Public Decorum

Attendees will exercise common sense in how they choose to behave and conduct themselves at the event. If you aren't sure if your behaviour is suitable then take it to your room. For an example, holding hands and kissing, no matter your sexual orientation, are within reason. Groping, heavy kissing, heavy petting and nudity, no matter your sexual orientation, are not condoned. A minimal requirement is that you wear a shirt, shorts, and shoes in public areas of the hotel and event space. Pools and similar areas are exempt.

At all times around the lobby or in the restaurant at least a shirt, pants/shorts, and footwear are to be worn. Bathing suits, swimmers, bikinis, etc. are not appropriate attire. Continuing on this, Costumes (Fur Suits) are considered “appropriate attire” in all areas of the venue except for the restaurant and pool area. This is due to concerns for the safety of other customers and the suiter themselves. Costumes are also not to be unacceptably revealing.

Attendees, in public areas, will not wear clothing which is overly revealing or inappropriate to the atmosphere of the convention. This includes fetish-related material and accessories. Collars are acceptable and are worn by many attendees as a fashion statement, but an accompanying leash and harness are not acceptable in public spaces.

While alcohol is permitted in the event space and the hotel, the WAFF organisers strongly support responsible drinking. Any person deemed to be intoxicated will be refused service of alcohol and may be asked to leave the event temporarily. Alcohol may be purchased in the event space or at the venue's bar, however no person may bring alcohol into the event space from outside sources. Management and Security reserves the right to perform bag checks to ensure this condition is maintained.

It is an offense to supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years (a fine of $2000) or for a person under the age of 18 years to purchase or receive liquor (a fine of $2000). These rules are enforceable by law under the Liquor Control Act 1988 (as expressed in Section 122, as amended) in Western Australia.

Code Of Conduct

There is no smoking permitted on any part of the venue, including rooms. Those who step outside to smoke are respectfully requested to refrain from doing so by the entrance as the smoke is carried easily inside.

Please remember that you are a guest of the venue, and that other guests are also staying or dining at the venue who are not WAFF attendees. It is common courtesy to maintain a level of noise appropriate to the time and place. We expect everyone to cooperate fully with WAFF organisers and with local security personnel and venue staff.

"Disorderly conduct" may result in revocation of your event pass, and includes any and all fighting, any inappropriate horseplay, or any actions that directly or recklessly cause undue disturbance or disruption of any WAFF event or venue function. This restriction also holds for venue facilities.

No items of any kind, including paper airplanes, may be thrown or dropped from venue facilities' balconies or patios.

No water pistols, silly string, or any other projectile-type toy may be used in any public area of the event space and Accommodation facilities.

No sleeping in the lobby, the hallways, or anywhere else not designated as an accommodation room.

Should a decision be made to revoke Event Passes from anyone causing a disruption to the event, we ask that our attendees respect such a decision, which is always made after careful consideration by the WAFF Directors.

Online Behavior and Use of WAFF Socials

WAFF reserves the right to mediate and moderate its online social facilities to the discretion of the WAFF moderators. Facebook, Telegram and Twitter are utilized by WAFF to create a forum for the furry community to be social and share thoughts and ideas and generally to converse.

A general guide to what WAFF deems appropriate for such forums are topics around the following subjects:

• WAFF related content
• Furry Community related events or happenings
• Artistic endeavors of any medium

WAFF reserves the right to remove content and/or block access to persons if WAFF deems their behaviour or content to be aggressive, destructive, or in any way negative to the safe and social wellbeing of the forums.

Discussion in any of the forums may also cover topics outside the guidelines, as long as they: are respectful, do not spread misinformation, or, are not deemed inappropriate by WAFF moderators.

The Official WAFF Telegram Chat Group is generally a ‘Safe For Work’ space, but not strictly. WAFF is an over 18 only event, so the access to the Telegram Chat is restricted to those over 18 as well. Mature subjects are permitted within reason as determined by the WAFF moderators. At no time is the posting of adult or suggestive artwork, stickers, or links permitted in the chat.

Causing unnecessary disharmony and/or pushing an agenda which threatens to disturb the safe and social wellbeing of the chat will be met with deletion of content and removal from the online social spaces. This decision is left to the discretion of the WAFF moderators.

If you are unsure if you conduct will violate these conditions, please get in touch with a WAFF moderator, they are always happy to answer these questions.

