For mobile users and reference, download latest policy document here.
ATTENTION
ALL attendees at any Gary Con event must accept all terms, policies and waivers listed below. This is expressly required to be allowed to access any event or function whether physically or virtually. Please ensure that you carefully read the entire page before making a purchase. There are no refunds. We are committed to protecting your data from third parties. That’s why it’s our strict policy to never sell your personal information to anyone. We don’t share information that personally identifies you with advertisers, such as your name or email. The only entities that can receive this data is GaryCon, Gaxx Works, and our trusted affiliates.
Additionally, all policy questions or violations may be directed to PolicyTeam@garycon.com, or submitted anonymously via our incident report form at: https://forms.gle/
Harassment Policy
Gary Con is an inclusive, family-friendly convention. We expect all attendees to treat each other with common courtesy and respect.
Gary Con does not permit harassment with regard to gender, sexual orientation, dress, age, race, religion or lack thereof, political affiliation, disability, or involvement or noninvolvement in any group or activity at Gary Con.
Harassment includes any behavior that annoys, alarms, demeans, or threatens another person or group. Harassment includes (but is not limited to) verbal comments, the use of overly sexual imagery in public areas, intimidation, stalking, unauthorized photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, unwanted sexual attention, and the disruption of events or activities.
If you feel you are being harassed, you fear for your safety, or you witness someone harassing others, you may contact a Gary Con staff member, or hotel security immediately. You can also contact us via email or the anonymous form linked at the top of this page. Hotel security can be reached by calling the hotel front desk from a courtesy phone or alerting any hotel team member wearing the Grand Geneva name badge.
All harassment reports will be investigated and dealt with. Reports are to be treated confidentially unless the reporter gives permission to disclose details of the incident outside of the Gary Con Staff and Hotel Management team. Possible consequences of harassment include, but are not limited to, the revocation of the offending party’s Gary Con badge, ejection from the venue, and the involvement of local authorities.
Conflict Resolution
No one should tolerate harassment at Gary Con. Please practice good judgment, common sense and seek to deescalate conflict in a safe manner to the maximum extent possible. Should you experience or witness harassment, you may choose to take any of the following actions:
- If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, ask the offender to stop. Whether the offending behavior is intentional or unintentional, expressing your discomfort to the offender directly often puts a stop to that conduct. Oftentimes, the offending behavior is unintentional, and the accidental offender and offended will resolve the incident by ceasing the behavior and/or apologizing.
- Leave the area. While this may be unfair to you, it is sometimes best for your safety and well-being if you to choose to leave the area, especially if you feel uncomfortable around the offender or their conduct. After separating yourself from the conduct, you may still choose to take additional actions.
- If the offender insists that he/she did not offend, or if the offender continues the harassment after being asked to stop, then you will need a third party to step in. Please notify Gary Con's Policy Team via email or the form linked at the top of this Policies web page.
- Contact the hotel staff, security, police or other appropriate authorities. Your health and safety is our most important concern. If you require immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical services, or other governmental entities, please do not hesitate to contact such services directly.
- As a virtual attendee, you also have the option to Contact convention staff by joining the Gary Con Discord Server, here. The best and easiest way to contact staff is to visit the #help-desk-chat channel. If you feel your concerns can't be voiced in a public channel, please direct-message anyone with an Administrator role.
Sanctions
Gary Con participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, expelling the offender from Gary Con, or banning the offender from the Gary Con community on the internet.
Specific sanctions may include but are not limited to:
- Warning the harasser to cease their behavior and that any further reports will result in other sanctions
- Requiring that the harasser avoid any interaction with, and physical proximity to, their victim for the remainder of the event.
- Requiring that the harasser immediately leave Gary Con without refund and not return.
- Not allowing a person who violated the policy to attend future Gary Cons.
- Ending immediately any gaming events or other event responsibilities and privileges the harasser holds and requiring that the harasser not attend future Gary Cons (either indefinitely or for a certain time period)
- Publishing an account of the harassment.
