Balticon is a non-smoking convention and Baltimore is a smoke-free city. The only places where you are allowed by law to smoke are in the bar, the smoking section of the restaurants, and in the hotels "smoking allowed" sleeping rooms.
Convention membership badges must be worn in a plainly visible location for all Balticon 31 functions. Balticon defines plainly visible as the front upper torso, with no other buttons, badges, or flaps of clothing covering, obscuring, or otherwise camouflaging the badge. If we cannot see your badge, expect to be stopped constantly and asked to produce it. If you are not wearing a badge, you will be denied access to all Balticon functions. If you are not the owner of the badge you are wearing, you will be asked to leave the hotel. If you loan your badge to someone else, your membership will be revoked.
Between the hours of 2 am and 6am you will be asked to leave the hotel if you do not have either a hotel room key or a convention badge.
Anyone planning to hold an open party must register their party with Balticon. Check the box on the convention registration form and party registration information will be sent to you. There will be no alcohol at open parties.
An open party is defined as any party where the door to the hallway is propped open, for which signs are posted, or which is announced in a similarly public manner. Only parties registered with Balticon will have corkage covered by the convention. The hotel normally charges catering rates for parties. Balticon negotiates a corkage agreement with the hotel to allow us to bring food and beverages. Parties which do not register with Balticon will need to make their own arrangements with the hotel (costs are very, very steep).
All open parties must be registered at least three (3) weeks prior to the convention. Parties may only be held on the designated party floors. All parties must be closed when the public facilities of the hotel close (2:00 AM).
Any parties found in violation of these rules will be shut down.
For more information on holding a party, please check the appropriate box on the Balticon Registration form, or send an E-mail message (include "party" in the subject line) to bsfs@bsfs.org.
If you are under age 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is also attending Balticon. The Baltimore City curfew for those under the age of 18 is Midnight on Friday and Saturday nights and 11:00 PM on Sunday. If you are under the age of 18 and are not registered for a room in the hotel you must leave the hotel by these hours.
The Hotel is not a curfew exempt area.
This is Baltimore LAW we are required to follow the rules.
Between the hours of 2 am and 6am you will be asked to leave the hotel if you do not have either a hotel room key or a convention badge.
All weapons must be peace bonded. Anyone foolish enough to wear any kind of weapon outside the hotel should expect to be arrested. There have been several arrests of people carrying toy guns in the Inner Harbor district. The police take their job seriously.
No pets will be allowed in the convention-controlled areas. Baltimore's leash law require all animals to be properly restrained. Please remember that not everyone loves your animal as much as you do.