Nerdi Gras Convention Policies

NERDI GRAS is a safe place where all are welcome and anybody can be whoever they want to be. Even so, Nerdi Gras leadership, Krewe, and members do not tolerate offensive or harrassing behavior or activities that could result in legal trouble for individuals or for our convention. We have laid out guidelines on this page that constitute our policies that all individuals must comply with when attending Nerdi Gras.

If you are being harrassed (verbally or physically) or observe other violations of the policies outlined here, it is critical that you immediately report the incident to a member of the Nerdi Gras Krewe. We cannot address any behavior that we aren’t aware of, so we ask that you provide whatever details necessary so that we can take prompt action in accordance with our policies.

If you feel that your personal safety and the safety of others is in jeopardy, contact the police via 911 or seek out a Krewe member or hotel staff who can call the police on your behalf.

Nerdi Gras reserves the right to revoke or suspend memberships at its sole discretion. If any individual is deemed noncompliant with the policies described here (the rules of the convention), they may be removed from the convention floor and barred from entry either temporarily (e.g. for a few hours to sober up) or for the remainder of the convention. Individuals who have broken any city, state, or federal laws will be referred to law enforcement. Extreme violations of Nerdi Gras policies or the law during a Nerdi Gras event may result in a ban from all Nerdi Gras events in perpetuity.

The following list constitutes the remaining details of the Nerdi Gras Convention Policies:

1 - We DO need those stinkin’ badges!

You must wear your membership badges at all times to be admitted to any convention function. Events that do not require a badge, e.g. ticketed dinners, may have their own individual rules for how to identify yourself as a participant. Check the rules for those specific events for more information.

2 - We don’t take kindly to those who don’t take kindly.

We reserve the right to remove you from the convention without refunding your membership cost if, in our sole discretion, we determine that you are acting in a manner inconsistent with these policies or with others’ abilities to enjoy the convention. That’s the nice way of saying that we’ll kick you out if we think you’re being a jerk.

3 - You’re responsible for your stuff.

Nerdi Gras is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property or for injuries sustained during the course of the convention. If you do misplace something at the event, please contact the hotel as they may have it in their lost items storage. Stolen property should be reported to law enforcement authorities through the local police department.

4 - When you need medical help…

If you are injured and require medical treatment, please contact emergency services and have a friend notify a Krewe member that they are on the way. That way we can meet them on arrival and make sure they find you as quickly as possible.

5 - Regarding guest and event canellations…

When humans are putting on the show, unexpected human things can happen. That’s why announced events and guests are subject to change or cancel without notice. Nerdi Gras will make every effort to announce any changes to its schedule via social media and website updates. However, last-minute changes are also possible that we may not have an opportunity to announce before your arrival. Nerdi Gras does not provide refunds for memberships based on guest cancellations or event schedule changes.

6 - Harassment is not welcome here.

Nerdi Gras does not tolerate harassment of any kind toward others, including the following:

• Physical or verbal threats

• Intentional provoking or annoyance

• Showing unwelcome attention

• Stalking

• Pushing, shoving, or other use of physical force

• Boisterous, lewd, or generally offensive language or behavior

• Sexually explicit language or behavior

• Obscene gestures

• Statements, gestures, or clothing that could be considered offensive to those of certain racial, religious, or ethnic groups

If someone tells you NO or asks you to stop a certain behavior that they find offensive, it is your responsibility to STOP IMMEDIATELY. If you continue those behaviors, you may be removed from the premises and have your membership revoked (see #2 above).

7 - Cosplay is not consent.

If you wish to take photos of someone in costume or to interact with them, their costumes, or their props, you MUST obtain verbal constent from that person. Failure to do so will be treated as a form of harassment (see #6 above).

8 - Please obey all posted signs and Krewe instructions.

Some things may be off-limits in certain parts of the convention. Examples include ares where food and drink are not allowed, profanity is restricted, or age restrictions apply. Nerdi Gras asks that all individuals comply with posted signs and directions from Krewe members.

9 - Our prop weapons policy…

Nerdi Gras has a NO WEAPONS policy that includes prop weapons that have functioning projectiles, including water pistols, silly-string guns, ping-pong pistols, and Nerf foam-type weapons. In addition, ALL prop weapons must be in a case, holster, or sheathe at all times within common areas of the convention space. Nerdi Gras does not allow clowning around or showing off with weapons in common areas. Furthermore, any prop used in an offensive manner may be confiscated when enforcing our policies as per items #1 and #6 above.

