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OffKai Expo The VTuber Convention

April 16 – 18, 2027 at San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, California

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OffKai Expo Code of Conduct

Last Updated: July 24, 2026

GENERAL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

OffKai Expo is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and harassment-free experience for everyone. This code of conduct applies to all attendees, guests, sponsors, volunteers, and staff to ensure an inclusive and respectful environment. Discrimination and harassment are strictly prohibited, and all participants are expected to act with kindness and respect. Violations of this code may result in removal from the event without a refund at the discretion of the organizers.

RECORDING AND PHOTOGRAPHY NOTICE

By entering OffKai Expo, you consent to being photographed, audio-recorded, and/or video-recorded, as OffKai Expo may capture media for streaming, promotional purposes, and social media. Be aware that third parties may also take photos or videos in public areas. If privacy is a concern, please take appropriate precautions.

GENERAL RULES

  • Compliance with Laws: All federal, state, and local laws apply within OffKai Expo. Illegal activities are strictly prohibited.
  • Badge Display: Badges must be worn and visible at all times. Lost badges should be reported to Registration or Con Operations for replacement.
  • Child Attendees: Minors with Child badges must have a guardian present at all times.
  • Badge Non-Transferability: Badges are non-transferable and may be revoked by staff at any time.
  • Obeying Signage: Follow all posted signs, including restrictions on photography or filming.
  • Alcohol and Substance Use: Outside alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited in event spaces. If you are visibly intoxicated, you will be asked to leave. Alcohol is permitted only in private spaces, such as hotel rooms.
  • Smoking and Vaping: Smoking and vaping are not allowed in event spaces, inside the hotel, or within 25 feet of entrances.
  • Hotel Property: Do not move, tamper with, or affix items to hotel fixtures or furniture. Report any damages to staff immediately.
  • Advertising: Limit advertising to designated areas or tables only.
  • Pets and Service Animals: While the hotel is pet-friendly, pets are not allowed in event spaces. Service animals are permitted as required by law.
  • Drone Use: Drones are prohibited in convention space without prior written permission.

COSPLAY & CONSENT

  • Cosplay Is Not Consent: Always ask cosplayers for permission before taking photos or initiating any physical contact. Consent may be revoked at any time.
  • Peace Bonding: All cosplay weapons must be peace-bound and inspected at the designated Prop Check location. Your prop must accompany the costume you are currently wearing in order to be peace-bonded.
  • Appropriate Attire: Convention space is a public area; attire, including cosplay, must comply with public decency laws. Full or partial nudity is not permitted. Clothing should cover areas that a swimsuit would.
  • Footwear: Shoes or appropriate footwear must be worn at all times. Even if a character goes barefoot, the cosplayer must wear shoes.
  • Cosplay Size Restrictions: Costumes must not obstruct or impede foot traffic and should fit through all entrances. Consider bringing a “handler” if your cosplay is large, obstructs vision, or has protrusions. Costumes with limited visibility and/or movement must have a handler to assist with crowd navigation and safety.
  • Body Paint: Any paint, including body paint, must be dry and non-transferrable. You will be held liable for any damage caused to property due to paint transfer. Liquid latex or other conformal body coatings will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
  • Odor, Smoke, and Fog: No costume may generate odor, smoke, or fog.
  • Lights: Costumes must not have overly bright or rapidly flashing lights. Lights that slowly transition between colors or gradually increase in brightness will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
  • Military and Law Enforcement Uniforms: Realistic depictions of current U.S. military uniforms (World War II to present), law enforcement, or other emergency response personnel uniforms are not permitted. Costumes may not display the words POLICE, POLICIA, SWAT, FBI, DEA, CIA, or any other official government agency names or initials.
  • Hate Symbols: All attendees, including artists, performers, staff, and presenters, are prohibited from wearing items displaying symbols associated with hate groups or that are intended to hurt or demean others.
  • Official Flags: Official flags shall be respected and cannot be worn as part of a costume. They must be displayed on a flagpole. Homemade or unofficial flags are exempt from this rule.

