Policies

Please read and understand these policies. If any are unclear, contact us and we will clarify them for you. To ensure a safe, fun and inclusive convention environment for all our attendees, please adhere to our policies. Any violations after a first warning will result in expulsion from the event by a convention staff member.

Possible sanctions for not following the set forth policies include, but are not limited to: verbal warning, removal from event, removal from the convention space, revocation of convention badge, and if necessary, police intervention. Please do not make us go any further than a quick, verbal warning.

Badges must be worn in plain sight at all times.

Anything illegal outside the venue is illegal inside the venue. All Federal, State, and Local laws apply and supersede any policies that we have in place. AnimeNJ++ is not liable for any injuries, should they occur.

Harassment Policy

If you feel harassed or witness harassment, please report it to a staff member immediately. This sort of behavior is not tolerated at AnimeNJ++. If you are unable to find a Staff member to assist you, go to the information registration desk. Please refrain from taking matters into your own hands (such as personally confronting the aggressor or posting on social media).

Harassment is defined by the victim. Harassment can include but is not limited to:

• Any action that can intimidate, insult, offend, or ridicule another person for any reason including but not limited to race, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran’s status, appearance or body size, and/or relationship status.
• Any behavior that threatens, humiliates, manipulates, degrades, or undermines another person.
• Unwelcome physical or verbal attention.
• Non-consensual sexual advances, flirtation, photography, or recording.
• Requests for sexual favors.
• Any action often referred to as “bullying”.
• Any action that may be physically, emotionally, or mentally harmful to another person.

Remember, cosplay is not consent. Please be kind, polite, and courteous to other people. If someone asks you to leave a conversation or stop doing something that makes them or someone else uncomfortable, please abide by their request.

If you or anyone you know experiences or witnesses any verbal or physical action that may be considered harassment or bullying, please notify a staff member immediately. AnimeNJ++ will take any action necessary to prevent or stop the harassment or bullying from occurring including but not limited to, in no particular order:

• A single verbal warning.
• Revocation of badge without refund.
• Immediate removal from the convention premises.
• Placement of offender on blacklist for all future AnimeNJ++ events.
• Notification of law enforcement authorities where appropriate.

Age Restrictions (18+ Policies)

AnimeNJ++ has a few 18+ events late at night. Attendees who wish to attend one of these must have their ID ready to be presented to a staffer for the issue of an 18+ wristband. Rooms will be cleared out prior to the event. There is absolutely no admittance into an 18+ event without a proper ID and an 18+ wristband.

Hotel

The venue reserves the right to remove any guest or convention attendee that fails to comply with its own rules and regulations. Please respect and make yourself aware of any applicable venue policies. We must respect and share the hotel’s common space with the rest of the hotel’s guests so please be kind, considerate and courteous.

Illegal Substances

The venue is a 100% smoke free establishment and as such bans the use of any tobacco product including the use of regular cigarettes, vapes, or chewing tobacco. Hotel rules and New Jersey state laws apply to the possession and use of all other substances.

Photographs and Filming

Attendees and participants of AnimeNJ++ grant permission to be photographed or recorded by AnimeNJ++ team members, partners, and exhibitors. By entering the event, you grant AnimeNJ++, its partners, and exhibitors permission to use any such images or footage for archival or promotional purposes without compensation or acknowledgement. Photography and video taping are not permitted in the Exhibitor Hall and Artist Alley. All photographers who bring a professional grade camera MUST check in to Con Ops.

Dress Code and Cosplay Policy

AnimeNJ++ is an all-ages event, so attendees are asked to dress appropriately.

All AnimeNJ++ attendees are required to follow the policies of the venue during the convention. AnimeNJ++ and the venue reserve the right to deem any cosplay unsuitable for the convention space, in which case you will be asked to change into more appropriate attire. Your badge will be held at registration and will be returned upon approval of alterations.