If you wish to promote a business (art commission or anything similar) or a social group or activity, please seek approval from the WAFF moderators first before doing so, otherwise you risk your post being deleted off the forums.

Conduct and Behavior regarding Costumes

Those in costume or Fur Suits are not to interact physically with anyone without their express consent. Furthermore they may not interact with any persons under the age of 18 without the express consent of said person's parent or legal guardian. Conversely, attendees may not interact with anyone in costume without the consent of said person.

Any violation of this will result in suspension of attendance and if required, the WAFF organisers will notify the appropriate authorities to investigate the situation if it appears to be a criminal offense.

Harassment

Harassment of any kind, including physical assault, deliberate intimidation, stalking, verbal or sexual abuse of any kind, or unwelcome attention, will not be tolerated. If someone tells you "no" or to leave them alone, your business with them is done. Defences like “I thought they were only joking” or claiming any other ignorance will not be tolerated. Do not follow them or attempt to disrupt their event experience in any way. If you continue to attempt to have contact with those people, you may be removed from the premises, and banned from future events.

The WAFF organisers are not responsible for solving any interpersonal problems that may arise between individual attendees. The responsibility for settling interpersonal disputes lies solely with the individuals involved. As a general guide, we can take no action to prevent a person from attending the event unless that person has made a specific and credible threat towards the safety and enjoyment of the event itself or the Local Furry Community. If you feel that a threat exists against your person, we advise you to seek a restraining order against the individual in question and to present that to the WAFF Directors prior to the event. Otherwise we recommend simply avoiding that individual. If that individual stalks, harasses, or attempts to assault you at the convention itself, you may report that individual to a member of the marshals team and the appropriate action will be taken. Conversely, any attempt to have an innocent person removed from the event by falsely accusing him or her of threats will be itself treated as an act of harassment and will be dealt with appropriately.

Registration

All pre-registered passes are fully transferable, however non-refundable (unless approved by request, please email us at info@waff.net.au if you wish to enquire about a cancellation and refund of your own registration), up to checking in at the registration desk at the event. For logistical reasons, passes cannot be transferred once checked in. Passes must be transferred free or for matching or less than the original price; any evidence of attempted profiteering will result in the invalidation of associated passes.

The WAFF organisers cannot involve themselves in financial disputes between individual attendees, and cannot divulge information about an individual attendee to any party other than to banking officials or legal authorities.

Announcements

The WAFF organisers may provide a message board in a public space at the event where attendees may post messages, place announcements, etc. Be aware that anything posted will be a reflection on the WAFF event itself as well as the Australian Furry Community as a whole. The WAFF organisers reserve the right to remove any posted materials that are considered inappropriate.

Do not affix anything to the walls of the event space and accommodation facilities, including in the elevators. Any promotional material for any other events, goods or services shall not be advertised around the event space, the venue or surrounding areas where the event takes place without express, written consent from the WAFF Directors prior to the event.

Merchandise

All trade of any merchandise is to be conducted solely in the Allocated Dealers Space and will be governed by the rules applicable to that space. Only persons who have purchased a dealers pass may conduct trade and only at the specific location to which their purchased Dealers Pass applies. Any persons attempting to sell merchandise in other locations of the venue may be asked to purchase a dealers pass and abide by its rules or have their attendance passes confiscated and escorted off the venue.

Dealers Registration

Dealers at WAFF are considered their own businesses and their interaction with WAFF is an agreement to operate their business through WAFF. As such, Dealers will be representing WAFF.

Dealers who register for a Dealers Table at WAFF, agree to bring with them a respectable public image created through their marketing and publicly displayed products, as well as a respected reputation. This respectable public image and reputation must reflect WAFF’s core values. If the Public Image or Publicly Displayed Products of a potential dealer is found to objectively contain elements that violate WAFF‘s core values, then WAFF reserves the right to reject or revoke their Dealer pass. In the event this happens during an active convention, the dealer’s table will be closed, packed down and removed.

As a Dealer at WAFF you agree that all goods and services you sell are appropriate content for such a convention. If there are any items that are deemed objectively indecent by WAFF staff, you will be requested to remove them from public display. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary actions from WAFF. This could include suspension and shut down of your dealers table.

