Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion: Policies and CoC

Purchasing a membership to Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion indicates that you agree to the ConFusion Policies.
Please read and review our COVID-19 Policies, General Policies, and our Anti-Harassment Policy found below.

In need of immediate assistance or have questions? Visit our Ops Desk located in the Coat Room, across from Ballroom A. Reach Ops via email: ops@confusionsf.org

2023 Mask Mandate and Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Policies

For over 49 years, the peoples of ConFusion have come together and supported one another in order to create amazing conventions. As the years continued onward, ConFusion members have worked together to continually learn, grow and recognize changes we needed to enact in order to become more inclusive, supportive and safe.

Due to the continued risk of Covid-19, we have decided to continue our Covid safety protocols. Our goal is to provide a safe environment for all attendees, including those at-risk and immuno-compromised. Thank you for being cooperative in making our community a place that everyone can enjoy. Please review our 2023 policies.

We have a COVID-19 Policies FAQ Coming Soon!

Mask Mandate:Everyone (age 2+) are required to wear an approved Mask while attending Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion 2023.

An approved Mask must, at a minimum; fit properly and snuggly, fully covering your nose and mouth, and secure under your chin.

Masks/Face Coverings NOT PERMITTED:
- Masks with exhalation valves
- Face coverings, including bandanas, that are unable to be secured under your chin
- Neck Gaitors
- Masks with mesh materials
- Masks which contain holes or are significantly damaged
- Costume masks
- Clear, open bottom, plastic face shields, only. (may be worn in conjunction with an approved mask)

This policy applies to all members (Age 2+) including staff,dealers, artists, presenters, guests, and cosplayers, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

There are no exceptions to the Mask Mandate, however, as always, email us at accessibility@confusionsf.org for help with accommodations for those with disabilities.

Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Policy: Everyone age 5+ is required to provide one of two options:

Proof of Vaccination with Valid Government ID
Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test taken within the 72 hours prior to picking up your badge, upon arrival.

For the health and safety of all members attending Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion 2023, we are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Understanding that there are numerous reasons for a member’s possible inability to provide proof of vaccination, we wanted to include the Negative COVID-19 test option.

If you elect to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 Test, we require the testing to be completed within 72 hours prior to your arrival and badge pick-up. Please plan your COVID-19 testing to coincide with when you plan to arrive and pick up your badge.

We are currently looking at options that will allow pre-registered members to provide their Proof of Vaccination (only) in advance, digitally. We will announce how to do that, when we have established a method. It will not be required, but we do want to provide that option.

Anyone opting for Proof of a Negative COVID-19 Test must provide that at-the-door, as you pick up your badge.

AASFA and Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion WILL NOT be responsible for validating the authenticity of the information provided.

Members Age 2-17 Requirements: Anyone ages 2-17 is required to wear an approved Mask, per our Mask Mandate above.

The CDC currently recommends that you do NOT put a mask on a child under the age of 2. We support the CDC Guidelines with our youngest members.

Anyone ages 5-17 are required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 Test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival.

Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s) of Members age 5-17 years must provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for your child/teen, or proof of Negative COVID-19 Test taken no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival. No Exceptions, Please.

Avatar: The Legend of ConFusion understands and empathizes with Parental and Guardian difficulties during a pandemic. We strongly encourage you to follow current CDC Guidelines with regards to your child/children and vaccination or COVID-19 testing. We care about your children too!

We want to respect and support the medical choices a parent or legal guardian makes for their child, while also providing a mitigated risk to the entire con by requesting Proof of Vaccination or Negative COVID-19 Test for our youngest members as well. Because of the pandemic, we will be altering our traditional KidFusion and TeenFusion programming, slightly:

We will not be providing snacks and beverages to KidFusion and TeenFusion for 2023. Please do not send your child/teen to their programming space, with snacks or drinks.
All KidFusion or Teen Fusion programming will be held in their assigned room, and on our schedule, but we will not be providing hours of open, “hang out time”. Only scheduled programming will be occurring in our KidFusion and TeenFusion spaces for 2023.
Any member under the age of 17 that does not abide by the Mask Mandate within the KidFusion or TeenFusion spaces, will have their parent/legal adult contacted in order to immediately correct the issue.
Repeated issues may require us to prohibit your child from attending any programming without their Parent or Legal Adult in attendance.

