Code of Conduct

Guidelines for the safety and comfort of all Pittsburgh Gaming Expo (PGX) attendees.

It’s important for a show like PGX to have a set of guidelines in place for the safety and comfort of its attendees. Outlined below, you’ll find our code of conduct and anti-harassment policy.

All attendees, VIPs, guests, volunteers, content creators, game runners, and staff are required to abide by these rules during the show. Help us keep PGX safe and welcoming to all.

Basic Rules

• Follow all show policies, venue rules, and staff directions.
• No running, jumping, throwing, or other unsafe shenanigans.
• Support each other in maintaining a safe environment.
• Cosplay is not consent. Do not take pictures or touch other attendees without expressed permission from them.
• Report concerns to Convention Staff or Security.

Be Courteous

• Don’t harass anyone. It is that easy.
• Respect everyone's physical and social boundaries and personal property.
• No stealing, cheating, trolling, name-calling, use of hate speech, or griefing.

Anti-Harassment Policy

PGX is committed to providing a safe environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited.

PGX defines harassment as any behavior that threatens a person or a group, or produces an unsafe or otherwise non-inclusive environment. This includes, but is not limited to, offensive comments related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, or religious beliefs.

Harassment also includes sexual or discriminatory images in public spaces, intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography/recording, sustained disruption of events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.

What to do if you experience harassment

1. Ask the offender to stop: If you feel safe doing so, expressing your discomfort directly often puts a stop to the conduct.
2. Leave the area: It is sometimes best for your safety and well-being to choose to leave the area.
3. Ask for help: Clearly designated PGX staff and security are available to help solve the problem.
4. Report formally: File a report in person at the Show Office or Event HQ, or email info@pghretrogaming.com.
5. Contact authorities: If you require immediate assistance from law enforcement or medical services, please contact them directly.

Sanctions & Enforcement

Participants found to have violated the Code of Conduct may be subject to sanctions, including:

• Verbal or written warnings.
• Restricted proximity to specific parties.
• Temporary or permanent suspension from PGX events and online services.
• Immediate expulsion from the convention without refund.
• Reporting of the incident to appropriate authorities.

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies in all physical and online spaces within PGX's control, including venues, social media pages, streamed programming, and Discords. PGX also reserves the right to sanction participants for gross violations of the Code of Conduct that occur outside of PGX-affiliated spaces.

Important Notice

Any instance of violation of these rules can result in ejection from the convention center without refund. PGX reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership, badge, or pass of any participant not in compliance with this policy.