Policies & Safety

These standards apply throughout Matsuricon-controlled areas. Staff, venue personnel, and law enforcement may give additional safety directions when circumstances require them.

• 01No live ammunition is allowed at the convention. If you are found with live ammunition, you will be removed from the event and the police will be contacted.
• 02While attending Matsuricon, you are subject to all state, local, and federal laws.
• 03Treat every person you encounter with the same respect you wish to receive.
• 04Wear your badge in a visible area at all times. If you cannot produce a badge when asked, Matsuricon may ask you to leave convention areas.
• 05Carry a state-issued photo ID when possible, in accordance with ORC 2921.29.
• 06Shoes must be worn at all times. Heelys, skateboards, roller skates, and other forms of conveyance may not be ridden unless Matsuricon has expressly permitted them. Appropriate exceptions are made for people with mobility needs.
• 07Do not drop anything from balconies or second-story walkways.
• 08Respect the hotel and convention center. You are responsible for damage caused by you or anyone in your care, including children and pets.
• 09Keep hallways, walkways, exits, staircases, and doorways clear. Matsuricon, venue staff, or police may stop or relocate activity that obstructs traffic.
• 10Actual weapons of any kind are not allowed inside the convention center, whether peace bonded or not. Flammable materials, fireworks, and airsoft guns are also prohibited.
• 11Replica swords, blades, firearms, and similar items purchased in the Vendors Room must remain boxed or wrapped and be stored promptly in a hotel room or vehicle.
• 12Mock fighting and swordplay are not allowed inside the convention center. Still poses are permitted when props meet policy requirements and do not endanger or obstruct others.
• 13Signs that promote solicitation, including “free hugs” or “kiss for $1,” are prohibited.
• 14Vulgar remarks and hate speech will not be tolerated for any reason.
• 15Panhandling of any kind will not be tolerated.
• 16Matsuricon may have Columbus Police search bags at specific events, including dances and concerts. You may decline a search, but you must store the bag in a personal space before entering. Beverage containers may also be inspected.
• 17Laser pointers are prohibited.
• 18Alcoholic beverages may not be taken outside the hotel or convention center, in accordance with local open-container laws.

Programming listings use the following ratings so you can plan your convention. Check the published schedule for the rating assigned to each panel or event.

Autograph schedules, payment expectations, line limits, signing rules, and mobility assistance are maintained in the dedicated autograph guide.

The convention does not have a site-wide public announcement system and cannot page a missing child. If you cannot reconnect at your meeting place, contact Matsuricon Security, Convention Operations, or the Information Desk immediately.

• 01Clothing must cover at least the same areas as a typical swimsuit, such as a standard bikini or trunks.
• 02Nipples must be covered at all times for every gender. Opaque tape may be used. Although public toplessness may be legal in Columbus, the convention venue is private property and may set its own dress standards.
• 03Metal is permitted on clothing when it is dull and extends no more than two inches. It must not be able to damage people or property during normal movement.
• 04Clothing with offensive or inappropriate messages is not permitted. Matsuricon may ask you to cover the message or change clothes.
• 05Modern military and official-service uniforms from the 20th or 21st century may not be worn as costumes. This includes uniforms that could be understood as military, militia, security, police, fire, or emergency medical attire. Uniforms, flags, badges, or markings affiliated with terrorist groups are also prohibited.

• 01The General Dress Code applies to every costume without exception.
• 02Live steel, airsoft guns, props over six feet, projectile toys, and swinging props are prohibited. You are responsible for your prop in crowded areas, and Matsuricon may confiscate a prop that damages or threatens people or property.
• 03A costume that restricts vision, uses stilts, or includes large armor or props must have a handler who can help its wearer navigate safely. Stilts may not be worn in elevators.
• 04If a prop or costume blocks another attendee’s view during an event or panel, staff may ask you to relocate.
• 05Feathers, glitter, and body paint must be sealed properly. Costumes may be subject to a smear test to confirm that materials will not transfer through casual contact.

• 01Staves, bo staffs, bokken, shinai, and wooden swords are permitted when handled responsibly and when they meet every other policy requirement.
• 02Fake or fabricated props made from materials such as tissue paper, plaster, or cloth are permitted only when they are safe. Props may not create trip, snag, traffic, door, or hallway hazards.
• 03Prop weapons must be shorter than six feet, six inches (6′6″).
• 04Chains must be shorter than three feet (3′), regardless of material. This includes chain wallets and non-costume chains.
• 05Prop bows may be carried when they are not tightly strung and otherwise meet general policy. Authentic arrows, tipped or untipped, crossbow bolts, and other projectiles are prohibited.
• 06Every prop and prop weapon must be checked and tagged at Security Operations.

• 01No live steel is permitted. This includes swords, bayonets, knives, star knives, shuriken, and other metal objects that can have an edge, whether or not the edge is sharpened.
• 02No projectile prop weapon is permitted. This includes functional or nonfunctional airsoft guns, BB or pellet guns, crossbows, dart guns, blowguns, water guns, stun guns, Tasers, and Nerf guns.
• 03A resin or clearly toy-like prop firearm may be considered only when it has no moving parts and has a non-removable orange tip. Airsoft guns are never acceptable. Any item that resembles a working firearm is prohibited, and Security management has final say.
• 04No paddles of any kind are permitted, including yaoi or yuri paddles.
• 05No explosives or chemicals are permitted, including smoke powder, sparklers, and fireworks.
• 06Anything illegal in Columbus or the State of Ohio is illegal in every Matsuricon venue. Illegal weapons will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Remember: the fact that a staff member has not stopped you does not mean an item is allowed.

