Anthro Northwest Code of Conduct

Summary

The Anthro Northwest Code of Conduct is designed to facilitate the creation of an event that is safe, welcoming, inclusive, kind, relaxed, and positive. Anthro Northwest is an event that is designed to be safe for children and families; as such, it has a maximum rating of PG/SFW (safe for work). While attending Anthro Northwest, please ensure that your conduct and attire is suitable for all ages.

Anthro Northwest expects all members to contribute to the safe, welcoming, inclusive, kind, and relaxed environment. Major disruptions to the environment may result in the loss of membership privileges, removal from events, or suspension. If you see or experience any violations of the Code of Conduct, please report them to the F.L.A.R.E. office located in room 503 or call the dedicated safety number: Contact information which is active during the convention.

Anyone who accepts a membership badge agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Anthro Northwest from any claim for personal injuries or other damages or equity arising out of any individual's activities at Anthro Northwest, even if such injury or damage is caused by negligence by or on the part of Anthro Northwest. As a condition of membership, all Anthro Northwest attendees are required to abide by these standards of conduct for the entire duration of their stay, even prior to Opening and after Closing Ceremonies.

Attire Guidelines

Attendees, when in public areas, may not wear clothing that is overly revealing (such as spandex suits) or inappropriate for the all-ages-inclusive atmosphere of the convention, such as fetish-related garments and accoutrements.
Wearing of collars is acceptable; however, leashes attached thereunto are not.
Spikes or intimidating attire are not allowed.
Rubber masks and costumes are generally prohibited.
Excessively gruesome, disturbing, or violent costumes and attire are not allowed. Examples include: creepy clowns, excessive blood, disembowelment, or dislodged limbs.
Shirts, pants / shorts / dresses / skirts etc., and footwear must be worn in all spaces accessible to members and the public.
Full-body fursuits are excluded from the "shirts / pants / shorts / dresses / skirts / footwear" rule, provided that the costume is not unacceptably revealing.
Undergarments worn as outerwear are not allowed.
Police, military, or any such uniform may not be worn with a costume/fursuit or by non-active-duty personnel. If you are active duty, please contact Anthro Northwest before wearing your uniform in the convention space for permission and conduct requirements.
Pup masks are not allowed.
Hateful symbols, insignias, or markings that promote activities that are not appropriate for the all-ages environment of the convention are not allowed.
Arm bands are not allowed.
Short-shorts are not allowed.

Public Decorum

Anthro Northwest functions are open only to members, and all attendees must wear and prominently display their membership badges at all times. A badge is valid only for the person to whom it was issued; badges may not be shared under any circumstances.

Costume performers using a face mask must wear their badge at all times while in the public or convention spaces of the hotel property, at offsite events organized by Anthro Northwest, or in participating fursuit-friendly businesses.

Smoking is not permitted except within designated areas. This includes electronic cigarettes. The City of Seattle prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and within 25 feet of an opening in a building. A designated smoking area is available at the hotel on the bottom floor near the parking lot.

Please do not engage in displays of affection beyond what is appropriate to be seen in public.

Knowingly providing transportation or housing, or otherwise knowingly enabling an individual that is disqualified from attending Anthro Northwest events to attend or enter the event's property is grounds for permanent revocation of Anthro Northwest membership privileges.

Camping is not allowed in the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Sleeping must occur in a guest room (not the convention space or the parking garage).

No items of any kind, including paper airplanes, may be thrown or dropped from the hotel balconies or patios. No water pistols or silly string may be used in any area of the hotel or convention center.

For safety reasons, glow sticks on strings or polearms must be cleared by Operations Staff located in room 502 before being used.

Anthro Northwest attendees must abide by instructions given by Anthro Northwest Operations and Customer Service staff. Failure to do so will result in loss of membership privileges. Any disputes or concerns may be addressed on-site at convention Operations.

Individuals emitting an unsatisfactory odor or experiencing an unsanitary condition will be asked to leave the public spaces until they are able to address the situation.

Reserved Areas and Events

The Young Furry Chill Space is reserved for persons under age 18 and their parents, other persons may enter if they have been invited by the organizers of the Young Furry Chill Space.

Bouncy castles or other amusements, when occupied by someone under the age of 18, are reserved for persons under age 18 only. Youth games are for persons under 18 only.

Persons with at least a costume head and handpaws are welcome to participate in the fursuit group photo and parade.

