Our Policies

The River City Steampunk Expo wants everyone to have a fun, enjoyable, and entertaining event, so please follow these sensible guidelines. Our policies will be in effect for the duration of the River City Steampunk Expo and all designated functions and locations. To this end, everyone with a River City Steampunk Expo badge or wristband is required to abide by our Policies.

Basic Rules

1. Official badges or wristbands must be worn while at the Expo.
   Lost badges and wristbands can only be replaced by the purchase of a new one.

2. Treat people with respect and dignity; don’t harass anyone.
   All attendees, vendors, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff must abide by Expo Safety Policy against Harassment (see below).

3. Please treat our hotel facilities and staff with respect.
   Please pick up after yourself. There are many trash containers throughout the venue.

4. Present all prop weapons at the Expo Information Desk for approval.
   Actual firearms are not permitted within the convention.

5. If it’s illegal outside of the Expo, it’s illegal inside the Expo.
   All of us will abide by city, state, and federal laws.

6. Keep conduct appropriate and considerate.
   Expo Programming is divided into: All Ages, 18+, & 21+.
   Be mindful of your surroundings and fellow Symposium attendees when in public spaces.

7. Room parties and other announcements should be dropped off at our registration desk.

For the safety and courtesy of other attendees, the River City Steampunk Expo reserves the right to refuse entry to the show to anyone deemed by staff to be in violation of our Rules & Safety Policies. We reserve the right to ask you to leave if you are behaving in an uncivilized manner.

Harassment and Altercations

The River City Steampunk Expo has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment. Harassment is generally any behavior that annoys, alarms, or threatens another person or group of any kind, including but not limited to:

• Stalking.

• Offensive verbal comments.

• Non-consensual photography/recording.

• Bathroom policing.

• Unwelcome physical attention.

• Intimidation.

• Physical assault and/or battery.

In relation to, but not limited to:

• Race.

• Color.

• National Origin.

• Gender.

• Gender Identity.

• Gender Presentation.

• Sexual Orientation.

• Age.

• Body Size.

• Disability.

• Appearance.

• Religion.

• Citizenship.

• Pregnancy.

Our policy applies to EVERYONE at the convention. Exhibitors, entertainers, attendees, speakers, guests, professionals, press, staff, volunteers, chairs and security are all subject to our anti-harassment policy and will be held to the same standards and disciplinary action.

Harassment of convention members online or in electronic venues will be treated as seriously as physical harassment. Making any member of the public feel unwelcome at the River City Steampunk Expo is also considered harassment.

 If a person engages in harassing behavior the River City Steampunk Expo staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from River City Steampunk Expo with no refund and may result in expulsion and/or long term suspension of your future eligibility for River City Steampunk Expo membership.

Anyone can report harassment. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable you should immediately contact a member of the ISS staff or security team. Include as much detail as you feel comfortable disclosing so we can address the situation immediately. If you are still in the area where the incident took place and it is safe to stay, do so and someone will meet you. If necessary we will provide escort, offer a safe place to talk and assist anyone experiencing harassment to make sure they are and feel safe for the entirety of the Convention. We will also contact local law enforcement if it is necessary and stay with you until they arrive.

• City of Louisville Non-Emergency Service (Louisville Metro Police Department): (502) 574-7111

• City of Louisville Emergencies: 911

In all cases where someone has told you or demonstrated that they do not wish to interact with you, do not contact them in any fashion, including through an intermediary, unless and until they approach you of their own initiative. Just as you do not owe anyone your time, your attention, or physical contact, no one owes you theirs.

If you wish to report an incident after the convention, or would like to express your concern about an incident that occurred outside of River City Steampunk Expo involving a convention attendee, you may email us at any time at rivercitysteampunk@gmail.com

The River City Steampunk Expo wants everyone to have a fun, enjoyable and entertaining event.

Sexual Activity

Overt consensual sexual activity in public spaces will not be tolerated as this is a family friendly event. This, however, does not restrict “public acts or displays of affection.” The River City Steampunk Expo asks that you keep in mind the age and sensibilities of your fellow guests.

Non-consensual sexual activity will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement.

Tickets

While we don’t refund tickets, we do allow them to be re-sold, but we do request notification for our records when the sale has occurred. Please contact us at rivercitysteampunk@gmail.com to let us know who the new ticket holders are.

Weapons and Weapon Like Props

We are well aware that many people enjoy carrying and displaying their weapons and props. If the weapon is a toy you are more than welcome to keep it out in the open. If the weapon is based on a real gun, blade or knife we ask that you peace-bind it to a holster or sheath for the safety of you and the other guests. For the safety of others you may be asked to show your weapon to security. They are only doing their job so please respect them. We want to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable event.

