Have you ever attended a con for a few years in a row, and watch it slowly change to do crummier and crummier things. Have you wanted to speak up about something they are pulling over their patrons but aren't sure how to get your voice heard? I’ve seen the cosplay community band together to make significant changes before with past cons. Whether is was removing an abusive con staff member, or demanding change in prop policy, when the community works together we can make change. So what can you do to make change in a convention that shows itself hostile towards their patrons? I’m going to go over ways you can boycott a convention
Don’t attend. This is the most obvious and will hit them the hardest. Show with your money where you stand. If you haven’t bought a ticket to the convention, don’t. If it’s before the refund cut off, return your pass. This is especially important if the convention you are boycotting is a for profit convention.
Don’t pay for a ticket and/or ghost. Obviously this doesn’t work for all conventions. Some are more ghost-able than others. Weather, and convention location are some factors that make a convention more ghostable than others. I am not saying sneak into conventions. Stick to locations that are accessible to the public. I’ve been to cons with large outdoor parks that many cosplayers and photographers hang out at, and I’ve even seen some where artist alleys can be accessed without a pass. This is a nice option if you still want to see friends and dress up, or if you already have your time booked off for that weekend.
Don’t allow your photograph to be taken by convention staff or volunteers. If you do choose to pay for a pass to maybe support friends in the artist alley, you have a free one, or if the convention throws something shady after ticket refund window, there are still things you can do. If someone from a convention asks to take you photo kindly decline. Don’t allow them to use you as free advertising. I find this is really important when it comes to conventions being hostile towards cosplayers, but then still heavily rely on them for advertising through the year.
If you feel comfortable enough you can let them know why you won’t let them take your photo. Say something along the lines of “No sorry, I am not comfortable being free advertising for the convention.” or “Due to ____ policy that the convention has put in place I am going to have the decline.” You can also just say “No sorry.” and move on. Just don’t be rude about it.
Keep in mind that most conventions have a policy in place when you buy your ticket you agree to have a photo or video take and used for advertising. So if you see a staff member taking a hall shot and you happen to be in frame, they are technically in the right, and there isn’t really a whole lot you can do. If you notice someone is taking a sole picture of you just politely ask them to not take photos of you.
Don’t enter contests. Drop from contests if you have already registered. Whether it is a cosplay, AMV, video game, or any other competition, don’t enter. Once again when on stage the convention is allowed to take any photos or videos of you and use them for future promotion. This is another one I would suggest if a convention is being actively hostile towards cosplayers or the cosplay community.
Things like this also affect other people's opinions on the convention. Cosplay and contests are huge draws for conventions. Even if other patrons are unaware of the issues that is causing you or others to boycott the convention, going to a half empty cosplay contest is going to make them think. Even if that thought is just “Wow, that kind of sucked. Maybe I won’t go next year.” That is something.
Don’t pay for photo ops with celebrities. Let’s be honest, autograph sessions are much more personable for lots of cons anyways. You have actual time to talk to your favorite celebs, lots allow photos to be taken at their table, they tend to be cheaper, and the convention gets less money from that. Try to limit how much money you are giving to the convention and support local artists instead.
Spread the word and get in contact with the convention. yell on twitter, get in contact.
Be vocal about why you are upset with whatever they are doing. Tell your friends the crummy thing they are doing, go on local Facebook groups and share your frustration, through email or social media with the convention about why what they are doing is making you boycott their convention. If you don’t tell them what they are doing is wrong, they are going to assume otherwise. Remember it helps no one to just yell “YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF IDIOTS THIS IS STUPID.” It paints a bad picture of a community if everyone does that, and doesn’t get the point across of what is actually upsetting to you. Be constructive, encourage others to do the same and don’t be rude. You can be mad without being insulting. You can encourage change without being abusive.. Post open letters to your social media. Most importantly
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