Happily, we have seen time and time again, how our youngest members thrive and shine while abiding by ConFusion policies. We believe they will do the same this year!

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ConFusion Policies:

Please notify Operations if you have any questions or concerns. We can only fix what we are told is broken, and the Operations room is staffed 24 hours to address your needs. Additionally you will be able to call the Front Desk and ask to be transferred to Ops.

The following policies are in place to help create a safe and fun environment for all attendees, but do not encompass all expectations. State and Federal Laws do not stop at the convention door.

Badge Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept. 2022

Yes, you do need those stinking’ badges! You MUST have your badge with you at all times! Please remember that a con badge will be required for entry to all convention functions, to include the Consuite, Game Room, and all panels. A badge is only recognized if it has a number and is registered to you for the current year. Please do not lend your badge to anyone, as it will result in both the lender and the borrower being ejected from the convention. If you have lost your badge, please visit Ops, as it may have been turned in. Likewise, if you find a badge, please turn it in to Ops. Lost badges will be replaced for free, once; with proper identification. Subsequent replacements will be charged full door price.

Hotel Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept 2022

Without our hotel, we have no convention. Respecting the hotel’s rules and property is absolutely necessary for the health and well-being of ConFusion! The Hotel has a few easy rules – please pay close attention to them!

No Fog Machines anywhere in the hotel.
No Incense or Sustained Flame anywhere in the hotel (Including guest rooms).
No use of Confetti, Glitter, Sparkles, Dance Floor Dust, Silly String, or Bubbles.
You must be wearing Shoes and Shirt when you are inside the restaurant space.
NO Smoking, Vaping, or E-cigarette use anywhere in the hotel. The designated smoking space is only in the Hotel provided area. Please Do Not Smoke near the doorways; smoke only in the provided area.
No hanging anything on the walls yourself – you must go through OPS. Any sign found without Ops approval will be removed and destroyed

Alcohol Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept 2022

Michigan’s minimum drinking age is 21.

This is not a guideline, but a law, so please don’t expect to be made an exception and please recognize that you will be asked for ID before being served.

We also reserve the right to stop serving anyone who appears to have overindulged. It is our job to provide fun, but it is also our job to help provide safety too; we appreciate your help with doing both.

If you are sharing from your personal stash of alcoholic beverages please ensure that all recipients are of age. Anyone (or party) found allowing minors to consume alcoholic beverages will immediately be shut down. No warnings. No exceptions!

If you do consume, please Do Not Drive! Michigan has very strict laws and a .08 BAC Limit. If you have been drinking, and you need to be someplace, please contact Operations and they will do whatever is in their power to ensure that you do not have to drive while intoxicated. Please, please, Do Not Drink and Drive.

Controlled/Illegal Substances Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept. 2020

Regardless of your personal views, some drugs are illegal in Michigan. Legal and Medical marijuana notwithstanding, you know what could get you busted. So do we. So do the authorities. Please do us all a favor and just don’t partake. Marijuana Edibles, of any type, are not permitted in ConFusion convention spaces. Keep your personal stash, personal.

Accessibility Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept 2022

ConFusion is dedicated to being a welcoming environment for all attendees, regardless of ability or special needs. The Hotel and Convention Committee have planned for easy access to all events and public spaces. Additionally, ConFusion will be providing the following accommodations to help any attendees with a need. If you are in need of these services, please use them. Alternatively, if not personally needed, please be courteous by leaving them open/available to others.

