CODE OF CONDUCT

CODE OF CONDUCT

Paradise Collectibles Convention maintains the goal to bring together hobbies from around the central coast of California. As every hobbyist knows, a thorough rulebook is the key to everyone having a good time, so here are the rules for having fun at Paradise Collectibles Convention. If you have a question about a certain policy or guideline, be sure to read through all of our policies, but if that still doesn’t answer your question, email paradisecollectibleconvention@gmail.com.

General

• Be Safe, Play Nice, Have Fun

• Follow all convention policies, venue rules, and staff directions.

• Support each other in maintaining a safe and clean environment.

• No running, jumping, throwing, or other disruptive behaviors.

• No stealing, cheating, trolling, threatening or performing physical violence, or any form of bullying.

• No use of excessively vulgar or profane language

• No harassing other attendees, staff or vendors.

• Don’t take photos of other Participants without their consent

• Respect everyone's physical, social boundaries and their personal property.

• If at any time during our convention you feel unsafe or feel you were subjected to harassing conduct, please locate a staff member (wearing a staff shirt) and your concerns will be addressed immediately.

Violators of this policy will be given an opportunity to modify their outfit to conform to the rules. Repeated violations may lead to loss of privileges or expulsion from the event. 

Alcoholic Beverages, Marijuana and Illegal Substances

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or Marijuana on the venue property is prohibited. Illegal substances at Paradise Collectibles Convention will not be tolerated. Violators will be asked to leave the building and charges may be filed for prosecution. 

Smoking

Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is not allowed inside the venue. Smoking and the use of electronic smoking devices is allowed outside in designated smoking areas. Cigarette butt litter is a hazard to the environment. Please do your part to keep Santa Maria clean and dispose of your trash in the proper receptacles. 

Advertising

Advertisement during Paradise Collectibles Convention must be approved and cleared by event staff. Any flyers, posters, or advertisements of any kind placed in or around the venue, will be removed and you may be asked to leave the convention. Your badge will be revoked, and you will not receive a refund.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

Paradise Collectibles Convention is committed to providing a safe environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited. Paradise Collectibles Convention’s anti-harassment policy applies to all persons involved in the operation or attendance of the convention. Paradise Collectibles Convention will not tolerate harassment of anyone by anyone, including participants, vendors, hosts, or Con staff.

Paradise Collectibles Convention defines harassment as any behavior that threatens a person or group or produces an unsafe and non-inclusive environment. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments or non-verbal expressions related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, age, or religious beliefs.

Furthermore, harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual or discriminatory images in public and quasi-public spaces (online and offline), intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Harassment may take the form of comments, epithets, slurs, discriminatory or insensitive jokes, teasing, display or discussion of written or graphic material, repeatedly standing too close to or brushing up against a person, or giving gifts of an unwanted or sexual nature. Advocating or encouraging any of the above is also considered harassment.

Harassment at Paradise Collectibles Convention does not include respectful disagreement or critique offered in good faith. Paradise Collectibles Convention reserves the right to alter or broaden its definition of harassment at its sole discretion.

No one should tolerate any conduct of this type. Should you experience or witness harassment, you may choose to take any of the following actions:

• If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, ask the offender to stop. Whether the offending behavior is intentional or unintentional, expressing your discomfort to the offender directly may put a stop to that conduct.

• Leave the area. While this may seem unfair, it is sometimes best for your safety and well-being if you leave the area, especially if you feel uncomfortable around the offender or their conduct. After separating yourself from the conduct, you may wish to take additional actions.

• If you are comfortable doing so, ask a Paradise Collectibles Convention Staff member for help. 

• Contact the police or other appropriate authorities. Your health and safety are our most important concern. If you require immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical services, or other governmental entities, please do not hesitate to contact such services directly.

• Submit a report by email, paradisecollectibleconvention@gmail.com

Based on any informal or formal complaint or report of harassment, Paradise Collectibles Convention may take the following steps. Note that this list is not exhaustive, and other appropriate action may be taken as necessary:

• Read and investigate all reports. Paradise Collectibles Convention staff will document and review all reports. Reporting parties may be contacted for further clarifying information. Note that Paradise Collectibles Convention will not share the results of these reports with anyone, including the person who filed the report, unless required by law.

• Intercede if and when appropriate. Paradise Collectibles Convention staff may take immediate action to address harassment concerns, including but not limited to, escorting participants to a location in which they feel safe, refunding tickets, canceling events, requesting participants leave a specific area, removing offenders from the event, or banning offenders from the convention. Bans and removals may be on a temporary basis or permanent.

• Contact police and medical authorities when appropriate. If, upon review, Paradise Collectibles Convention Staff finds that relevant local government officials should be notified, Paradise Collectibles Convention staff may contact such entities and/or share confidential information as required by law.

• Sanction participants based on our investigations. Paradise Collectibles Convention participants found to have violated the Code of Conduct may be subject to sanctions, including but not limited to:

  • Verbal or written warning

  • Requiring the participant to avoid any interaction with, and physical proximity to the party or parties involved

  • Temporary suspension from any Paradise Collectibles Convention sponsored events or online services

  • Permanent ban from any Paradise Collectibles Convention sponsored events or online services

  • Immediate expulsion from the convention without refund

  • Reporting of the incident to the appropriate authorities

Paradise Collectibles Convention continuously strives to create a safe and welcoming space. Should you have any suggestions for how we can improve, please email us at paradisecollectibleconvention@gmail.com