At Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA), we pride ourselves on giving our attendees the best experience we can in the safest and most inclusive environment possible. If you have any concerns about your safety or the safety of other attendees while at FWA, please contact us immediately. We cannot help if we don’t know it’s happening.
If you see something…say something! If you witness any behavior during an FWA event that makes you concerned for your safety, the safety of others, or the safety of the event, please reach out to a member of our staff or leadership team. FWA Con Operations (Con Ops) is responsible for safety during the event, but any uniformed staff member can assist you with locating an appropriate resource.
All formally submitted complaints or concerns will be documented and investigated by an appropriate member of our staff or leadership team within a reasonable amount of time. If you have a complaint or concern regarding another attendee, possible attendee, staff member, volunteer or vendor, we ask that you contact us at [email protected].
If there is an immediate threat to health or personal safety, please call 911 immediately.
Furry Weekend Atlanta reserves the right to revoke or suspend membership and passes, without refunds, for not following our attendee policies and code of conduct. Criminal matters will be immediately handed over to law enforcement.
Memberships and Convention Space: “Convention space” is defined as all areas leased by Furry Weekend Atlanta for the convention. This includes all event space, hotel ballrooms, suites, other miscellaneous rooms, or vehicles that may be under Furry Weekend Atlanta’s control.
Members granted access to Furry Weekend Atlanta and its convention space will be identified by a convention membership wristband. Membership wristbands are the property of Furry Weekend Atlanta for the duration of the convention and must be visibly displayed at all times when in convention space. They must be presented or surrendered to any staff member upon request.
Furry Weekend Atlanta membership wristbands are issued to a single individual and are not to be shared or duplicated in any way, shape or form. Any person using a membership wristband other than their own will have that wristband confiscated and will be asked to either purchase a valid membership or leave the convention space. Any member knowingly allowing another person to use their wristband will have their membership revoked and may be banned from the convention and convention space indefinitely.
Should your wristband be lost or stolen, you must visit registration to have the wristband deactivated immediately upon discovering that it is lost. Furry Weekend Atlanta will replace your wristband as a courtesy, at no cost to you. However, if Furry Weekend Atlanta finds suspicious activity with your membership, Furry Weekend Atlanta reserves the right to request that you purchase a full-price membership to replace the lost wristband.
If your wristband is too tight, or if you need to cut or remove your wristband for any reason, please bring all pieces of it along with ID to registration as soon as possible for a replacement.
Registration is the primary source of income for Furry Weekend Atlanta and therefore acts of forgery or falsification of registration information are taken very seriously. Anyone found with a forged wristband or found to have provided false registration information, including payment information, will be removed from convention space and barred from attending future Furry Weekend Atlanta Conventions. Anyone repeatedly attempting to enter the convention without a legitimately purchased or obtained membership is subject to arrest for criminal trespass and theft of services.
Lifetime Membership Registration: As of our event in 2022, Furry Weekend Atlanta now offers a Lifetime Membership to its attendees. Attendees who purchase the Lifetime Membership will receive an attending level membership for every year that the event exists. Lifetime Memberships, and the associated yearly attending registration is not transferable, even if the lifetime member is unable to attend. If, for any reason, a Lifetime Membership holder is removed from the convention, their membership for that year will be revoked and they will not be permitted to return for the remainder of the event that year. Depending on the severity of the infraction, the Lifetime Membership may be revoked without refund.
Rating: All public spaces in the hotel are to be considered under a PG-13 rating. Please keep in mind that other patrons of the hotel and possibly minors may be present, and your behavior reflects on the fandom as a whole. All daytime convention programming will have no more than a PG-13 rating. Some evening events may be rated 18+, sometimes referred to as “After Dark” or “AD” events. After Dark events may feature mature topics and strong language, and minors will not be permitted to attend these events. These events are verified and properly marked on our schedule. Nightly DJs and other performances may contain strong language and content not suitable for all audiences. As such, DJs and other performances occurring after 9:00p are considered “Rated R.”
