The following policies are intended to help everyone have a safe, sane, and fun Convention. In general, Megaplex asks that you show respect and courtesy toward all attendees, hotel staff, and other guests. Consideration for the safety, rights and feelings of others will help to create a positive experience for everyone.
By accepting your membership badge, while at Megaplex, you agree to abide by the policies of the convention. You also acknowledge that a violation can result in your indefinite suspension from the convention, depending on the severity or repetition of an offense.
If Megaplex staff become aware of activities that are illegal or may threaten the welfare of the convention and its attendees, they have a duty and responsibility to inform hotel security and/or local authorities as warranted.
The following “general rule” supersedes all others listed below and may be invoked at any time:
Any action or behavior that causes significant interference with convention operations, excessive discomfort to other attendees, or adversely affects Megaplex's relationship with its guests, its venues or the public is strictly forbidden and may result in permanent suspension of membership.
Pawpet Live Experiences, Inc. (PLEx, Inc.) reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership at any time, for any reason, including (but not limited to) the failure to abide by the policies listed here. PLEx, Inc. also reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without prior or posted notice, and reserves sole right of interpretation.
"Convention Space" is defined as all publically accessible areas on the premises of the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld (including the entire meeting space, lobby, atrium, dining areas, parking lot, elevators, stairwells and hotel room hallways) as well as the first floor Staff Suite and Sponsor Suite.
“Convention staff” are volunteers whose goal is to make sure everyone is comfortable and has a great time. The role of convention security staff (“security”) is to protect Megaplex’s attendees to the best of their ability by patrolling the convention space and enforcing convention policies.
If you have a problem or you are in trouble and need assistance, seek out a member of convention staff for help. Staff members can be identified by staff badge or designated staff outerwear.
The senior members of the convention staff will resolve any disputes or questionable events. Their decision will be final. Security will issue warnings if they observe violations. In any dispute, the general rule above will apply.
If you have a complaint or a non-urgent problem that cannot be solved until after the event, we recommend writing up as many details as possible about the issue and submitting it to a senior staff member, or emailing it to mp-feedback@megaplexcon.org. This is the best means for staff to listen and consider feedback, as staff may be very preoccupied during the event.
Nobody is permitted into convention space without a valid membership, represented by a membership badge (“badge”). Convention staff issues badges to a single individual. They may not be shared or duplicated in any way, and they may not be obtained by any other means.
You acknowledge that your government issued identification will be verified to validate the information that is found on the face of the ID, such as your name, address and birth date. This information is only used to verify your age and have your name on file in case an emergency arises. This information will not be published to any entity, and will only be used for aggregate analytic statistics.
Your badge must be visibly displayed at all times when in convention space, and must be presented or surrendered to any staff member upon request.
Megaplex reserves the right to request that you purchase a full-price membership to replace a lost or stolen badge. In the event of a lost badge, a single replacement badge may be issued at a reduced cost. Repeated lost badges will need to be replaced at the price of a full membership.
Megaplex reserves the right to withhold or confiscate any current year Megaplex Membership badge with an inappropriate name. In the event that a badge is withheld or confiscated a single replacement badge may be issued at a reduced cost.
Refund Policy: We can only offer a refund for your membership up to 120 days past the date you registered. After that we can only offer you a credit to apply for the following year. We can not off a refund after the pre-registration cut off date either, as all the data and printing has been performed by this time.
No Show policy: If you pre-registered for the convention, but are unable to attend, and simply don't show, we extend the courtesy to credit your membership cost to be used for the following year. We can only extend this for the following year, and you will have to make up any difference should the costs increase the following year. WE can not credit Dealer's tables or Artist Alley reservations, as those expenses are already lost expenses by the convention, since your table will have sat empty all weekend. You can email us in the days leading up to the convention and we can see if we have people on the dealer wait list that might still be willing to buy your table slot off you, but you will have to negotiate your price with them, since they won't get the benefits of having conbook printed advertisements or Dealer map info being correct.
Anyone 16 or older and able to present a valid government-issued photo identification (“ID”) may register to attend any general audience events.
Anyone between 13 and 17 years of age, excluding anyone between 16 and 17 with ID, will require a parent or legal guardian (“parent”) present at registration on site. Parents must have a valid ID, and will be responsible for anyone in their care. (You must have your own parent or legal guardian with you to receive your badge.)
Anyone 12 and under is admitted free and should not register online, but must be accompanied at all times either by a parent or a chaperone. Chaperones must be designated by the parent at the time of registration.
Anyone under 18 may not enter areas designated for mature audiences.
Attendees under 16 years of age may not volunteer at the convention per Florida's child labor laws.
