METROCON gladly complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As such, trained animal assistants (“working animals”) are allowed in the public/function areas of the convention center and in the hotel. If you’ve never encountered a working animal before, please keep in mind that their owners have them to assist them in everyday life; they are not to be played with, called out to, or otherwise disturbed, as their primary function is to serve as guides. No other animals are permitted in the convention center at any time. According to Tampa Convention Center policy, if any animal (even service animals) becomes a safety or biological waste threat to the other inhabitants of the facility, the animal and its owner may be asked to leave the premises – this will be enforced by Tampa Convention Center security as necessary, and there is nothing we can do about their judgment on this policy.

Our staff has been selected based on the knowledge they possess of their departments, and our trust in their judgment. If a STAFF member requests something of you, please comply. If you feel you are being treated unfairly, you may request to speak to their superior, however this is not always possible due to time constraints throughout the weekend, and will most likely result in the same answer you were originally given, in addition to time wasted that you could have spent enjoying the convention. We take complaints and disputes very seriously and we are always willing to hear out both sides of a story.

TYPES OF CONVENTION STAFF:

• STAFF: These are department heads and the people directly underneath them. Staff has the final authority on any decision regarding your behavior or any other policy.
• SECURITY: If someone from Security tells you something, it’s for a very good reason. Please listen to them. They are here for your safety and the well-being of the entire convention.
• SPECIAL GUESTS: People wearing a Special Guest badge are just that – guests of the convention. Notables in the Japanese animation or video game industry in some form or fashion, they’re one of the main reasons most people come to conventions. Treat them with politeness and respect.
• VOLUNTEERS: By far the people you are most likely to encounter throughout the weekend, these are the people who are working in exchange for free registration and attendance to METROCON functions (when they’re not on the clock, of course). These are badge checkers and other stationed positions throughout the convention who have received direct instruction from the staff.

• CAST: There are several shows and performances at the convention, and many of the performers are wearing official cast badges. These are some of the most knowledgeable people at the convention – feel free to ask them for help or assistance if you can not find a staff member or volunteer. Cast members may, on occasion, be acting as staff members or volunteers, so respect them as such.
• PRESS: METROCON will have in attendance various members of the press. Many work for large TV networks or local newspapers, and others work for podcasts or anime magazines – if you can comply with their requests, try to do so in a polite manner. They’re just trying to do their job.

METROCON convention badges/wristbands must be worn at all times. If you have no badge/wristband, you will not be granted admittance to the convention areas. If you lose your badge/wristband or find one, please notify Registration immediately. Replacement badges are NOT available for purchase or otherwise – you will be required to purchase another pass at full prices. We strongly recommend putting a unique name or identifier on your badge (we provide stickers and markers just for that at registration!) so that if it is lost and returned to Registration, we can reunite you with it.

It shouldn’t need to be said, but please use common sense when in public areas. A good general rule is: if you have to ask or think twice about whether or not you should do it in public, DON’T. Convention staff has the final authority on what is and is not acceptable in public areas, and may ask you to stop an activity, or take it elsewhere; compliance with these requests is mandatory. Repeat offenders may be required to hand over their badges and leave convention areas. Remember that you are a guest of both the convention center and the hotel you are staying in, and that there are other guests utilizing the same facilities – some of whom may not be in any way affiliated with the convention. Be courteous and do not disturb other guests with noise or activities inappropriate to the time and place. If the convention center staff request you to quiet down or stop a certain behavior, do so; if you do not, your badge will be confiscated. We’re all here to have a good time, so please act responsibly.