After Dark (AD) marked events: Certain events scheduled after 9:00pm each day of the convention are considered “After Dark'' events. This means that the content inside of the event is mature in nature and anyone under 18 years old will not be permitted to attend. After Dark events will be clearly noted as such and may occur in Panel Rooms, Ball Rooms, Hotel Suites, or other specifically marked areas. Common space inside of the hotel must be suitable for all audiences at all times. When going to or from an After Dark event, attendees’ wardrobe must be in line with a PG-13 rating.
Minors: A minor at Furry Weekend Atlanta is classified as an attendee who is under the age of 18 as of opening ceremonies, regardless of the actual day of the convention on which they arrive. A minor attending Furry Weekend Atlanta must either have a parent or legal guardian accompanying them at all times or a signed and notarized parental permission form on file with Furry Weekend Atlanta. Minors will have a specific wristband clearly identifying them as a minor. Minors will be barred from attending certain events at Furry Weekend Atlanta which may feature mature themes unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Minors under 13 years of age must have a chaperone present and with them at all times they are in convention space.
Any attempt to forge or falsify documentation relating to age or identity will result in immediate removal from the convention and will be turned over to law enforcement. This includes a minor wearing, possessing or presenting any wristband other than the minor-specific wristband they were issued at registration.
Code of Conduct:
We ask that all attendees follow common sense rules for your behavior and interactions with others during the convention. Show some southern hospitality while you’re here - Be kind, be respectful, and be responsible. We are here to make memories with our friends and community.
Any abusive, threatening or harassing behavior or threats of any such behavior directed at our guests, staff, volunteers, hotel partners or vendors will result in revocation of your registration for the event, immediate expulsion from the hotel and will be referred to law enforcement. If you find yourself in disagreement with an FWA staff member, volunteer or vendor such as private security, please calmly ask to speak to the on-duty FWA director.
Any acts or threats of acts that would cause disruption, interruption or impediment to the overall safe and orderly operation of the convention in any way will not be tolerated. These acts or threats of acts may result in the revocation of membership, expulsion from the event, expulsion from guest hotel rooms, revocation of membership at future events, civil liability for damages and criminal prosecution.
The volunteers of FWA spend a lot of time throughout the year creating props, sets, engagement pieces, and speciality equipment; treat them with respect so that all may enjoy the result of their hard work. Destruction of or tampering with any FWA property may result in your membership being revoked, civil liability for damages and criminal prosecution.
For the safety and comfort of all guests, horseplay, reckless behavior and excessive noise are not allowed.
Violence of any kind will not be tolerated, period. Local law enforcement will be present throughout the event and will immediately respond to and handle any reports of violent activity.
Loud and excessive use of explicit language or obscene gestures will be considered harassment and treated as such.
While in public areas of the hotel, do not throw any physical objects as this is a direct violation of hotel policy, will result in immediate removal by hotel security and may be referred to law enforcement. Our hotel has a lot of floors, do not risk your membership or the safety of others. Stay away from the rails if you are holding any loose objects.
We ask that our attendees not attempt to enter into any areas that are clearly not open to the public. This includes crossing barriers set up by the convention (such as curtains or ropes) and areas of the hotel where guests are not usually permitted. This also includes event spaces that are closed between events. There may be machinery in operation or other hazards that make these areas unsafe.
There will be no sleeping in public areas of the hotel (including the lobby, hallways, meeting rooms or other public areas). Individuals who sleep in public areas risk being removed from the building.
Please be respectful and ask permission for hugs, pets, and other types of attention. It does not matter how cute and adorable they are, you still have to ask. Please do not grab fursuit or costume tails, noses, or other extremities without asking permission as you can cause damage.
The furry community is known for its friendly hugging, scritching, and holding hands, all of which is entirely acceptable. However, please keep in mind that not all people may share the same view of what is acceptable in public. Common sense should be a good measure in what behaviors are permissible in public. Regardless, if you feel the need to express deep, physical affection for another we ask that you kindly retire to your hotel room. PLEASE don’t make the staff have to ask you – it’s uncomfortable for us and embarrassing for you.
If you are caught falsely portraying yourself as a representative or staff member of Furry Weekend Atlanta, you will be immediately expelled from the convention and barred from attending future conventions.
Please remember that you are a guest at a hotel, and that others not associated with the convention will be present. We ask that you treat them with respect and show them what an amazing community we are. If these guests are not showing you the same type of respect, please notify us or hotel staff immediately.
