Sioux City Game Con Code of Conduct

The organizers of Sioux City Game Con (SCGC in all references) are committed to fostering a fun, inclusive, and safe environment for all attendees, volunteers, vendors, speakers, media representatives, partner companies, and staff (collectively, "participants"), free from discrimination for any reason, including age, body size, disability, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, physical appearance, race, religious beliefs or background, sexual orientation, or other differences.

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for participants' behavior and consequences for unacceptable behavior. We invite all participants to help us ensure SCGC is a safe and positive experience for everyone.

Expected Behavior

All participants are expected to be considerate and respectful toward fellow participants and other  guests. This includes but is not limited to:

• Ensuring noise levels are kept to a reasonable level.
• Using the preferred names and pronouns of other participants.
• Obtaining permission before photographing or recording other participants and stopping if asked (in the case of a minor, you must obtain the permission of the minor's parent or guardian).
• Adhering to all applicable state, county, and city laws and regulations, as well as the hotel's policies, regarding smoking, vaping, and the use of marijuana.
• Complying with requests to stop unacceptable behavior.
• Complying with all other SCGC policies (including those regarding supervision of minors)
• Alerting SCGC staff, hotel security, police, or another appropriate organization if you notice unacceptable behavior or someone in distress.
• And, calling 911 immediately if you notice an emergency situation.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:

• Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning conduct (whether verbal, physical, written, or electronic).
• Stalking or following (whether physical or virtual).
• Photographing or recording participants without their permission (or the permission of a parent or guardian in the case of minors).
• Sustained or repeated disruption of SCGC events or interruption of other participants.
• Inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact.
• Inappropriate or unwelcome sexual attention and behavior, including inappropriate or unwanted touching, unwanted sexual language or gestures, and use of nudity or sexual images in public spaces.
• Unsafe behavior that disturbs or endangers participants, hotel staff or guests, or the venue.
• Illegal activities or acts.
• Inciting any of the behavior above.
• And, any other behavior that SCGC deems inappropriate.

Additionally, weapons and items that appear to be weapons are forbidden at SCGC and the hotel, even if it is legal to carry them. This includes costume weapons and self-defense items such as knives, pepper spray, and Tasers, but also extends to airsoft weapons, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns, water guns, and so on.

Public intoxication of any kind is prohibited in convention areas. Furthermore, it is the venue’s policy that outside alcohol is prohibited, including event rooms.

Smoking and vaping are acceptable only in designated smoking areas (vaping is treated as smoking under the policies held by the hotel). It is participants' responsibility to understand and comply with all state, county, and city laws and regulations as well as hotel policies regarding the smoking or vaping of any substance.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behavior by participants will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior must comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, convention management may take any action they deem appropriate, at their discretion, including expulsion from SCGC without warning or refund and legal prosecution with law enforcement. Anyone expelled is banned from attending in the future.

What to Do If You Witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable Behavior

If you are subject to unacceptable behavior, notice that someone else is being subject to unacceptable behavior, or have concerns that this Code of Conduct is not being followed, notify a SCGC staff member, hotel security, or emergency services as soon as possible—do not engage the offender in a physical altercation. If there is an emergency situation, participants should call 911 immediately and report the incident to a SCGC staff member as soon as it is safe or prudent to do so.

SCGC staff can be identified by their staff badge with the SCGC logo. There will always be a SCGC staff member on call at the registration desk in the main hall  for the duration of the convention. The SCGC staff member you contact will escalate any issues to convention management.  

Convention management will take all necessary steps to assist participants in feeling safe, including imposing consequences for unacceptable behavior, helping participants contact hotel security or law enforcement, providing escorts, or otherwise assisting participants to feel safe during the convention, and will record a report of the incident. Incident reports will remain confidential, with one exception: if you report a serious criminal matter, we will report the incident to law enforcement. However, we will take into account any concerns you may have about involving law enforcement.

In some cases, unacceptable behavior may stop if you clearly say "No" or "Please leave me alone," or simply walk away. In these cases, we would appreciate it if a SCGC staff member is still informed to help us identify any repeat offenders.

Anonymous Reporting:

Attendees who wish to anonymously report a violation have two options.  
1.  If it needs immediate attention contact the convention manager at 712-444-1072
2. Use the google form located here
Anonymous reporting form

Convention staff will check for results at regular intervals throughout the convention and respond appropriately.    Your identity is not required to fill out this form.