Rules of Conduct

All Furvester attendees are required to abide by these Rules of Conduct for the entire duration of their stay. Any questions or inquiries about any of these rules may be submitted prior to the convention to securityfurvester.org.

General

1. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
2. Any action or behavior that causes significant interference with convention operations, excessive discomfort to other attendees, or adversely affects Furvester's relationship with its guests, its venues or the public is strictly forbidden and may result in an expulsion from the convention. This general rule supersedes all others listed below and may be invoked at any time.
3. Harassment of any kind, including, but not limited to, physical or verbal assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcome physical attentions, will not be tolerated.
4. Nothing except a continuing, sober, and enthusiastic "YES" is considered consent. A fursuit is not consent.
5. You are liable for any damage you might cause. As accidents happen, please take the initiative and inform Security of any damage.
6. Instructions from the Security or the venue personnel must be followed at all times. Any infringement may result in sanctions.
7. Any violation of these rules that also constitutes a breach of valid law will be escalated to the proper authorities (e.g. theft, harassment, weapons or controlled substance violations, etc.).

Clothing and Decency

1. The fursuit lounge is meant as a safe haven for the fursuiters. Due to limited space, only fursuiters, Furvester Crew, venue personnel, and one helper per fursuiter are allowed in. Others will be asked to leave. The fursuit lounge crew reserves the right to ask any person to remove themselves, or be removed, from the fursuit lounge.
2. Displaying NSFW items (art, objects, etc.) is not permitted in public areas.
3. Furvester wants to cultivate an open and welcoming culture through furry costumes and how you choose to express yourself through them. Generally, if it is permissible on the streets, it is allowed in the venue, however, in extreme cases, our staff may ask you to change, or cover up. You are expected to comply.
4. The following rules apply to costumes or accessories. When in doubt, please contact our Security prior to the convention (securityfurvester.org). Decisions made during the convention by Security are final and not up for debate.
5. Costumes and accessories are generally permitted if:
   • They do not harm or endanger the reputation, finances, or materials of Furvester
   • They do not harm or endanger the relations with our venue
   • They do not harm or endanger any Furvester attendees (including crew, and yourself)
6. The following items are never permitted inside the convention spaces:
   • Costumes or accessories that are visibly anatomically correct or indecently revealing the wearer's own private anatomy
   • Costumes, accessories, or gear whose primary function is sexual as opposed to fashion
   • Costumes, accessories, or other items made out of real fur
   • Costumes, accessories, or other items that otherwise violate parts of the Rules of Conduct

Parties, Events, and Gatherings

1. Security is required to clear out overcrowded rooms and spaces.
2. All attendees are expected to clean up after themselves both in public spaces and in their rooms (e.g. after parties, confetti cannons, larger items of trash, etc.).
3. Parties in convention spaces can be permitted if requested through Events. You will be required to name a responsible person for your party.
4. If you wish to host an event in which the regular "Clothing and Decency" Rules are to be relaxed, this must be coordinated with the Events Team (eventsfurvester.org) at least sixty (60) days prior to the convention.

Venue

1. The consumption of food and drink purchased outside the venue is not permitted. Exceptions for personal, medically necessary amounts, can be made.
2. Sleeping in the venue is not permitted.
3. Under no circumstances are items made of glass permitted in the Main Stage.
4. It is prohibited to enter restricted areas of the venue or the convention (e.g. backstage, convention storage or service areas, etc.).
5. Disabling or tampering with fire detection devices, suppression equipment, or fire doors will result in an immediate expulsion from the convention. Exceptions are allowed only when coordinated prior to the convention with Security no later than sixty (60) days before the convention (securityfurvester.org).
6. Personal music players such as bluetooth speakers or boom boxes may not be used in a way that may disturb any bystanders. Noise, or loud music or loud conversation, outside the venue after 22:00 is not allowed. If it can be heard from the edge of the venue property, it is too loud.
7. It is strictly forbidden to throw anything out, or hang anything out, of any windows, balconies or any other elevated location. If any such items fall (items to dry, flags, etc.) it is the attendee's responsibility to retrieve it, or have it retrieved.
8. Any electrical device used in the venue must have a CE Certification or have been checked by an electrician.
9. Driving on the venue grounds requires prior permission. Contact securityfurvester.org no later than thirty (30) days before the convention if needed.
10. It is prohibited to operate any kind of aircraft, including drones, in or around the venue.
11. Lighter-than-air balloons are prohibited inside the venue.
12. No pets are permitted in the venue. Only medically necessary assistance dogs (Assistenzhunden gem. AHundV) are permitted. Please carry proper documentation and identification with you at all times.