Harassment:
Harassment is any unwanted behavior, physical or verbal, that makes a reasonable person feel uncomfortable, humiliated, or mentally distressed. At Furry Weekend Atlanta, harassment of any kind, whether physical, sexual, or verbal, will not be tolerated.
We do not tolerate racism, discrimination, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, hate speech or hate-motivated action against anyone or any group.
Remember that “no” means no and that if someone asks you to “leave them alone” you must respect their request.
Fursuits, costumes, and cosplay are not consent. Without consent, you do not have the right to touch, “cat-call”, or taunt someone because of what they are wearing.
Security is not responsible for solving interpersonal problems. Our security staff are not bodyguards or mediators. We can only act when there is a credible, actionable threat made against one or more members of the convention or the event itself.
If you have been the victim of harassment, threatening behavior or any other criminal act, please contact your local law enforcement agency for guidance. A protective order, restraining order or other such order from a court is required for us to take any action against an attendees registration or presence at the event.
No one may attend a Furry Weekend Atlanta event if such attendance would place them in violation of any law or an order from any court. Examples include restraining orders, temporary protective orders, no-contact orders, bail/bond restrictions, parole restrictions, release restrictions, criminal trespass warnings, etc.
False accusations made against another person are taken extremely seriously and treated as a form of harassment. False reporting of a crime is itself a criminal offense and will be handed over to local law enforcement.
Any of these violations may result in your membership being revoked, expulsion from the hotel, and the matter being referred to local law enforcement.
Appropriate Dress and Costumes:
Furry Weekend Atlanta does not allow clothing items that depict text or imagery of any type of hate, harassment, or discrimination.
The hotel requires that shirts, pants, and shoes are worn in all public areas of the hotel. This is for your safety and the safety of everyone else. The state of Georgia has public nudity laws that require you to wear clothing in public areas. Unnecessarily revealing clothing is the same as not wearing any at all. Use common sense here, if you think you’re going to get in trouble, do not risk it.
We ask that you keep your attire PG-13 at all times. We understand that while attending our event you may choose to go to panels, events, or parties rated 18+. We ask our attendees who choose to wear any clothing, gear, or wardrobe geared for adult use remain covered while in public spaces. This includes elevators, hallways, skybridges, and other walkways.
Collars, leashes, and harnesses are allowed with your normal or costume attire. Leashes, if used, cannot be hanging freely from the wearer and may not be attached to or carried by any other person or thing at any time. This creates a choking hazard and isn’t safe in such a crowded environment.
Cosplay and props are allowed and encouraged! However, unnecessary large or obtrusive cosplays can become a safety issue during peak times. Please be aware of your surroundings and do not block any entrances, exits or walking paths.
Clothing, costumes and prop weapons should be in good taste and FWA reserves the right to make a final determination on the suitability for any clothing, costume, or prop in convention space. This policy may be modified at any time in the interest of attendee safety.
To avoid inadvertent violation of local laws or confusion regarding the identity of on-duty officials - Costumes, cosplay, or accessories portraying roles such as law enforcement, medical personnel, fire rescue personnel, other government officials or agencies must be obviously fantasy in nature or altered to be clearly recognizable as non-official.
These costumes, cosplay or accessories must always be easily identifiable as fantasy from a distance within convention space. If, in the opinion of Furry Weekend Atlanta, a costume, cosplay or accessory worn or displayed within convention space blurs or crosses the line between obvious fantasy and realism, you may be asked to change or remove identifying elements from the costume. Repeated violations of this policy after receiving a courtesy warning could result in the revocation of membership and, at the discretion of the property, expulsion from hotel guest rooms.
Prop Weapons Policy
Prop guns are allowed as long as they do not look like a real weapon in any way. This includes both form and color. Nerf guns are one of the best examples of a permitted prop weapon. If it looks like a real gun or could easily be mistaken as a real gun at a distance, even with an orange tip, it’s not allowed. The purpose of allowing prop weapons is to complement a costume in keeping with the theme. Props should be fantasy themed and not simply be replicas of actual weapons.
