February 6 - 9, 2025
Orange County Convention Center
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PROPS POLICY
- All FAN EXPO HQ attendees, exhibitors and staff must comply with all Federal, Provincial/State and local laws and regulations regarding weapons, imitation weapons and props, as well as their usage.
- Attendees are reminded that while travelling to and from the event, to make sure due care is taken on your behalf to ensure any weapons or props, which could cause public alarm, are stored in bag or in a storage container.
- FAN EXPO HQ attendees are, under no circumstances, allowed to possess or bring to the convention grounds any actual weapons. Unlawful possession of weapons is an offence and will result in denied admission into the convention or prosecution.
- All weapons and props must be in plain sight at all times and are subject to mandatory inspections performed by FAN EXPO HQ staff or security staff. As a general rule, no metal or wooden prop weapons are allowed. Additional rules are outlined below.
- Any weapon, prop, or item not covered in this policy must be inspected by security staff at the Prop Check Desk; these items will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
1. Prop Check Desk
Attendees who come to any FAN EXPO HQ event with a prop may be stopped by show security and sent to the Prop Check Desk. At the Prop Check Desk, security will inspect that your prop complies with the below FAN EXPO HQ rules and regulations regarding props.
If approved, security will issue a sticker to be placed in a visible area of the prop. If show security does NOT see this sticker on your prop while on the show grounds, you will be asked to leave the convention center and store your prop or go to the Prop Check Desk.
If not approved, attendees have the option of storing their prop in their car, home, hotel room or check it at the desk. You may return at the end of your visit to pick up your prop.
The Prop Check Desk is only open until show close each day. If you are attending any After Hours events, you should plan to pick up your item(s) before the Prop Check Desk closes.
Note that all attendees MUST pick up all props, swords, and weapons before Sunday at 5 PM. The facility will not keep any prop weapons post-show, and these items are NOT considered lost and found after the event. Props and weapons left at the Prop Check Desk past show close on Sunday will be disposed of.
For full rules and regulations regarding props, please see below.
2. Guns and Projectile Weapons
Live firearms including airsoft, modern, hunting or historic, either functioning or de-commissioned, are not permitted at any FAN EXPO HQ event. Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber are not to be brought onto convention grounds. All other firearms/projectile weapons are required to have orange safety tips at all times on convention grounds.
No props or weapons capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind. This is for the safety of both yourself and the people around you. Nerf guns and other foam dart guns ARE allowed, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time.
Prop bows and slingshots are allowed, however, there must be no capacity to fire any object from the bow or slingshot. Arrows and other items used in bows or slingshots are prohibited.
FAN EXPO HQ does not allow ANY laser pointers to be used on the convention grounds. If you have a laser pointer in your prop or weapon, make sure it cannot function by either removing the batteries, or simply not bringing it.
If firearm or projectile props or weapons are deemed unacceptable by FAN EXPO HQ security, attendees will be asked to check it with security while they are on the convention grounds. Refusal to do so will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities being contacted.
3. Swords, Blades, Knives, and Other Melee Weapons
Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons are not allowed to be brought onto any of the convention grounds. Failure to comply will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities will be contacted.
If you buy a metal sword, knife or martial arts weapons at the convention, this is covered below in Section 6.
Blunt, heavy weapons such as baseball bats and hockey sticks are prohibited.
Shields or melee weapons (swords, staffs, lightsabers etc) made of foam or other lightweight materials are permitted. Please refrain from swinging weapons around or using them in intimidating or threatening manner. Props that are used to intentionally hit or otherwise cause harm to attendees, guests or exhibitors will be immediately confiscated and the attendee will be escorted from the premises without refund.
4. Helium, Dry Ice and Pyrotechnics and other chemical special effects
Costumes or props that incorporate chemical special effects are prohibited. This includes helium balloons, any type of smoke or other pyrotechnics, or costumes and/or props that expel liquids, gasses or other matter.
5. Prop Weight and Shape Restrictions
No items can have sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that could be deemed dangerous to others (E.g. we do not allow metal replica samurai swords, “BB guns/air guns” even if they are not loaded). If the items are not approved during security inspection, they are forbidden on convention grounds. Non-approved items must be securely stored in security Prop Check Desk the attendee’s hotel room, vehicle or home. Failure to comply will result in being escorted off the event premises and banned from the event without refund.
Props with an excessive weight are subject to approval by security at the convention entrances or Prop Check Desks. There is no set weight limit, however, if it is deemed to be too heavy or unsafe, it will be requested that the item is checked at the weapons check desk for the duration of the event.
Please consider how heavy your props are because you’re going to either be carrying them all day, or be forced to check them in at the Prop Check Desk if they are deemed too heavy to be at the event. The prop check desk is NOT a cloak room; it is storage for items which FAN EXPO HQ deems unsuitable to be on the convention floor.
6. Items Purchased While at FAN EXPO HQ
Attendees who purchase imitation or replica weapon such as metal movie swords or knives from the Vendors/Exhibitors Hall must not remove items from their original packaging until they have been secured in their hotel room or vehicle.
To use the purchased item as a prop or costume piece, items must be presented to security staff in their original packaging. If FAN EXPO HQ prop check team approves the item, it may be used in accordance with our props and weapons policy guidelines and of course your best sense of judgment. Again, if the items are not approved, then they are forbidden on convention grounds out of their original packaging. Non-approved items must then be securely stored in the attendee’s hotel room, vehicle or left at the Prop Check Desk until they are leaving the event. Failure to comply will result in being escorted off premises and banned from the event without refund.
The Prop Check Desk is only open until show close each day. If you are attending any After Hours events, you should plan to pick up your item(s) before the Prop Check Desk closes.
Note that all attendees MUST pick up all props, swords, and weapons before Sunday at 5 PM. The facility will not keep any prop weapons post-show, and these items are NOT considered lost and found after the event. Props and weapons left at the Prop Check Desk past show close on Sunday will be disposed of.
7. Important Legal Stuff
FAN EXPO HQ will not be held legally responsible or liable for any misconduct, damages, injuries or death resulting from the actions of any FAN EXPO HQ attendee. Any inappropriate behavior or misconduct by any attendee will be not be tolerated by FAN EXPO HQ or local authorities. Please use your best judgment and discretion by refraining from swinging weapons around, or using them in an intimidating or threatening manner.