Rules & Policies

Do you have a question you'd like to ask? Please be sure to read over this page to make sure that your question has not been addressed already.

General

How old do I have to be to attend Ichibancon?

Answer: Ichibancon is an all ages event. Any panels or events that are mature in nature are scheduled late in the evening and identification is checked at the entrance for any event that is age-restricted.

I'm a minor. Do I have to be accompanied by an adult?

Answer: No. Some parents find it convenient to enjoy what the city of Charlotte has to offer while their child/children attend the convention. Guardians won't be required to purchase admission unless they choose to enter any of the function rooms (dealers' room, panel rooms, etc).

Do I need to stay at the hotel, in order to attend Ichibancon?

Answer: You do not need to stay at the hotel to attend the convention.

Is there programming on Thursday night? Will I need a badge?

Answer: Ichibancon is proud to be able to offer select programing and events on Thursday evening for those attendees who are already at the convention center. Registration will be open Thursday evening and all events will be for either weekend badge holders or those that purchase admission for Thursday night..

Do I need to bring my own food?

Answer: No. Although, if you are on a limited budget, you will probably find that bringing your own snacks and drinks will save you a lot of money. The location of the convention is surrounded by food establishments, both within the hotel itself and the community at large.

When will Ichibancon's schedule be available?

Answer: While we understand the desire of our attendees wanting the schedule before the convention so they can plan their weekend accordingly, Ichibancon generally does not post their schedule of events online until a couple weeks prior to the convention.

Admission

I pre-purchased admission but havn't received anything in the mail, where are my badges?

Answer: To avoid badges being lost in the mail or forgotten at home when you get to the con, badges are not mailed out. Rather they will be waiting for you at the convention at the registration table.

I pre-purchased admission. What do I need to bring to the con?

Answer: A print out of your paypal transaction (if you purchased online) or an ID if you purchased via mail. If you bought multiple pre-regs, just bring information pertaining to the person who purchased them. If mom bought 4 pre-regs for you and your friends and she won't be there, just let us know (it's no big deal).

I didn't pre-purchase admission, can I still buy admission at the door?

Answer: Yes. We accept cash and credit card payments at the door.

Location

Do I need to stay in the hotel in order to attend the convention?

Answer: No, you do not! You can stay wherever you like!

How old do I have to be to rent a room at the hotel?

Answer: You must be 21 years of age to book a room reservation.

Does the hotel charge to park?

Answer: No, parking is free

What is Ichibancon's behavior policy?

Anything that is illegal outside of the convention is illegal inside the convention.
Harassment isn't tolerated.
Lost Badges = Buy a new Badge.
- If you do lose your badge please check with Convention Operations (Con Op's) to see if it has been returned.
- Please return all “Found” badges to Con Ops.
- Proper identification MUST be provided in order for your lost badge to be returned to you.
- We suggest writing you name on the back of your badge.
Walkie-Talkie It is crucial the staff frequency stay open. The Frequency is used for emergency situations. We understand how easy it is to contact your friends via Walkie-Talkie. Keep all chat to Frequencies between channels 1-6. We don't want to but will confiscate your walkie-talkies. Don't ruin it for everyone.
Please no glomping. We've had casualties.
Please take mock battles outside (unless its part of an event).
*Note that behavioral policy is subject to perspective: if you are doing anything out of line; Ichibancon staff reserve the right to revoke your badge without question or fairness. Severe punishment will result in your expulsion from the hotel itself. All Staff decisions are final.
Please ask permission before touching a cosplayer, their costume, or their props.You are welcome to take photos, but please ask a cosplayer's permission to take a photo before asking them to pose.Harassment of others is not tolerated.

I purchased a sword or knife in the dealer room. Am I allowed to have it at the convention?

Answer: After purchasing a weapon that normally violates our weapons policy, it must remain in its packaging and be taken immediately to your room or car for storage.

Does Ichibancon have a weapon's policy?

Answer: Yes, see below.

Weapons NOT Permitted

No metal swords, knives, bayonets, cane-swords, and/or other objects made of metal, which have a sharp point or sharpened edge. Exceptions may be made for cosplayers during the masquerade.

No real or replica guns of any kind permitted. There are to be no:

Pellet guns
Air Guns
Mini or Pistol crossbows
Stun guns
Dart or Blowguns.