Unless otherwise noted, this section applies to convention space and to all hotel property, with the exception of private hotel rooms with doors closed.
All areas are considered to be suitable for all audiences, unless explicitly noted otherwise. Access to any events or content inappropriate for minors is controlled by security.
Dry clothes (shirt, shorts, and shoes at a minimum) are required. Clothing may not be overly revealing or inappropriate to the atmosphere of the convention, such as fetish-related garb and accoutrements. Discrete wearing of collars is acceptable, but leashes are not.
Anthropomorphic hoods will be permitted at all times in con space provided no other attire generally identified as fetish gear by the public nor revealing, or suggestive clothing is worn. Unitards or other full body clothing may be worn only if genitalia or their outline cannot be seen through the outfit. Collars may be worn at all times but at no time may a leash or other lead be attached nor may someone lead or pull you by said collar. Upper body Harness may be worn without the accompaniment of other fetish gear. At no time may undergarments be worn in such a way that they are fully or partially visible to the public or able to be seen through clothing. Shirts and pants/shorts must be worn at all times in con space with the exception of attire that cover these areas. We ask that at all times, outside of con-space, people use their better judgement in what they wear. After 10 PM there will be a little more relaxed enforcement but please continue to use your better judgement.
Convention Staff or hotel security reserves the right to ask any attendee to remove an accessory or article of clothing that is deemed to be inappropriate or disruptive to an event or function, or to the convention as a whole, such as (but not limited to) articles of clothing that the general public may find inappropriate or display excessive profanity or symbols/messages of hate. This includes any and all armbands.
Public displays of affection beyond what is appropriate for polite company are frowned upon. Holding hands, hugging, chaste kissing, and the like are fine; anything beyond that is best taken to your hotel room.
Props, toys or accessories capable of causing injury, discomfort, or damage to clothing, costumes or property, or create a security risk are not permitted in convention space. This includes (but is not limited to) scooters, wheeled boards (such as "Hoverboards"), radio controlled drones, laser pointers, water guns, Nerf or other dart guns, and Silly String.
Aisles, corridors, and passages should be kept open and clear. Please be considerate of passersby and stay out of the way of traffic.
Conversation, music and video playback should be kept to a moderate volume and outside event rooms, as not to disrupt convention programming. Loud noise makers are not permitted.
Do not disrupt panels or events. A disruption may be (but is not restricted to) talking, shouting, heckling, or talking back, during panels or events in a way that might distract, interrupt or upset any performers, convention staff, vendors, or attendees of any age.
Banners, posters or signs may not be posted without permission. Convention banners, posters, signs and any other convention or hotel property, may not be removed or moved without permission.
Smoking is not allowed in any convention space, or hotel common areas, including the pool deck. Please use the designated smoking locations found outside the hotel.
Harassment of any kind, including physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcome physical attentions, will not be tolerated. If someone tells you "no" or to leave them alone, your business with them is done. If anybody is repeatedly making you uncomfortable, please find a member of staff to help.
Megaplex staff is not responsible for solving any interpersonal or relationship problems that may arise between individual members. In general, we can take no action to prevent a person from attending the convention unless that person has made a specific and credible threat toward the convention itself or if another individual can produce a legal restraining order.
Providing alcohol to individuals under the age of twenty-one (21) is against the law and convention policy.
Megaplex does not condone or tolerate the possession, use or distribution of illegal substances.
All Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances apply to the possession, carry, and display of weapons at Megaplex.
No weapons, open carry or concealed, are allowed, and no real or prop weapon may be used or displayed in a threatening, reckless or dangerous manner.
For the safety and peace of mind of all attendees, all potentially deadly weapons, and realistic replicas that could be mistaken for deadly weapons, must be disabled, peace-bonded, or otherwise rendered inert while on display at the convention. If a weapon or replica is part of your costume, please consult Security for direction.
Activities taking place in a private hotel room are the responsibility of the person(s) renting the room. We do recommend that parties be kept to a moderate size, and that the noise be kept to moderate volume. Hotel security will break up parties that receive complaints.
Per hotel policy, kegs may not be brought into the hotel or guest rooms, and the hotel may evict, without refund, all occupants of a room violating this policy.
Attendees should be aware that they may be photographed or recorded at any time while in public areas. Megaplex reserves the right to authorize individuals to create and edit photographic, audio or video recording of convention space and events (many of which involve audience participation), and to distribute these productions, in whole or part, free of charge, for historical or promotional purposes. Attendees agree that they are not entitled to any notice or compensation for the appearance of their names, aliases or likenesses in such productions.
Members who wish to take pictures or make recordings for personal, non-commercial use while at the convention may do so in any areas, unless recording is explicitly forbidden, verbally or by sign, in an area or a performance. We ask that photographers and videographers act with common sense and courtesy, and refrain from recording any non-consenting individual.
