We can’t believe it’s almost time for Animazement! While we’re all busy with our last minute prep, what better time is there for some important reminders!

Let’s start with some general housekeeping reminders. 

1. Remember, the RCC concessions and food trucks are CASHLESS. If you plan to purchase food inside the convention center, or at the food trucks on Cabarrus St., you will need to have some form of digital payment. This includes alcohol sales inside the RCC. However, Animazement Registration and our merchandise booth will still accept cash. Plan accordingly.
2. Nobody plans to lose their badge, but it happens sometimes! We recommend you write a phone number on the back of your badge where you can be reached in the event you lose it. Badges often make their way to Lost and Found and we want to reunite you with it! 
3. If you plan to attend any 18+ panels, remember you MUST show ID to receive a wristband. Your ID must be legible and we must be able to see the photo. If we can’t read your date of birth, we can’t give you a wristband.  Same goes if you want to purchase alcohol in the RCC. 
4. We don’t allow large bags in the dances.  If you need to bring essentials inside with you, bring a bag that is the size of a fanny pack or smaller.  Otherwise, you’ll have to leave it in your hotel or car, or pay to leave it in our Bag Check area. 
5. Please remember that the handicapped bathroom stalls and family restrooms are NOT changing rooms. There is a limited number of stalls/family restrooms available, so please keep them open and available for those that need them.  
6. Remember, Cosplay is not consent.  Do not touch or photograph cosplayers without their permission. Most of the time, a cosplayer will be happy to let you take a photograph, but if they are busy or taking a break, they may decline. Please respect their right to refuse. 
7. The RCC wants us to remind you that if an escalator breaks, you should NOT use it as stairs. If you notice an escalator has broken, please inform the nearest member of AZ staff, and then find another route. Walking down broken escalators is a hazard, made doubly so by the fact that lots of us are in cosplay or carrying props. Please be safe!
8. Please remember to stay out of the landscaping outside of the RCC. These areas are blocked off for a reason. Trespassing in these areas and trampling plants may result in the loss of your badge.
9. Please be courteous to the surrounding properties in downtown Raleigh. The city loves having you all here, so please do your best not to trash the place. Don’t leave litter behind, trample landscaping, or damage buildings.
10. Construction has begun on the new Red Hat Amphitheater. If you find yourself walking in the vicinity, please be careful and avoid the construction zone!
11. Most importantly, remember to have fun!  

Policy Updates

We’ve also modified some of our policies for this year. You can find these new policies in detail on our POLICIES page, but here are some quick reminders.

1. Wagons and carts are no longer permitted on the convention floor for attendees. If you need a wagon for an accessibility reason, please stop by our accessibility services table in the main lobby and let us know.
2. We are also no longer allowing ultra-realistic gun props. Starting this year, your prop guns need to be able to be identified at a glance as a fake weapon. We also request that you are conscious of how you carry your gun prop. Please avoid walking around the con with gun props at the ready or otherwise giving the impression of being about to fire.
3. We have also had to implement a new rule that requires you to check your prop on the day you plan to carry it. We realize this will be some additional inconvenience for you, as you can no longer get everything checked all at once ahead of time, and we apologize for that extra inconvenience.. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.

Weather

Many of you have already been checking the forecast and, as usual, it’s May in North Carolina. This means high humidity and a chance of isolated thunderstorms throughout the weekend. But it also means temperatures in the 70s! Make sure you’re prepared!

• Keep hydrated! Sometimes it’s hard to remember in all the hustle and bustle, but keeping hydrated is the most important thing you can do to beat the heat and humidity.  The RCC provides water stations on every floor that dispense cold water. If you plan to be outside a lot, bring an empty bottle and fill it up at a water station.
• Avoid wearing heavy cosplay for extended times outside!  We know, we know. Cosplay is part of the fun.  But if you expect to be spending a lot of time outside (like waiting in the Thursday registration line), don’t wear your heaviest cosplays.  Wait in line, then get changed. If you’re attending a photoshoot in heavy cosplay, make sure to seek out shade and drink lots of water, then head inside to cool off once you’re done!
• Bring an umbrella! Not only will it protect you from a sudden NC downpour, it can also help provide shade from the sun!

We’re also keeping an eye on the weather, and if it does rain when there are long lines outside, we’ll do everything we can to move those lines inside. But you should still be prepared with an umbrella or raincoat just in case!

Parking

One of the most asked questions before the convention is “where do I park?” Luckily for us, there are a ton of options in downtown Raleigh! Nearby parking decks fill early, so we recommend becoming familiar with nearby parking options before making the trek downtown. Your nearby options include:

• The Convention Center Underground Deck accessible from E Lenoir St. This deck is beneath the Marriott hotel.
• The Performing Arts Parking Deck with entrances on W Lenoir St and W South St   
• The Cabarrus Parking Deck with entrances off of W Cabarrus St
• The One City Plaza Garage with entrances off of S Salisbury St and S Wilmington St

Wow, that was a lot of info, but if you’ve read this far and still have questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@animazement.org.

Travel safe, and we’ll see you soon!