Show Code of Conduct and Policies
A game on every table, a table for everyone.
Origins Game Fair exists to bring people together through play. Every attendee, exhibitor, creator, volunteer, staff member, partner, and guest shares responsibility for creating an environment that is welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and safe.
By participating in Origins Game Fair, you agree to uphold these standards and help build a community where everyone has a place.
Origins Game Fair is committed to the safety of every person at the show. Volunteers are subject to background checks before participating in our program, and staff receive training on how to respond to inappropriate behavior and safety concerns.
Community Expectations
All participants are expected to:
Treat others with respect, kindness, and professionalism
Respect personal boundaries, consent, and shared space
Engage in fair and sportsmanlike play
Follow all event rules, venue policies, and staff direction
Contribute to a positive and inclusive environment for all
Your behavior reflects not only yourself, but the broader tabletop community.
Prohibited Conduct
The following behaviors are not permitted at Origins Game Fair:
Harassment, hate speech, slurs, or discriminatory behavior
Threats of violence, acts of violence, or promotion of violence
Bullying, intimidation, shaming, or targeted humiliation
Unwanted physical contact or unwelcome sexual attention
Stalking, following, or harassment of any kind
Unauthorized or harassing photography or recording
Disruptive behavior that interferes with events, games, panels, exhibitors, staff, or operations
Offensive, defamatory, obscene, or excessively vulgar conduct
Excessive profanity or obscene gestures
Fraudulent activity, bribery, or deceptive practices
Game sabotage, cheating, or exploitation of gameplay mechanics
Participation in illegal activity
Violent behavior, the promotion of violence, or participation in illegal activity will result in immediate escalation.
Anti-Harassment Policy
Origins Game Fair does not tolerate harassment of convention participants in any form.
Harassment includes any unwanted conduct that intimidates, threatens, demeans, excludes, or causes personal offense to another participant. This includes, but is not limited to:
Physical or verbal threats
Unwelcome attention
Stalking or following
Unwanted photography or recording
Offensive comments related to race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, ethnicity, political affiliation, or other personal characteristics
Use of racial, religious, sexual, gender-based, ability-based, ethnic, or other targeted slurs
Sexual imagery or explicit content in public spaces
Inappropriate physical contact
Unwelcome sexual attention
Sustained disruption of games, panels, events, or operations
Behavior that creates a disturbance or is dangerous
If you are asked to stop any behavior, you are expected to stop immediately.
Remember:
“No” means no.
“Stop” means stop.
“Go away” means go away.
Attire is not consent.
Convention participants reported or found violating this policy may be removed from the event without refund at the discretion of Origins Game Fair management.
Youth Safety and Shared Spaces
Origins Game Fair is a multi-generational event that includes minors. All participants are expected to maintain appropriate conduct in public spaces.
Adult-oriented events, products, or content must be clearly labeled and must follow all participation restrictions. Explicit or pornographic content may not be displayed outside appropriate designated areas.
Hateful, discriminatory, or abusive behavior is not permitted in any context, including adult-only spaces.
Exhibitor and Vendor Policy
Exhibitors are a critical part of the Origins experience and are held to the same community standards as all participants, with additional expectations.
General Conduct
Exhibitors and vendors are expected to:
Maintain a respectful and professional presence
Engage attendees honestly and ethically
Ensure booth activities are safe and do not disrupt neighboring exhibitors
Follow all event, venue, and operational guidelines
Comply with staff direction, security procedures, and show policies
Product and Sales Standards
Exhibitors and vendors may not sell or distribute counterfeit, stolen, unauthorized, illegal, or non-compliant goods.
All products sold or distributed must comply with applicable laws, regulations, venue policies, and Origins Game Fair standards.
Products sold or distributed at Origins Game Fair must be created by human artists and creators. The use of generative artificial intelligence in the creation of products for sale is not permitted.
Marketing, advertising, promotions, and activations must be approved where required.
Accessibility and Player Comfort
Origins supports inclusive and accessible play.
Participants are expected to respect the comfort, boundaries, and access needs of others at all times. If a player expresses discomfort with content, conversation, or behavior:
Game hosts should adjust content where possible
Players should be allowed to step away without pressure or judgment
Participants should avoid escalating or dismissing the concern
Creating a safe and respectful play environment is a shared responsibility.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Service animals are defined as animals individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
Costumes, Props, and Weapons
Uniforms of current active service members are not allowed as costumes. This includes uniforms for police, active military, security guards, deputies, fire marshals, paramedics, and similar official roles.
No real weapons or functional props are allowed at Origins Game Fair.
All weapon replicas and prop weapons must be non-functional and must be cleared by convention security. Approved items must be peace bonded to indicate that they have been inspected and are safe. Once an item has been peace bonded, the peace bond may not be removed.
Security will have zip ties available at the show. Please visit the Security Office directly outside the Exhibit Hall in the Main Concourse to have items inspected and peace bonded.
Security
Security is provided by off-duty law enforcement personnel, professional security guards, and Origins security staff. Security personnel are present to help ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience at the show.
All participants must comply with security procedures, including screening requirements.
Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Substances
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages outside authorized areas is prohibited.
Illegal substances are not permitted at Origins Game Fair. Violators may be asked to leave the building, and charges may be filed for prosecution.
Smoking
Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, is not allowed inside any convention facilities, public areas, or participating hotels.
Smoking and electronic smoking devices are only allowed outside in designated smoking areas.
Please dispose of cigarette butts and trash in proper receptacles.
Advertising and Promotion
Advertising during Origins Game Fair must be approved and cleared by Origins staff.
Unauthorized flyers, posters, advertisements, signage, or promotional materials placed in or around the convention center, including hotels, will be removed.
Violations may result in removal from the show, badge revocation, and no refund.
Badge Usage Terms
By accepting and using an Origins Game Fair badge, the badge holder consents that photographs, videos, or audio recordings in which they appear may be used by the Game Manufacturers Association, also known as GAMA, for Origins Game Fair and GAMA promotions and communications.
By accepting and using an Origins Game Fair badge, the badge holder also:
Releases GAMA from liability for loss or damage to persons or property, infringement of any right, or any other claim or cause of action of any kind
Agrees to follow Origins Game Fair policies
Agrees to conduct themselves in a respectful manner as a participant of the show
Origins Game Fair event management reserves the right to deny entry or remove from the show or event facilities, including hotels, event spaces, and other areas under show contract, any person who is behaving or threatening to behave in a manner that is disruptive or threatening to the health and safety of show participants.
Reporting and Support
If you experience or witness behavior that violates this policy, please report it as soon as possible.
You may:
Locate the nearest security guard
Speak with an Origins volunteer or staff member
Visit the Registration Desk or Help Desk
Visit the Security Desk
All reports will be handled with care and reviewed as quickly as possible.
If you feel your personal safety or the safety of others is in immediate danger, please contact local authorities.
Columbus Police Department Non-Emergency: 614-645-4545
Emergency: 911
Enforcement and Consequences
Violations of this policy may result in:
Verbal warning and documentation
Removal from a game, panel, activity, booth, or area
Removal from the event without refund
Revocation of exhibitor privileges
Badge revocation
Ban from future events
Involvement of law enforcement when appropriate
Enforcement decisions are made at the discretion of Origins Game Fair leadership and staff, with the safety of the community as the top priority.
Our Commitment
Origins Game Fair is more than an event. It is a community built on creativity, connection, and play.
We are committed to building an environment where:
Everyone feels welcome
Creativity is respected and protected
Safety is prioritized
Community comes first