Some events at the convention may allow for use of prop and toy weapons within a limited time and location. All participants must comply with the rules for those events.

We expect you to use good judgment while in and around the convention space.

10 - Our real weapons policy…

Real firearms are not allowed at Nerdi Gras. This includes those attendees who maintain a Georgia Weapons Carry License or a similar permit from another state. Explosives and bladed implements that are designed for use as weapons also count as real weapons for the purpose of this policy. The Nerdi Gras Safety Krewe, hotel security, and local law enforcement officials will treat anything that looks like a real weapon as a weapon. Attendees who choose to ignore this policy may be asked to leave the event and will have their membership revoked.

11 - Sorry, urban outdoorsmen, no camping allowed.

Nerdi Gras and the convention venue DO NOT allow camping in the halls or lobby. If you are found sleeping in the public areas, you will be asked to go to your hotel room. If you do not have a room, hotel or venue security will be forced to ask you to leave. We encourage attendees to check social media for people looking for people to share rooms and costs.

12 - Give a hoot and don’t pollute!

Please do not abuse our hotel or convention facilities, and comply with all posted signs and policies with regards to keeping areas clean and free of trash. Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:

• Mounting signs on walls (with tape, nails, etc.)

• Abandoning food, drinks, and other trash anywhere other than designated trash receptacles

• Using confetti, glitter, or similar granular items without promptly and thoroughly cleaning up the space of all traces

If you have any questions about this, see the hotel policies or ask a member of the hotel staff.

13 - The naked truth requires a coverup.

Even in costume, all individuals must comply with the public nudity laws of Georgia. (Yeah, we know, but the law is the law!) While in common areas around the convention, please wear sufficient clothing to cover body parts that, by law, should not be exposed in public. Entertainment that involves nudity will be managed in accordance with these laws and NOT held in a public space.

14 - Space-invading device policy: no selfie sticks or drones.

While we are excited that folks want to capture great footage of all that Nerdi Gras has to offer, we do have a few restrictions on what we can allow. Nerdi Gras also does not allow the following in any area of the convention space unless it is authorized by the Nerdi Gras Krewe:

• Selfie sticks

• Any pole-type prop weapon that’s being used to hold a camera or smartphone in the style of a selfie stick

• Drones or other objects, whether powered or unpowered, that can be flown, tethered, released, or deployed out of reach of the person controlling it

• Cosplay props that are using drones or other flying devices as their foundation

15 - The “Lawyers Made Us Do It” policy on photography, videography, and more.

If you think you can make money doing it at Nerdi Gras, and you aren’t a vendor, it’s probably not allowed without written permission from Nerdi Gras or its vendor host. That is especially true when you’re taking pictures or video or making audio recordings of the awesome stuff and people at Nerdi Gras. Or, as our lawyers like to say…

All NERDI GRAS members and attendees at the NERDI GRAS event are prevented from taking, recording, or creating film, or digital pictures, videos, tapes, sound recordings, or any other visual or auditory recreation of any kind whatsoever, of any NERDI GRAS guest, member, volunteer, or employee, or of any NERDI GRAS event, including but not limited to any NERDI GRAS forum, seminar, session, dance, or performance, for any commercial use, or for the solicitation of funds for any commercial or other purpose, without the express written permission of NERDI GRAS.

If you spent all year building the perfect costume, please give freely when people want to take pictures of you. Be proud of what you accomplished, but no so proud that you demand or accept payment, tips, or donations. It’s just the way things work around here.

16 - No solicitation.

It is against the rules of NERDI GRAS and the hotel to place or hand out flyers or business cards throughout the venue. Flyers and business cards found on an open table in the event area will be cleared to a trash receptacle. If you are handing out material in an unauthorized event area, you will be asked to stop. If it continues, you will be removed from the event.

17 - Tips welcome, as long as it doesn’t hurt!

We love all our entertainers, and we know they appreciate and welcome tips from the audience. However, please refrain from throwing coins at them or forcing a tip on them in a way that is not welcome as per item #6 above.