Hal-Con Policies & Rules

Your badge and/or wristband must be displayed at all times. Badges and wristbands are non-transferrable, not replaceable, and no refunds will be issued if lost.

Hal-Con is an all ages, family friendly event and as such we want to ensure that all participants are clothed in a fashion that is appropriate for our audience.

Nudity is not allowed at Hal-Con and Hal-Con run events. All con goers, whether in costume or street clothes must be dressed appropriately for an all ages family friendly event. If nudity real or simulated can be identified, then you may be asked to cover up or leave. If wearing skin-tight costumes consider wearing a dance belt or other support device. Opaque bodysuits that simulate nudity are not allowed. 

Costumes and clothing are expected to be of sturdy construction to minimize the risk of malfunctions that may lead to accidental exposure.  For example if your character is wearing a towel or sea shells, please ensure that they are well secured and that you are also wearing proper undergarments.

If you have concerns about the permissibility of your costume, then it is probably too risque. You are encouraged to seek clarification from Info@hal-con.com.

Anyone wearing clothing or costumes that are not compliant with this policy in sole judgment of Hal-Con, will be asked to cover up or leave.

Hal-Con is dedicated to providing a harassment-free (including bullying-free) convention experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment or bullying of convention participants (including attendees, press, exhibitors, volunteers, staff, etc.) in any form. Demeaning or harassing sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any convention venue, including talks. Attendees violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the convention, without a refund, at the discretion of the convention organizers.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments, (related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, etc.), sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Exhibitors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use overtly sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff, including volunteers, should not use overtly sexualized clothing/ uniforms/ costumes, or otherwise create a highly sexualized environment.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the convention organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expelling them from the convention without a refund. 

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of convention staff immediately. Convention staff can be identified by their volunteer shirts/special badges/headsets.

Convention staff will be happy to help participants contact hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the convention. We value your attendance.

Hal-Con is committed to providing a safe and accessible environment for all attendees, regardless of any disabilities or gender identity. For more information about convention accessibility, please visit our Venue & Accessibility page.

Hal-Con and the venue management want to offer all our attendees a comfortable experience at the convention. All participants at the event are encouraged to use the washroom to which they identify.

There are gender-neutral washrooms, in addition to gender-specific washrooms, on each level of the facility. These will be clearly designated with signage.

Breastfeeding is permitted, without question or hesitation, in any area of the convention at any time. Should any person breastfeeding wish for privacy, a breastfeeding area can be found in the family room on the Ballroom Level of the Halifax Convention Centre for your convenience.

During Panels
We request that you line up at the microphone stands to ask questions. Please keep it to one question as lineups can be long and we want to get to as many questions as possible. If we feel your question is inappropriate, we reserve the right to cut the mic and move on to the next person in line. It is important to remember that not everyone will be able to ask questions, depending on the length of the lineup.

It is also important to note some guests may request no photography or video during their panels. We will post warnings on those events so there’s no confusion. However, if you are found to be in violation of that “No Cameras or Video” rule during that panel, you will be removed from the panel and potentially also from the convention.

During Autograph/Photo Sessions
Please don’t bring guests gifts, especially large items or anything containing food (due to allergies or sensitivities, etc). Many guests travel to Halifax with only a small suitcase and can’t bring items back home with them. Small tokens may be accepted, but we cannot guarantee anything on behalf of individual guests.

Upon arrival at Hal-Con, you will first be required to pass through registration inside the Argyle St. entrance to the Halifax Convention Centre. This may necessitate lining up during peak times and having any purses/backpacks/bags checked by security and prop weapons checked by staff. You will need to show proof of the name on the ticket you are picking up, matching your own ID. Then you’ll be issued a wristband or badge and granted entry to the convention.

Once you have your wristband or badge, you may use the re-entry option through the Argyle St. Entrance to the Halifax Convention Centre. You will be expected to show your wristband or badge upon re-entry, so please make them available.

