POLICIES

El Paso Comic Con has a few policies we must all follow that are necessary for the safety and comfort of everyone. We appreciate your cooperation in helping to make El Paso Comic Con a place that everyone can enjoy.

AIRSPACE

No devices may be flown or tethered within the confines of the Exhibit Hall or at any El Paso Comic Con function in the El Paso Convention Center and/or on convention center grounds. This includes drones, helium balloons, and helium filled products, or any lighter than air objects, either powered or unpowered.

BADGES

Always wear your badge. You will need your badge to attend any El Paso Comic Con function, including all daytime and nighttime panels and events at the El Paso Convention Center, and other program and event locations around downtown. Keep your badge visible so guards do not stop you. If you’re asked to show your badge, please do so. Badges are nontransferable. Please do not give your badge to a friend or to people outside the convention center when you leave. Access to the convention center area is restricted during the event. You will need to show your badge to get into the convention center.

Weekend and VIP badges must be accompanied by an El Paso Comic Con wristband. Both the badge and wristband must be worn to gain access to El Paso Comic Con. Attendees with just the Weekend/VIP badge or just the Weekend/VIP wristbands will not be allowed to enter El Paso Comic Con.

El Paso Comic Con will not replace lost/stolen badges. If a badge is lost/stolen a new one must be purchased at the standard price to re-enter the event. It is unlawful to duplicate or alter an event badge. Any duplicated or altered badge will be confiscated, and the offending party will be ejected from the event.

CHILDREN

For safety and security concerns, all children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. This is required at all times while in the event.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Attendees must respect common sense rules for public behavior and personal interaction, practice common courtesy, and have respect for private property, Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. El Paso Comic Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the badge of any attendee not in compliance with this policy. Persons finding themselves in a situation where they feel their safety is at risk or who become aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy should immediately locate the nearest security officer or staff member so that the matter can be handled expeditiously.

Prohibited behaviors at El Paso Comic Con include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Harassment, intimidation, offensive behavior, or offensive comments
  • Any behavior putting patron safety at risk
  • Possession of illegal substances
  • Drug or alcohol intoxication
  • Running, dancing, or rough housing
  • Stalking
  • Physical assault and/or battery
  • Non-consensual photography or video recording
  • Disruption of panels, signings, workshops, exhibitions, or any other function of event
  • Camping or sleeping anywhere on the convention premises
  • Verbal or physical abuse of attendees, guests, exhibitors, or cosplayers
  • Inappropriate physical contact or unwelcome physical attention

INFORMATION TABLE

During show hours, you can always find an El Paso Comic Con staff member or security guard at the Information table. Please stop by there if you have any questions or concerns.

COSTUME PROPS POLICY

No functional props or weapons are allowed at El Paso Comic Con. All costume props and weapons must be inspected daily at the Costume Props table located by Security. If you do not want to have your costume props or weapons inspected or tagged or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume props or weapons to El Paso Comic Con.

All costume props must be inspected daily at the Costume Props table. The Costume Props Policy is subject to change at any time and final approval on costume props will be at the sole discretion of our Prop Safety Officers.

After your costume props have been checked, they will be tagged by security to designate that your costume props have been checked and approved. This tag must remain visible on your costume props while you are at the event. Security will escort you to the Costume Props desk for inspection if your costume props are not tagged.

Simulated or costume props may be allowed as a part of your costume subject to prior approval by Prop Safety Officers and compliance with the following:

  • All cosplayers must abide by El Paso Comic Con’s Code of Conduct
  • No functional or sharp-edged props or weapons are allowed at El Paso Comic Con
  • All costume props must conform to state and federal law
  • Replica projectile costume props must be rendered inoperable and covered with brightly colored caps
  • Functional (real) arrows must have their tips removed and be bundled and zip tied to a quiver
  • Certain props may need to be tied to your costume in such a way that they can’t be drawn. Our Prop Safety Officers will make these determinations
  • Costumes featuring stilts must be approved at the Costume Props table
  • Realistic cosplay of first responders and/or security is not permitted
  • Props that are not approved by Props Safety Officer must be returned to your vehicle, hotel room, or another off-site location
  • Any prohibited (dangerous) weapons purchased from vendors must be securely packaged. These items should be promptly removed from the convention center
  • Do not brandish props/weapons in a threatening manner. Please be aware of how security personnel will interpret your actions in or outside of convention areas

If you do not want to have your costume props inspected or tagged or if you are not willing to comply with these policies, please do not bring your costume props to El Paso Comic Con. The Costume Props Policy is subject to change at any time.

DISTRIBUTION OF PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL

Distribution of flyers or other promotional materials without prior approval of event management is not permitted. Attendees, exhibitors, and guests who violate this rule will be removed from the event and their badge confiscated. Unapproved flyers and other promotional materials found on the convention premises will be discarded without notice by event staff.

OVERSIZED ITEMS

Please be aware that for safety reasons no handcarts, trolleys, rolling luggage, or oversized strollers are allowed in the event. Attendees found in the El Paso Convention Center with these items will be asked to leave.

LIVE STREAMING

The usage of live streaming apps and software on any electronic device is not allowed in any official El Paso Comic Con program or event room, without prior approval from event management.

