MNCBA Event Policies

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) policies listed here apply to all attendees, guests, creators, and vendors. Please refer to our applications for creator- and vendor-specific policies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) • Conduct • COVID-19 • Dress Code • Harassment • Weapons and Props

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) prohibits at its events the display and/or sale of all art, merchandise, and other works created using generative AI.

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) prohibits the use of generative AI in its own documents, promotional and marketing materials, and other Intellectual Property, whether such materials are created by volunteer staff or are in-kind donations created by third-parties.

Generative AI includes, but is not limited to, current and future publicly or commercially available AI programs such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, Craiyon, Fotor, Starryai, Deep Dream, Stable Diffusion, Grok, Google Bard, Claude, etc.

Generative AI works are created through training computer programs, via a process called Machine Learning, on millions of works by human creators. These works are almost universally scraped from the Internet and used without the human creators’ consent.

While we accept that technology evolves and expands over time, we understand the ethical and legal questions that generative AI work has raised. We also understand the harmful disruption that generative AI has caused to the creative job market, including many working professionals in the comic book industry.

Comics have traditionally harmonized some of the best abilities and talents humanity has to offer: visual art, language, and storytelling. We at the Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) are committed to the artistic medium of comics, as it is created by human hands, to express the human experience. Our priority is fostering an environment of confidence and security for the authenticity of creative work — for both our attendees and our exhibitors.

Art, merchandise, and/or other works found to be created using generative AI will be treated as counterfeit goods and will be subject to removal from the event. Any creator, vendor, or other exhibitor whose wares are found to be mostly or fully created using generative AI will be asked to leave the event with no refunds issued.

Creators, vendors, or other exhibitors who repeatedly violate the prohibited display and/or sale of generative AI work may be permanently banned from Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) events.

In the future, if such an AI program is created that allows for only specific images the artists own to be sourced from, the burden of proof lies solely on that artist to verify that the generative AI work was not created from stolen images.

Conduct

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) strives for everyone to have a fun and safe experience at our events. Please familiarize yourself with our code of conduct for MNCBA events. Those who do not abide by the code of conduct will be asked to leave the event, and possibly banned from future events.

• No running.
• No sitting in aisles or other walkways.
• No bicycles, scooters, Segways, hoverboards, roller skates (including Heeleys), or stilts inside the building.
• No oversized hand carts, trolleys, rolling luggage, or strollers large enough to block aisles will be permitted inside the event area during hours when the event is open to the public.
• No paging. We are unable to use the PA system for personal pages (in venues where a PA system is available) except in the event of an emergency. Please plan accordingly.
• No pets except for service animals. Please observe service animal etiquette: Do not pet, distract, or take photos of service animals. Those who rely on their service require their aid to move and complete tasks.
• Out of consideration for those with asthma, migraines, chemical sensitivities, and sensory issues, we ask that you refrain from heavy use of fragrances and scented products.
• No smoking, including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping products, and related devices.
• No drugs or alcohol.

Engaging in any unlawful activities is prohibited.

Any activities prohibited by law will be presented to the authorities.

Harm of any personal property or damage to the venue is prohibited.

If you are being aggressive, disruptive, unsafe, or you are disturbing the attendees, guests, vendors, venue staff, and/or volunteers you will be asked to leave. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated.

Cosplay is not consent. Please keep your hands to yourself. Ask before taking photos of, or with, cosplayers and costumed event participants. Respect these individuals' right to say no.

Photography and video: Always ask permission before taking a photo of someone at the convention. Respect these individuals' right to say no. If you are taking a photo which includes a minor, please ask permission from their parent or guardian, and let them know if/where the photo would be shared. Do not disrupt the flow of traffic in aisles or block exhibitor tables when taking photos. Please ask permission to photograph an exhibitor and/or their wares before doing so. Respect these individuals' right to say no. We reserve the right to review and/or demand deletion of any unauthorized photographs or video.

Food and drink: Do not place food or drinks on exhibitor tables. Many exhibitors are displaying rare collectible items and one-of-a-kind artwork. Food and drinks must be held on your person at all times outside of designated break areas. Please keep your environment clean by disposing of any food, drinks, packaging, and garbage properly. Anyone who causes damage or who abuses food and drink privileges may be asked to leave the event.

Keep the pathways/doorways clear. It's hard not to stop to chat or take photos. Please ensure you are not blocking traffic flow, pathways, or a vendor/creator table at all times.

Attendees, vendors, creators and volunteers must respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property.