All Hal-Con ticket sales are final and no refunds are available.

Guest appearances are subject to change or cancellation due to professional obligations. Unless otherwise noted, all guests will be in attendance for all days. Please check the Hal-Con website for the most current listing prior to the convention. Refunds will not be issued in the event of a guest cancellation.

There will be no refunds on lost/stolen tickets or wristbands or if you are removed from the convention by staff or security.

Hal-Con ticket holders are welcome, at their own discretion, to transfer or resell their tickets to other would-be convention attendees if they cannot attend the convention. All resold tickets must be officially transferred into the purchaser’s name by contacting our Registration team at Tickets@hal-con.com or fill out our Ticket Transfer Form.

We ask all attendees to follow Wheaton’s Law: be considerate and respectful of your environment, and of the other attendees. If you are photographing or filming costumes, ensure you get permission from that individual before taking their image. It is inappropriate to take high or low angle shots, place your hands on a person, or request sexual poses without prior consent.

No photography or recording of any kind is permitted in the Autograph/Photograph area unless taking a selfie with a guest after paying the fee.

Recording may not be permitted at select events. If you record at an event where it is not permitted, you will be removed from the convention and not allowed to re-enter. In most cases, non-flash photography at panels and Q&A’s will be fine, except where specifically noted. Filming should be for personal use only. Any photography, film or audio released (via any medium) for personal gain or profit is not permitted.

Hal-Con wants everyone to have a safe convention. We encourage people to have fun with their costume designs while keeping the safety of the public and fellow convention members around them in mind.

The best thing to keep in mind is that we don’t want things in the Convention that can hurt others.

Should people be entering with any of the below for the costume contest, they will be stored in a designated area until the time of the costume contest.

• Functional replica firearms (including airsoft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns, and pellet guns) are permitted only during the costume contest.  Props must be unloaded. You must mark your prop firearms with an orange tip for security reasons.
• Live edge or Metal-bladed props (including axes, daggers, hatchets, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords), regardless of sharpness, must remain sheathed at all times or else they will be forbidden.

If an item contravenes the policy it must be removed or will be confiscated. Please also note that any prop (including those not specified below) that enters the convention will be subject to admission based on the discretion of the Hal-Con Staff, Halifax Convention Centre, and building security teams.

The following items are forbidden from being brought into the convention:

• Absolutely no firearms are permitted. This includes those firearms that have no loaded ammunition or the firing bolt or pin removed.
• Functional projectile props (including blow guns, crossbows, drawn bows, slingshots).
• Blunt items (including but not limited to manufactured tools, clubs and sports sticks)
• Chemical irritants (including mace, pepper spray)
• Any props that release aerosol, smoke, or vapors.
• Explosives (including firecrackers, caps, and fireworks)
• Any props that may cause a mess (silly string, filled water guns, water balloons, etc.).
• Any other weapon prohibited for public carry by Canadian law.

The following items may be allowed but are subject to approval by the convention staff:

• Foam blasters without projectiles
• Hard Props (including those made of metal, fiberglass, hardwood and glass)
• Shields

Any items purchased at the convention, once removed from their packaging, are regarded the same as any prop weapon brought into the convention and must comply with these rules. If your costume prop takes up a significant amount of space — enough to obstruct hallways or walking areas — or is so cumbersome so as to impede your movement, we recommend you only have it for the costume contest.

If you’re unsure if your prop will pass inspection, feel free to email us at Operations@hal-con.com.

If you’re unsure if your prop will pass inspection for the Costume Contest, feel free to email us at CostumeContest@hal-con.com 

We receive more and more feedback from attendees and from vendors about unlicensed merchandise. Hal-Con strives to be a forum where artists can sell their original work and good quality merchandise is available for sale. Vendors are expected to hold all appropriate permissions for any merchandise they have for sale and Hal-Con will comply with any requests from copyright holders and/or original artists to have offending merchandise removed.

If vendors are asked to remove a specific item and do not comply, they will be asked to leave.