Convention Policies
NERDI GRAS is a safe place where everybody is welcome, and anybody can be whomever they desire. Even so, certain kinds of offensive or harassing behavior are not tolerated. It is very important that if you are being harassed or are in any way endangered, you report it immediately. We cannot address anything that we are not made aware of and we need whatever detail can be provided.
If you feel you have been harassed, please find the nearest NERDI GRAS volunteer. If, at any time, you feel that your personal safety or the safety of others is in jeopardy, please contact the Police Department in an emergency via 911.
As a member, if you see someone harassed or taking inappropriate photos (where the target of the photo is unaware), we encourage you to speak up and say something. As a community, we need to come together, look out for one another, and make sure everyone is treated with respect.
NERDI GRAS reserves the right to revoke or suspend memberships at its sole discretion. If any individual breaks the rules of the convention, they may be barred from the convention, either for several hours (to sober up, perhaps) or for the rest of the event. If any individual breaks the law – city, state or federal – they will be referred to appropriate law enforcement. If you have been accused of harassment and feel that you were treated unfairly you may appeal to the convention chair, but that decision will be final.
You must wear your membership badges at all times to be admitted to any convention function.
No Biffs!
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 the public enjoyment of the convention by others. That’s a nice way of saying that we reserve the right to kick you out if we think you’re being a jerk.
Responsibility
NERDI GRAS is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property, or for injuries sustained during the course of the event. If you do misplace something at the event, please contact the hotel as they may have it in lost and found and check the event social media for other attendees who may have found the item you're missing. Stolen property should be reported to the authorities through the local police department. If you are injured and require medical treatment, please contact emergency services and have a friend notify a volunteer that they are in route so that we can make sure they find you as quickly as possible.
Cancellations
Announced events and guests are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Every effort will be made to announce any changes via the Internet and pre-event publications but sometimes last-minute changes will occur. There are no refunds due to guest or event cancellations.
Harassment
Harassment of any kind, including physically or verbally threatening, annoying, unwelcoming attentions, stalking, pushing, shoving or use of physical force; which in any way creates a disturbance that is disruptive or dangerous, as well as any boisterous, lewd or generally offensive behavior or language, using sexually explicit or offensive language or conduct, or profanity, obscene gestures or racial, religious or ethnic slurs will be considered harassment. If people tell you NO, your business with them is done. If you continue to attempt to have contact with those people, you may be removed from the premises and your membership revoked. (see Rule #1: No Biffs!)
Also, cosplay is NOT consent. If you wish to take photos of a cosplayer or interact with them, their costumes, or props, you must obtain verbal consent first. Failure to do so will constitute a violation of the harassment policy.Food & Drink
Some spaces may be designated “No eating or drinking” Eating or drinking on those areas may be grounds for removal from the event.
Prop Weapons Policy
NERDI GRAS has a clear *no weapons* policy that will be enforced. No functioning projectile weapons – including water pistols, silly-string guns, and ping-pong pistols. Prop weapons must be cased or sheathed at all times. No clowning around or showing off in the common areas. Any prop used in an offensive manner will be confiscated and rule #1 enforced. We expect you to use good judgment – thanks!
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. NERDI GRAS Safety Operations, 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.
Urban Outdoorsman Policy
NO 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. Check social media for people looking for people to share rooms and costs.
Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute Policy
Please do not abuse our hotels or convention facilities. This includes putting signs on walls. Public locations for notices are provided. Please don’t eat the facilities; we’d kinda like to do this again, and under a roof…
Naked Policy
Costumers: remember that no costume is NO costume and there are public nudity laws in Georgia. Please wear appropriate (or at least enough) clothing in the common areas. What you do behind closed doors is your business.
The Lawyers Made Us Do It Policy
If you think you can make money doing it at NERDI GRAS, it’s probably not allowed unless you have written permission from the event. 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.
Selfie Stick Policy
Selfie Sticks are not allowed at NERDI GRAS. If you still want to take a selfie, it’s cool with us. Just use your arms. Pole arm props modified to hold a cellphone for the purpose of selfies also constitute a selfie stick and are subject to this policy.
Drone Policy
No devices, no drones, no lighter than air objects, either powered or un-powered, may be flown, tethered, released, or deployed at any event, common space, lobby, Vendor Hall, meeting, or function room at NERDI GRAS except by authorized NERDI GRAS volunteer staff. This includes cosplay props that use drones as their foundation for the build.
Solicitation Policy
It is against the rules of NERDI GRAS and the hotel to place or hand out flyers/cards in our/their space. Flyers/cards 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.
Tipping Policy
We all love our entertainers, especially for the burlesque and music events. While we are all about making sure our entertainers know how much everyone loves them, please abstain from throwing coins on the stage. Visit our Burlesque page for more information on how you can show your appreciation.