COVID-19

While the Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) does not require face masks or proof of vaccination to enter its events, we do encourage the use of face masks and hand sanitizers to help prevent the spread of illness. Face masks and hand sanitizer pumps are available as a courtesy at our admissions and information tables. We also strongly encourage all persons who can safely be vaccinated/boosted based on current CDC recommendations to do so.

We ask that you stay home if you are currently experiencing or have experienced symptoms of illness in the last 24 hours, you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last five days before the event, or you have tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced moderate to severe symptoms within the 10 days leading up to the event.

Dress Code

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) hosts family-friendly events. Please dress for MNCBA events in the same manner acceptable for any semi-public space; i.e. a retail store, shopping mall, etc.

• No bare feet. No shirt, no shoes, no service.
• No nudity, body paint, or sexually-explicit costumes.
• No clothing or costumes featuring hate speech or symbols.
• No clothing or costumes featuring vulgar language.
• Any other clothing or costumes which directly or indirectly violates one of our other policies, such as conduct or harassment, for any reason, is prohibited.

Harassment

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Event participants violating these rules may be warned, sanctioned, or expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the event organizers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion.
• Sexual images in public spaces.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following.
• Harassing photography or recording.
• Sustained obstruction of access to an exhibitor's table(s).
• Sustained disruption of panels or other event activities.
• Inappropriate physical contact.
• Unwelcome sexual attention.
• Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour.

Cosplay is not consent. Please keep your hands to yourself. Ask before taking photos of, or with, cosplayers and costumed event participants. Respect these individuals' right to say no.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Event organisers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants.

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Our Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) volunteers can be identified by their badges at events. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. We want you to be happy at our event. People like you make our event a better place.

Weapons and Props

The Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) prohibits:

• Any weapon banned by Federal, state, or local laws.
• Guns and firearms of any kind.
• Guns like, but not limited to, BB guns, Paintball guns, or Airsoft.
• Tasers, mace, incendiary, explosives, or chemical weapons.
• Fireworks of any kind.
• Fog, vapour, or smoke grenades/bombs.
• Metal blades (sharp or blunt) including, but not limited, to swords, axes, ice skates, and knives.
• Claws or hand-held blades made of sharp metal, wood, or other material.
• Sharp items like, but not limited to, arrows, bolts, or protruding nails.
• Brass knuckles, switchblades, morningstars, knives attached to brass knuckles.
• Heavy items that can be used as weapons like, but not limited to, iron pokers or crowbars.
• Bats, paddles, clubs, or golf clubs made of metal or wood.
• Power tools like, but not limited, to chain saws or hedge trimmers.
• Functional projectile weapons like, but not limited to, bows, crossbows, slings, or catapults.
• Helium balloons and other flying objects like, but not limited to, remotely-controlled drones and toys.
• Props or costume that including glass elements, sharp edges, excessive weight, or any other features deemed dangerous.
• Lightsabers made of glass.
• Laser pointers.
• Metal chains.

Allowed items:

• All weapons must be non-functional/non-working.
• Replicas of firearms as long as they have a clearly-visible blaze orange safety tip and/or stripe. Replicas of firearms must be obviously and without-a-doubt fake.
• NERF and water guns as long as they are inoperable, obviously and without-a-doubt fake, and unable to fire.
• Sci-Fi or fantasy guns as long as they are obviously and without-a-doubt fake, and do not resemble real firearms.
• Bows and slingshots as long as they are de-strung or strung with yarn, or similar material, that makes them unable to fire a projectile.
• Swords of lightweight foam, plastic, or rubber.
• Shields as long as there are no sharp edges or spikes.
• Whips, lassos, and rope as long as they are zip-tied to your person at all times during the event.
• Lightweight foam or plastic bats and mallets.
• Canes, staffs, and brooms.

A weapon or prop will be deemed unacceptable if it:

• Fails to comply with Federal, state, or local laws.
• Has vulgar or hate speech in any language.
• Leaves your feet bare or otherwise violates dress code policy.
• Is excessively noisy including, but not limited to, airhorns, bullhorns, or whistles.

Brandishing is prohibited. Brandishing is defined as drawing, exhibiting, waving, or using any weapon, prop, or other item in an unsafe manner. Any such display of a weapon or prop in an aggressive or threatening manner, real or implied and regardless of intent, or any activity thought to be unsafe is strictly forbidden.

The only exception to brandishing prohibition is for photography, for a limited time period, and if you are clear of bystanders. You are allowed to pose as long as no reasonable person would interpet the pose as anything but safe. Please exercise caution as we want everyone to be safe. Misuse of prop or weapon is grounds for removal from the convention.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions about our policies. At Minnesota Comic Book Association (MNCBA) events, please ask at the entrance table for any concerns, questions, or clarifications.