Safety Policies
Rules of BostonFIG
In order to keep all BostonFIG events safe and family-friendly, we ask that you respect our simple rules. We ask that you behave in a responsible manner and treat others as you would like to be treated. If any of the rules are broken, you may be asked to leave the premises without a refund:
1. Respect the space; food and drink only where allowed, no alcohol or other intoxicating substances on site unless specifically sanctioned by BostonFIG.
2. Respect each other; be kind, be clear, be courteous.
3. Respect the hosting venue; our hosting campuses or venues, and our designated BostonFIG spaces.
Liability Statement
BostonFIG founders, event organizers, volunteers, contractors and sponsors will not be held liable for any damage to or loss of personal items. The aforementioned parties will not be held liable for punitive, incidental, consequential or special damages whether or not such damages could have been foreseen and/ or prevented. None of the aforementioned parties will be held liable for any personal injury that transpires during/on the premises of this event. In addition, you understand that you may be criminally charged for inappropriate actions (defined as “any action an event organizer deems inappropriate”) you commit while the event is taking place.
Video/Audio/Photo Likeness Release
BostonFIG is a public, family-friendly event. Smartphones and cameras are everywhere. You understand that by attending BostonFIG, you’re likely to be filmed, photographed or recorded, and these images may be used for promotional purposes. If you are uncomfortable with someone taking your photo, please inform them of your desire to not be photographed/filmed/recorded. If you are wearing a visible “no photos” bracelet, your images will not be used online. BostonFIG also reserves the right to use your photos/videos with proper credit to promote our events. Thank you for keeping BostonFIG a safe, fun event for everyone.
Code of Conduct
By attending our events and programs (in person or virtually) you are agreeing to our Code of Conduct.
BostonFIG is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, age, or preferred gaming console. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.
Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to any of the above mentioned protected classes, as well as sexual imagery in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Exhibitors in the showcases, sponsor or vendor booths, or similar activities are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. In particular, exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender, expulsion from the venue with no refund, or alerting the authorities. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of conference staff immediately. We have a zero tolernace policy when it comes to formal complaints– you will be asked to leave.
Conference staff can be identified by volunteers wearing T-shirts with the word STAFF on the back. Conference staff will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.
We value your attendance.
COVID-19 Policies
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last five days, please STAY HOME. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or believe have been exposed in the last five days, please do not attend the convention – instead, send email after the convention and once we confirm that your badge has not been picked up, we’ll issue a refund.
If you test positive or are exhibiting symptoms for Covid-19 during or after the convention, we ask that you and those that you were in close contact with notify us via email, and do not return to the convention.
Mask Policy
All BostonFIG 2024 attendees over the age of 5 are required to wear a mask while they are present in any of the official function spaces of the convention. This includes all event rooms and connecting hallways that constitute the convention’s presence at Cyclorama, as well as adjacent outdoor spaces.
While in non-convention areas of Cyclorama, BostonFIG 2024 attendees will be encouraged to wear masks, but it will not be mandated. This includes outdoor spaces.
The mask MUST fully cover both the nose and mouth. While we recommend KN95 or N95 masks for maximum protection, a surgical or cloth mask that fully covers both the nose and mouth will be acceptable. If your mask does not appear to be sufficient, as judged by BostonFIG management, you may be asked to change to something more suitable.
Surgical masks will be available onsite.
Attendees are permitted to temporarily lower their mask in order to eat or drink in short increments. However, if other attendees are visibly or verbally uncomfortable with someone’s interpretation of “VERY short increments”, that person may need to relocate to a more acceptable area of the venue for a short period of time to finish whatever they are consuming. Multiple failures to honor this policy may result in ejection from the convention without a refund.