General Show Info

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When and where is RetroGameCon being held?

 

RGC takes place on Friday, October 11th, Saturday, October 12th, and Sunday, October 13th at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center (The Oncenter), which is located at 800 South State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202. NOTE: Use "Oncenter Convention Center" instead of just "Oncenter" to navigate to RetroGameCon, otherwise you may end up at the War Memorial or Civic Center. 

 

What are the show hours?

 

Friday: 2:00PM until 8:00PM (1:30PM for VIP ticketholders)

Saturday: 11:00AM (10:30AM for VIP ticketholders) until 8:00PM

Sunday: 11:00AM (10:30AM for VIP ticketholders) until 5:00PM

 

Official After Party (separate ticket or VIP pass required): Saturday 8:30PM-12AM

 

Where do I park?

 

There is parking across the street from the Oncenter in the open lot, or in the adjacent parking garage for a reasonable daily rate. There is also free street parking in downtown Syracuse on weekends. 

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How do I get tickets?

 

Tickets are available online up until the day of the show for a discounted pre-sale price (unless they sell out). Please visit our ticket site at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/retrogamecon-2024-tickets-874819236887

 

Tickets will also be available at the door. 

 

How much are tickets?

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A 3-day pass is $50 (plus applicable taxes and fees). Individual day passes and discounted family passes are available as well.

 

Is there a discounted price for children?

 

KIDS 10 AND UNDER ARE FREE (1 free 10 and under admission per paid adult admission). We also offer Family Weekend Passes (Sat/Sun Only) and Family Sunday Passes. Please note that children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult at the convention center. 

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Can tickets be transferred to another person?

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Tickets are NOT tied to your name. The QR code that comes with your ticket is your way to get into the convention. If you share the QR code with someone else, they can use the ticket to get a badge. This means that tickets are transferable simply by forwarding the email or text from Eventbrite to another person. Once a ticket has been scanned, it is redeemed and cannot be used again, so protect your code at all costs! 

 

What is your refund policy?

 

Ticket sales are non-refundable, tickets cannot be upgraded, downgraded, or altered in any way.

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Can I leave and re-enter the convention?

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Yes - but you will have to wait in line to re-enter (if there is a line) and you will need to re-enter through the security checkpoints. 

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When/where is [event, activity, musical performance, tournament, etc]?

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Please refer to our official convention program for all scheduled activities.

 

What if my admission badge gets damaged?

 

Please bring your damaged badge and we will trade you a new one. We are unable to replace badges unless the damaged badge is provided.

 

Do I have to wear the badge all the time, even in cosplay?

 

Yes, your badge must be worn and clearly displayed above your waist at all times. 

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Can I bring pets to RetroGameCon?

 

Sorry, the venue does not allow pets. An exception is made for service animals. 

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Is RetroGameCon accessible?

 

RGC is wheelchair accessible. There are elevators to travel between the exhibition hall and the downstairs panel rooms - please ask an RGC staff member or Oncenter staff for directions to the nearest elevator. There are also a very limited number of wheelchairs to borrow from the venue on a first come, first serve basis. Unfortunately, at this time RGC does not provide interpreters for panels and other events. 

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Food & Drink

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Is outside food and beverage allowed?

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NO - with an exception for EMPTY water bottles, no outside food or beverages may be brought into the convention center (they will be stopped at the security bag check at the entrance and you will be asked to leave them in your vehicle or outside of the security checkpoint). 

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Is there food at the convention?

 

Yes, Oncenter concessions is set up downstairs in the ballroom adjacent to the music stage with a variety of food and drink (including alcoholic beverages). PLEASE NOTE: Concession sales are credit card only. 

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Security & Safety

 

Will there be security at the convention?

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Yes! Attendee safety is our first priority. There will be trained, certified security officers at RetroGameCon. There will also be an attendee bag check and metal detectors at the entrance to the con. If you see or experience anything that makes you uncomfortable, please find an RGC or Oncenter staff member who can help you. 

 

What should I do if I lose something or find something that isn’t mine at RetroGameCon?

 

If you’ve lost a personal item or find something like a cell phone, wallet, money, keys etc., please come to the registration booth at the front entrance in the lobby. 

 

What do I do if I am feeling sick, hurt, or unwell at RetroGameCon?

 

Please find any Oncenter staff member or RGC staff member or volunteer and we will get you the help you need. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. 

 

What are your COVID policies?

 

At this time RetroGameCon & The Oncenter do not require face coverings, nor do we require proof of vaccination. We encourage attendees to make choices that help keep everyone happy and healthy, including being vaccinated/boosted, wearing masks if you choose, and staying home if you are sick or have come into close contact with anyone who has symptoms.

 

What is RetroGameCon’s policy on harassment?

 

A gaming convention should be a fun, friendly, and welcoming place for every single human. RGC has absolutely ZERO TOLERANCE for harassment of any kind: stalking, intimidation, offensive verbal comments, physical assault and/or battery, harassing, sustained disruption of panels, signings and other events, bathroom policing, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome physical attention. RGC has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment in relation to, but not limited to: race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, and pregnancy. 

 

RGC staff will instruct security to take immediate action to warn and possibly remove any individual or group who has been deemed to be engaging in harassing behavior, including exhibitors, attendees, guests, staff & volunteers.

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What is RetroGameCon’s policy on cosplays that may be considered revealing?