Radio Frequency (RF) Interference

Due to recent increases in disruptions from radio frequency (RF) interference at other events:

Possession or use of any device and/or software configured to unlawfully replay, spoof, jam, or otherwise interfere with electronic communications is not permitted.
Knowingly causing harmful interference (47 CFR 15.3(m)) is prohibited.

Violators may have their membership revoked and may be subject to additional action, up to and including disqualification from future membership, removal from the property, and/or referral to hotel security or law enforcement.

If you need a Flipper Zero or similar device for legitimate purposes, please contact the convention at least one month before the event to obtain permission for use.

Elevator Etiquette

If you are not in costume, please use the stairs or escalator if you are able.

Please encourage the following groups of people to advance to the front of the elevator line:

Persons with disabilities
Non-attending hotel guests
Performers in costume with up to one handler

Additional elevators are typically placed into service after the Fursuit parade departing from Floor 6.

Weapons Policy

No actual weapons or any item that can be easily mistaken for one may be carried either openly or concealed at any time on the Hyatt Regency Seattle property, regardless of any government permits you may possess. Exceptions may be made only for duly appointed law enforcement officers by prior arrangement with the Anthro Northwest Safety Lead and Hyatt Loss Prevention department.

Unfortunately, due to the proliferation of real guns that are made to look like toys, toy guns are not permitted.

Pet Policy

Pets are not permitted in Anthro Northwest convention space. Service dogs (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, Title II) are permitted in all convention spaces accessible to members provided that they are under appropriate control. The Hyatt Regency Seattle does not allow pets in convention spaces.

If your service animal will be accompanying you to an area with loud music, please consider ear protection for them.

Parties and Similar Gatherings In Hotel Rooms

Gatherings in hotel rooms must not generate any noise that can be heard in neighboring rooms during quiet hours. The Hyatt Regency Seattle quiet hours are from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Hotel doors must be kept shut during social gatherings and guests are not permitted to congregate in the hotel corridors. Loud parties will be given a single warning to remain quiet. No second warnings will be given before action is taken by the hotel to remove the offending individuals.

Hotel guests who host any gathering are responsible for cleaning up afterward. Excessive amounts of unbagged trash must not be left for housekeeping staff to clean up. Additional trash bags are available from housekeeping or in the convention Operations office.

Other Hotel Matters

Any act of vandalism, application of stickers, deliberate or excessive damage to hotel property, or interference with any hotel or convention center worker in the performance of their duties will result in permanent revocation of Anthro Northwest membership, criminal prosecution, fines, or any combination thereof.

The registered occupants of a room are solely responsible for the conduct of all individuals in the room and for the condition of the room. Excessive trash, soiling, other damage to hotel property, or any circumstance that may present a hazard to hotel housekeeping staff may result in permanent loss of Anthro Northwest membership privileges. The hotel may assess additional fees for any of the circumstances listed above.

Hyatt Regency Seattle housekeeping staff are required by corporate policy to inspect every room once per day, even if the room is not to be serviced. Housekeepers will not begin their rounds on the convention block until 11:00 AM. Thereafter, they will initially bypass rooms with "do not disturb" signs on the doors, but at the end of their rounds, they must return to those rooms and will knock on the door. Attendees must allow housekeeping staff access to the room at that time. Even if the "do not disturb" sign is displayed after 11:00 AM, the room must at some point be inspected and serviced (if necessary) by the end of housekeeping rounds. Rooms outside the convention block may be serviced as early as 7:00 AM.

Do not affix anything to the hotel walls, to the elevators, or to Anthro Northwest signage without prior permission. Advertising or promotional materials must be approved by Operations and placed only in designated areas. Advertising and promotional materials may only be displayed for events or services that are completely suitable for all ages and rated PG/SFW.

The Hyatt Regency Seattle does not allow the possession of compressed gas cylinders on the property. This includes CO₂ cylinders and nitrous whippets. Medical gases such as oxygen cylinders are exempted from this requirement as long as the owner has a prescription. Anyone violating this policy will be removed from the hotel and will lose their membership privileges.

Sales of Goods and Services

Those offering goods or services for sale must:

Be registered as a vendor with Anthro Northwest
Have a Washington state retail certificate or possess a temporary business license

Harassment and Consent

Attendees are asked to obtain consent before physically interacting with any guest. For example, if you want to give a hug, put your hands out like you are about to give a hug. If the other person makes the same gesture, then you have obtained consent for the interaction. While most character performers are happy to give and receive physical interactions, some are not. It's important to be respectful of personal boundaries.

