POLICIES

WELCOME TO PONIEXPO!

PoniExpo is an event where like-minded individuals share their creativity and enjoyment of Western Animation and My Little Pony fan cultures with us and raise money for a local charity in the community. Where we can be ourselves, make lifelong memories rooted in our local community, and make new friends.

GENERAL RATING

  • PoniExpo is an all-ages event and is rated as PG-13 and under.
  • Children 14 and under must always have a parent or legal guardian present. Staff cannot be your babysitters.
  • Minors between the ages of 15 and 17 are allowed to attend without a parent or guardian. Regardless, they are the sole responsibility of the children even when not present.
  • Panels not in the Mane Theater after 7 p.m. may have a rating above PG-13 due to content and the requirement that the parent or legal guardian be present with the youth.
  • Any topic and subject content considered 18+ is not permitted to maintain the overall rating of the event.
  • SAFETY TIP: Youth should never leave the event premises with strangers. If a Junior Speedster decides to leave early, go to the hotel room or home, please notify a family member, a parent, or a guardian.

PONIEXPO RIGHTS

  1. All badges are the property of PoniExpo for the duration of scheduled activities and act as proof of payment for the attendee’s access to the event premises. Badges are non-transferable and must be used by the same individual during their valid period. Modified, tampered with, or copied badges will be revoked and declared void.
  1. A valid PoniExpo sponsorship badge is required for admission into special events under the sponsorship tiers.
  1. Badges must be visible in the convention space and shown to Ponies Exposition staff upon request.
  1. Badges are issued to the person registered for the event and cannot be shared at any time. If found to be shared, we have a right to take the badge from the original holder and remove the person wearing the shared badge from the event premises.
  1. We have a right to take photographs of attendees and, with their consent, video and audio recordings of events and panels at the MANE THEATER for use by official PoniExpo publicity in all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide in perpetuity.
  1. We reserve the right to modify, reschedule, relocate, restrict the number of attendees, or cancel events, panels, and activities at the last minute due to circumstances beyond our control. Every effort to announce any last-minute changes will be known beforehand on PoniExpo’s website and social media.
  1. We reserve the right to modify or update the policy at any time without prior notice.
  1. Buyers assume responsibility for all goods and services purchased. Any transactions are made between the individual vendors and attendees only. Ponies Exposition makes no warranties or guarantees concerning goods and services provided by the vendors.
  1. PoniExpo is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property.
  1. PoniExpo is not responsible for any injury sustained during the event.
  1. Policy violation may result in forfeiture of your Membership Badge, expulsion from the event space, or permanent ban. If you have questions, please ask at the Info Desk located by Registration.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT/SERVICE ANIMALS

Attendees can bring their emotional support and service dogs, known as working animals, to join us at the event. These dogs may look cute and act friendly, but they are not pets. They are here to help their handlers navigate the event grounds and provide essential health-related services. We expect everyone to follow these simple rules:

  • Please do not distract these working dogs by offering pets, treats, calls, or reaching for them.
  • If you wish to compliment the handler on their working dog, please do so directly to the handler, not the dog.
  • Parents and Guardians, please remind your foals, colts, fillies, and friends that no matter how cute these working dogs are, they are not pets unless the handler gives the initial offer to interact with them.

CODE OF CONDUCT

PoniExpo expects respectful and courteous behaviour from attendees, guests, and staff members. The key is to use good judgment and respect others who attend the event by following this simple Code of Conduct:

  • Everyone who attends must comply with all Federal, State, and Local Laws, ordinances, and regulations.
  • When a staff member instructs the attendees, they are required to follow. If the instructions are unreasonable, please address any concerns to the lead or director of that department. All decisions made by the directors and chair are final.
  • Only registered attendees can access the event space.
  • Panelists may ask not to take photographs or video recordings at their panel. Please comply with their requests.
  • Merchandise sales are ONLY ALLOWED in the Marketplace or designated area by the exposition staff.
  • SAFETY TIP: PoniExpo suggests all attendees to follow the 6-2-1 Rule:

6 hours of sleep

2 meals

1 shower per day

  • Please always ask for help or help from our staff, who are there for you.
  • Please don’t hesitate to talk to event or hotel staff if you see anything suspicious.
  • Take good care of yourself and watch out for each other.

We are here to ensure everyone will have a safe time. Feel free to ask our staff members for assistance. Remember, all staff, guests, and attendees came to have fun at the Festival of Friendship for My Little Pony fans.

DRESS CODE

All clothing, cosplay, and fursuits are subject to PG-13 Rating and Non-Harassment Policy.

  • Failure to be appropriately clothed or anything that reveals that goes beyond a PG-13 rating is not permitted.
  • If you wear a cosplay costume or fursuit and have limited visibility or mobility, we recommend having a handler help you navigate and assist on the event premises.
  • All cosplay and fursuits worn in the event premises must not impede traffic flow and fit through a standard doorway.
  • Hateful and provocative displays on shirts, pants, cosplay costumes, fursuits, flags, props, or any items violating the Non-Harassment Policy are prohibited.
  • Fursuits are not allowed in the hotel pool.
  • Collars and leashes part of the Fursuits are allowed, but the handler/persons cannot be led around in public areas of the hotel and event premises.
  • No prop weapons, which may be confused with a functional firearm

Cosplay costumes and fursuits determined to exceed the convention rating are at the sole discretion of PoniExpo.

