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. In keeping with this, we require that all attendees wear clothing providing coverage equivalent to at least a non-thong swimsuit while in public. This includes the balcony areas of those rooms having balconies. “Flashing”, or otherwise showing what shouldn’t be shown, is grounds for immediate expulsion from the convention. Convention staff may, at their sole discretion, ask you to change your attire if you are not complying with this policy. Repeat offenders will be required to hand over their badges and leave convention areas. While in the convention areas, please be reasonable and discreet in your dress and behavior.

A note on public indecency – while your costume may adhere to the above rules, the METROCON staff may, at its sole discretion, decide that your costume is, in fact, NOT decent (spandex costumes without proper undergarments, costumes that border on the bare minimum of the above policy, and the like). If you are adhering to all of our policies, and we ask you to change into other clothing or find a way to augment your coverage, you are welcome to discuss the judgment with our staff or ask for a supervisor.

We understand this can be an uncomfortable situation and sometimes makes the cosplayer/attendee feel targeted or uncomfortable, and we always want to ensure your comfort – if you would prefer to discuss costuming matters with a staff member of a different gender, or at any point feel dissatisfied with an interaction with staff over this policy and any other, feel free to let us know and we will do our best to accommodate a better interaction for all parties.

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 extended between two or more people, as this causes an issue for the other patrons.

METROCON is a family-friendly event, and there will be people of all ages present throughout the convention. Please keep this in mind when designing and choosing your costumes, and allow your common sense and good taste to prevail.

Shoes are required at the Tampa Convention Center at all times.

Please note: METROCON reserves the right to deem a costume as unacceptable and to request that the wearer makes modifications as necessary, change out of the costume entirely into more appropriate clothing, or require you to leave the convention.