WAFF offers a limited number of Dealers Registrations/Tickets. The availability of these is subject to the space we acquire to allocate to dealers' tables. Anyone who purchases one of these tickets agrees that they are, within reason, operating a business which is selling goods relevant to the convention. Anyone who purchases one of these tickets agrees to utilise the table they have purchased for the majority of the convention to undertake their business and sell goods and services. WAFF will not tolerate anyone who purchases one of these tickets and leaves the table empty or unused for the majority of the convention. Failing to follow this policy will result in a Ban from future purchase of a Dealers Registration, and in situations deemed necessary, may result in immediate confiscation of any passes to the convention and removal from the event.

Dealer's Tables are acquired through an application. WAFF reserves the right to subjectively choose whether to approve or decline any application. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be contacted and informed. If your application is successful, you will be contacted, charged the $10 cost of booking a Dealer's Table and added to the WAFF Dealers Telegram Channel. Approved applicants may have their table revoked if WAFF deems it necessary.

Dealers will get 1 to 2 Hours to set up before the Dealer's Den opens to the public on the first day (details will be given closer to the con) and 30 minutes before opening each other day. (More time may be allocated at the discretion of WAFF). Dealers may not enter the Dealer's Den before these times unless given express permission by a WAFF Dealers Den Staff member.

When crafting at your table, you are not to produce any fumes, excessive heat, open flames, excessive noise or allergens. The Health and Safety codes in place by the venue prohibit such things as the use of gas or electric cooktops, any high-temperature devices such as soldering irons, lit candles, the production of harmful particulates, and any other practice that may harm the health and safety of others. If you are unsure about what you are wishing to do at your table, please get in touch with WAFF and ask beforehand.

All items and stock not currently on display must be stored under the table or outside of the Dealer's Den (i.e. in your room or vehicle). The space behind the dealer's tables may be used for crafting and working but must be kept neat and presentable.

The Dealers Den will be closed overnight and locked. The Dealers Den will only be opened outside of operating hours under the supervision of a WAFF Staff Member. Dealers are not permitted to enter the Dealer's Den outside of operating hours without the approval of WAFF Dealers Den Staff and only then, while under supervision by WAFF Dealers Den Staff.

All Dealers must have their tables packed up and vacated by the end of the designated pack down time. WAFF requires the event spaces cleared at these times for its own Pack Down as contracted with the Venue.

Your Dealer's Table area must be left clean at the end of the convention. When you pack down you must clear away all scraps of papers, furs, or items that were not present before setup. You are responsible for your area. Failure to clean up may incur a cleaning cost that will be issued to you.

Dealers must sell their own stock of their own creation. WAFF takes plagiarism and art theft very seriously. Artists must be selling/displaying art of their own creation or other artists' stock with written permission from that artist. (Examples of art theft include, but are not limited to Stolen Artwork, Tracing, Photoshopped Artwork, and Recoloured Artwork.)
Dealers who are found to be committing art theft will have their registration revoked and banned from future WAFF events.

Failure to adhere to these terms and conditions may result in disciplinary actions from WAFF. This could be the revocation of a current registration and ticket, bans from future WAFF events, or a claim of compensation charged to you.

Media Consent

If you are involved in a scheduled activity during the event, you agree to allow the WAFF organisers to publish your image, voice and creative inputs for the activities for which you were involved in.

This publication may include (but is not limited to) publication on the WAFF website, press releases, online media websites (including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Fur Affinity) and shown in public spaces either online and offline.

Any creative works including (but not limited to) photographs, video, audio, music or drawings presented in your activity remain your copyrighted material, and no claim by the WAFF organisers will be made to the contrary. The WAFF organisers will ensure that your material falls under fair use or Creative Commons rights and are presented in a legal and fair manner. You agree to allow the WAFF organisers to re-transmit these creative works in the means described in the above and accept responsibility for any rights issue associated with materials presented in the event.

Photography and Video

Cameras of any type are permitted in the Event Space with the exception of the following circumstances:

• No use of cameras of any sort are permitted inside the Fursuit/Costumers lounge. (also known as the headless lounge)
• No use of cameras of any sort are permitted in the Dealers Area. (Only at the express permission of any dealer, may you take photo or video of their stalls, get this permission in writing)
• Certain activities may be marked as "Please No Cameras". This is due to the sensitive nature of the content of the activity, and for the protection of the participants.

Any person capturing photographs, footage or sound recordings must ensure that the subject of their capture grants permission for their likeness to be captured. This permission should be in writing. Should an attendee object to being captured by any other attendee, official media team, etc. the content must immediately be deleted.