- Permanent ban from any Gary Con sponsored events or online services.
- Reporting of the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Gary Con staff members will help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We expect participants to follow these rules in all Gary Con venues, Gary Con-related social events, and online communication channels.
Ethics and Conduct
Any of the following will be grounds for expulsion from Gary Con without refund:
- Violating any federal, state, or local laws, facility rules, or convention policies
- Failure to comply with the instructions of Gary Con staff or security personnel
- Using anything in a threatening or destructive manner against person or property
- Endangering the safety of oneself or others
- Threatening, stealing, cheating or harassing others
- Sleeping in any of the event spaces (if you doze off we will wake you up, but no laying on the floor, or across chairs, etc)
- Consuming any outside food or beverages in the Gary Con event spaces
Lost or Misplaced Badges and Event Tickets
We cannot replace lost, stolen, or forgotten badges or event tickets. Such items must be repurchased at full cost. We recommend that you check with the Gary Con Registration Desk to see if your materials have been turned in to Lost & Found. Gary Con (Good Omen Productions) assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or forgotten materials.
General Waiver of Liability
The purchase or acquisition of a Gary Con badge admits one person to all basic activities and exhibits at Gary Con during regularly scheduled hours for the day or days specified by the badge type. Some designated activities may require payment of a separate, additional fee. By accepting a badge and in consideration for being admitted to Gary Con, the holder consents to being recorded (by audio and/or visual means) for exhibition and exploitation by any means in all media, including without limitation the Internet, worldwide in perpetuity. The badge holder releases Gary Con (Good Omen Productions) from any liability for loss or damage to persons or property, infringement of any right, or any other claim or course of action of any kind; authorizes and permits Gary Con (Good Omen Productions) and its designees, which includes but is not limited to all sponsors, exhibitors, and contractors, to use and authorize the use of his or her name, voice, likeness, and all reproductions thereof by any means and in all media now and hereafter known, including without limitation the Internet, for all purposes worldwide in perpetuity; and agrees to comply with all the rules and regulations of the convention. Gary Con (Good Omen Productions) reserves the right to deny entry or remove from the convention facilities any person who in its sole and absolute discretion is behaving or threatening to behave in a manner which it reasonably considers to be disruptive.
Costumes and Weapons
Weapons and items that appear to be weapons are not allowed at Gary Con. Self-defense, recreational and utility items such as knifes, tasers, pepper spray, BB guns, cap guns, air-soft weapons, paintball guns, water guns, martial arts weaponry, including wooden practice weapons, etc., are not welcome, even if it is lawful to own and carry them in other public places. Off-duty security and military personnel are not allowed to bring their weapons to Gary Con. Items resembling futuristic weapons, fantasy weapons, and non-projectile boffer weapons may be allowed provided they are not handled in a careless, threatening, or destructive manner against persons or property.
Questionable items can be brought to the Gary Con HQ in the convention center during operating hours to be checked for compliance with this policy. Some events may provide exceptions to this policy under strict circumstances defined by that event. Items purchased in the Exhibit Hall which violate this policy must be wrapped and immediately removed from the convention premises.
20th and 21st century uniforms may not be worn as costumes. These include any uniform that can be construed as a military uniform from any country or a uniform worn in an official capacity, such as security guard, police officer, deputy, fire marshal, paramedic, etc. Active duty military personnel are permitted to wear their government-issued uniforms.
Gary Con Event Staff or venue security personnel may inspect any item or costume, or request that an attendee remove a mask, at any time during the convention. Failure to comply with these policies and/or the instructions of Gary Con Event Staff or security personnel may result in immediate removal from the convention without refund.
Firearms Policy
Real firearms are not allowed at Gary Con events space. This includes those attendees who maintain a conceal carry weapons permit from any state. Attendees who choose to ignore this policy may be asked to leave the convention and may have their badge revoked.
