Safety Policies

Safety Policies

OtakuFest has processes and procedures in place to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

For details, follow these links:

Safety Guidelines at OtakuFest

No Weapons Allowed at OtakuFest

Prop and Costume Policies at OtakuFest

Costume and Mask Policies at OtakuFest

Sign and Banner Policies at OtakuFest

OtakuFest has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for GUNS and for REAL and/or REALISTIC weapons of any kind. The Miami Beach Convention Center, will not allow guns even if you have a conceal and carry permit. No weapons are allowed, period. Searches will be conducted if any bag or outfit presents as suspicious. Anyone not consenting to a search at the request of a security officer will be asked to leave without refund.

OtakuFest and city officials fully understand that none of our fans or attendees are of any threat to anyone. We also appreciate that we have never had an incident in the past when we allowed fake weapons into the building. Unfortunately, at this moment in time, we have to eliminate all possible confusion about props and fake weapons.

What do we mean by weapons? We are not referring to “cartoon” weapons (we consider those “props”)… we are talking about REAL and REALISTIC looking weapons. Lightsabers and Phasers are OK. Airsoft and BB guns are not.

Anyone entering the building with a mask on may be asked to remove it upon entry. You may put it back on once you pass the prop check point.

Both OtakuFest and the Miami Beach Convention Center want every attendee to have a good experience in the city and at our show. Your safety and security is our top concern.

 

Sign & Banner Policy

Sign & Banner Policy

All signs and banners must follow all of the rules of both costumes and props, and are also subject to the general rating of the convention (PG-13) and all other convention policies. Signs and banners may not contain solicitation (“Will _____ for _____.”, or any variation). We have a strict NO SOLICITATION POLICY! Signs and banners must also contain zero profanity and offensive material. You may carry a sign as a part of your costume, so long as the sign is clearly relevant to the character you are portraying. Examples include: “Objection!” signs for a Phoenix Wright costume, “Hey, listen!” signs with a Navi costume, etc.

Signs and banners that do not comply with this policy or any other will be confiscated, and may result in your removal from the convention. This policy also applies to white boards and other writing surfaces being displayed to the public. Regardless of whether the sign is acceptable or not, no sign or banner may be affixed to any surface in or around the Convention Center.

OtakuFest reserves the right to amend or change these rules at anytime for any reason to provide for the safety, security and general well being of attendees and the general public.

 

Costume & Mask Policy

Costume & Mask Policy

Since many of our attendees come in costume, we only have a few rules.

All costumes at OtakuFest must be PG during regular exhibition room hours. After hours, please keep it PG-13. Use common sense. Anything that is illegal outside of the convention is illegal inside the convention.

OtakuFest reserves the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and to request the wearer make modifications as necessary, change out of the costume entirely into more appropriate clothing, or require you to leave the convention.

If your costume hinders your vision or movement in any way, you should have a friend, or “handler,” with you at all times who can move and see freely. Leashes are permitted; however, if you are wearing the collar, you must be holding the handle. Leashes should not be held between two or more people, as this causes an issue for the other patrons.

Masks are allowed however, security and staff may ask you to remove your mask at any time, for any reason for identification purposes.

No public exposure. No flashing. Florida State law says that a violation of public decency laws has occurred when the genitals, buttocks, or breasts are exposed to public view for any reason. You must wear shoes at all times (no bare feet) for safety purposes, not even funny boxers would be allowed.

QUESTIONABLE MATERIAL: Some costumes from anime, comic books, sci-fi, video games, and other sources may contain questionable material. We do not allow the use of hate symbols on costumes. You may wear a costume that is an accurate representation of an existing character in fandom, but shock costumes, or costumes which have the sole purpose of offending and disrespecting other individuals, cultures, or religions in any way, will not be tolerated. We ask that you be respectful of other attendees.

UNIFORM COSTUMES: Costumes that may be confused with LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL UNIFORMS are not permitted. OtakuFest has the absolute right and sole discretion to determine whether a uniform costume is permitted or too close to a real world uniform and to ask an attendee who is wearing a costume that is too close to a real world uniform to adjust it or remove it.

ROLLER SKATES: The Convention Center has banned roller skates, bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, Segways, wheeled shoes such as Heelys, all from this list inside the convention. You may carry these items as a prop, but you may not ride them at any time in the convention center. Hoverboards are banned as well.

THE “PROXIMITY RULE”: Any part of your costume that extends more than four inches (4″) off of your body is officially considered a “prop” (wings, spikes, helmets, etc.) and should adhere to both the costume policies and weapon policies above.