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Nipples (regardless of gender), butts, and genitals must be covered at all times while at the con.

 

What is RetroGameCon’s policy on weapons? What about cosplay weapons?

  

Attendees, guests, exhibitors, staff, and volunteers are prohibited from bringing, buying, or selling anything that could maim, damage, or cause serious bodily harm. These items are absolutely forbidden at RGC:

 

• Functional firearms (including air soft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns and pellet guns)

• Realistic replica firearms (including reproduction, fake or toy guns that can be confused for functional firearms)

• Functional projectile weapons (including blow guns, crossbows, long bows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons and water guns)

• Metal-bladed weapons even if they are dull (including axes, daggers, hatches, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords, sword canes and switch blades)

• Explosives (including firecrackers and fireworks)

• Chemical weapons (including mace and pepper spray)

• Blunt weapons (including brass knuckles, clubs and nunchaku)

• Hard prop weapons (including props made of metal, fiberglass, wood and glass)

• Instruments that cause excessive noise levels like vuvuzelas, grenade whistles and grenade horns

• Whips

• Aerosol mustard

• Any cosplay prop (weapon, wings, etc) over 6.5' in length.

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If you have a cosplay prop over 6.5' in length, it can still be used only for the STAGE WALK portion of the cosplay contest, provided it breaks down into parts. 

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Prop weapons will be allowed providing they are composed of foam, hollow/lightweight plastic, or cardboard only. Prop firearms are allowed only if they cannot be mistaken for real weapons. The barrel of all prop firearms must be covered with brightly-colored caps. Prop bows will be allowed providing they cannot be fired and all arrows have soft tips.

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*COSPLAYS THAT IMPEDE VISION WILL NEED A HANDLER AT ALL TIMES*

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What should I do if my child, friends, family, or I get lost or separated?

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Please contact an RGC or Oncenter staff member and we will do our best to help you locate your missing party. Making a plan to meet in the lobby with your party in case anyone gets lost is a good idea. 

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Special Guests

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Do you have special accommodations for those who cannot wait in line for an extended period of time to meet the guests?

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Yes, please visit the Special Guest Info Desk in the expo hall for options.

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When are the special guests at the con?

 

Aside from their panels and pro photo ops sessions, the guests should mostly be at their tables for signings and photos. Some guests are Sat/Sun only which can be viewed on the Guests section of our website. 

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Are line stand-ins allowed?

 

Yes, one person may "stand in" for you in line if you need a bathroom break, etc. You must return by the time your stand-in is at the front of the line, or your spot is forfeited. One person may not stand in for multiple people! 

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Will [Guest] sign my personal item?

 

Personal items are allowed to be brought in to be signed, as long as they adhere to our other policies. Please note that signing specific items is always left to the discretion of the guest and they may refuse items for any reason. 

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How do I purchase a photo or autograph from one of the voice actors?

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The special guests will have sales of autographs/photos at their table, as well as a limited number of pro photo ops available through Froggy's Photos. There is no way to pre-purchase an autograph. 

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Do you have professional photo ops?

 

Yes, we have pro photo ops through Froggy's Photos scheduled for each guest and they can be booked in advance here: [link coming soon]

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You may also visit the Froggy's Photos info desk outside of the Photo Ops room to book in person. 

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Photo/Video Policy

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Can I take photos at RetroGameCon?

 

You’re welcome to take pictures and videos at RGC, with a couple of exceptions. It is up to the presenter whether or not they will allow filming to be done in the panel rooms. Also, please do not take pictures or video of any original artwork that is being sold by vendors or artists, without obtaining permission first. Please also ask permission before taking photos of other attendees. Please refer to our ZERO TOLERANCE harassment policy. 

 

Are selfie sticks allowed at RetroGameCon?

 

No, selfie sticks are not allowed at RGC for safety reasons. 

 

Will I be on camera at RetroGameCon?

 

Yes, as with any public event, it is possible you may be on camera at the con. Through the act of purchasing a ticket to RGC and in consideration for being admitted to the Event, the holder consents to being recorded (by audio, visual and/or other means) for exhibition and utilization by and for any means in all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide in perpetuity. Holder also hereby: (1) releases Empire Game Expo, LLC from any liability for loss or damage to persons or property, infringement of any right or any other claim or course of action of any kind; (2) authorizes and permits Empire Game Expo, LLC and its designees which include but are not limited to all sponsors, exhibitors and contractors to use and authorize the use of his/her name, voice, likeness and all reproductions thereof by any means and in all media now and hereafter known for all purposes worldwide in perpetuity; and (3) agrees to comply with all rules and regulations of the event. 

 

Other Useful Info

 

Is there WiFi access at RetroGameCon?

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No, unfortunately there is no public WiFi access at RGC.

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Do the vendors accept credit?

 

 Most vendors DO accept credit cards and other electronic payments. However, it is always a good idea to bring some cash just in case! 

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Is there a coat check or storage at RGC?

 

No, there is no coat check or public storage at RGC. Please refrain from bringing any suitcases, handcarts, trolleys, oversized strollers, rolling luggage, or wheeled backpacks into the event. 

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Is there an ATM on site?

 

Yes, located in the convention center lobby. It does tend to run out of cash so it's still a good idea to bring some cash if you can! 

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-If your questions were not addressed above, please send an email to info@RetroGameCon.com or contact an RGC staff member on the showfloor-