will be allowed into All-Star Con at the discretion of the staff and security personnel. After your costume props have been checked, they will be tagged by security. Costumes featuring stilts must be approved at the Costume Props Desk

Safety is paramount; we will always err on the side of caution. There will be no place to store prohibited weapons on-site. 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 All-Star Con. All costume props and weapons must be inspected at the Costume Props Desk. Security will escort you to the Costume Props Desk for inspection if your costume prop is not tagged.

We love costumes, good guys, bad guys, and everything in between! However, hateful symbols aren’t welcome at All-Star Con. Historical costumes can be great, but reminders of unspeakable atrocities are not appropriate, ever. This includes any sort of “ironic” or satirical costumes that re-appropriate Nazi paraphernalia or gear. So, please use prudence when deciding on your costume for our event!

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WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY WEAPON OR PROP WE DEEM NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR POLICIES.  

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SOME PROPS ARE SO UNIQUE, THEY MUST BE REVIEWED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.

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Please use common sense! We are trying to create a safe space for everyone!