Individuals are prohibited from possessing functional firearms, explosives or items designated as weapons by the River City Steampunk Expo. Any individual found in possession of a concealed weapon will be reported to local law enforcement and ejected from the River City Steampunk Expo regardless of the individual’s conceal-carry status or credentials.

We ask that you never brandish your weapon in a provoking, harassing or threatening manner.

Any weapon like prop transported from or between venues is done at your own risk and should be preferably cased and/or transported inside a vehicle.

If you are concerned that your weapon-like prop may be viewed as a weapon or inadmissible, please contact rivercitysteampunk@gmail.com for a preliminary review based on our current policy.

Costuming at The River City Steampunk Expo

The River City Steampunk Expo will never tell you what to wear as long as it’s appropriate dress while attending our events. Some events may have a dress code and that will be posted accordingly. When choosing your ensemble(s) and accessories please consider the age, sensibilities and safety of your fellow guests as this is a family friendly event. During evening hours the family friendly atmosphere may be relaxed, but please keep in mind there is still a “time and place” for some ensembles and accessory choices. The River City Steampunk Expo reserves the right to work with our guests to comply with the above conditions, direct the guest to remove the safety or inadmissible concern OR in extreme cases, confiscate items that pose a safety concern for the duration of the ISS.

Offensive Cosplays

Cosplays and/or insignia representing or associated with hate groups (e.g. - Nazi, KKK, etc.), Cosplays “in bad taste” (e.g. - suicide bomber), and/or Cosplays meant specifically to harass individuals or groups (e.g. - cosplaying as your ex in order to humiliate them) are strictly forbidden. Cosplays that display messages or images deemed to be inappropriate or offensive by convention staff in line with our harassment policy will not be permitted. Including, but not limited to: explicit language, sexually suggestive or racially offensive material. For the safety and well-being of all attendees, it is the right of the International Steampunk Symposium staff to ask attendees to change or cover offensive clothing, and in some cases could result in removal from the convention.

Use of Illegal Substances/Smoking/Drinking

Individuals using illegal substances as defined by the Kentucky State and Federal Law of any kind will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement.

Individuals of legal age to smoke by law 18+ (as of date of event) may do so in designated smoking areas (this includes tobacco and any e-cigarette products).

Individuals of legal age to drink by law 21+ (as of date of event) may do so in designated areas or your private room. Consuming alcoholic beverages from unsanctioned containers is not permitted anywhere on the premises in conjunction with the hotel liquor law policy. The River City Steampunk Expo asks that guests who drink do so in moderation, enjoy responsibly and do not overindulge to the point of incident.

Individuals found to be over intoxicated or a danger to themselves or others may be subject to, but not limited to:

• Being warned to reduce the rate of consumption of alcoholic beverages.

• Declined further service by event hotel servers or by the hosts of any private party.

• Assisted to their accommodations for their safety.

• Referred to local authorities in excessive circumstances.

Property Damage or Theft

Any property damage or theft will not be tolerated. Individuals will be immediately turned over to local law enforcement. This also includes setting off fire alarms or causing a mass exodus from the hotel. If anyone from the convention is found doing this, immediate legal action will take place and you will be removed from the convection and ALL AASC conventions in North America.

Credentials

Any individual present may be asked to present valid credentials at any time:

Required: Valid Convention Credentials (ticket, pass, badge, etc.). Lost guest credentials can be replaced at Registration for an additional cost.This is to assure access to only those that have purchased credentials or are otherwise attached to the event.

Requested/Required: Valid State Issued ID or Driver’s License, Country Issued Passport or School ID. This is for administrative purposes and for events that are restricted by an age requirement (adult content 18+) or the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages (mandated by law 21+).

Recommended/Required: Medical or Legal documentation. In the event of a medical emergency or legal necessity to have on your person.

Optional: Any other information that would assist the River City Steampunk Expo or other authorities in the case of a situation or emergency such as accommodation information, in case of emergency contacts, etc.

Venue, City, County, State and Federal Policy and Laws

Individuals are reminded that River City Steampunk Expo conforms and abides by all Venue, City, County, State, and Federal Policy and Laws. Due to insurance, liability, safety and by choice at the discretion of the River City Steampunk Expo Organization some policies may be further restrictive than those specified by the Venue, City, County, State, and Federal Policy and Laws.

Issues Not Specifically Covered

The following are not specifically covered in the above policy outline and we reserve the right to add, change or amend policy as necessary and are the final arbitrator on all issues.

Regarding Service Animals: ADA 2010 Revised Requirements Service Animals.

In the event you lose or misplace something, please bring it to the front desk at the hotel. They have a lost and found area that is already established.