Any other photographs may be taken throughout the event, at the leisure of the attendees.

Any photography or videography set ups which are deemed to be excessive might impact poorly on other attendees' experience at the convention. If your set up is deemed excessive and a bother to other attendees, you may be asked to pack it away and to not use it at the convention. You agree to follow all directions by WAFF staff on this matter.

Media

All journalists, media photographers, and any other members of the press are required to display an official WAFF Press Pass or be accompanied by a WAFF Director at all times while in the venue. Members of the press who have not been issued a Press Pass may not conduct interviews or take photographs, audio or video footage without an escort.

If members of the media are present, attendees must act responsibly. Media representatives who do not have Press Pass and are not escorted by a WAFF Director should be reported to WAFF Security or WAFF staff immediately. Do not speak to any unbadged and unescorted members of the press.

WAFF attendees should be aware that audio and/or video recordings may be made in event areas and that their likenesses may appear in those recordings. Individual attendees agree to assign without compensation the use of their likeness(es) at the event for the use of promotional material.

The WAFF organisers grant you the right to use videos and photos you have taken at the convention for private and/or non-commercial purposes in the form of 5 minute clips. Any clips not officially released by the WAFF organisers that exceed this limit will be reported, and bans may be imposed at the discretion of the WAFF Directors.

While we encourage people to keep personal memories of their time at WAFF events, it is a breach in copyright to release any performance material that is not your own. This includes, but it not limited to comedy and musical performances. Any breach in this law will be reported to the appropriate authorities, and may result in both criminal charges, and suspension of future attendance.

Substance Abuse

The sale or other distribution of any illegal or controlled substances is not welcome at any WAFF events.

Any individual found to be distributing such substances will be removed and reported directly to the local authorities. Bottled alcoholic beverages may legally be given as gifts. The WAFF organisers ask that beverages purchased from outside sources be consumed in the privacy of an accommodation room and will not be permitted in any event space. Please note an important caveat involving minors: Anyone knowingly or unknowingly providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 18 will be guilty of an offense under the Liquor Control Act 1988 and will be turned over to the authorities. It is the sole responsibility of persons serving alcohol in room parties to ensure that every person in attendance is over the age of 18, even if that person is not drinking alcohol.

Weapons Policy

The WAFF organisers will maintain a very strict weapons policy which will be enforced at all times. No weapons or any item that can easily be mistaken for one, may be carried either openly or concealed at any time in the event space. Any objects deemed as training weapons like padded swords, striking implements, etc. may not be used in any event space. Weapon replicas may be worn as part of a costume only at the Fur Suit Walk and during WAFF organised costuming activities at the discretion of the WAFF Directors, and must be cased or otherwise secured when being transported to and from that activity. It you have any questions as to the permissibility of a prop for your performance, please contact WAFF prior to the event.

If at any time these items are held or used in such a way that would be construed as threatening, however, they will be considered weapons.

Suspension of Attendance

For the purpose of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of attendees, as well as upholding the Terms and Conditions of the event.

WAFF reserves the right to refuse and revoke the registration of an attendee, should it be required.

Attendees who violate the Terms and Conditions, or commit an offense that violates the wellbeing or safety of attendees and/or staff, may be removed from the premises, and their registration revoked.

Health & Safety

WAFF reserves the right to refuse and revoke the registration of any attendee should it deem necessary to keep safe the health of its staff and attendees. All those who have fallen ill at the time of the convention are advised to alert WAFF admin by email or otherwise remote contact and request a refund. WAFF does not condone deliberate attendance of any attendee that is aware that they are ill with a contagious disease.

Public Health Interest Policy

WAFF encourages all attendees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive their yearly cold and flu vaccinations. This is the best way to maintain good public health at conventions.

To ensure the health and safety of all attendees, face masks must be worn while inside the 'Dealers Den'. Masks will be provided at the main entryway.

For certain panels, the panel host may request that face masks are worn while in attendance. WAFF will support this decision and enforce masks for their panels.

If you cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, you must provide a valid medical certificate as proof, along with a valid photo ID to verify that the certificate belongs to you. Claims without supporting documentation may be refused entry.

If you feel unwell, please leave the convention space immediately. Attending the convention while knowing that you are unwell or infected may result in disciplinary action being taken by WAFF.