Security, Safety, & Wellness

We value the health, safety, and security of our attendees, exhibitors, and guests at all Altered Reality Entertainment (ARE) events. We work closely with the venue management, public health officials, as well as local, state and federal law enforcement to develop safety and security plans for each event. These policies apply to every participant in any ARE event including all exhibitors, attendees, guests, press, and staff members. Every event participant should be aware of the following procedures at our events:

  • You are required to wear the event ID badges/credentials provided to you

  • Security safeguarding measures including:

    • Badge/ticket verification

    • Physical screening/bag checks

    • Monitored and recorded security surveillance/CCTV

    • Uniformed and covert security guards

    • Crowd management, signage and barriers, as necessary

  • Security measures may include:

    • Walkthrough or handheld metal detectors

    • Uniformed and covert police

 

Every event participant is requested to:

  • Leave appropriate time to comply with entry requirements and remain patient and courteous while undertaking security checks

  • Monitor your health in accordance with the health and safety acknowledgement

  • Keep personal property with you at all times and do not leave any items unattended. ARE and the event/venue staff are not responsible for lost or missing property

  • Report anything that looks unusual, suspicious, or out of place to a member of security or event staff

  • Always carry a recognized form of photo ID

  • Comply with all event policies, signage and the instructions of event staff. Operational adjustments may occur throughout the event

  • Please be aware of, and respect, the personal boundaries of your fellow participants so that everyone can enjoy their time at the event

 

Code of Conduct

ARE strives to create and maintain an environment where all people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. As such, we expect every participant to behave appropriately throughout the event in accordance with this Code of Conduct. Please be aware of and respect the personal boundaries of your fellow participants so that everyone can enjoy their time at the event. ARE has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind including, but not limited to:

  • stalking

  • intimidation

  • offensive verbal comments

  • physical assault and/or battery

  • threats

  • harassing or non-consensual photography or recording

  • sustained disruption of presentations and other events

  • bathroom policing

  • inappropriate physical contact

  • unwelcome physical attention

  • sexually explicit, suggestive and/or provocative behavior or signage

  • hate symbols in relation to, but not limited to:

        • race

        • gender

        • gender identity

        • gender presentation

        • sexual orientation

        • age

        • body size

        • disability

        • appearance

        • religion

        • citizenship

 

If a person engages in behavior that violates this Code of Conduct at any time, ARE will take prompt action in any form deemed appropriate, including expulsion from the event with no refund.

Please note that anyone can report harassment to event staff/security at any time. If someone’s behavior has made you uncomfortable, or if you witness harassment happening to someone else, you should immediately contact event staff/security.

 

Prohibited Activities

Each participant is solely responsible for their own conduct while participating in the event. Guardians are solely responsible for the conduct of any minors participating in any part of the event.

Each participant agrees that they will not do any of the following “Prohibited Activities” in connection with the event:

​

• interfere with, damage, or engage in any act which disrupts the operation of the event in any way, including but not limited to, obstructing aisles, entrances or exits, running, cutting in line, saving places in lines for others, jumping over barriers or guardrails, using foul language, disobeying any time limits, directions provided by ARE/venue staff, or prevent any other participant from participating in the event by any means

• distribute, wear, transmit, upload, display or otherwise circulate any content which is defamatory, obscene, pornographic, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, harassing, threatening, abusive, or inflammatory

• harvest, collect, or attempt to collect the personal information, email addresses or other contact information of other participants in the event without the consent

• access any unauthorized part of the event designated as only for staff use

• smoke within the venue, which includes, but is not limited to, cigarettes, vape pens, and marijuana

• no outside food or drink will be allowed into the venue

• drink or possess alcohol within the venue outside of the specifically designated areas. No one under the age of 21 may consume alcohol within or around the venue.

• assault, steal, fight, engage in or incite violence of any kind, including, but not limited to, verbal threats of violence

• possess and/or use any of the following prohibited items in connection with the event:

  • a firearm, ammunition, knife, or weapon of any kind

  • fireworks or other explosive or flammable objects

  • strollers which are greater than 31” in width and 52” in length

  • folding chairs

  • selfie sticks

  • balloons

 

Note: Toys, replicas, and cosplay props are welcome but must be checked by event security to ensure they fall within safety guidelines before being allowed within the event. All weapons must be foam (swords) and orange-tipped (guns). No wood or metal weapons are allowed.

 

 

Health & Wellness Information

As part of the ARE commitment to health and wellness, we’ve implemented guidelines and requirements based on local, state and federal public health guidance. Every participant should review the details and requirements below to better understand what to expect at the event.

 

Daily Health Monitoring

All participants must review and confirm they are able to comply with the Health & Safety Acknowledgement below prior to arriving at the event. Anyone who is not feeling well or begins to experience symptoms at any time during the event should contact and follow the guidance of their physician. 

 

Health & Safety Acknowledgement

Please be advised that a risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any event or public space. Even though vaccination is not required, nor are the use of masks regardless of vaccination status, please ensure you have read the latest  CDC Guidelines for Prevention prior to registering for the event.  

By attending  the event,  you acknowledge this inherent risk on behalf of yourself and/or any minor attending the event for which you serve as Guardian:

  • You will abide by all terms of admission and participation (as may be updated from time to time) and event health-and-safety requirements 

  • You are not currently experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19

  • You are not currently infected with COVID-19 and that prior to attending the event you have not been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms

 

Please do not enter the event or the event venue if you cannot confirm all of the above criteria. 

 

 

Medical & Emergency Services

Please contact event or venue staff/security if you require medical or emergency assistance. Medical services, including emergency medical technicians are available on-site.

 

Accessibility

ARE is dedicated to continually improving our efforts to ensure fully accessible events for people with disabilities. Accessibility wristbands are available upon arrival to the event at the box office.

​

Accessibility Wristband Allows:

  • Access to the celebrity and photo ops fast pass lanes 

  • Priority seating at panels.

  • Access to the VIP entrances after your first visit to the box office. (this does not mean you get the VIP perks)

​

One (1) health assistant will be allowed to piggyback on the accessibly wristband. They MUST purchase a ticket to the show to be allowed in.

​

If you have any specific requirements regarding accessibility, please contact us directly through our contact form.

 

Sensory Deprivation Rooms

Sensory Deprivation Rooms are available on an event by event basis. To find out if the ARE event you are attending provides Sensory Deprivation Rooms, please contact us directly through our contact form.

ell on almost every site.