Welcome to the Castle Point Anime Convention! Whether this is your first CPあC or your thirteenth, there are some policies and guidelines we all must follow in order to keep the convention safe, sane, and fun. Staff of the Castle Point Anime Convention will be wearing an official staff shirt and will be wearing a clearly visible staff badge with their name and photo on it at all times.

The following policies must be followed by all attendees of the Castle Point Anime Convention, including staff, volunteers, dealers, artists, panelists, and guests. These rules may only be overridden by the Convention Chair at their discretion.

Registration

Badge Policy

All attendees of the Castle Point Anime Convention must have a badge. Badges may be purchased ahead of time via the official Castle Point Anime GrowTix page, at the registration area of the venue, or picked up at the appropriate check-in area.

Upon the request of convention staff and security, attendees must be able to present their badge. Failure to present a badge may result in removal from convention grounds.

Lost attendee badges will not be replaced. Attendees who lose a badge and wish to continue attending the convention must purchase another badge from registration at full price. Damaged badges can be replaced at no charge at registration.

Minors

All children under the age 13 must be chaperoned by another attendee over the age of 18, for the entire duration of the convention. Children found without a chaperon will be asked to contact their parents and will be sent home. By purchasing a badge for their child, the parent/guardian accepts that the Castle Point Anime Convention assumes no liability in case of accident or emergency on site of the convention.

Lost Items/Belongings

CPあC is not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen items at Meadowlands Exposition Center. Found items can be given to the Info Desk at the Meadowlands Expo Center.

Accessibility

Accessibility is important to us at CPあC, and we will attempt to make any accommodations we can for those who need it. Attendees that anticipate requiring any special accommodation should send an email to info@castlepointanime.com.

Currently, CPあC cannot directly provide special services including, but not limited to, wheelchairs or motorized vehicles for attendees. Both venues are wheelchair accessible but in some cases, specifically those in the hands of the venue, accessibility may be out of our control. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Mobility

The Meadowlands Exposition Center, featuring Main Events and Exhibitors, has a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the front entrance and exit.

Hard of Sight or Hearing

Unfortunately, CPあC cannot provide ASL, CART, or assisted listening services in any of our events. Most rooms do not have Braille labels on the doors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Safety

Children and Groups

When traveling in groups or as a family (especially with children), it is recommended to establish a specific place to meet up, if separated. A recommended location may be by an information desk.

Please write emergency contact information on the back of your badges of young children. This is the best way for staff to contact you if your child is found. If your child is missing, notify the nearest staff member or convention security.

Pet Policy

No pets will be permitted inside the Meadowlands Exposition Center, with the exception of service animals. Convention staff may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

Disruptive Behavior

Mind the flow of traffic and do not obstruct walkways. Restricted areas are off-limits to attendees and will be labeled with caution tape or signs.

Smoking is not permitted in any of the convention buildings. While smoking is permitted outside the buildings, we ask that you respect those around you and dispose of the remnants appropriately.

Loud music blasted through electronic devices such as, but not limited to, portable speakers will not be tolerated.

Attempting to conduct any commercial transactions without our prior written consent is prohibited.

Solicitation of any kind by general attendees is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, any distribution of advertising or promotional material, or any verbal promotion.

Attendees that fail to listen to any instruction of convention staff or security may result in being removed from the convention.

Cosplay Policy

CPあC is a family friendly event. Do not wear clothing that may be considered lewd or inappropriate in a public setting. This includes ahegao hoodie/shirt.

No nudity, partial nudity, or rude/profane clothing/signs will be permitted at the convention.

All attendees must have their private areas covered at all times. Body paint is not an acceptable substitution for clothing.

Clothing must extend at least one (1) inch above the nipple and below/to the sides of the breast, and at least one (1) inch above the pubic area and below the crotch/buttocks. This coverage must remain in place while moving/bending/posing/etc. Tape over the nipples will not suffice. Capes will not be accepted in place of shirts – if you’re wearing one, please wear a shirt underneath.

Weapons Policy

CPあC considers any device capable of causing injury, or being confused with an object capable of causing injury, a weapon.

To ensure a safe and fun environment, CPあC has strict restrictions on weapons within the convention grounds. These weapon restrictions must be followed at all times by convention attendees, dealers, artists, guests, and staff, and will be strictly enforced. All weapons and other props are subject to inspection and confiscation by CPあC security staff at any time.

