Rules & Disclaimers

Midwest Haunters Convention Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies
To help ensure all of our guests enjoy MHC, we have established a Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies for everyone attending the convention. We have no desire to police our guests, but we do have some requests and expectations that will help ensure a pleasurable weekend for all.

We will happily refund the registration fee of anyone who finds the policies contained herein unacceptable.  Please see our cancellation policy for details.

General Demeanor – Common Sense Required
Reminder: The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the weekend. Members of the general public stay here or visit the hotel to dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals at all times.  These guests of the hotel did not come to be scared.  Scaring of non-MHC hotel guests is strongly discouraged and subject for removal.

MHC expects its guests to respect each other and behave in a generally civilized fashion. Guests should respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. If you wouldn’t do it at home, please don’t do it here.

Please report to the convention committee any incidents in which a guest of the convention is abusive, insulting, intimidating, bothersome, or acting in an unsafe or illegal manner. MHC reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the admission of anyone for just cause. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or the hotel security force.

Sleeping in public or convention areas of the hotel is forbidden by the hotel management. This is private property. The hotel strictly forbids throwing, dropping, or flying anything from the balconies or over the atrium.

Program participants and event coordinators are responsible for the comfort and safety of convention guests in their areas. Disruptive behavior by children or adults is not acceptable, and any actions disturbing to attendees may result in a request to leave.

Costume Guidelines
All costumes are welcome at and encouraged at MHC however the use of fake blood, or other makeup, that can drip or be smeared on surfaces is discouraged.  Guests who cause any damage are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for any expenses incurred.  The event organizers reserve the right to take any necessary action to prevent damage to hotel or convention center property up to and including the removal of participants.

PLEASE NOTE:  There is a no nudity policy on the MHC Tradeshow Floor and in all public areas outside the Masquerade Party.  Models are expected to wear underwear, with pasties for females; or have other appropriate covering.

– Models must be covered in all public areas with the exceptions of the party room, the staging room and the corridor from the staging to the party prior to stage show.  Models MUST wear a robe at all other times and in all other places.  Failure to do so by any one model may result in jeopardizing future Body Art events at the Hyatt Hotel and Columbus Convention Center.

Parties in Guest Rooms
If you’d like to host a party (public or private), you must register a room in the “Party” room block.

Parties may be “open” (all convention guests welcome, and with doors open or ajar) or “closed” (private). Serving of alcohol is not allowed in open party areas.

Party hosts are responsible for adhering to convention policies, hotel rules, and local, state, and federal laws.  Any alcohol served during parties needs to be purchased from the hotel in order to comply with state laws.

Smoking, Alcohol, Weapons, and Illegal Acts
MHC prohibits the consumption of alcohol in all convention areas except for alcohol purchased from the hotel and consumed directly in the area in where it was purchased. The legal drinking age in Ohio is 21. You may be asked to provide a valid ID if ordering alcoholic beverages.

Under Ohio law, smoking is only permitted outside of the hotel and convention center.

Laws governing illegal substances, obscenity, weapons, public behavior, and the treatment of minors must be strictly observed. Remember, there may be members of the Columbus Police Department on patrol at the convention.

Marketing of Products and Services

The marketing and selling of products and services at the Midwest Haunters Convention is limited to those who have purchased space on the trade show floor and/or sponsorship.  Any person found in violation of this may be removed from areas contracted to the convention.

Photography, Videography, and Press Policy

There will be photographers present; if you do not wish to be photographed or recorded please state so clearly and unambiguously. Photographers, ask permission before you photograph or audio/videotape any person or group. Anyone wishing to take pictures or make audio or video recordings of any part of the convention must read and agree to the terms of a separate photographers/videographers release. Anyone wishing to sell photographs or audio or video recordings of any part of the convention (including the masquerade) must read and agree to the terms of a separate photographers/videographers contract.

If you are acting on behalf of a publication, video production organization, or news medium of any kind (freelance or employed; commercial publication, media, or fanzine), you must go to the information desk and register for a press pass.

Individuals or organizations violating these guidelines by selling, reproducing, broadcasting, or publishing materials obtained at an MHC without permission may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made at least 30 days in advance of the event are eligible for a full refund less any credit card processing and ticketing fees.  Cancellations 7-30 days prior to the event will be given less expenses already incurred (tickets, hotels rooms, etc…) by MHC.  Refunds for cancellations less than one week prior to the event will be at teh sole discretion of the show organizers.

Lost Registration Materials
All MHC activities require a wristband for admission.  Lost wristbands will not be replaced and must be repurchased.  Name badges can be reprinted at registration.

Children at MHC
Children are welcome at MHC under the following conditions:

  • Seminars – Children 13 and older must register, and pay, for the seminars if they will be attending. Ages 6-12 may attend, free of charge, with a registered adult providing they are not a disruption to the class.
  • Bus Tours – Children must be registered for the tours in order to ride the buses.
  • Friday party – This event sometimes involves nightclubs which are 21 and over.  Please see the event listing for details.
  • Saturday Party – not advised for children under 13 because of adult content. However we leave this up to the parent’s discretion. Anyone attending is required purchase a wristband at the posted prices.
  • Tradeshow – Children under 13 MUST be accompanied by an adult while on the tradeshow floor and are not required to register.