Convention Guidelines

• If you are traveling with small children, establish a specific place where you will meet up if separated. Small children should be accompanied by an adult at all times.


• Mind the flow of traffic and do not obstruct hallways. Some buildings will have a dedicated entrance and exit. Do not run inside buildings. Restricted areas are off-limits to attendees and will be labeled with caution tape or signs.


• The CPAC convention grounds have many great opportunities for photographs. Please respect the grounds. Do not climb on statues or buildings. Always be aware that the convention grounds are in the middle of the city of Hoboken and there will be traffic nearby.


• Many attendees participate by cosplaying as familiar characters. While many enjoy having their picture taken, always ask permission first.


• The use of still or video cameras may be restricted or prohibited at some events. Please mind posted notices. Violating this rule may result in confiscation of the camera.


• CPAC is a family event. Do not wear clothing that may be considered lewd or inappropriate in a public setting. No nudity or partial nudity is allowed. Also, no rude or profane clothing or signs are allowed on the convention grounds.


• There is no smoking in any of the convention buildings. While smoking is permitted outside the buildings, we ask that you dispose of the remnants appropriately.


• If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, immediately approach the nearest CPAC Staff or Convention Officials.


• In case of injury or other emergency, follow all instructions of CPAC Staff, Convention Officials, and Police.

Weapons Policy

"or, How I donated my 15 foot sword to CPAC"

CPAC considers any device capable of causing injury or being confused with an object capable of causing injury to be a weapon. To ensure a safe and fun environment, CPAC has strict restrictions on such devices within the convention grounds. The weapon restrictions will be strictly enforced and all attendees are expected to abide by them. All weapons and other props are subject to inspection by CPAC staff at any time. Decisions made by CPAC staff are final, and CPAC staff reserve the right to confiscate weapons and expel attendees from the convention and its grounds at any time. If you have any questions, please consult the convention information desk or CPAC registration.

Prohibited Weapons

• Projectile Weapons including but not limited to functional firearms, imitations of real firearms, pellet guns, air rifles, water pistols, and slingshots


• Live Steel including but not limited to sharpened and dull swords, knives and other cutting implements


• Incendiary devices such as smoke bombs, flash bombs, sparklers, and other fireworks; possession of any of these devices will result in immediate expulsion from the convention.


• Flail and throwing weapons including but not limited to nunchaku, sansetsukon, shuriken, and throwing stars


• Illegal devices not permitted on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology, city of Hoboken, or state of New Jersey are not permissible inside the convention.

Allowed Props

• Staves, boken, and walking canes made from wood, Styrofoam, or other light-weight material


• Fake and toy guns made from a light-weight material that are obviously prop guns and have a non-removable orange tip


• Decorative props with no moving parts, less than seven (7) feet in height and under fifty (50) pounds deemed not hazardous or obtrusive to other convention attendees

Weapons Check-in

At check-in, all attendees will be required to show that all weapons abide by the above rules. If CPAC staff have doubts as to the safety of any weapon, you will be given the opportunity to check it for pick-up at the convention’s conclusion. If you refuse to check a weapon determined to be in violation of the weapons policy by CPAC staff, you will be denied entrance to the convention buildings and grounds.

Weapons Dealers

A number of approved dealers will be selling weapons during the convention. Any weapon bought inside the dealers rooms must be placed in its original packaging before leaving the room. If you have purchased a weapon and its case is open on convention grounds, you will be asked to put it away or face confiscation.

Proper Behavior

If at any time an attendee is observed using an approved or non-approved weapon in any of the following manners, the weapon will be immediately confiscated without return and the attendee may be evicted from the convention without refund:

• Swinging, striking, or otherwise causing obstruction in a public area
• Mock fighting
• Brandishing provocatively or any other threatening gesture
• Modification of any approved weapon so that it no longer meets the weapons policy

Video Gaming Policies

Failure to follow any of these rules may lead to ejection from the convention.

• Game schedule depends on interest levels for games and players waiting for a console.
• Posted game schedules are subject to delays related to system performance, connectability (for multi-player situations), and other technical difficulties beyond the control of the staff.
• DO NOT DAMAGE the Equipment!
• DO NOT STEAL the Equipment!
• There is a No-Sore-Loser policy in effect. If someone pwns you, don’t get angry or you WILL be asked to leave.
• If you have requests, please inform the con staff present. We may have other games available for certain systems - please ask.
• Please be considerate to others waiting to use the console - don’t hog the systems.

Card and Board Gaming Policies

Failure to follow any of these rules may lead to ejection from the convention.

• No selling of personal cards and/or other gaming paraphernalia on CPAC premises.
• Please remember: It’s just a game.
• If there is a dispute over rules, please ask a staffer for assistance.
• All games are available to attendees, unless already being used by another person.
• Attendees are allowed only one game at a time in order to allow other people to play.
• While we are all here to have fun, please be aware of your surroundings.
• A staffer has the right to take away a game from you if your actions are deemed inappropriate or hostile to another attendee.
• Cards in the Sandbox Magic game are not to be taken outside of the Card and Game Area.

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