Safety at tracon

On this page, you will find all information related to safety at Tracon in one place, such as rules and regulations, information on harassment, and the event etiquette. With the help of these, we ensure that everyone has a safe and equal opportunity to participate in the event.

Rules and regulations are written in easy to understand language. We hope, that they are understandable to everyone. By clicking a header underneath, you can jump directly to a particular section.

At Tracon, fans and hobbyists with many different interests come together. You might come across some things that don’t necessarily interest you. There are many different kinds of people at the event and everyone has an equal right to be heard and seen.

• Take others into account in everything you do.
• Respect other people’s personal spaces.
• Avoid cramming into crowded situations and spaces.
• Always ask for permission before hugging or otherwise touching someone else.
• The noise level of the indoor areas is high.
• Playing music from personal devices is prohibited in the Tampere Hall.
• Offensive conduct or materials have no place at Tracon.
• Demeanor that aims at frightening or causing anxiety to others is prohibited.

Everyone has the right to privacy.
Everyone has the right to attend Tracon in peace.

For privacy reasons, photography is prohibited in dressing rooms, bathroom areas, areas closed off to the public, and the floor accommodation areas.
Photography is also forbidden in programmes that expressly prohibit it.
The photography ban in these areas affects all types of devices, including smart eyeglasses. A person found to be inappropriately photographing can be removed from the event and their entry ticket can be revoked.

Photography in public areas is allowed as long as you respect others.
Do not block paths or stairways when photographing!

When taking pictures of other people so that they are clearly recognisable, always ask for permission before taking the picture and possibly publishing it.
In wide shots there can be dozens of people, and asking for permission from each of them is not possible.
Regardless, we encourage to publish pictures where persons are represented in favorable light, and considering not publishing unfavorable pictures.

If you publish a photo where someone is clearly recognizable without their permission, it can be a crime.
The crime may be, for example, defamation or dissemination of information violating personal privacy. 

Photographing and publishing pictures of underage and young people, especially, should be done with careful consideration.

We encourage you to always ask for permission before taking or publishing a photograph.

Drones and other unidentified flying objects are prohibited in the event area.
You must have acquired a separate permit in advance from the event’s security managers if you want to fly such things in the event area.

The event does not have an age restriction, so Tracon has guests of all ages.
When choosing your outfit, you should take into consideration other guests and those outside of the event.

Large outfits that make it difficult to go through doors are not suitable for indoor areas.
Outfits that block the view of others will not be permitted into stands and programme areas.
Large outfits are welcome in the park. 

If your outfit has previously gathered a crowd and/or you assume it would do so at Tracon, please choose a place for your appearance in the park or in the ground floor lobby. This way, you won’t be blocking any paths.

Modern soldier outfits, uniforms, and outfits that are comparable with or easily mistaken for them are prohibited.
Outfits that are likely to cause unrest or panic in a public area are also prohibited.
Fantasy soldiers and outfits that are clearly not mistakable for the aforementioned are, however, allowed. For example, Soldier 76 from Overwatch, Marvel’s Black Widow or Captain America are allowed outfits and characters.

Outfits, markings and materials as a part of an outfit or otherwise on display, that offend another’s ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexuality or gender identity go against the values of Tracon, and have no place at the event.

Use discretion when deciding what kind of an outfit would be appropriate for Tracon, and a public area in the center of Tampere. However, keep in mind that the event organizers have the final say in the matter. 

If necessary, contact the organizers before the event.

Coming to Tracon from military conscription is allowed

Those currently serving their conscription in the Finnish Defence Forces can attend the event in the army’s holiday outfit. If possible, take civilian clothing with you.

The link opens to the Props and Outfits page, where you can find guidelines clearing up the rules and regulations.

he Finnish Public Order Act prohibits items that can be used to hurt another person.

If an item like this is a part of your outfit, it is still prohibited.

Public Order Act 10§

Possession of objects and substances suitable for injuring others

The possession of the following objects or substances intended or suitable for causing serious injury to other people in a public place is prohibited:

• Edged weapons, broken glass, and other similar objects suitable for slashing or stabbing;

• Batons, chains, bows, wires, cables, baseball bats and other similar objects suitable for hitting;

• Darts, metal balls and other similar objects suitable for throwing;

• Corrosive substances and substances that are suitable for seriously injuring or temporarily paralysing a person;

• Air guns, spring powered weapons, harpoons, catapults, blowpipes and other similar objects suitable for shooting;

• Laser pointers that are hazardous to health.

The possession of objects that bear a deceptive resemblance to a firearm or an explosive object is prohibited in a public place.

 Please note, that this also involves the following:

• Shinais and bokkens

• Sharp or sharpened props regardless of material

• Gas- and electricity powered airsoft weapons

• Unsharpened metal daggers, swords, katanas etc.