Privacy Policy
We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone outside of our Good Omen Productions, LLC and Gaxx Worx LLC. We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of Gary Con or our venue, other than to resolve issues with the hotel or to connect you with sponsor companies in order to provide some benefit to you connected with your badge.
Purchases and Refunds
All purchases of Gary Con merchandise, including badges and event tickets, are final. No refunds are issued for any reason unless expressly stated in writing in advance.
Event Cancellations
If an event has been canceled, please see the Gary Con HQs desk for further instructions. If there was an event fee there may be a refund, however the vast majority of events are at no charge. So we will help identify available alternatives for you using the event listing on https://play.garycon.com.
GM Policies
Thank you for being a part of the celebration at Gary Con! By choosing to submit, run, or organize an event at Gary Con, you:
- Will abide by all venue policies.
- Will abide by all of Gary Con’s policies.
- Understand that running an event does not make you a Gary Con employee or contractor.
- Understand that consequences may occur as a result of violating Gary Con policies.
- Agree that the purpose of running gaming events at Gary Con is to provide a fun and entertaining experience to attendees.
- Agree to ensure the safety of you and your players.
- Agree to follow all directions of Gary Con staff and management.
All event space is reserved for organized events unless it is clearly marked as “Open Gaming”. Any unauthorized event will be removed at management’s discretion. If there are problems or questions about a table assignment, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Please contact Gary Con staff or volunteer to assist.
You are responsible for the security of all items you bring to your game. If any special care is necessary, please contact Gary Con staff to make arrangements. Gary Con assumes no liability for lost or stolen items.
If there is a reason that your game cannot be run, contact Gary Con staff member immediately so the game can be canceled.
Appropriate Game Content
As stated above, when you agree to run any event at Gary Con for our attendees you are doing so with the express understanding that you are running said event in a way to provide a fun and entertaining experience for our attendees. This does not include providing "shocking" or "horrifying" experiences in a game.
When submitting a game, please make sure to engage the appropriate age range selection for your expected players. Adult themed games are appropriate for adults. If you do plan on running a game that contains adult themes, it is incumbent upon each and every GM to provide a full explanation of the adult situations contained in your game in the body of the game's event description. There simply cannot be any room for surprises when it comes to subjects that might be offensive or objectionable to our attendees.
To be absolutely clear on this subject, themes, scenarios, or encounters based on graphic violence and/or sexual content is never appropriate for a gaming event at Gary Con. This includes descriptions of rape, extreme violence, or extreme cruelty. Please let common sense be your guide in this. Some matters that might be acceptable in a home game involving consenting adults are not acceptable at a gaming convention. Violations of these edicts are violations of our polices and can result in immediate expulsion without refund as well as a permanent ban from any and all future Gary Con events and activities.
Before Your Game
You should arrive at your table at least 5 minutes prior to start time to greet your players and wipe down the table and chairs with cleaning solution. If your designated table is in use, contact a staff member or volunteer to get assistance. Do not attempt to move your game to another table/location as this may affect other games.
All players must have a valid game Player, GM, Exibitor or Guest badge to play in the event. We encourage walk-ups to play in events as long as you can fit them into your game smoothly. Display the green table placard to show that you are accepting walk-ups. Display the red table placard to show you are not accepting additional players. Please don’t allow spectator badges to play in your events.
During Your Game
Check that all players are wearing valid badges during all games. If players or GMs are found to not be wearing valid badges, they will be warned and if necessary, removed. In the case of a GM not displaying a valid badge, the game may be canceled.
Games should run as they were represented in the initial submission. No changes can be made without prior approval from the Gary Con staff. This includes start/end time, location and content. If any changes are necessary, contact a staff member.
If there are any problems with disruptive players or security issues, contact the nearest Gary Con staff member.
After Your Game
You should finish your game at least 10 minutes before the next scheduled time slot to allow the next GM to set-up. Clean up your space and wipe down the table with cleaning solution. The area should be left as you found it. If you see areas of concern (trash, broken chairs/tables, spills), please contact Gary Con staff member.