PROP/WEAPON POLICY

Real weapons of any kind are NOT permitted at the Hotel and PoniExpo:

  • Functional firearms.
  • Prop and realistic replica firearms may be confused with functional firearms.
  • Sharpened metal-blade weapons (swords, spears).
  • Functional projectile weapons, including silly string and Nerf guns, even a party canon.
  • Whips, Mace, and Tasers.
  • Water Guns and Balloons.
  • Explosive and Chemical Weapons
  • Blunt Weapons which cause bodily harm and injury (brass knuckles, nunchakus, bo staff, and clubs).
  • Instruments that cause excessive noise, like horns and vuvuzelas.
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Drones
  • To carry a prop at PoniExpo, it must be non-functional and peace-bonded at the registration desk.
  • Any bow-type prop must be unstrung or incapable of holding tension.
  • All props will be judged on a case-by-case basis that does not violate the weapon/prop policy.
  • Only props part of a cosplay, fursuit, or costume will be allowed.
  • You must be in costume to carry a peace-bonded prop.
  • Props must not impede traffic flow and be easily fit through a standard doorway.
  • Using props in an unsafe or threatening manner may result in your peace bonding being revoked, and you will be required to remove the prop from the event premises immediately.
  • If signs are an integral part of the cosplay, fursuit, or costume, they are subject to peace bonding.

Failure to comply with the removal of a prohibited prop will result in loss of your badge and expulsion from PoniExpo.

NON-HARASSMENT POLICY

PoniExpo has a zero-tolerance policy on harassment of any shape or form and is limited to:

  • Any behaviour that intentionally annoys, threatens, or frightens others.
  • Physical assault, battery, stalking, bathroom policing, misgendering, misidentifying, deliberate intimidation, non-consensual physical contact, or attention.
  • Dress, speech, or conduct that threatens, intimidates, targets, or otherwise intends to cause stress to other attendees, guests, and staff.
  • Do not bully, use slurs, or express any act of hatred towards anyone’s physical or mental disability, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, skin coloration, age, body and physical attributes, pregnancy, race, marital status, ethnicity and national origin, citizenship status, foreign language spoken, socioeconomic status, ancestry, military or veteran status, religion or creed (or lack thereof).
  • Do not corner people socially – give them space if they look apprehensive or trapped.
  • Bathroom recordings or violating intimate personal space.

Please take “NO” for any request or activity as FINAL. Your business with that person is done, and you should not attempt to initiate further contact with that person. Continue to contact the person who said no and will remove you from the premises.

Remember the Golden Rule, “Treat others as you would want them to treat you.”

COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT

You may not touch, hug, take a photo, or record without the Cosplayer’s consent. Always ask first!

“YES” means YES

“No” means NO

“Maybe” means NO

“GO AWAY MEANS GO AWAY“

Any behaviour or action that may significantly interfere with event operations, create excessive discomfort for other attendees, or adversely affect the convention’s relationship with its guests, hotel, or the public is strictly forbidden. It may result in forfeiture of the Membership Badge from the holder and expulsion from the vent premises.

  • SAFETY TIP: If you are being harassed, followed, or threatened, immediately contact a nearby staff member or the registration desk.

We are here for you to make sure your experience is safe and fun!

PROHIBITED ACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

The following prohibited actions and activities at the event:

  • Conduct unauthorized commercial transactions on event premises without PoniExpo’s consent.
  • Commercial advertisements or promotional material, such as signs, flyers, cards, or other products or services, may be distributed without PoniExpo’s consent.
  • No Soliciting
  • Any action that impedes traffic flow creates a potential or actual hazard or interferes with hotel and PoniExpo operation. Therefore, we will ask the responsible individual(s) to relocate or discontinue their actions.
  • Any noise or music that is deemed loud and disruptive.
  • Smoking / Vaping inside the hotel, event premises, and the surrounding parking lot. Please smoke or vape in the dirt lot area in front or away from the hotel side entrance at least 20 feet away.
  • Possessing any open can, bottle, or other receptacle containing alcoholic beverages.
  • Possessing any illegal substance in or around the hotel.
  • Using Roller Blades / Roller Skates / Skateboards / Hoverboards / Non-ADA Scooters / Segways

LOST AND FOUND

If you lose an item, please check at the Expo Office. We may have your lost item here and the first place to check—a report describing the item along with contact information with us. We will contact the owner for any item that fits the description. Items left behind will be held for 30 days after the end of the event before they are either thrown away or donated.

POLICY MAY CHANGE

The policies listed herein are subject to change at any time as necessary by PoniExpo to maintain the safety and enjoyment of the event. Please note that the policies published in the Convention Guide will be condensed and may need to be updated and completed. Always check poniexpo.org/policies for current and up-to-date information and at the Registration Desk for general review.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All logos, original characters, event names, and descriptions directly associated with PoniExpo are held and reserved exclusively. PoniExpo owns any private or commercial use of our logos, original characters, other characters designed, and their depictions, properties, and likenesses.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about our Code of Conduct or other policies. You can report any violations to any staff member at PoniExpo. Violations of our policies will result in a warning, although corrective action may be taken to help attendees better understand and comply with our rules.

  • Please Note: We have a zero-tolerance policy towards certain behaviours, such as harassment, illegal drug use, assault, and others. We will take immediate action upon detecting such behaviour, and our staff is fully committed to working with you to address any issues. We welcome any feedback or questions you may have concerning the event. Please feel free to contact us at info@poniexpo.org.