Mankato Con Policies

Mankato Con is dedicated to providing a welcoming, safe, and fun tabletop gaming experience for everyone. By purchasing a badge or participating in any event at Mankato Con, you agree to follow the policies below.

Refund & Credit Policy

There are no refunds for badges under any circumstances.

If you are unsure whether you can attend or afford the event, please wait to purchase your badge—much like a concert or sporting event ticket, all sales are final.

However, we understand that life happens. If you purchase a badge and/or event tickets and later need to cancel:

  • You may request a credit for the full amount to be used at a future Mankato Con.

  • Credit requests must be received before the close of Pre-Registration.

  • After Pre-Registration closes, only event ticket returns may be handled onsite at the convention.

  • No badge returns will be accepted after Pre-Registration closes.

If you’re unsure you can attend, please do not purchase a badge until you are certain.

Communicable Illness Policy (Including COVID-19)

Mankato Con follows the recommendations and guidelines set by local public health authorities in Mankato, Minnesota.

At this time, we do not expect to require masks or proof of vaccination unless local guidance significantly changes.

  • Mask-wearing is encouraged and welcome.

  • Attendees are expected to respect others’ individual masking choices.

  • If you feel unwell close to the event, please stay home for the safety of our community.

If you become sick during the week of the event and cannot attend, you may request your badge be rolled over to the next year by emailing us before Wednesday of show week at 12:00 PM (noon). mankatocon@gmail.com

Common symptoms of viral illness include:
fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

As a first-year convention, we’re building our community together. The best way to keep everyone healthy is for attendees to make responsible choices—thank you for doing your part and staying home if you’re feeling sick.

Anti-Harassment Policy

Mankato Con is committed to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive environment for all attendees, volunteers, vendors, and guests. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Offensive comments or imagery related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, appearance, body size, race, age, or religion

  • Intimidation, stalking, or following

  • Unwanted photography or recording

  • Inappropriate physical contact

  • Unwelcome sexual attention

  • Sustained disruption of events

  • Encouraging or advocating any of the above

Respectful disagreement or good-faith critique is not considered harassment.

If at any time you feel unsafe or are subjected to harassing behavior, please find a Mankato Con staff member immediately—our staff will address the issue at once.

Conflict Resolution

If you experience or witness harassment or unsafe behavior, you may:

  1. Ask the offender to stop, if you feel safe doing so.

  2. Leave the area and ensure your safety.

  3. Report the situation to Mankato Con staff at once.

  4. Contact law enforcement if you believe immediate help is needed.
    Your safety is our highest priority.

Investigation & Response

Upon receiving a report, Mankato Con staff may:

  • Investigate the situation privately with the involved parties

  • Relocate or escort individuals to a safe area

  • Remove an attendee from an event or the convention

  • Revoke a badge without refund

  • Ban an individual for the remainder of the event or future events

  • Notify venue security, law enforcement, or medical services when necessary

We do not publicly release investigation details unless required by law.

Sanctions

Sanctions for violating any policy may include:

  • Verbal warning

  • Removal from an event

  • Removal from the venue without refund

  • Temporary or permanent ban from future Mankato Con events

  • Reporting incidents to appropriate authorities

Mankato Con staff are here to help and will assist anyone who feels unsafe, including escorting you to venue security or helping contact local authorities.

Ethics & Conduct

Any of the following may result in badge revocation and removal from Mankato Con without refund:

  • Violating laws, venue policies, or Mankato Con rules

  • Ignoring instructions given by event staff or security

  • Endangering yourself or others

  • Threatening, stealing, cheating, or harassing others

  • Engaging in disruptive or destructive behavior

These expectations apply throughout the convention center and in all Mankato Con-affiliated online spaces.

We may, at our discretion, take action based on conduct occurring outside the convention (e.g., at other events or online) if it could impact attendee safety or the inclusiveness of the convention.

Privacy Policy

Mankato Con only collects personal information that you voluntarily provide. We do not sell or rent your information to any third party.

We may share limited contact information with event organizers or GMs of games you sign up for, so they may contact you about event details.

Event Ticket Exchanges

  • Event ticket exchanges must be requested at least 30 minutes before the event begins.

  • Exchanges can only be made for the person whose name is on the ticket.

  • Bring a valid photo ID, your badge, and the event ticket to Registration or Games Desk.

  • Provide the Game/Event ID number for the new session.

Firearms Policy

Real firearms are not permitted at Mankato Con.
This includes concealed-carry weapons from any state.
(Uniformed, sworn law enforcement are exempt.)

Failure to comply may result in badge revocation and removal from the event.

Service Animals

Mankato Con complies with applicable ADA regulations regarding service animals. Only fully trained service animals that perform

specific work or tasks for an individual with a disability are permitted within the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center during the convention.

The following apply:

  • The animal must be fully trained prior to attending the event.

  • The animal must be certified or otherwise demonstrably trained to perform disability-related tasks.

  • Emotional-support, comfort, therapy, or companion animals are not permitted.

  • Service animals must remain leashed, harnessed, or otherwise under the handler’s control at all times.

  • The handler is responsible for the animal’s care, supervision, behavior, and waste disposal.

  • If the animal is disruptive, aggressive, or not housebroken, Mankato Con staff may require its removal from the premises.

Mankato Con staff may make the following limited inquiries as allowed under ADA regulations:

  1. Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?

  2. What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?

Lost or Misplaced Badges/Tickets

We cannot replace lost, stolen, or forgotten badges or tickets.
All items must be repurchased at full price.
Please check with Registration to see if your item was turned in.

All badges and tickets are will-call only and are not mailed.

Mankato Con assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Waiver of Liability

By purchasing a badge and attending Mankato Con, you agree:

  • To be recorded (photo/video/audio) in public convention spaces for promotional purposes

  • That Mankato Con, its partners, and its venue are not liable for personal injury, property damage, or other claims

  • To follow all posted rules, venue policies, and staff directions

  • That Mankato Con reserves the right to deny entry or remove anyone behaving in a disruptive or unsafe manner