POLICIES

The Northern Ontario Expo is dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure fully accessible events for people with disabilities.

 We encourage you to contact the event team at fdenisnoe@gmail.com to answer any of your accessibility-related questions or needs. 

Our accessibility team will consider any request from a person with a disability for reasonable modification of our policies, practices, or procedures or for auxiliary aids and services that will permit the guest equal enjoyment of the services offered at the event.

 We encourage you to make any such request as far in advance as possible to enhance our ability to evaluate and fulfill the request.

For more information about accessibility at the McIntyre Community Centre, please visit the following link.   Accessibility - City of Timmins

Prop weapons are permitted but must be inspected by event staff. 

All actual weapons and items that could be considered dangerous are prohibited. 

This includes, but is not limited to, knives, tazers, pepper spray, BB guns, cap guns, airsoft weapons, paintball guns, water guns, martial arts weaponry, including wooden practice weapons, etc. 

They will be confiscated as well as reported to local authorities. Participants must demonstrate that they are able to carry their prop weapons respectfully and responsibly, otherwise it will be confiscated by N.O.E. staff.

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.

The Northern Ontario Expo is an inclusive environment and welcomes cosplayers of all backgrounds and body types. For the avoidance of doubt, the following guidelines must be adhered to when wearing a costume to a Northern Ontario Expo event. 

The absence of clothing or a costume is not itself a costume. Nudity is not allowed at any Northern Ontario Expo events. All costumed attendees are required to have opaque fabric of some type providing complete coverage of breasts, genitals and buttocks. Opaque bodysuits that simulate nudity are not allowed. Anyone wearing a costume that is too revealing in the sole judgment of the Northern Ontario Expo will be asked to leave the Event.

Costumes must not contain words or images that are racist, obscene or derogatory. This includes Ahegao, Swastikas or other Nazi imagery, KKK hoods or other paraphernalia etc.

Costumes that are in and of themselves deemed to be racist, obscene, or derogatory by the organizers will not be permitted. 

Costumes or props that incorporate chemical special effects are prohibited. This includes helium balloons, any type of smoke or other pyrotechnics, or costumes that expel liquids, gasses or other matter.  

The Northern Ontario Expo reserves the right to reject any costume at any time and for any reason.

Badges are to be worn visibly for the duration of your visit. If you are coming for multiple days, you must keep your badge on your person for those days.

Badges are non-transferable and no refunds will be issued if lost.

The Northern Ontario Expo's number one priority is to provide a safe place where fans can celebrate fandom to its fullest.

Safety, security & an open, inclusive, respectful environment with zero tolerance for misbehavior are fundamental to the show.

We do not tolerate violence, mistreatment, or any type of harassment towards staff, exhibitors, guests, or attendees at any of our events.

Northern Ontario Expo 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.  Harassment also includes offensive verbal comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact and unwelcome sexual attention.

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 staff shirts and/or special badges.

This is an all ages family event; no alcohol will be permitted on site. 

If you are suspected of drinking or are intoxicated, you will be asked to leave the convention immediately for your safety and the safety of everyone attending the event.

If our request is not followed then the local authorities will be contacted to address the situation.  No refund will be issued.

The safety of all our partners, exhibitors and customers is our top priority at all Northern Ontario Expo events.

We work closely with the venues, our security, vendors, exhibitors, local law enforcement, and public health officials/advisors to identify risks, assess them, and develop safety and security plans for each event.

We will be highly encouraging all of our fans to where masks and wash/sanitize their hands frequently at our events so we can continue celebrating fandom together.

Please remember to be courteous and ask permission before taking photos with, or of other people.

It is inappropriate to take high or low angle shots, place your hands on a person or request sexual poses without prior consent. 

Please do not request personal information from individuals with whom you are unfamiliar.