Permitted recordings may be shared on personal, not for profit websites. However, if someone is in the focus of the picture by themselves or with one other person, and they wish to have their photo removed, you must respect that person's request and remove the image. If the person is in a group of three or more in the photo, then it is considered a group photo, and would require objection from at least a 50% majority of the people in the photo.
Megaplex will not use the names or likenesses of corporately owned and trademarked mascots, puppets or other characters for any commercial or promotional purposes, except according to prior written agreement.
For the safety and comfort of members and pets alike, we do not allow any personal pets in convention space. Working service animals are permitted in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Sales are not allowed anywhere in convention space except by paid vendors in the Dealers Den and by attendees utilizing the Artist Alley.
Convention and hotel staff take care to secure the Dealers Den area when it is closed, although it is recommended not to leave any cash or valuables in the area unattended at any time.
The State of Florida has changed the way they want exhibitors at trade shows to file their collected sales tax. In years past we were able to provide a form to our Dealers and AA, but they felt that people were skipping the filings. Because of this we are having to make a change. If you are not already a registered business in Florida, with a valid Sales Tax Certificate, you will need to call the Florida Department of Revenue or go online to register your Dealer or AA as a business with them. They will collect pertinent information from you, and mail you a form, with return envelope that you will have to submit after the convention. There are also options to pay electronically as well.
We will require proof of you having a Sales Tax Certificate for the State Of Florida. If you are trying to get into AA, and don’t have that paperwork, you will lose your spot for the table. Dealers... This is important to you.. You will lose the cost of the Dealer’s table if you don’t prove you have a Florida Sales Tax Certificate. We will not refund your table, since it will be lost revenue to the con.
To Register:
By Phone:
You need to contact the Florida Deptartment Of Revenue, Orlando Branch, Suite N302, 400W Robinson St Orlando, FL 32801. Their phone number is (407)648-2905. Explain that you want to create a sales tax collection for being an Exhibitor at a trade show. They will collect your personal data, and get the correct forms out to you.
Online: https://taxapps.floridarevenue.com/IRegistration/
ALSO... THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS FILING FOR A BUSINESS LICENSE, nor does it mean you have to file all year long. This is a method for collecting sales tax for a single event. There is no cost to register. You only pay into the sales tax collected on all the sales you make, currently 6.5% in Orange County, FL. So if you make $1000 in sales, you will send the state $65, and only after the convention. There is no up front cost. They will however keep on you to be sure you do remit your taxes after the event is over.
As a side benefit... If you are buying certain art supplies that are used in the process of making your art (badge laminations, Paper, Glitter...) All of those can be purchased with your Sales Tax Certificate "Sales Tax Free", as you will be reselling those goods.
The state’s legal document on it all: http://floridarevenue.com/Forms_library/current/gt800040.pdf
Stored and displayed items must not impede traffic flow, both in front of and behind tables. No more than two people may sit behind each table in the Dealers Den.
Artist Alley Slots are available for pre-purchase online or during the convention for free of charge. At-con slots are issued via a lottery selection method. Sign-up for the day will open one hour prior to the Dealers Den opening. You must be present at the time of the lottery to receive a slot. Lotteries will be conducted daily thirty minutes prior to the opening of the Dealers Den.
Any material that is not suitable for minors must be censored while it is on display. Collections of adult artwork should be kept in a separate binder and marked as mature. Sellers are responsible for keeping unsuitable material away from the eyes (and out of the hands) of minors. Badges will include a “Minor” designation for attendees under 18.
Dealers Den tables may not be shared or resold without permission from the Dealers Den lead.
As with all convention space, loud or irritating displays are not permitted. Please keep all noise down to a reasonable volume.
Stolen material, pirated material, and weapons are not permitted for sale at Megaplex. In the Artist Alley, an item is only permitted for sale if it is either created by the seller or it is a composite work of which at least 75% is the original work of the seller. If you are unsure whether your items are allowed, please consult convention staff.
The Dealers Den lead will have the final say on all disputes in the Den.
These policies will be strictly enforced by security and staff, who will be clearly identified as such on site.
If a particular scenario is not specified here, the general rule listed at the beginning of this document will apply: Any action or behavior that causes significant interference with convention operations, excessive discomfort to other attendees, or adversely affects Megaplex's relationship with its guests, its venues or the public is strictly forbidden and may result in permanent suspension of membership.
These policies are intended to allow our members to have a safe, enjoyable convention experience. While we do not anticipate having to enforce these rules, be advised that convention staff will do so swiftly and firmly if the need arises.
