Soonercon Convention Policies

Soonercon is dedicated to providing a harassment-free convention experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of convention participants in any form. Soonercon participants who violate these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the convention without a refund at the discretion of Soonercon or security staff.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Harassment includes: deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, repeatedly disregarding moderator or staff requests, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, and offensive verbal comments.

Exhibitors in booths, Artists Alley vendors, artists in the Art Show, game masters, and players are also subject to the anti-harassment policy, as are all programming participants.

If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the Soonercon staff may take any action they deem appropriate, including: warning the offender, expulsion from Soonercon with no refund, and/or disallowing future admission to the convention. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a convention staff member immediately. Convention staff can be identified by badge ribbons labeled “STAFF” and/ or “staff” t-shirts. Staff members will be visibly moving around all convention areas. Convention headquarters, security, and lost and found items are located at Registration.

In the event of any participant experiencing harassment, Soonercon staff will be happy to help them by contacting hotel/venue security or local law enforcement, providing escorts, or otherwise assisting to ensure that they feel safe for the duration of the convention. We value the attendance of every participant.

The Future Society of Central Oklahoma dba Soonercon recognizes that new mediums will periodically come about that creatives will want to explore and use in their works.

Existing trademark or copyright materials require express permission from the trademark/copyright holder to use in the construction and execution of items and works for sale that will use these images, models, files, et al to make a new work. Otherwise, these will not be allowed for sale. Soonercon abides by fair use standards when considering all fan art creative works being sold at the convention.

Soonercon does not allow AI-generated works for sale at the convention. At this time in the technology’s development and this new medium’s lifecycle, the original sourcing of the referential works used for many of these software tools remains ambiguous or uncredited, which is antithetical to our values; creators should be properly attributed for and/or compensated for their intellectual property being used to make new creations being sold for profit. There are also other legal considerations that have yet to be answered regarding the use of these referential images for AI software.

Digitally illustrated works are allowed for sale at the convention. These works should be made using the creator’s own drawing and technical skills along with their own software license(s) to use digital drawing tools. Photo manipulation is allowed; photos should be either the creator’s own image or a licensed-use image (paid stock images, attributable limited use permissions, etc.).

3D printed works are allowed for sale at the convention, with the following considerations:

• If creators model the 3D-printed piece themselves and print it themselves, these are allowed.
• Pursuant to fair use standards, if you 3D print a stock model and then heavily modify it to make it unique from its original state, this is allowed for sale.
• If you 3D print a stock model and then do almost nothing to demonstrate creativity and manipulation to make it a brand new creative work, then this type of item will not be allowed for sale.

We annually review and update our convention policies to align with current standards for such matters, as well as endeavor to abide by any statutory compliance requirements at all times.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the convention center. These can be consumed outside the facility, and in the hotel. Concessions are available inside the convention center, and these concession items may be consumed anywhere inside the event facility.

Personal water bottles may be used to refill with water at the numerous water stations placed throughout the convention center. Note that this bottle will be checked by security at the entry security checkpoints and may be checked by security upon request.

No food or beverage is allowed inside the Art Show or near the area designated for the Charity raffle during the convention. These spaces contain original artworks and unique collector’s items.”

Soonercon abides by all local, state, and federal laws in addition to facility policies regarding the use, possession, or distribution of illegal substances during the convention event. Violators are subject to arrest and prosecution, and your convention membership will be revoked without refund.

Please turn in found items to Con HQ at convention Registration. You can help us to return these items to their owners by describing when and where you found the items as well. Lost items should be reported to Con HQ, or to convention staff.

Soonercon reserves the right to refuse admission and membership or to remove anyone from the convention for any reason. Harassment of con attendees, staff, game masters, volunteers, guests, vendors, hotel and convention center employees or their vendors and guests will not be tolerated. Consequences for verbally or physically disruptive conduct may include membership revocation, ejection, and possible prosecution. Shoplifting is a crime and will be prosecuted, in addition to permanent revocation of membership.

All persons must possess a current year’s Soonercon membership to participate at any Soonercon function. Soonercon is the annual fundraiser for the Future Society of Central OK, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and is a membership-only event. See Article II – Membership of FSCOK’s bylaws for additional information. For Soonercon membership inquiries, email registration@soonercon.com.

Please be courteous before taking pictures. Ask for permission. Don’t photograph children without obtaining their parent or guardian’s consent.

All photography is prohibited inside the Art Show.

Soonercon staff may ask participants to disassemble or remove photography, video, and recording setups at any time.