Harassment of any kind, including physical assault, battery, deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwelcome physical attention, will not be tolerated at the convention. If people tell you "no" or ask you to leave them alone, your business with them is done. If you continue to attempt to have contact with those people, you may be removed from the premises. Remember: "A costume does not imply consent." If you have been the target of harassment, we urge you to report the incident immediately to a member of convention Operations. The sooner an issue is reported to us, the more appropriately we can address it.

Anthro Northwest is not responsible for solving any interpersonal problems that may arise between individual members prior to or during the convention. We cannot bar a person from attending solely because another attendee does not want that person to be there. 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.

Substance Abuse

The sale or other distribution of any illegal or controlled substances is not welcome at Anthro Northwest. Any individual found to be distributing or using such substances will be removed and reported directly to the local authorities.

The hotel prohibits the use of cannabis on its property. Violators will be removed from the hotel and lose membership privileges.

Anyone knowingly or unknowingly providing alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 will be guilty of a felony and will be referred 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 21, even if that person is not drinking alcohol. The Washington Liquor Control Board is extremely strict about this law and we ask our members to respect it.

Media Relations and the Use of Anthro Northwest Images or Footage

All journalists, media, photographers, and any other members of the press are required to display an official Anthro Northwest Press Badge and be accompanied by a senior Anthro Northwest staff member at all times while in the convention area or the Hyatt Regency Seattle property. Members of the press who have not been issued a Press Badge may not conduct interviews or take photographs, audio, or video footage. The hotel and Anthro Northwest must approve the presence of press or media agents.

If members of the media are present, attendees must act responsibly. Media representatives who do not have Press Badges or are not escorted by an Anthro Northwest staff member should be reported to Anthro Northwest Operations staff immediately. Do not speak to any unbadged or unescorted members of the press.

Anthro Northwest members should be aware that audio and/or video recordings are made in convention areas and that their likenesses may appear in those recordings. Individual members agree to assign without compensation the use of their likeness(es) to Anthro Northwest.

The names "Anthro Northwest" and "Hyatt" and the Anthro Northwest logo are trademarks and must not be used in any fashion that disparages or dilutes those marks. Members agree to remove from circulation or publication any image or recording that, in the sole opinion of Anthro Northwest Charities or the Hyatt Regency Seattle, misrepresents or defames any of their service marks. The Anthro Northwest mascots and associated characters are the property of Anthro Northwest and may only be used with express written permission.

Payments to Anthro Northwest and Other Monetary Matters

Anthro Northwest only accepts VISA, MasterCard, and Discover cards for payment. Cash or checks are not accepted. Chargebacks (denying a charge) that are made for the sole purpose of avoiding payment, that are made without sufficient cause, or that are made without first attempting to resolve the dispute with Anthro Northwest may result in permanent revocation of membership privileges and possible legal action.

Members who have an outstanding balance due to Anthro Northwest must settle that balance and pay any chargeback fees before being permitted to attend the convention.

Anthro Northwest cannot involve itself in financial disputes between individual members and cannot divulge information about an individual member to any party other than to banking officials or legal authorities.

Vendors are exclusively responsible for collecting and remitting any applicable taxes from the sales of their products. Temporary permit holders are advised that remittance of taxes is due ten (10) days after the end of the convention.

Membership Disqualification

Anthro Northwest reserves the right to refuse service or membership privileges to anyone.

Any individuals to which any of the following apply do not qualify for membership:

Anyone who has been banned from a major convention
Anyone who has been convicted of or promoted a crime against children or vulnerable adults per RCW 26.44, RCW 74.34, or equivalent laws in another jurisdiction
Anyone who has been found guilty of a felony
Anyone who has been convicted of or promoted:
- Sexual assault (RCW 9A.44)
- Animal abuse or animal cruelty (RCW 16.52)
- Exploitation or corruption of minors (RCW 9.68A)
- Other crimes against animals (RCW 7.48A, RCW 16.52)
Anyone who is or has been a member of a hate group
Anyone who is or has been a member of a group that promotes activities that are illegal under United States federal law, Washington state law, King County ordinances, or Seattle Municipal Code
Anyone who makes a false statement with the intent to expose a person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or verbal abuse; or to deprive them of their benefit of public confidence or social intercourse; or to injure them in their business or occupation (defamation per se)
Anyone who communicates in an abusive manner with Hyatt Regency Seattle employees or Anthro Northwest staff

If you feel that any of these categories may apply to you, and you wish to participate, you must first petition the Anthro Northwest Board as to your eligibility for membership before attending the convention or participating in any Anthro Northwest activities. Contact information for the Board of Directors is available on the About page.