Please ensure that the table placard and holder that was present on your table at the beginning of your game is present and clearly visible at the end of your game.
Gary Con Game Master Lounge Policy
Our GMs will have a place of their own to relax, get some refreshments and prepare their games at the Grand Geneva. The lounge is reserved for GMs that run events at Gary Con and have the appropriate marker on their badge to access the space. There will be snacks and beverages available for consumption in the lounge only.
If you have any questions, please contact events@garycon.com.
GM “No Show” Policy
We understand that sometimes unforeseen events cause a GM to miss their game and deeply appreciate the hundreds of skilled GMs that run events for everyone’s enjoyment. We want to encourage timely communication and dissuade people from “no showing” the people that signed up to play in their events. If you as a GM realize that you have an issue that will prevent you from running an event as scheduled, please contact us immediately. Gary Con expects every GM to contact the staff and inform us of a cancellation as soon as they know that they will miss or cancel the event. For issues prior to the first day of Gary Con, please use, at a minimum, customerservice@garycon.com to inform us of the issue. Once Gary Con has commenced please report the issues to the personnel at convention headquarters in person.
Any GM who, without proper notification, fails to show up for and run 2 or more of their scheduled events may have their current badge revoked and be banned from attending Gary Con in any capacity for a period of no less than one year. The length of the ban will be determined solely by the Gary Con management. We are compassionate human beings and will consider extenuating circumstances presented to us before enforcing a revocation or ban.
LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS:
I acknowledge that I derive personal satisfaction and a benefit by virtue of my participation, attendance and/or voluntarism at Gary Con and I willingly engage in events and/or other activities (the “Activity”).
RELEASEANDWAIVER. I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE AGAINST GARY CON (GOOD OMEN PRODUCTIONS, LLC) AND ITS AFFILIATED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, INCLUDING IN EACH CASE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR MEMBERS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS (THE “RELEASED PARTIES”), EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH I, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF, WHICH ARISE OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE FROM MY PARTICIPATION WITH THE ACTIVITY.
ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK. I acknowledge and understand the following:
1. Participation includes possible exposure to and illness from infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19. While particular rules and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious illness and death does exist;
2. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks related to illness and infectious diseases, such as COVID- 19, even if arising from the negligence or fault of the Released Parties; and
3. I hereby knowingly assume the risk of injury, harm and loss associated with the Activity, including any injury, harm and loss caused by the negligence, fault or conduct of any kind on the part of the Released Parties.
MEDICAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RELEASE. I acknowledge the health risks associated with the Activity, including but not limited to transient dizziness, lightheaded, fainting, nausea, muscle cramping, musculoskeletal injury, joint pains, sprains and strains, heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. I agree that if I experience any of these or any other symptoms during the Activity, I will discontinue my participation immediately and seek appropriate medical attention. I DO HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIM WHATSOEVER WHICH ARISES OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY FIRST AID, TREATMENT, OR SERVICE RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.
As a participant, exhibitor, Guest, volunteer, or attendee, You recognize that your participation, involvement and/or attendance at Gary Con events or activities (“Activity”) is voluntary and may result in personal injury (including death) and/or property damage. By attending, observing or participating in the Activity, You acknowledge and assume all risks and dangers associated with your participation and/or attendance at the Activity, and You agree that: (a) Good Omen Productions, LLC (b) the property or site owner of the Activity, and (c) all past, present and future affiliates, successors, assigns, employees, volunteers, vendors, partners, members, and officers, of such entities (subsections (a) through (c), collectively, the "Released Parties"), will not be responsible for any personal injury (including death), property damage, or other loss suffered as a result of your participation in, attendance at, and/or observation of the Activity, regardless if any such injuries or losses are caused by the negligence of any of the Released Parties (collectively, the "Released Claims"). BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.