• Bows and arrows

Additionally, we have clarified the rules regarding props used in cosplay:

• The prop must be relevant to the outfit or dress

• The prop may not cause accidents or be suitable for injuring others

• Props exceeding the length of 50 centimetres must be made of a suitably light and/or soft material

• Spring-powered airsoft weapons must not deceptively resemble real firearms, be in a usable condition, and pellets (BBs) must not be on your person.

• Swinging any kind of an implement at the event is not allowed, except as a part of a programme and under supervision

We recommend materials, such as cardboard, light plastics, craft/EVA foam, latex, etc for your props.

Bringing objects fitting into these categories for shows, competitions or programmes must be arranged beforehand with the event organizer.

When you first arrive at the event, you must get all your props inspected.
Props approved in other events or previous Tracons must be given for inspection again.

The security stewards perform inspections at the park entrances.
A prop means a separate or easily separable part of an outfit, for example a sword, a dagger or a staff. 

Props must be relevant parts of your outfit.
If a prop is not related to your outfit, and resembles prohibited items or objects, you may not bring it to the event.

Rule-abiding and allowed props will be marked with an annually changing sticker during the inspection.
These stickers may not be removed during the event, not even for photography.
Props that have accidentally or otherwise lost their stickers must be brought back for a new inspection without delay. 

Props that resemble weapons or prohibited items are forbidden, if they lack a sticker.

Bringing a prop like this to the event can lead to the confiscation of the prop, or total removal from the event.

You may not take large personal belongings to the stands, programme areas, the Vendor’s Hall or the flea market. These spaces are tight.
To ensure evacuation safety and comfortable attendance for all, personal belongings are to be taken to the coatroom for the duration of any programme.
Personnel in charge of admittance have the right to deny entry for too large belongings.

Sticking advertisements, flyers or your friends on walls or any other surfaces with tape or by any other means is forbidden.

Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, kick bikes, hoverboards, and other types of boards used for transportation are prohibited in the event area.
Please, park your vehicle outside the event area.

Movement aids, such as wheelchairs, are allowed at the event.

Please, take all trash to the trash canisters. Let’s keep the event clean!

Collecting bottles and cans in the event area is forbidden.

Please return all your recyclable containers by yourself or use the event’s recycling points.

All sales activities, other commercial activities, giving out freebies, or similar activities must be separately agreed to by the event organizers

Possession of alcohol at the event area is forbidden.
You are not welcome in the event under the influence of intoxicants.
Security stewards will guide intoxicated persons outside the event area.
Security stewards have the right to confiscate forbidden substances.

Smokers may use the marked smoking spots at the event.

Lemmikkieläimiä ei saa tuoda Tampere-talolle.
Opas- ja avustajakoirat ovat tervetulleita.
Puistoon lemmikin voi tuoda kytkettynä ja valvottuna.
Kerääthän lemmikin jätökset.
Otathan huomioon puiston runsaan väkimäärän ja aktiviteetit lemmikin hyvinvointia ja käytöstä ajatellen.

A safer space means a place that aims at offering an experience of physical and psychological safety to those present. Physical safety means that no one touches you without permission and psychological safety means that you don’t experience, for example, negative comments.

By creating a safer space we want to offer everyone a pleasant experience at Tracon. The volunteers, vendors, and artists also have the right to a safer space.

Harassment is pressuring, offending or subjugating another person. Harassment can be, for example, bullying, mocking or discriminating based on gender, skin colour, or looks. Anyone can experience harassment regardless of age or gender.

Harassment can be intentional, but unintentional, as well. A joke or a remark, while meant as innocent, can make others feel distressed. The most important thing is to respect other people’s wishes. Be prepared to apologise and clear up the situation if needed. If your behaviour is experienced as disruptive, stop immediately. Recurring disruptive behaviour can lead to removal from the event.

What to do immediately?

If you experience harassment, ask the offending party to stop. If you notice something that you suspect to be harassment, don’t hesitate to ask the participants of the situation if everything is all right. If necessary, you can always ask for help from the security stewards, info desk or directly from the event’s harassment contact persons. You can reach the harassment contact persons around the clock during the event. You can find the phone number for harassment contact persons also on the programme.

Who to contact?

Harassment contact persons are representatives of the event that are there to help in possible harassment cases. You can talk to them in full confidence. Harassment contact persons advise you on different alternative methods of solving the issue, but talking to them does not bind you in any way. They can help you take the case further, for example, to the security stewards. However, the case will not be escalated without your consent.
The organizers of Tracon wish that all cases of harassment be reported to the harassment contact persons, even if the situation is solved without assistance. This way, we can ensure that the event is safe for everyone.

The organizers can take necessary action to ensure the event becomes a safe experience for everyone.