Disqualifying actions may also result in being blocked from participation on social media.

Individuals who report a serious crime to Anthro Northwest must also file a police report. Failure to file a police report will result in loss of membership privileges. Anthro Northwest Operations staff can assist you with the reporting process.

Miscellaneous Terms

The standards of conduct for Anthro Northwest are enforced by Anthro Northwest volunteers and staff. These individuals will be clearly identified as such on-site. Please remember that your badge is the property of Anthro Northwest and must be presented and/or surrendered to any staff member requesting it. If you feel there is any issue with any action taken by a staff member, you may take the matter up with the Operations supervisor or the Anthro Northwest Board of Directors.

Please remember that these rules involve "worst-case" scenarios and are put into place to ensure the safety and comfort of our members. They are also not all-inclusive. In all cases, the singular rule that supersedes all others is: "Any action or behavior that interferes with the safe, welcoming, inclusive, kind, relaxed, and positive environment of Anthro Northwest may result in revocation of membership privileges." We thank our members for their cooperation and for their continued assistance in making this a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Decisions made by Anthro Northwest may be appealed by contacting the Board of Directors.

VR Addendum

VR conduct and attire guidelines are the same as physical Anthro Northwest events.

Please help create a comfortable and welcoming experience by maintaining microphone discipline and by giving reasonable amounts of space to other guests. This will help prevent disorientation, discomfort, motion sickness, and lack of persistent vision for other VR players.

If someone is making you uncomfortable during an event, please let Anthro Northwest staff know by reporting it to @anwguestrelations on Telegram. If you experience a violation of the VRChat Terms of Service, we also encourage reporting the issue to VRChat directly on their Discord server, under the channel #moderation-reports. Staff for VR worlds are only immediately available during Anthro Northwest VR event dates.

Staff and Volunteer Addendum

As a staff member, you are held to the highest standards of conduct. Your behavior is to reflect positively on the community at all times. Your conduct should set an example and exemplify the Anthro Northwest Code of Conduct.

A staff member's primary purpose is to provide hospitality and support to the guests, vendors, and hotel. A staff role is a service opportunity.

If someone looks uncomfortable or doesn't wish to participate, you should give them plenty of space. Greeters and character performance staff should take special care to follow this rule.

If you are wearing a staff medallion, you should be prepared to give assistance, directions, and support to anyone who needs it. If you are a character performer and do not talk, you must have a handler with a medallion present anytime you are also wearing the medallion.

Staff and volunteer medallions may not be shared or transferred.

Staff must immediately report any injuries or incidents to their supervisor.

Please immediately refer difficult guests to your supervisor.

Staff are required to remove their medallions before consuming alcohol or attending social gatherings as guests.

Staff may not speak to the press or journalists in an official capacity without advance express written permission.

If you do not complete your minimum service commitment listed on the volunteering page and you utilize the benefits of volunteering, you will be required to purchase a membership for the year in which you were unable to complete your service before attending any future conventions.

Vendor Addendum

All vendor activities in Vendor Rooms and the Artists Alley must comply with the Anthro Northwest Code of Conduct and this Vendor Addendum.
Anthro Northwest is an all-ages-inclusive event. Content must be appropriate for all ages. G-rated material is highly preferred. The maximum rating of any content is PG.
All content must be safe for work (SFW). Censoring disallowed material is not an acceptable alternative. Depictions must conform to the Anthro Northwest Code of Conduct attire guidelines.
Art depicting sexual themes, innuendo, fetishes, fetish activities, or fetish attire; irresponsible tobacco, alcohol, or drug use; or illicit activites is not allowed.
Vendors and artists represent the community in a very big way, they are asked to be helpful, kind, and supportive of the attendees.
Under certain circumstances, Anthro Northwest may approve for display artwork containing otherwise disallowed material that has exceptional educational, anthropological, artistic, scientific, literary, or spiritual merit. Please contact Anthro Northwest at least two months before the convention for consideration of special merit.

Board Actions

The Board may designate that any member must petition for membership. This is normally done because a person wouldn't normally qualify for membership; for violations of the Code of Conduct; or to protect the safety of a person or others.

Members may petition the Board annually. Any restrictions on membership remain in effect until a successful petition, or until you are informed by the Board that an annual petition for membership is no longer required.

If you are required to petition for membership, please contact Anthro Northwest using any of the methods on the About page.