OtakuFest reserves the right to amend or change these rules at any time for any reason to provide for the safety, security and general well-being of attendees and the general public.

 

Prop & Costume Policy

Prop & Costume Policy

Prop weapons are homemade or commercially rendered costume prop weapons that support the overall look of a costume or character, including futuristic prop weapons made to look like phasers, ray guns, light sabers, etc.

Prop weapons will be allowed provided they are composed of cardboard, foam, wood, lightweight plastic, or other light materials. No Metal Props.

Nothing that looks like a real gun is allowed.

Bows and crossbows will only be permitted if they are absolutely prop in nature – no tension on the string beyond what it takes to keep it straight, and arrows should not have any form of tip. You are NOT permitted to bring arrows with metal tips into the event under ANY circumstances.

No items can have sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others.

All prop weapons must be checked at the Prop Check Table, where security will inspect the prop and issue a sticker to be placed in a visible area on the prop. EVERY prop will be handled on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to take further measures to make the prop safe before it will be given approval. Be prepared for this contingency. Approved prop stickers must be visible on your prop at all times. Removing the prop sticker is a violation of the Weapons Policy and will result in immediate expulsion from OtakuFest. Any approved prop weapon may be revoked at any time at the discretion of OtakuFest staff or security, for reasons including, but not limited to, the item being utilized or brandished in an inappropriate fashion or if complaints are received regarding its improper display.

OtakuFest reserves the right to refuse entry of any prop/weapon it deems unfit for any reason. Any misuse of a prop/weapon (horseplay, dueling, fighting, running/swinging, firing, etc.) is grounds for removal and or ejection from convention premises without recourse, up to and including legal action depending on the severity of the offense.

PURCHASED PROPS AND REPLICAS: If you purchase a replica or prop from the Vendor Room that does not comply with the OtakuFest Weapons/Prop policy, you must leave it at the booth and retrieve it when you are ready to leave or when the exhibition room closes. You must take it to your vehicle, or hotel room immediately.

PLEASE NOTE that if you violate any of the above rules you WILL be removed from the convention. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are asked to leave by a member of OtakuFest security or staff, you are required to comply with their requests or risk intervention by law enforcement. These decisions are based on the discretion of the security or staff member you are dealing with at that exact moment.

Do not attempt to skirt the rules. Do not attempt to play games with security or staff. Use common sense. If you cannot abide by the rules, please stay home. We will not endanger or put any of our attendees at risk because you want to have a more authentic costume.

OtakuFest reserves the right to amend or change these rules at anytime for any reason to provide for the safety, security and general well being of attendees and the general public.

 

No Weapons Allowed

No Weapons Allowed

OtakuFest is dedicated to the safety and security of ALL attendees.

Use common sense and remember what seems harmless to you may appear like a threat to someone else. All attendees must adhere to Florida State Law at all times during the weekend of OtakuFest, including laws regarding firearms and weapons. If it is illegal outside of the convention, it is illegal inside the convention.

Please read this entire policy before attending OtakuFest. Failure to follow this policy may result in your removal from the convention without refund. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE FOR WEAPONS.

The following items are NOT ALLOWED at OtakuFest:
• NO Live firearms: This includes modern guns, hunting guns, historic guns, air soft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns and pellet guns – either functioning or de-commissioned.
• NO CONCEALED FIREARMS, EVEN IF YOU HAVE A PERMIT.
• NO Realistic replica firearms: This includes reproduction, fake or toy guns that can be confused for functional firearms – either metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber.
• NO Functional projectile weapons: This includes blow guns, functioning crossbows, functioning long bows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons, and water guns. No props or weapons capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind.
• NO Sharpened metal-bladed weapons: This includes axes, daggers, hatches, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords, sword canes and switch blades.
• NO Dull metal-bladed weapons: This includes replica swords, replica knives, and other dull metal objects.
• NO Explosives: This includes firecrackers, smoke bombs and fireworks.
• NO Chemical weapons: This includes mace and pepper spray.
• NO Blunt weapons: This includes brass knuckles, clubs and nunchucks.
• NO Hard prop weapons: This includes props made of metal, fiberglass and glass. LIGHTSABERS ARE OK.
• NO Laser pointers. If you have a laser pointer in your prop or weapon, make sure it cannot function by either removing the batteries, or simply not bringing it.
• NO Items that cause excessive noise levels like Stereos, musical instruments, vuvuzelas, grenade whistles and air horns.
• NO Whips.
• NO Aerosol mustard.
• NO Tasers.