All participants of Dream Con must adhere to all rules and policies. This is how we can keep Dream Con fun, safe, and welcoming for all. All illegal activity is prohibited. The following rules and policies will be enforced during all Dream Con events:
All attendees, vendors, guests, staff, volunteers, and all others 12-years old or older will need to be either:
Fully vaccinated with an approved or authorized vaccine by the FDA or WHO (World Health Organization) within at least 72 hours upon arrival to the event.
Able to provide a negative PCR test 72 hours before the event to attend. Rapid tests will not be accepted.
Badges
TICKETS - NO REFUND/TRANSFER/RESALE
Alcohol
Possession of alcoholic beverages in the convention space by anyone under 21 years of age (it’s the law) is grounds for expulsion from the convention without refund. Alcohol or alcoholic beverages are not allowed inside the convention center or at any of our official Dream Con events. Bag searches will be performed at various entry locations. Wanding and metal detectors may be used at some locations as well. Possession of alcoholic beverages may be grounds for expulsion from the convention without refund.
E-Cigarettes, Vaping Products & Devices
Traditional cigarettes, pipes, cigars, or E-cigarettes and any vaping product or device are prohibited inside the convention center, hotel, and other Dream Con venues. You are welcome to step outside the Convention Center to smoke in designated smoking areas only. This policy is in place not only for the comfort of attendees but also to comply with Arlington city ordinances prohibiting smoking at public events near any doorway, entrance, exit, or operable window. Non-compliance may result in removal from the convention without refund.
Firearms
Real firearms are not allowed at Dream Con. This includes those attendees who maintain a Texas Weapons Carry License or a similar permit from another state. Dream Con Security, hotel security, and local law enforcement officials will treat anything that looks like a real weapon as a weapon. Attendees who choose to ignore this policy will be removed from the convention and will have their membership revoked without refund.
Outside Food and Beverages
No outside food or beverages allowed unless purchased from a Dream Con vendor. If Dream Con staff or security believes that you have brought in outside food or beverages, you will be asked to leave the venue and allowed to return without items.
To all participants and attendees entering Dream Con, be aware that photography, audio and video recording may occur. Attendance at the event grants your permission to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. Your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with Dream Con and its initiatives may be used. This may include use on websites, archival, news and advertising, social media, and to the release, reproduction, or publication of any and all recorded media on event grounds.
You waive and release any claims you may have related to the use of recorded media of ‘you’ by entering Dream Con or event grounds. This includes, without limitation, any right to review or approve the photo, video or audio recording of you, any claims for invasion of privacy, violation of the right of publicity, defamation, and copyright infringement or for any fees for use of such record media.
Understand that all photography, filming and/or recording at Dream Con will be done in reliance on this consent. If you disagree with the following, please refrain from entering Dream Con or event grounds.
Dream Con prides itself on cultivating a friendly, diverse, and safe environment for all attendees, panelists, vendors, guests, staff and volunteers. In an effort to do so, Dream Con prohibits harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment/assult, and will take appropriate and immediate action in response to this behavior.
Harassment is any verbal or physical conduct designed to intimidate or pressure, humiliate, threaten, make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Harassment includes but is not limited to the following:
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.The above list is not exhaustive and the Dream Con staff are the final arbiter of what else may constitute harassment for the purposes of this policy.
Any form of physical aggression or assault will result in the immediate removal of the offending party without refund, and ultimately, expelled from Dream Con and future events.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical actions of a sexual nature.” Sexual harassment may take different forms such as:
As appropriate and at the offended party’s discretion, a report may also be filed with the local authorities. Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault are legal distinctions that are outside the scope of Dream Con to decide and will be left to the authorities to take appropriate actions.
For other forms of harassment, within reason, you will receive only one warning from Dream Con staff or security. Further offenses will result in your removal from Dream Con without refund and potential bans from future Dream Con events.
If you feel that you are being harassed or witness harassment, please report it first to the Dream Con staff or security immediately. DO NOT personally confront the aggressor or post on social media. It is important to contact the appropriate Dream Con staff or security team to resolve the issue as quickly and effectively as possible. Our security team is properly equipped to handle these situations. You will always be able to find a Dream Con staff member and security member in the registration area.