SIGNAGE POLICY

  • Advertising: Commercial signs are prohibited. Commercial signs include, but are not limited to signs promoting socials, paid events, products, etc.
  • Appropriate content: Signs should be family-friendly, in regards to both language and contents. Examples of inappropriate content includes, but is not limited to profanity, sexually suggestive content, and harassment.
  • Placement: Signs are not to be attached to or set up on convention property (walls, floors, etc).

WEAPONS & PROPS POLICY

  • Prop Inspections: All props must be inspected and approved at Prop Check.  OffKai Expo staff have the absolute and immediate discretion and right to inspect your costume, prop weapons, and any other item you bring to the convention.
  • Medical and Assistive Devices: Mobile and medical assistive devices are not required to be inspected or peace-bonded.
  • Prop Size Limit: Props must not exceed 6 feet in any direction.
  • Blunt Edges: All props must have blunt edges and tips.
  • Identifiable Replicas: Prop weapons should be easily identifiable as replicas from at least 50 feet away and must not be capable of firing projectiles.
  • Firearms: Prop firearms must be made of plastic, have no moving parts, and display a non-removable orange tip that covers at least 2 inches on the front of the prop, as well as 2 additional easily-visible orange-banded areas. No firearms, airsoft weapons, replicas of guns, or props that use components of these in their construction are allowed. Firearm-like props may not be pointed at anyone at any time.
  • Prop Construction — Internal Supports: Props with a wooden dowel or PVC pipe support are permitted so long as they are completely encased within a softer material (such as EVA foam). Metal dowel supports are prohibited.
  • Permitted Materials: Props made of foam, thermoplastics, and 3D-printed filament are permitted so long as they adhere to these rules and limitations.
  • Glass: Props should not be made of glass or contain glass components. This includes, but is not limited to, bottles, glass tubes, and solid glass items.
  • Metal and Wood Restrictions: No metal or wood bats, metal pipes, or long metal chains. No prop designed primarily as a weapon (such as a sword, staff, or club) may be made of metal, regardless of sharpness. Props with metal decoration or adornment will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
  • Bows and Arrows: No functional bows and arrows. No bow-like prop may be held under tension at any time. Arrows must be blunt-ended and secured to a quiver.
  • Lightsabers: Lightsabers are allowed, but you must exercise care and caution when carrying or displaying them.
  • Smoke Machines: No smoke machines are allowed within OffKai Expo spaces.
  • Prop Lights: Any lights that blink rapidly or brightly enough to disturb other attendees should not be included in props. Lights that slowly transition from one color to another or gradually increase in brightness will be judged on a case-by-case basis.
  • Restricted Props: Prohibited items include live steel, explosives, hazardous chemicals, lasers, and props that create live flames, sparks, or jets.

PEACE-BOND REVOCATION

OffKai Expo may revoke a peace-bond at any time at its sole discretion. Examples of actions that will result in revocation include, but are not limited to: play fighting; swinging the weapon around; hitting someone intentionally or otherwise; receiving complaints about the way you are using or displaying your prop; or tampering with the peace-bond tag used to show that your prop has been inspected. If your peace-bond is revoked, you will need to remove the prop from convention property immediately.

LIST OF PROHIBITED ACTIONS AND ITEMS

  • Full or partial nudity; attire should cover any areas a swimsuit does.
  • Brandishing, swinging recklessly, or sparring with props is strictly prohibited and may result in removal from the event space. You may pose with a prop weapon in a brandishing manner so long as no reasonable person would interpret it as anything but a pose for dramatic effect. OffKai Expo staff may stop your brandishing pose at their sole discretion.
  • Rollerblades, Heelys, hoverboards, or stilts.
  • Functioning wheels, except for accessibility purposes.
  • Realistic depictions of American law enforcement or current military uniforms (WWII to present).
  • Dangerous or sharp protrusions.
  • Any props capable of shooting projectiles.
  • Firing mechanisms must be disabled (e.g., immobilizing the trigger with a zip tie) with no ammunition loaded.
  • Live Steel: Any metal prop that can hold an edge, even if dulled. OffKai Expo defines “live steel” as metal or ceramic which can take an edge. Dull metal weapons are considered live steel and therefore are not permitted.
  • Explosives and hazardous chemicals.
  • Nunchaku, flails with hard heads, or chains longer than 3 feet.
  • Handcuffs.
  • Lasers.
  • Props intentionally producing live flames, sparks, aerosols, electrical arcs, liquid sprays, confetti, glitter, or other messy substances.
  • No metal or wood bats, metal pipes, or long metal chains.
  • Props made of glass or containing glass components.
  • Incendiary devices or props easily mistaken for bullets or grenades.
  • Firearm props which are suitably realistic and could be mistaken for a real firearm, including airsoft, BB, and any training firearms (made of metal, plastic, or rubber).
  • Ballistic plates, including but not limited to, those made of ceramic, polyethylene and its subsets, and metal. All plate carriers must be empty or have foam inserts.
  • Any item designed or manufactured with the intent to cause bodily injury or death, any item illegal in the state of California, or any other item that appears dangerous or may pose a risk of harm, at the sole discretion of OffKai Expo staff.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