Use this opportunity to paint your props bright colors to match your character. We also encourage the use of lights and sounds, where appropriate.
No prop should be operational in a way that can fire a projectile, this includes Nerf darts. Nerf darts should be nowhere on the con floor.
Any props that use “caps” or a percussion charge of any kind should be modified so as to be incapable of firing.
Squirt guns should be rendered inoperative either with a large hole that can not be easily covered, the end of the barrel plugged or the squirting mechanism removed.
Airsoft guns, paintball guns or BB guns are also not allowed.
Any real, antique firearm, flare gun, starter pistol, movie realistic prop that has been modified not to fire or was designed never to fire, is also prohibited.
Swords- Swords are permitted if in a scabbard. It should not have a “live” (sharp) blade. Be mindful of those around you with the scabbard. The sword must remain in the scabbard at all times while in convention spaces.
Any other prop weapons should look obviously fake in both form and color. To prevent any potential issues with prop weapons, please stop by our ambassador desk where a member of our safety staff will evaluate your prop and place a “peace tie” on it to reflect that it’s been inspected and approved.
Prop weapons should be in good taste and FWA reserves the right to make a final determination on the suitability for any prop on the con floor. This policy may be modified at any time in the interest of attendee safety.
Alcohol and Drugs: The possession or use of alcohol is prohibited in all public areas of the convention excluding bars, restaurant areas, or temporary cash bar areas. The legal age to buy, possess and consume alcoholic beverages in Georgia is 21. Anyone who knowingly provides alcoholic beverages or falsified identification to a person under the age of 21 will be expelled from the convention and handed over to law enforcement.
Furry Weekend Atlanta absolutely does not condone and will not tolerate the use or distribution of illegal substances during the convention. Any individual found to be selling, possessing or distributing illegal substances – whether in public or in a room – will be immediately expelled from the convention, barred from attending future conventions, and handed over to law enforcement.
Weapons: To ensure the safety of all of our attendees and other people in the hotel, Furry Weekend Atlanta will be strictly enforcing a ban on weapons at the convention. If it looks like a weapon or could easily be mistaken for a weapon, we don’t want to see it in the convention area. Functioning weapons will absolutely not be tolerated. Possession of a concealed carry permit or weapons carry license does not override this policy. Anyone caught with a weapon will be expelled from the convention, and barred from attending future conventions. Anyone refusing to leave or who returns to the event after expulsion may be subject to arrest for criminal trespass.
Individual convention hotels may also have their own restrictions on the possession of weapons on their properties in addition to the convention policy.
Pets: While we all love animals and want them to be part of our lives, for the safety of all attendees we must ask that pets not be brought into the convention area. Exceptions are made for working service animals and animals that may be part of presentations that have been cleared with Furry Weekend Atlanta.
Merchandise Sales: Any sales of merchandise outside of the Dealers Den, Artist Alley, and other areas cleared by the convention, are a violation of state law and hotel policy. Anyone caught doing so without the express permission of Furry Weekend Atlanta is subject to expulsion from the event.
Audio Recording, Video Recording, and Photography: Video and audio recording and photography for personal archival use is permitted and encouraged. However, absolutely no commercial or media usage of any video, audio, or photographic recordings collected at Furry Weekend Atlanta, by any source or obtained through any third party, is allowed unless permitted under the Furry Weekend Atlanta Media Activities policy outlined below.
Always be sure to ask permission and act kindly towards others when taking photographs or recording. You must refrain from recording or photographing any person who clearly expresses that he or she does not want to be recorded or photographed, and you may not distribute recordings or photographs that contain audio or video of said person(s), though you may edit out said person(s) and distribute the remaining footage under the Furry Weekend Atlanta Media Activities Policy.
Undercover Devices: Undercover or “hidden” microphones or cameras utilized with the intention of recording are prohibited for the safety and security of our attendees.
Drones, Flying Devices, and Selfie Sticks: For the safety of everyone, drones, flying devices, selfie sticks, and other large extension tools with or without cameras, are not permitted to be used in convention space. This includes non powered devices such as balloons, wires, and poles.
Live Streaming and Video Blogging: With the advancement of technology and the shift of media consumption, the following rules have been added to ensure the safety, privacy, and wellbeing of our attendees and guests.