By entering Soonercon, all attendees agree to have their photos taken by Soonercon staff and volunteers for promotional purposes. Soonercon agrees not to use the photos in any other manner besides promotion and not to sell the photos to any third party.

Memberships are non-refundable. The Event’s operating hours, schedules, guests, and activities are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Each Membership is a revocable license to attend the Event. Members are expected to abide by all Soonercon Rules and Polices. All panels, workshops, autographing, photo ops, special events, show features, and performances are subject to availability and access is not guaranteed and/or may require an additional fee.

All open room parties are requested to sign up with Soonercon’s Hotel Relations staff, located around the convention hotel’s registration and atrium seating area. There are signage boards provided to hang notices about your open room parties or social meetups. This is the ONLY place to hang party notices. We want you to enjoy your party/meetup to the fullest extent, and it helps us to know the plan. Email hotel@soonercon.com for more information.

Oklahoma law provides for NO SMOKING OR VAPING in any indoors public venue — which includes ALL Soonercon function spaces. That means you can only smoke outdoors in designated areas (patio areas, etc.). This policy includes vaporizers. Please vape outdoors. The Embassy Suites is a completely nonsmoking/non-vaping hotel indoors. Please dispose of all trash properly in the provided designated waste and recycling receptacles. Underage smoking/vaping is prohibited. The legal smoking age is 21.

No unauthorized solicitation is allowed during the convention, in any function space. Violators are subject to expulsion and arrest. Panhandling at the convention is also unacceptable.

Soonercon is a membership only event and as such open or concealed carry of functional firearms at Soonercon events is strictly prohibited.

All prop weapons must pass weapons check at convention Registration before entering the convention. Handle all props and weapons at your own risk.

Posing is fine. Take all the pictures you’d like, but DO NOT brandish any props or weapons at other attendees when not posing for a photo. Attendees may not shoot others with foam darts nor squirt them with water, etc. unless participating in con activities designated for this kind of play. Basically, no horseplay or roughhousing. This is considered harassing behavior and is not tolerated. Please help keep Soonercon inclusive and fun for everyone as you move through the convention spaces.

By federal law, any prop weapons that appear to be real firearms (airsoft, fabricated guns, replica, or formerly-functioning firearms, etc.) must have orange safety tipping that is clearly and visibly displayed on the tip of the prop’s barrel. Additionally, all triggering mechanisms (functional or not) will be zip-tied at weapons check for peace-bonding before the owner may enter the convention with the prop firearm. The only exception to this policy is for foam prop firearm triggers, to avoid indentions on the foam. Foam prop firearms must still display an orange safety tip.

Some prop weapons are not allowed at all: any type of functioning projectile weapon — loaded or unloaded — or any device that could be construed as a projectile weapon, with the exception of foam dart guns. Airsoft and paintball guns must be fully disabled, and no air puffs or other discharge should be detected on testing. Bows may be displayed, but arrows cannot have any tips and must remain inside a quiver or similar case at all times.

Daggers, knives, and swords are to be kept inside their sheaths or be belted, and then be peace-bonded. Illegal blades may be confiscated by security personnel or law enforcement at any time. Foam swords, knives, etc. do not require peace-bonding at weapons check.

All spears, staffs, and staves must be no longer than six feet and the end of said devices must never project more than 12” from the bearer’s body.

Bladed swords and similar weapons with a functional edge (“live steel”) will not be allowed in the convention, with limited exceptions: bladed weapons purchased onsite must remain sheathed and peace-bonded at all times, and proof of purchase must be provided upon request to retain the bladed weapon while inside the convention (it’s recommended that you take these purchases to your vehicle or hotel room as soon as possible). All blades regardless of size and material shall be covered, sheathed, or belted in all public areas and function spaces.

All allowable weapons must be peace-bonded, as applicable. The only exceptions to these rules are weapons that have been approved for display on stage during the Costume Contests (see Costume Contest Rules for more information) and during programming specifically designed for weapons display. Peace-bonding will be available at Registration weapons check and by the roving security personnel. If you have any questions about this policy, please ask or email info@soonercon.com.

The sale of firearms is strictly prohibited at Soonercon. Vendors are requested to contact exhibitors@soonercon.com with questions about saleable merchandise. Soonercon reserves the right to inspect and request removal of merchandise deemed unsuitable for sale at the convention event.

For Soonercon attendees, this means NO COSPLAY/COSTUMING with actual handguns, pistols, rifles, and/or shotguns. This is considered reckless handling of a firearm by Soonercon organizers and FSCOK. Law enforcement will be contacted, and you will be immediately disbarred for life from Soonercon membership. Let’s all stay safe and abide by local, state, and federal laws.