ConFusion supports breastfeeding mothers. Mothers are more than welcome to feed their infants in any ConFusion space. If you would like a more private space please visit Ops to gain access to a nursing area for mothers with infants or who need to express.
Wheelchair/Scooter accessible seating in the Consuite/Hotel Restaurant/Panels
Seating for hearing/visually impaired in all programmed events
Gluten-Free items in the Consuite, along with package labels for any offerings.
Amplifying devices are available on loan for the hearing impaired, at Ops.
The Reset Room is located in (To Be Announced). This quiet space is available to anyone who needs a break from convention stress.

If you are an attendee with disabilities, ConFusion wants to make your experience as fun and entertaining as possible, but there are a few limitations on what can be provided. For example:

Programming rooms fill up quickly and all seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so special seating may not be available. Please read your program book and plan your days accordingly.
Autograph sessions are always limited, so it is a good idea to make arrangements to have someone within your group save a spot for you in line.

ConFusion staff is here to help. By working together we can make the convention experience enjoyable for everyone. If at any time you need help with accessing part of ConFusion please let a staff member know or come to Ops. If you have questions concerning access at ConFusion, please email access@confusionsf.org

In addition, ConFusion has created an Accessibility Checklist with the hopes of addressing as many needs as possible. It is composed of several combined guides and attendee requests, including SFWA and MI-ADA, in an attempt to organize an inclusive and accessible event. This is a living document, if you notice we are lacking a specific service, please email Access@ConFuionSF.org.

You can download the ConFusion 2017 Accessibly Checklist HERE or at OPS on-site. PLEASE NOTE: As plans for 2020 advance we will update this checklist.

Costume Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept. 2022

Please be advised that 2023 ConFusion has a Mask/COVID Policy. All Cosplay/Costumes must comply with that.

Costumes must be tasteful and cover the appropriate areas of the body. This means what is illegal outside of the convention is still illegal inside the convention. Also, children and teens will be about, especially during daytime hours. Keep it PG-13!

Costume items that contain or use an open flame or heating elements are not allowed. Also forbidden are any elements that could endanger or harm another person, his/her/their belongings, or our convention venue’s surfaces. Please be Safe, Sane and Sensible!

BDSM – Public Lewdness Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept. 2022

Many fans enjoy this opportunity to flaunt their leather, lace, PVC, duct tape, and other costuming choices, often with very skin presenting results. Please keep in mind, though, that “Safe, Sane, and Consensual” includes bystanders and other convention members! Please adhere to the legal regulations concerning nudity and cover the essential “bits” while in public areas of the Convention and Hotel.

No BDSM equipment should be demonstrated in public areas, so we ask that you get your whips, floggers, cat ‘o’ nine-tails, crops, and other implements of BDSM fun peace-bonded at Ops. What you do with them in your own room is your business, but please be aware that other con-goers did not consent to see you flogging your partner in the hallway!

Props & Weapons Policy:

Last Reviewed: Sept 2022

Props should be carried and posed with in a way that does not inconvenience or injury attendees.

Bladed Weapons and replica firearms are allowed at ConFusion, either as parts of costumes or as dealer displays. Blades that are part of costumes much be peace-bonded, and can only be displayed openly when worn as part of the entire costume. Blades and/or Firearms should never be carried openly, by themselves, in the hotel. All Weapons must be peace-bonded at Ops by a staff member, regardless of functionality.

Replica and Toy Firearms are allowed, but not weapons which can actually fire any potentially damaging projectiles (or which ever could have). That means that actual pistols and rifles, BB Guns, Crossbows, and similar weaponry are not allowed, even if they have been altered so that they no longer fire – Convention staff can not take responsibility for evaluating the weapon.

Also, no weapon, whether it be replica, toy, or anything else, can be brought to the convention if it contains any gunpowder or any other explosive in ANY quantity. This means that caps for caps guns, blanks for starter pistols, or anything with potential for explosion or fire will not be permitted.