Live streaming for personal and commercial use are not allowed. This includes the use of live streaming apps or platforms on any electronic device (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.).
Video blogging, sometimes referred to as vlogs, of snippets or your entire experience at Furry Weekend Atlanta for personal use are allowed. However, some of this content can be very disruptive to other attendees, and large productions are not allowed. In other words, if you are using multiple devices and/or people to record audio, video, and photographs, you are crossing into territory that falls under our Press and Media Activities Policies. Our security staff shall have final say in deciding what does and does not violate our Press and Media Activities Policies. Violation of this policy may result in immediate suspension of your registration and expulsion from the hotel.
Press and Media Activities: Any attendee wishing to use media captured at Furry Weekend Atlanta (either audio or video) for any purpose other than private use will fall under Furry Weekend Atlanta’s Media Access Policy and must have a Press Membership. Attendees bearing a membership not specifically designated as a ‘Press Membership’ agree not to act as agents of any media organization in any way, shape, or form while attending Furry Weekend Atlanta. This includes, but is not limited to: interviewing, photography, and audiovisual recording.
It shall be understood that Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc. retains all rights to all audiovisual recordings made at Furry Weekend Atlanta as well as the use of the Furry Weekend Atlanta name and logo, unless such use is specifically disclaimed or not permitted by contract.
Hobbyist Photographers & Videographers
We recognize that many members of our community are avid hobbyist photographers and videographers. We want you to be able to enjoy your hobby while attending Furry Weekend Atlanta. To ensure that there is no confusion between a hobbyist and member of the press (requiring a press pass), all hobbyist photographers or videographers using large / professional looking cameras must stop by our Ambassador Desk to sign a hobbyist photographer / videographer waiver and pick up a hobbyist lanyard.
This lanyard should be visible at any time when the hobbyist is taking video or photos. Please note that this lanyard is in no way a press pass and does not grant any special access to any areas of the convention. It is merely to identify the holder as a hobbyist rather than a member of the press.
Hobbyists must follow the same rules as anyone else taking personal archival use photographs or video recordings. Permission must be obtained from any person before taking a photo or video of them. Photography or video activities cannot interfere with the operation of the convention or create a safety hazard. If any person asks not to be filmed or photographed, that request must be respected. Live streaming is not permitted, even for personal or hobbyist use.
Hobbyists must also avoid the use of any large or obtrusive equipment that could present a hazard in crowded convention spaces. This includes equipment like boom microphones, large gimbal rigs, etc.
Furry Weekend Atlanta reserves the right to revoke the hobbyist lanyard and ask a hobbyist to return their equipment to their room if the actions of the hobbyist become distracting or interfere in the operation of the convention in any way.
Location: The Furry Weekend Atlanta attendee policies and code of conduct apply to ALL events officially sponsored or hosted by Furry Weekend Atlanta. This includes, but is not limited to the convention itself, official excursions or outings during the convention, events held in our community or office space, and any other event officially sponsored by Furry Weekend Atlanta.
Indemnity: By purchasing or accepting a membership to Furry Weekend Atlanta, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc., its directors and staff, the providers of its computing facilities, and the owners, directors and staff of the convention facilities utilized by Furry Weekend Atlanta, Inc., from any liability or direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages resulting from any action or inaction on your or our behalf while attending Furry Weekend Atlanta. You further agree that any court proceedings against Furry Weekend Atlanta will take place in Fulton County, Georgia, United States and that, in the event that Furry Weekend Atlanta is found liable, our liability will be limited to a total of zero ($0.00) dollars.
Final Notes: The Directors of FWA shall have the final say in any interpretation of or dispute involving these rules. Security personnel will enforce these rules and have discretionary power to stop any activities that may pose a danger to the convention, the welfare of individual attendees or create a situation that negatively impacts the experience for other attendees.
These rules are intended to keep all members of the convention safe and happy. We never anticipate having to enforce them, but are prepared to do so quickly and efficiently if necessary and may change or modify any policy at any time without notice. Always remember that the ultimate goal of Furry Weekend Atlanta is to have fun – just keep others in mind when doing so and be safe.