OffKai Expo has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, including but not limited to:

  • Physical assault or threats
  • Stalking or intimidation
  • Discrimination including bullying, bigotry, racism, sexism, intentional misgendering, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc.
  • Hate symbols and hate speech
  • Offensive verbal comments
  • Unwelcome physical contact or attention
  • Unwanted sexually explicit or suggestive behavior, language, or signs
  • Non-consensual photography or recording
  • Disruption of talks, presentations, or events

This applies to all OffKai Expo attendees including staff, attendees, guests, business partners, and all other participants. All reports of alleged harassment will be handled by the Executive Team, which will prompt an internal investigation and incident report. The convention may take action against said individuals up to and including expulsion from the event, barring said individual from attending future conventions, and referral to law enforcement.

OffKai Expo also has a non-retaliation policy. OffKai Expo expressly prohibits any punitive action to be taken against any individual making a good faith report of harassment occurring at or in the execution of our convention or in the conduct of its business. We also encourage participants to speak up and report such incidents. If you are the victim of harassment or witness harassment, you can file a report at the FLARE Office or by emailing safety@offkaiexpo.com. If you need additional assistance, please find a staff member or volunteer and we can help direct you to the proper resources.

PRIVACY AND PERSONAL INFORMATION GUIDELINES

As a VTuber-centered convention, OffKai Expo believes that the right to privacy is paramount for all attendees, staff, volunteers, and guests. To ensure a safe environment, OffKai Expo may revoke badges and/or remove from the convention any individuals who endanger the privacy of others. Actions that violate this policy include, but are not limited to:

  • Attempting to gain access to private details of anyone without their consent.
  • Spreading, discussing, questioning, or making threats regarding private details in public spaces.
  • Any and all actions that could be considered doxxing or revealing private information.

While gossip and speculation may be tempting, all participants at OffKai Expo—including attendees, staff, volunteers, and guests—are asked to refrain from discussing the private details of any individual in public settings or presentations. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Personally identifiable information and private life details, such as legal names, gender identity, age, addresses, places of work, sexual orientation, relationship or marital status, etc.
  • Unconfirmed connections between an individual and their past, such as past professional or personal affiliations.
  • Making jokes or implications that suggest connections to private or sensitive information.

Please remain mindful of everyone’s privacy and consider the safety of all individuals at OffKai Expo. The final decision on what constitutes a breach of this policy lies with OffKai Expo staff.

We ask that everyone play an active role in respecting privacy so that all attendees, including VTubers, feel safe and encouraged to participate fully in future conventions.

PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING, AND STREAMING GUIDELINES

  • Follow Signage. Respect all signs regarding photography, recording, and streaming restrictions.
  • Photography, recording, and streaming are not permitted during panels or events unless stated otherwise.
  • Obtain permission before photographing or recording attendees, guests, or cosplayers.
  • When streaming, please display a sign informing others that you are broadcasting live.
  • Flash photography is not permitted inside the venue for safety reasons.

INDEMNIFICATION

Attendance is at your own risk. OffKai Expo, the venue, and associated staff or volunteers are not liable for any claims or losses arising from the event.

MODIFICATIONS

OffKai Expo reserves the right to modify this Code of Conduct at any time without notice.