MARKET RESEARCH

El Paso Comic Con does not allow third party market research surveys or information gathering in any public areas, indoors or outdoors, of the El Paso Convention Center or any other venue featuring El Paso Comic Con events.

PAGING

Please keep in mind that there will be no personal pages over the P.A. system. Set a time and place to meet with your family and friends and communicate with them via text or phone when necessary.

PETS

If you have pets please leave them at home. The El Paso Convention Center will not allow animals into the building except for service animals. If your service animal is not wearing any kind of ID identifying them as a service animal, you may be stopped by security to verify.

RETAIL SALES

No retail sales are allowed anywhere in El Paso Comic Con unless you purchased or were allocated exhibit space. Retail sales are strictly limited to the exhibitors in El Paso Comic Con. In addition, there is no solicitation of tips, fees, or donations for any reason unless you have a booth, table, or official space allocated by El Paso Comic Con.

RUNNING

For the safety of all, there is absolutely no running anywhere at El Paso Comic Con. We understand the urgency to get to a favorite booth, program, or featured guest right away, but running is a safety hazard for everyone, not just the person running. People caught running may have their badges confiscated and be ejected from the event.

SELFIE STICKS

Selfie sticks, GoPro poles, stilts, or any device that extends your camera or phone away from your hand or body are not allowed at El Paso Comic Con. If you’re seen with one of these devices, you will be asked by security to put it away and not use it at El Paso Comic Con.

SITTING IN AISLES/HALLWAYS

By order of the fire marshal, sitting in the Exhibit Hall aisles or in the hallways is not allowed. There is a lounge located in the Rio Grande Room.

SMOKING

Smoking is not allowed at any El Paso Comic Con function or space at any time and in any location. No smoking at El Paso Comic Con includes traditional cigarettes, any vaping products or devices, E-cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. This policy includes all function, exhibit, and event spaces at El Paso Comic Con.

The convention center is a non-smoking facility. You are welcome to use the designated areas outside the building where smoking and vaping are permitted, but please be considerate of others when you do. This policy is in place not only for the comfort of attendees but also to comply with state and local ordinances prohibiting smoking at public buildings near any doorways, entrances, exits, or operable windows. Noncompliance may result in ejection for the convention.

VIDEO/AUDIO RECORDING

You can bring a camera, but with some restrictions. Attendees are permitted to use still cameras with lenses that do not exceed 85mm in focal length. Audio/video recording will be for personal use and not for broadcast in any form. Tripods, monopods, external lighting, “selfie sticks,” and cameras with lenses longer than 85mm are not allowed without a press badge.

Additionally, you agree not to take pictures or videos where posted or announced as prohibited. When taking photographs or video recordings at El Paso Comic Con, please watch surrounding foot traffic. Avoid blocking hallways and pathways for extended periods. Please be considerate and ask before taking pictures of attendees, guests, exhibitors, exhibit spaces, and volunteers. Absolutely NO videos or photos are allowed in Celebrity Row without express written permission.

WEARABLE CAMERAS

Using any wearable camera whether analog, digital or otherwise is strictly prohibited. This includes but is not limited to Google Glass, Snapchat Specs, Meta Glasses even if they have prescription lenses. You will not be allowed entry to El Paso Comic Con if you are wearing these devices. If you are found wearing any of these devices you will be ejected from the event.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

El Paso Comic Con, the El Paso Convention Center, and their agents are not responsible for lost belongings. They will not be held liable. A Lost and Found will be located at the Information Area at the El Paso Convention Center.

FIREARMS

El Paso Convention Center carries a liquor license. As a result, Texas state law prohibits the possession of firearms by anyone on its premises. The only exception is law enforcement personnel. This restriction includes both concealed and non-concealed firearms, permit or no permit.

SIGNAGE

Attendees, exhibitors, or guests are not allowed to post or display signage anywhere in the convention area without prior approval of event management. Offending signs will be taken down and confiscated by event staff without warning. Signs that are integral parts of costumes may be permitted with approval of event staff. Attendees, exhibitors, and guests who violate this rule will lose their access. They will face removal from the event at event management’s discretion.

MOBILITY SERVICES

If you have a disability that affects your mobility, we’re happy to provide your companion with Mobility Assistance Badges. We want to make your experience more comfortable. These badges can be picked up during on-site badge pickup. The following services are provided to attendees wearing Mobility Assistance Badges.  Please keep in mind that Mobility Assistance Badges do not provide the following:

  • Skipping spots in lines (companion will wait in line in your place)
  • Early access to panels, workshops, and special events
  • Guaranteed access to panels, workshops, special events, autographs, or photo ops

FACILITY ADA INFORMATION

The El Paso Convention Center is an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant facility. Guests with special needs or service animals are welcome. The facility offers accessible entrances and parking, wheelchair ramps, elevators, automatic doors, and restrooms. For more information about the El Paso Convention Center’s ADA accommodations, please call (915) 534-0600.

These policies are subject to change. Please check this website closer to the event. This will ensure your costume props follow the current policies. Event management reserves the right to revoke an attendee’s access without refund. This applies to any attendee found not in compliance with its policies. Attendees are expected to exercise common sense in public behavior, interpersonal interaction, and have respect for private property.