Policies, Ethics, and Conduct

How to Identify Staff

All staff at Game Theory Expo will have badges which clearly identify them as such by the inclusion of the word “STAFF” at the bottom of the badge. Likewise, volunteers may be identified by the word “VOLUNTEER” on the bottom portion of their badge. Volunteers that are on duty will also be wearing an official 2019 volunteer shirt. If they are not wearing their volunteer shirt then they are not currently on duty as a volunteer. Volunteer shirts are not available to the general public and change each year. If you have concerns, ask at the Registration/Will Call desk when picking up your badge.

Reporting an Issue

Any concerns or violations of these policies should be reported to GTEX staff as soon as possible by:

speaking to a volunteer who is on duty (wearing their volunteer shirt).
visiting the GTEX registration desk near the hotel entrance.
visiting the GTEX office in the Explorer room on the bottom floor of the hotel.

The volunteer will help directly if possible, but you may always request to speak with a senior staff member. If your issue is such that you are more comfortable speaking to a particular gender of staff, please make that known and your request can be accommodated. If your issue does not require speaking to us in person or is not time sensitive, you can always let us know by emailing info <at> gametheoryevents <dot> com.

Reported issues are handled on a case-by-case basis. We are happy to keep you informed regarding any action taken within the limits imposed upon us by any laws that might apply.

If you observe an issue with the hotel space, such as a restroom that needs attention, then you can instead report the issue to the front desk of the hotel.

If you observe an emergency situation, please call the appropriate authorities and then notify show management and hotel staff so we can help expedite the emergency response.

Food and Beverage

Outside food and drink is not allowed at the hotel. Meal options are available for pre-purchase (Pre-purchase of meals ends on August 22). Purchasing a Weekend Package, Saturday Package, or Sunday Package badge includes meals and provides a discount on your meal cost. There will be pre-packaged snacks available for purchase at the event. For outside food or drink or for meals if you have not pre-purchased, you will need to leave the hotel or eat in your hotel room (if you rented one).

Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at GTEX.

Gaming at GTEX

The open gaming area for 2019 will be available 24 hours. The hotel kindly requests, due to the availability of the open gaming room, that attendees please not game in public hotel spaces but confine their gaming to the gaming halls themselves.

Children’s Policy

Children ten and under are admitted free when accompanied by an attending adult, but must be registered with the convention upon arrival and wear a wristband with their parent/guardian’s contact information. Children 10 and under should always be accompanied by a parent or guardian, but the wristband will help should they become inadvertently separated. If your child wishes to preregister for an event or participate in an event that requires purchasing an event ticket, you will need to purchase a badge for them as well (regardless of age). Children over the age of ten are subject to the standard badge costs.

Things to avoid

All the following will result in expulsion from GTEX without refund:

Violating any federal, state, or local laws.
Violating any hotel/venue rules or GTEX policies.
Failure to comply with lawful instructions from GTEX staff or security personnel.
Threatening persons or property.
Abusive language.
Deliberately or aggressively damaging persons or property.
Endangering the safety of those at the convention site, including oneself.
Harassing others in any way (more on that below).

Please report any violations, concerns, or problems to GTEX staff, show management, or the registration desk.

Harassment

GTEX is a harassment free environment and welcomes anyone interested in games regardless of:

Race
Gender
Sexual orientation
Disability
Physical appearance
Religion
Political views
Affiliation

GTEX expects all participants to behave in a mature and responsible manner and to respect that others need not share your same views or opinions. Violations of this policy will be dealt with on a case by case basis, but may include sanctions up to and including legal action or expulsion from the show without refund. Further, Game Theory Expo has taken the Includicon pledge. You can learn more about that here:

Weapons and Prohibited Items

Firearms are prohibited at GTEX, both open and concealed. If you have a concealed carry permit, please secure your weapon in your room or vehicle and avoid carrying it in GTEX functional spaces.

The following items should not be brought into GTEX functional spaces. Please note that this list is not all-inclusive. In addition to items specifically listed here other items that may be deemed to present a potential threat may also be prohibited.

Ammunition
Pepper Spray
Billy clubs
Blackjacks
Bows and arrows
Brass knuckles
Disabling chemicals or gases
Edged Weapons
Explosives
Firearms
Illegal drugs/paraphernalia
Nunchucks
Projectile weapons
Stun guns/shocking devices

Smoking/Vaping/Tobacco

The Hilton hotel (interior) is designated as a non-smoking facility. Please ask the Front Desk for locations of designated outdoor smoking areas. Policy also applies to electronic cigarettes, personal vaporizers & electronic nicotine delivery systems. Smokeless tobacco is also prohibited in GTEX functional spaces.

Pets/Animals

The Hilton does allow service animals, but not pets in general.