Registration

1. You must be 18 years or older as of the first day of the convention to attend Furvester.
2. Only registered attendees are allowed in the convention spaces.
3. Your badge is only valid for you, may not be shared with another person, must be worn on display in the venue at all times and must be presented and/or surrendered to Security upon request. Loaning your badge or in any way allowing it to be used to impersonate you, will result in sanctions for you and any other persons involved.
4. When picking up your badge, a valid photo ID must be presented which matches the data entered during registration.
5. Payments are non-refundable. A paid registration may be transferred prior to the convention by contacting registrationfurvester.org.
6. Changing or obscuring information on your badge is not allowed.

Communicable Diseases

1. Whether masks or vaccination will be required will depend on the regulations in effect at the time of the convention. If you show symptoms of being sick, you are expected to take proper precautions (i.e. mask, hand sanitizer, social distancing, etc.) and are expected to follow the advice of Furvester crew regarding the same.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

1. Any individual found to be in possession of or distributing illegal or controlled substances may be expelled from the convention and reported to the local authorities. This includes "legal highs" such as nitrous oxide.
2. Smoking and vaping is only allowed in the designated areas outside of the building. Please respect fursuiters when smoking or vaping. You are liable for any damages resulting from any alarms that you cause.
3. The possession or consumption of any kind of cannabis product is prohibited on the venue premises. Exceptions may be made in the event of a medical need. Please contact Security no later than 30 days prior to the convention.
4. If you choose to imbibe, you are expected to do so responsibly. You will be held accountable for what you do, under the influence or not. Drinking or smoking to the point of requiring medical attention is grounds for sanctions by Security.
5. Our Security and Medic crew are trained to treat everybody with respect and according to their level of intoxication. We will gladly discuss any "next steps" with you to find the best solution for your health and safety. If you are intoxicated to the point of requiring medical attention, we expect you to cooperate with our teams in a timely manner.

Weapons and Fireworks

1. Fireworks, or any kind of pyrotechnic equipment is prohibited on venue premises.
2. It is not permitted to ignite or use fireworks or other kinds of explosives in a manner that brings disrepute to the convention. This includes using any surrounding areas for fireworks. The area around the Venue is a pyrotechnic free zone by city ordinance.
3. All weapon look-alikes, LARP props, replicas, tools, weapon-like toys, or any other object which can be suitable for inflicting injuries or do damage to property must be approved immediately after your registration on site. If an item is illegal, don't bring it.
4. Security reserves the right to have any person carrying a forbidden item removed from the premises.
5. No water pistols, silly string, or any thrown or projectile-type toy may be used inside the venue without prior written permission from Security.
6. Mock fights, swordplay, fire breathing or similarly dangerous activities are not allowed. Exceptions for staged events may be granted prior to the convention by Security.

Photography and Video

1. Furvester grants you the right to create and use photographs, film, or audio recordings ("media") at the convention for any private and/or non-commercial purposes. You grant Furvester the right to a non-exclusive, unlimited right of use for all types of utilization for all media, which is created by you on the venue premises and that is being published (e.g. if you post it publicly, Furvester may use it.)
2. Commercial photography requires approval at least thirty (30) days prior to the convention by contacting securityfurvester.org.
3. Using media in for-profit publications requires written permission by one of our Directors. This permission may be requested by submitting the material in question to teamfurvester.org.
4. The media team of Furvester can film and take photos in all public areas for the use of publication. All pictures and videos taken by the media team may be used in such publications without release or compensation. Only in case of expected privacy will a release be required for such media.
5. It is prohibited to film or take photos in the fursuit lounge.
6. Other restrictions and rules may apply for certain events, as posted on location. Please ask Security for clarification.

Bottom Line

The Rules of Conduct are not up for debate during the convention. The Security crew, recognizable by their blue/yellow lanyards, will enforce these rules. If you have any problem with any action taken by a Furvester Team member you may take the matter up with the Head of Security or the Chairman. If you feel that you are in imminent danger, contact Security via the posted phone numbers in the convention spaces.

Have fun, be nice to each other, and we will all have a great time!