In general, please keep the following in mind:

• Footwear is required at all times.
• Cosplay should cover private areas at all times, including groin, buttocks, chest, and nipples.
• Coverage of any cosplay must remain in place while moving, bending, and posing, as to ensure that policies are maintained.
• None of the following are allowed to be worn or ridden in the venue: hoverboards, roller skates/blades, stilts, skateboards, scooters, heelys, unless required to accommodate a disability.
• Body paint and dried liquids are allowed as part of your costume, but must be properly applied to prevent it from rubbing off onto parts of the venue or other attendees.
• Full face masks are acceptable but must be easily removable, and we ask that it be removed after leaving the convention area.
• Keep in mind the size of your cosplay and props when planning for the convention. Consider ways in which your cosplay could inhibit your movement or the movement of those around you. As an example, a pair of wings that protrude from your back may easily hit people nearby when you turn. If you cannot avoid this, it is a good idea to have a friend with you to help you navigate safely.
  

Props & Weapons Policy

Weapons are NOT permitted inside the venue. To reiterate: if it is illegal outside the venue, it’s still illegal inside.

• NO LIVE STEEL. Metal or metal containing weapons of any sort are not allowed on the premises.
• NO GUNS. Period. Of any kind. This even includes airsoft guns with orange tips.
• No metal, sharp, or blunt weapons.
• No explosives or chemicals.

The venue does not allow weapons and AnimeNJ++ does not allow weapons. It’s as simple as that. Any person found with a weapon will be asked to remove it from the convention area and may be escorted out. Failure to do so will result in confiscation of the weapon and your badge.

All props must be checked in at Weapons Check and approved. Misuse of props that endangers other attendees will not be tolerated.

Props are acceptable as long as they:

• Are made of wood, plastic, foam, or similar material
• Are less than 7ft in any direction and less than 50lbs
• Have been checked in and have received the approval marking
• Have no sharp edges
• Do not have chains longer than 18in
• Do not contain metal

AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to deem any prop unsuitable for the convention space.

Disruptive Behavior

AnimeNJ++ is an all ages convention. We ask that our attendees act accordingly. The following actions are considered disruptive behaviors:

• Blocking hallways, doors, and exits
• Running down the hallways
• Excessive noise and yelling
• Excessive PDA (Public Display of Affection)
• Glomping, hugging, touching, or harassment of anyone without their consent
• Selling of anything, with the exception of artists and vendors in their respective areas
• Fighting, both real and mock

AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to ask an attendee to change clothes if they are inappropriately dressed.

Animals are prohibited unless they are necessary for medical reasons.

Use common sense. If you are invading someone’s space or violating their rights, there is a good chance you shouldn’t be doing it. The above list is not all inclusive; if a AnimeNJ++ or the venue staffer asks a reasonable request of you, please follow their request.

Line Etiquette

Please be aware that there is a really good chance that you will be waiting in a line of epic proportions at some point in time. Please be respectful of the people around you. Anyone cutting in line will be sent to the back of the line. Also, please do not block doorways when waiting in line. Any line for an event may not be formed until 15 minutes prior to the event. The line will begin at the discretion of AnimeNJ++ staff and “lines for the line” will not be permitted. AnimeNJ++ staff reserves the right to disband any lines formed before this time period.

Theft Policy

A friendly reminder: AnimeNJ++ and the venue are not responsible for lost or stolen items. If you do lose an item or suspect it has been stolen, please report to the Con Ops room. If your item is in the Con Ops room, be prepared to describe it in detail in order to get it back.

• If an attendee is caught stealing, they will immediately be turned over to the proper authorities.
• If you find an item that doesn’t belong to you, please turn it in to Con Ops.

Guest and Autograph Policies

AnimeNJ++ cannot guarantee that you will be able to get an autograph from the guests. We want to ensure that as many people as possible are able to interact with the guests, so please keep the lines moving. We recommend writing down anything that you wish to say to the guests in case you forget.

Guests will be happy to autograph your AnimeNJ++ Programming Booklet, as well as any officially licensed merchandise. Guests reserve the right to refuse to sign anything that may be counterfeit. Signing of personal items is at the discretion of the guest.

AnimeNJ++ reserves the right to make changes to the Guest and Autograph Policies as the circumstances or guests dictate.

Minors at AnimeNJ++

AnimeNJ++ welcomes attendees of all ages. A parent or guardian must accompany a child under the age of 13 at all times. AnimeNJ++ is not a child sitting service. We recommend that all children carry some form of identification along with contact information of their parent or guardian. In the case that a child becomes lost, this makes it less stressful for everyone. The venue does not have a PA system.

Policy Updates

The policies are subject to periodic review by AnimeNJ++ Leadership and may change without prior notice. A copy of the current policies in effect for the convention will be posted at the registration and information desks.