Prohibited Props and Weapons

The following props and weapons are not allowed on the convention grounds at any time:

1. Projectile Weapons (or imitations thereof), including, but not limited, to
   • firearms, airsoft guns, water guns/pistols, air rifles and BB and pellet guns, regardless of whether it is functional or not
   • realistic imitations of anything listed in (a)
   • crossbows, dart guns, stun guns, blowguns, and tasers, regardless of whether it is functional or not
2. Live Steel, including, but not limited to
   • sharpened and dull swords, knives and other cutting implements
   • throwing stars and shuriken
   • metal armor, including chainmail
   • ice skates, knitting needles
   • anything made of metal that can take an edge, regardless of if it is sheathed or dull
3. Real bows and arrows, or parts of real bows (including both tipped or non-tipped arrows)
4. Incendiary Devices and Chemicals such as smoke bombs, smoke powder, flash bombs, sparklers, and other fireworks
5. Flails and Throwing Weapons, including, but not limited to, nunchaku, sansetsukon, and hard paddles
6. Illegal devices not permitted on the convention center grounds, or in the state of New Jersey
7. Any item deemed a threat or unsafe at the discretion of convention staff or security.

The following props/weapons are generally allowed after inspection:

1. Staves, bokken, bo sticks, shinai, and walking canes made from wood, Styrofoam, or other lightweight material.
2. Fake and toy guns which are made from a light-weight material, are not imitations of a real weapon (as indicated in 1a), and that have a clearly visible, non-removable orange tip.
3. Prop bows, provided they are strung loose (not taught or tight) with twine, yarn, or another non-functioning material
4. Instruments, musical instruments can only be used for visual/cosplay purposes
5. Decorative props with no moving parts, less than six (6) feet in height, and under fifty (50) pounds deemed not hazardous or obtrusive to other convention attendees.

Weapons Check-in

All weapons, real or fake, must be revealed and submitted for inspection by CPあC staff at registration to determine compliance with above rules. Approved weapons will be marked with brightly colored tape/ribbon by a security staff member.

Weapons deemed unsafe by the convention staff or security can be can be checked in and picked up at the convention’s conclusion. If you refuse to check in or discard of a weapon determined to be in violation of the weapon’s policy by CPあC staff, you will be denied entrance to the convention buildings and grounds.

Improper Weapons Behavior

If at any time an attendee is observed using an approved or unapproved weapon in a manner indicated in this section the weapon will be immediately confiscated without return and the attendee may be removed from the convention.

Some examples of behavior that are not tolerated, but are not limited to, include:

1. Swinging weapons or causing obstruction in a public area.
2. Mock/play fighting, duelling, or any other form of rough-housing.
3. Brandishing provocatively or any other threatening gesture.
4. Modification of any previously approved weapon.
5. Any other activity deemed to be unsafe or disruptive as the discretion of convention security.

Emergency and First Aid

CPあC tries its best to keep its attendees and staff safe. Accidents do happen and we try our best to be prepared for the worst. If you are hurt or injured in any way, are being harassed or stalked, or otherwise do not feel safe for any reason, contact the nearest staff member. In case of an emergency, call the police first, then find a staff member.

By attending CPあC, you grant the volunteers, employees, officers, representatives, and agents of CPあC and its medical services vendors, referred to generally as “CPあC and its parents”, consent to administer first aid and medical assistance as allowed by law, and to authorize medical treatment in case of an emergency. In addition, you waive, release, and forever discharge CPあC and its parents from any and all liability, damage, and injury arising from participating in CPあC and its activities.

Cameras and Photography

Many attendees participate by cosplaying as familiar characters. While many enjoy having their picture taken, always ask permission first. This also includes guests and panelists.

The use of cameras or video cameras may be restricted or prohibited at some events, including all video programming rooms, and some main events.

All individuals at CPあC grant the Anime Critics United, Inc. and its agents and licensees the right to photograph, film, and record their appearance, voices, performances, poses, and any other reproduction of physical likenesses, and to use the resulting photographs, recordings, and videos for promotional and archival purposes, while also relinquishing any claim, action, or demand on the use thereof. The only exception to this is for contracted guests/talent, who have the right to review the aforementioned media and reject its usage before it is published.