Respect all parties involved in Dream Con. We understand that attendees are very excited to take pictures and record; however, respect the privacy of those who ask you not to take a picture of them.
The Dream Con Mobile App is available for IOS and Android users. To help everyone enjoy our community and to cultivate a fun and safe environment, Dream Con prohibits inappropriate behavior and harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment.
When using the app, please keep in mind:
Community managers/staff will give you one warning and mobile app users must comply immediately. Repeat offenders will be blocked from using the mobile app. This may also result in your removal from Dream Con without refund and potential bans from future Dream Con events.
Cosplay is such a fun and enjoyable aspect of anime culture and we love to see it at Dream Con; however, we want to make sure that all participants at the convention are safe. If you plan to cosplay or bring a cosplay prop to Dream Con, you must read and adhere to the rules.
If Dream Con staff or security believe that you are breaking one of these rules, you will be dismissed from convention to change out of cosplay and re-enter. Further offenses will result in your removal from Dream Con without refund and potential bans from future Dream Con events.
Cosplay Props
Dream Con has a no firearm policy for the entire duration of the convention and will be enforced. However, cosplay props will be allowed as long as they cannot be mistaken for real weapons.
Cosplay weapon props must adhere to the rules:
We are very happy to have so many great vendors and exhibitors at Dream Con! To make sure we are all on the same page, here are the policies and rules for Exhibitors.
Exhibitors must comply with all local, state and federal laws, and will not hold management liable for any breaches, losses, injury, or damage to themselves or their property. All exhibitors agree to hold blameless Dream Con and all Dream Con staff members and workers against any loss, damage, theft, expenses, claims or actions arising from any personal or property damage, loss or theft due to said exhibitors participation in Dream Con. Exhibitors should take reasonable measures to cover their items before they leave their booths at night. Exhibitors are responsible for their own security during show hours.
Booths must remain intact and manned throughout the hours of the convention and may not be dismantled prior to the closing of the convention without authorization from Convention Operations. Dream Con will not be held responsible for any issues arising from an unmanned booth during show hours.
To be considered official Dream Con press, you must have filled out a complete application and received an approval email from Dream Con’s Press Department. Approved press will receive a max Your press pass is non-transferable and is not valid to loan or sell to other attendees. Any individuals who transfer their passes may be disqualified from press access at future Dream Con events. We also ask that you take a moment before attending to review the press policy.
Guest Interviews
Registered press members are required to arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled session. Interviews will begin promptly, and late members will not be granted admission. Keep the interview cordial and professional for the entirety of the session. Press staff will monitor the interview session from start to finish.
Informal Interviews
Informal interviews do NOT require a press badge and can be conducted without the need for Dream Con’s Press department. You may interview anyone at the convention except official Dream Con guests. Dream Con’s Press Department will not enforce the press code of conduct on informal interviews; however, you must still follow all rules and regulations including federal and state laws. If a press room is available, you may request to use it by contacting Dream Con’s Press Department.
Prohibited Actions
As a member of the press, these actions are PROHIBITED:
Press Code of Conduct
Press After Dream Con
To maintain good standing, Dream Con requires its previous press members to post coverage of the event. Coverage must be posted within 2 months after attending Dream Con.
Press members who violate any of the outlined policies on this page will have their badges immediately removed and/or blacklisted from Dream Con 2022.
In addition to following all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) guidelines, we are working closely with the City of Arlington to ensure all operations meet or exceed all recommended health and safety standards. We will be practicing health and safety by creating adequate space between gaming stations, providing proper sanitization resources and regular cleaning of equipment and surfaces. Gaming Center staff and customers will be required to wear a mask at all times. Any guests who do not properly wear their mask after receiving a verbal warning will be asked to leave. Masks will be provided to customers with the purchase of game time (available upon request). We will also be taking the temperature of all guests and staff before entry into the venue. Anyone with a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted to enter the facility.
Please do not enter the venue if you’re experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms:
Please see the DSHS website for more information.
Currently, the CDC or the DSHS recommends practicing the following protocols which are subject to change:
Please see the CDC website and the DSHS website for more information.
You should check CDC and DSHS guidelines prior to your visit for any changes implemented by the CDC or the DSHS.