Exceptions may be made for cosplayers during the masquerade.

Exceptions regarding guns

Easily identifiable toy plastic guns with no moving parts and that have a clearly visible non-removable orange tip will be permitted. Resin models will be permitted as long as they are marked with clearly visible non-removable orange tip. Guns made entirely out of craft materials (foam, wood, pvc pipe and the like) are of course permitted.

Nunchakus are not permitted. Nunchaku made out ouf craft materials for cosplay purposes will be permitted in the halls so long as it is not misused. Exceptions otherwise may be made for cosplayers during the masquerade.

There are to be no explosives or chemicals of any kind, including but not limited to smoke powder, sparklers and fireworks.

Weapons Permitted

Wooden weapons that are permitted:

staffs
walking sticks
bokken and other wooden swords.
toothpicks

Fake or made-up weaponry (example: made of wood, plastic, foam, plaster of Paris, cloth etc) are permitted if they are safe and not dangerous to the other con-goers around you. For example, dangerous conditions include but are not limited to wires sticking out, items that trip passersby, clothes lining a member, etc.

Please limit the size of the weapons to less than 8 feet in height and weighing less than 50 pounds. If you do happen to make something heavy, make sure you are able to carry it without a problem.

Behavior with weapons

Misuse of any weapon, such as swinging it in a public area or causing hazards to passerby, will get your privilege revoked immediately.

If we deem a weapon to be unsafe for the con, we will ask you to store the unsafe weapon in your private quarters (i.e.: your room or car). If there is a repeat offense, we will escort you out of the convention and off of convention grounds so that you can place the weapon in your private quarters; if the weapon is illegal, we will turn it in to the appropriate authorities.

Any weapon purchased in the dealers' room that is boxed, should remain boxed and stored in your private quarters. Weapons are not to be taken out of their packaging or wrappings while at the convention.

All objects brought into the convention may be checked and considered by Ichibancon staff. You may be asked to have your weapons peace bonded at the con.

All questionable items will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Anything deemed illegal outside the convention is deemed illegal inside the convention premises. All Ichibancon staff decisions on weapons are final.

Does Ichibancon have a dress code?

Answer: Yes. Please read on…

Shirts, clothing, costumes, or signs promoting pedophilia are strictly prohibited.

Please do not wear clothing with distasteful messages or words.

Proper footwear is required at all times. An exception is made for cosplayers during the masquerade.

No rollerblades or rollerskates. An exception is made for cosplayers during the masquerade.

Short skirts, kilts, etc must be accompanied by proper underwear. Ineffective underwear or a lack thereof constitutes indecent exposure. Offenders may be turned over to law enforcement.

Are signs or messages/words written on my body permitted?

Answer: Yes, but they must stay tasteful.

Can I sell stuff?

Answer: No. Unless you are part of the artist alley or dealers room you cannot sell anything. The exception to this is the Otaku Flea Market where you will be allowed to sell your unwanted anime & manga related items. Glow sticks, energy drinks, crafted items, and art are never permitted (except for AA and dealer room).

Panels

I'm interested in running a panel at Ichibancon. How do I submit one?

Answer: You can find the submission form under the “events” section of the website.

We welcome all who are interested in running a panel to apply and submit their ideas, however do to scheduling and limited space not every submitted panel will be approved for Ichibancon.

When will I find our is my panel is approved for Ichibancon?

Answer: Panel approval emails will start going out in late November, and pending on the schedule, will continue to go out until the schedule is finalized.

How does panel reimbursement work?

Answer: All panelists who complete their programming are entitled to reimbursement towards their badge. The rate is 1/3rd of the badge price per hour of programming completed. Reimbursement can be picked up in ConOps on Sunday.

Cosplay-Related

Do I have to wear a costume in order to attend the convention?

Answer: No, you do not. Costumes are entirely optional.

Do I have to make my costume myself in order to wear it at the convention?

Answer: No, you do not! Many people wear costumes bought online, via ebay or through commissioners. There's no harm in doing so if you'd like to dress up!

Am I allowed to cosplay from non-Japanese sources? (Movies, comic books, western animation, original creation)

Answer: By all means, dress up as anything you want, as long as it's family-friendly of course!