Policy on Meta Glasses and Wearable Recording Devices

Effective Date: 08/01/2026

Applies To: All attendees, exhibitors, volunteers, Guests, staff, and all other badge holders at Matsuricon

1. Purpose

   Matsuricon is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and comfortable environment for attendees, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and Guests. Emerging wearable technologies, including Meta Glasses and other glasses or devices capable of discreetly capturing photographs, audio, video, or other information, present unique privacy and consent considerations.

   This policy establishes the permitted and prohibited use of Meta Glasses and other applicable wearable devices during the convention. For purposes of this policy, "Meta Glasses" includes Meta-branded smart glasses and any similar wearable device capable of recording or transmitting audio, photographs, video, or other content.

2. Prohibited Use in the Autographs Area

   Meta Glasses are strictly prohibited in the Autographs section of the Exhibit Hall. Attendees may not wear, operate, activate, or use Meta Glasses while in the Autographs area, regardless of whether the device is actively recording. This prohibition applies especially during any interaction with a convention Guest, including but not limited to:

   • Autograph sessions
   • Photo opportunities
   • Meet-and-greet interactions
   • Conversations with Guests
   • Lines or waiting areas associated with Guest interactions
   • Any other activity in which an attendee is interacting directly with a Guest

   Attendees who wish to use Meta Glasses in other portions of the convention must remove them or otherwise comply with the restrictions in this policy before entering the Autographs area.

3. Guest-Requested Restrictions

   Convention Guests have the right to request that Meta Glasses and similar wearable recording devices not be used during their Guest-led panels, presentations, special events, or other designated appearances. When such a restriction is announced or posted, attendees must comply for the entire duration of the designated event and within any additional area or period specified by convention staff. A Guest does not need to provide a reason for requesting that recording-capable wearable devices not be used during their appearance. Attendees are expected to respect these requests without argument or disruption.

4. General Use in Convention Spaces

   Outside areas and events where Meta Glasses are specifically prohibited, attendees may generally wear and use Meta Glasses in accordance with this policy, applicable law, posted convention rules, and reasonable standards of courtesy. However, the ability to record does not create an entitlement to record other people.

   As a matter of social courtesy and respect for personal boundaries, attendees are strongly encouraged to refrain from activating or using the recording functions of Meta Glasses when speaking directly with another attendee, volunteer, staff member, exhibitor, or Guest unless that person has expressly agreed to be recorded. Attendees should not assume that the absence of an objection constitutes consent.

   When interacting directly with another person, attendees should:

   • Obtain express permission before intentionally recording the conversation or interaction
   • Respect any request to stop recording immediately
   • Avoid recording individuals who have indicated that they do not wish to be recorded
   • Avoid using wearable recording devices in a manner intended to conceal the fact that recording is occurring
   • Never use the device to harass, intimidate, embarrass, stalk, or otherwise interfere with another person's participation in the convention

   Convention staff may instruct an attendee to stop using a recording-capable wearable device in a particular area or circumstance when necessary to protect Guest privacy, attendee privacy, event operations, or the overall convention experience.

5. Compliance With Applicable Law

   Nothing in this policy authorizes an attendee to record, photograph, transmit, or otherwise capture content in violation of applicable federal, state, or local law. Ohio law generally permits a person who is a party to a communication to record that communication, or permits recording where one party to the communication has provided prior consent, subject to the limitations contained in Ohio Revised Code § 2933.52. However, Ohio's one-party-consent rule does not override this convention's rules. The convention may establish conditions governing the use of recording devices on its premises and at its events, including requiring express permission in circumstances where recording may otherwise be lawful.

   Additionally, Ohio law separately prohibits certain forms of surreptitious recording or photography involving persons in circumstances involving a reasonable expectation of privacy. Attendees are solely responsible for determining and complying with all laws applicable to their conduct. This policy is a venue and event conduct policy and should not be interpreted as legal advice or as a complete statement of Ohio recording or privacy law.

6. Enforcement

   The convention will enforce this policy consistently and without requiring repeated warnings.

   First Violation - If an attendee is found using Meta Glasses in an area or during an event where their use is prohibited, the attendee will be directed to immediately cease use and will be escorted from the affected area. The convention may also take additional action it determines appropriate based upon the circumstances of the violation.

   Second Violation - A second violation of this policy will result in immediate badge revocation. A badge revoked under this policy will not be refunded, reimbursed, or otherwise compensated, regardless of the original purchase price or remaining duration of the convention.

   Badge revocation may result in removal from the convention and its associated events and may prevent the individual from re-entering convention-controlled areas for the remainder of the event.

   Serious or Egregious Conduct - Nothing in the enforcement provisions above prevents the convention from taking immediate and more severe action when circumstances warrant it. Conduct involving harassment, intimidation, deliberate circumvention of restrictions, recording after being expressly instructed to stop, recording in areas where recording is prohibited, or conduct that threatens the privacy or safety of a Guest, attendee, volunteer, staff member, or other person may result in immediate removal and/or badge revocation without a prior violation.

7. No Entitlement to Recording

   A convention badge grants access to convention activities subject to the convention's policies and rules. It does not grant an attendee the right to photograph, record, livestream, or otherwise capture another person. Similarly, the fact that a device is technically capable of recording does not mean that its use is appropriate in every setting. Attendees are expected to exercise good judgment and to prioritize the comfort, privacy, and reasonable requests of those around them.

8. Policy Interpretation

   Matsuricon reserves the right to interpret and enforce this policy in a manner reasonably necessary to protect the privacy, safety, comfort, and dignity of its Guests, attendees, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, and other participants. The convention may modify, expand, or further restrict the use of Meta Glasses or other wearable recording technologies as circumstances, technology, Guest requests, or applicable law require.