Autographing Sessions

CPあC occasionally hosts official autographing sessions for some of our guests. We ask that attendees be polite and courteous to guests, and to wait in line patiently when participating in an autographing session.

1. Each individual may only have one item signed at a time. Please try not to monopolize a guest’s time if others are waiting. CPあC does not guarantee all attendees will receive an autograph, so it is important to let the line proceed as quickly as possible.
2. Guests will be happy to sign your program guide and officially licensed products the guest has participated in, as well as handmade or personal items at their discretion. Guests may also offer merchandise for autographing that you may purchase during the session.
3. Do not ask a guest to sign bootleg or unlicensed merchandise. This is disrespectful, and will not be tolerated.
4. Both convention staff and the guest have the right to deny any items for autographing.
5. Photographs will be at the guests discretion, as described above.
6. All attendees seeking an autograph must wait in line; skipping the line or holding a spot for another person is not allowed and will result in removal from the autographing session.

Gaming Rooms

Video Gaming

The video gaming room has a number of rules in order to ensure smooth operation of tournaments and a fun time for everybody. Rules are applicable to any attendee of the convention that specifically enters the room.

1. No food or drink will be tolerated near the cabinets and consoles. Violators of this policy will be asked to dispose of their food or drink, or put it away.
2. Damaging and/or stealing equipment will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the video gaming room and the convention.
3. Posted game schedules are subject to change based on system performance connectivity (for multiplayer situations), and other technical difficulties beyond the control of the staff.
4. Some games may have instructions in Japanese. If you can’t figure out how to navigate the menu or start a game, ask a Video Gaming room staffer for assistance.

Card and Board Gaming

1. To receive a board game, an attendee must temporarily trade their badge for the duration they are borrowing the board game.
2. If there is a dispute concerning game rules, please ask a convention staff member for assistance.
3. All games are available to attendees, unless already being used by another person.
4. Attendees are allowed only one game at a time.
5. If your actions or words are deemed inappropriate or hostile by the convention staff and security, they can take away your game or ask you to leave the Card and Board Gaming room.
6. Games and their components are not allowed to be taken outside of the Card and Board Gaming area. Damaging and/or stealing games will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the convention.

Artist’s Alley and Dealers’ Room

The Dealer’s Room and Artist’s Alley has a number of rules to ensure safety and smooth operation of the vendors hall. These rules are applicable to any attendee entering the attendance hall.

1. No food or drink will be permitted inside the Dealer’s Room and Artist’s Alley. Any attendee in possession of food or drink will be asked to finish consumption or throw it away. This rule however does not apply to dealers, artists, their helpers, and staff.
2. Within the area of Artist’s Alley and Dealer’s Room an obstruction of traffic including sitting on the ground, performing disruptive behavior, etc is not allowed.
3. No photography will be permitted at Artists tables that indicate such.
4. Attendees caught damaging or stealing any merchandise in the DR/AA will be removed from the convention without refund.

Table Policy

Artist’s Alley and Dealer’s Room tables must be staffed by the individual that purchased the table, or one of his/her staff or designee, at all times during the convention. No table may be left unmanned or empty at any time the Artist’s Alley or Dealers’ Room is open.

Furthermore, only individuals with badge indicating they are an Artist or Dealer may staff a table. Failure to have staff at a table may result in the table being surrendered.

In addition, tables are non-transferrable.

Prohibited Items

In order to comply with local laws and ordinances, as well as convention policy, certain items may not be sold in the Artist’s Alley or Dealer’s Room under any circumstances. Violators of this policy will be asked to remove the item of question and at the discretion of the respective department head and/or the Convention Chair or Vice Chair, may be asked to leave the convention.

A product is prohibited from sale if it:

1. violates the weapons policy
2. is protected by copyright, trademark, and/or patent law, and you do not have a license from the appropriate author or agency to produce, display, and sell such materials
3. requires a prescription, such as decorative contact lenses
4. is sexually explicit, graphically violent, or otherwise unsuitable for children
5. is, in the state of New Jersey, illegal to possess or is illegal to sell to individuals under the age of 18

Collection of Sales Tax

All businesses may need to pay New Jersey sales and use tax as, required by law. Castle Point Anime Convention does not determine whether vendors are required to pay sales and use tax.

Vendors who do not already have a New Jersey Certificate of Authority and who require one should file for one using the NJ-REG form.