Costume College PoliciesConferences bring a large group of diverse people together. Even though we all have a love of costumes in common, we come from varying backgrounds. Remember that someone that you see only once or twice a year or have only just met, may have a different comfort level – verbally, visually, and physically – than you do. Photography and Videography Policy Disability and Service Animal Policy These policies are subject to change without notice. Code of ConductRevised 6/8/2025 In order to participate in a Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. (CGW) event or interact in CGW/Costume College social media spaces, all attendees, presenters, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers agree to abide by this Code of Conduct. CGW reserves the exclusive and sole right to enforce its code of conduct, define what constitutes unacceptable behavior, and determine what actions it will take to address incidents that occur. In order to support an environment that builds community and positive connections, the following behaviors are expected of all participants:
To comply with this code, participants agree to avoid unacceptable behavior. Examples of such include, but are not limited, to the following:
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior Unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated at CGW events. If a participant engages in such or fails to comply with expected behavior at any time during the event, CGW may take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to removing the participant from the event without a refund and/or prohibiting future attendance at events. Each instance of unacceptable behavior will be investigated and addressed on a case-by-case basis. Reporting Unacceptable Behavior If you witness or are subjected to unacceptable behavior or have any other concerns at a CGW event, notify a CGW board member or event volunteer as soon as possible. This may be done in person or via the reporting form linked on our Anti-Harassment Policy page. In the event these are unavailable for any reason, you may also contact us or email the President at [email protected] . Dress CodeRevised 5/18/2025 Costume College and all CGW events are PG-13 events. Be mindful that we are in public spaces and there will be people present who are not a part of our event. We love costumes at Costume College, however, costumes are never required. We don’t want to discourage anyone from wearing a costume at the event, but you should be aware of the environment and spaces you are wearing it in, both for your own comfort and to make sure our events remain navigable for all attendees. Costumes are not needed in classrooms and can be a distraction when attending classes. If you choose to wear a costume during the day, make sure it takes up minimal space (horizontally and vertically) to ensure that everyone is able to fully participate in their class. Additionally, we ask that you are thoughtful and respectful of others when choosing a costume. Ensembles that demean or mock a culture, lifestyle, or groups of people are not appropriate for our events. Outfits that contain or reference hate speech, crude or offensive language, or sexually explicit content will not be tolerated. Please carefully consider the effect your costume may have on other attendees. CGW reserves the right to deem a costume unacceptable and request that the wearer make modifications as necessary. If those modifications are unsuccessful or the wearer chooses not to comply with this request, the attendee will be asked to leave the event and no refunds will be issued. Photography and Videography PolicyRevised on 9-14-2025 Costume College engages one or more professional photographers who act in an official capacity for the convention. Official Roving Photographers take candid pictures at events, classes, and in public spaces. Official Studio Photographer(s) take posed portraits of attendees in a designated area. These images are the property of Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. and may be used at CGW’s discretion. Both studio and candid photos are available after the convention, and digital copies are included as part of your registration fee. As at any public event, photographs and videos of participants and their guests are taken and posted online. Costume College is a lively event and there is a real possibility that your photograph or a video of you may be taken by Costume College photographers or attendees and thereafter posted on the internet. By attending Costume College, you give your consent to the posting of such photographs and videos by us or others and waive all rights and claims with respect to the posting of such photographs and videos. While we have no control over other people’s websites and social media accounts, Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. does not list names with photos or video on our website or social media accounts without express consent from the person in the photo or video. If you would like a posted photo or video on the Costume College or CGW website removed, please contact the Web Team at [email protected], and it will be taken down. It is harassment to continue to photograph someone who specifically asks you not to take photographs or videos of them or their belongings. If someone asks you not to take such a photo or video, please comply with their request. Please see our anti-harassment policy for further information. Registered Costume College attendees may take photos and videos in classrooms for personal use ONLY. No photos or videos may be taken of the teacher, their process, presentation, or work, without the express permission of the teacher. If the teacher permits photos and/or videos, these may only be posted on the internet with the express permission of the teacher. Outside photographers (that is, photographers not officially engaged by Costume College, who may or may not be registered attendees) are allowed at the event. Outside photography is limited to the public areas of the convention with the exception of the marketplace. Outside photography may not disrupt events or impede the flow of foot traffic. Outside photographers may not monopolize areas intended to be used as photo ops by all attendees. Outside photographers are not required to purchase registration to Costume College, although they are welcome to do so. All persons present at the event must follow our general event policies. Outside photographers may not use any equipment other than their camera (e.g., no tripods, stand lights, free-standing light rings, etc.) while taking photographs at Costume College. Outside photographers may not charge money at Costume College or in the hotel for their pictures, though they may hand out business cards to attendees. No financial transactions for goods or services may take place between outside photographers (whether registered or not) and attendees on-site. Outside photographers may be asked to cease taking photos or to leave at any time. Disability and Service Animal PolicyDisability Accommodation If you require an accommodation for special needs covered under the ADA, you must notify Costumer’s Guild West and/or the Sheraton Gateway Lost Angeles Hotel no later than six (6) weeks before Costume College. The person you need to notify of your special needs is the Registrar of Costume College by email at [email protected]. Additionally, we will keep the information regarding your condition and special needs confidential. Only those members of the Costumer’s Guild West and the Sheraton Gateway Lost Angeles Hotel who are in a “need to know” position will be informed of your situation. Service Animals Accommodation Your dog will be allowed to be with you in most areas of the hotel, and Costume College, including classrooms, restrooms, the restaurant, lobby, Marketplace, Exhibits, and pool area, etc. However, due to health and safety laws you cannot bring the dog into the pools, or in the gym area. The handler must maintain control over the dog at all times, either physically by leash, harness or tether, or by voice, signal, or other means. If the dog becomes uncontrollable (including repeated barking), or is not housebroken, the dog must leave the event. The dog must always be with the handler and cannot be left behind in the hotel room. Emotional support, therapy, comfort and companion dogs are not considered service animals, and will not be allowed at Costume College. No other animals of any kind will be allowed at Costume College at any time. Please contact the Sheraton Gateway Lost Angeles Hotel to discuss their policy regarding service dogs. Please visit our Hotel FAQs for more details. Please visit https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/service_animal_qa.html for more information regarding service dogs. Minor PolicyAll Costume College attendees under the age of 18 must present a signed permission form from a parent or guardian to attend. If under the age of 16, the attendee must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a registered Costume College attendee to all classes. Minors who are 16 or 17 do not need to have a parent or guardian attend all the same classes with them, but a parent or guardian must be at the hotel at all times while the minor is in the hotel. Any attendee under 18 who wishes to attend a Tour must be accompanied by an adult (additional fees will apply). For questions regarding this policy please contact the Student Liaison at [email protected]. Costumes sometimes come in the form of characters with weapons, and in many cases, these weapons look quite real. Convention operations prefers that these items be peace bonded. A peace bond is a very visible lock or tie on a realistic looking weapon to make clear to security and to police that it is not intended to be used for violent purposes. The peace bond will usually come in the form of a zip tie over the trigger such that it couldn’t be pulled or holding a bladed weapon in the sheath. If you have a costume with a realistic-looking weapon, please stop into Ops to have them check it.
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