SNAFU Con
Sierra Nevada Anime Fans Unite!
SNAFU Con is an anime convention in the Reno/Sparks area of Nevada. The 2023 con will be November 17 - 19, 2023. The 2021 con was October 29-31, 2021.
VACCINES REQUIRED FOR CON THIS YEAR.
Read our full COVID-19 policy for 2021 here.
Quicklinks:
Policies for COVID-19
Subject to Change Index
Please pay attention to this space, as our policies are subject to change quickly with the status of the pandemic. These policies are still under development.
VACCINES REQUIRED Index
For our 2021 convention, we will be requiring all persons who participate in the convention to be both masked and vaccinated. Proof of vaccination will be required to receive your badge from registration.
What we plan to accept as proof of vaccination:
Dates:
You MUST bring the required documentation to the convention. We are NOT recording, saving, or otherwise preserving anyone's vaccination records and therefore cannot accept or evaluate records before the convention. However, if you have any questions about if your records will be accepted, please email us and ask, but please do not email us an unmodified copy of your records! If we need to see your documentation to make a call as to whether it's valid for us, please redact it appropriately.
If you are unable to receive vaccination for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Instructions for exemption are in the following section.
Children under the age of 13 are exempted from vaccination and will require a negative test.
Negative tests are only required if you have a medical exemption. However you are welcome to get tested anyway to ensure you are not bringing a break-through case to con. You will not need to show proof of that test unless you are not vaccinated and have a medical exemption on record with us.
What we plan to accept as proof of vaccination:
- SMART Health Cards
- CDC Vaccination Card
- A VERY GOOD photograph, photo copy, or digital copy of your CDC Vaccination Card. If it's on your phone we will want to zoom in to see details.
- We are evaluating which other digital vaccine records we will accept
Dates:
- Picking up badge Thursday: October 14
- Picking up badge Friday: October 15
- Picking up badge Saturday: October 16
- Picking up badge Sunday: October 17
You MUST bring the required documentation to the convention. We are NOT recording, saving, or otherwise preserving anyone's vaccination records and therefore cannot accept or evaluate records before the convention. However, if you have any questions about if your records will be accepted, please email us and ask, but please do not email us an unmodified copy of your records! If we need to see your documentation to make a call as to whether it's valid for us, please redact it appropriately.
If you are unable to receive vaccination for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Instructions for exemption are in the following section.
Children under the age of 13 are exempted from vaccination and will require a negative test.
Negative tests are only required if you have a medical exemption. However you are welcome to get tested anyway to ensure you are not bringing a break-through case to con. You will not need to show proof of that test unless you are not vaccinated and have a medical exemption on record with us.
Exemption Process Index
If you are unable to receive vaccination for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption; for everyone's safety we have decided to limit the number of adult exemptions granted to 5% of our expected attendance, which is a total of 100 people. Children under the age of 13 are automatically exempted from the vaccination requirement. Being able to receive the vaccine and you just didn't do it in time for the convention is not a medical reason.
For all individuals who are granted exemption (adults and minors), they must come to the convention with proof that they have been tested by a medical professional and found to be free of COVID-19 within 72 hours of picking up their badge at the convention (along with the usual ID required to pick up their badge). Medical professionals include pharmacists.
How to get an exemption
Please email [email protected] with your request for exemption from our vaccination requirement along with a doctor's note from an MD or DO on the doctor's letterhead stating that they do not recommend you receive the COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons. Please ensure they do not explain any medical condition that you have as we do not want to know. An official medical note on letterhead will be required for every person 13+ that needs to be exempt from our vaccine requirement. A single note listing multiple family members by name will be acceptable for all people listed.
Once we have received your doctor's note, and as long as we are under our exemption limit, we will mark your registration account as exempted so that you will only have to show proof of a negative test to registration to pick up your badge instead of proof of vaccination.
For all individuals who are granted exemption (adults and minors), they must come to the convention with proof that they have been tested by a medical professional and found to be free of COVID-19 within 72 hours of picking up their badge at the convention (along with the usual ID required to pick up their badge). Medical professionals include pharmacists.
How to get an exemption
Please email [email protected] with your request for exemption from our vaccination requirement along with a doctor's note from an MD or DO on the doctor's letterhead stating that they do not recommend you receive the COVID-19 vaccine for medical reasons. Please ensure they do not explain any medical condition that you have as we do not want to know. An official medical note on letterhead will be required for every person 13+ that needs to be exempt from our vaccine requirement. A single note listing multiple family members by name will be acceptable for all people listed.
Once we have received your doctor's note, and as long as we are under our exemption limit, we will mark your registration account as exempted so that you will only have to show proof of a negative test to registration to pick up your badge instead of proof of vaccination.
Group Pickups Index
Due to requiring vaccine proof for every participant we are not doing group pickups this year. Every person must pick up their own badge except children may be picked up by their parent or guardian.
MASKS REQUIRED Index
In addition to all attendees being vaccinated, you are required to wear a mask unless you are actively eating or drinking. There may be specific locations for consumption of drinks/food. You cannot take off your mask for photos unless you are outside of the building.
See our mask policy here for current mask guidelines.
Mask policy will be strictly enforced. People not following our mask policy will be asked to leave until they can comply with the policy. People who repeatedly break the mask policy may have their badge revoked.
We will be selling SNAFU Con branded masks for $10, but supplies are limited so please ensure you have your own mask supply for the weekend. You will be required to wear a mask to get to the purchase table, anyway.
See our mask policy here for current mask guidelines.
Mask policy will be strictly enforced. People not following our mask policy will be asked to leave until they can comply with the policy. People who repeatedly break the mask policy may have their badge revoked.
We will be selling SNAFU Con branded masks for $10, but supplies are limited so please ensure you have your own mask supply for the weekend. You will be required to wear a mask to get to the purchase table, anyway.
LIABILITY FORM REQUIRED Index
The 2021 convention is happening during a global pandemic and while we are making our best efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible there is an element of risk in any gathering. It is more likely than not that someone with COVID-19 will be in attendance.
Please print and sign this liability waiver and bring it with you to registration to pick up your badge! Page one is for adults, page two is for minors. Minors must have the form signed by a parent or guardian NO EXCEPTIONS.
We will have copies available at registration but bringing a presigned copy will help you get through registration faster.
Please print and sign this liability waiver and bring it with you to registration to pick up your badge! Page one is for adults, page two is for minors. Minors must have the form signed by a parent or guardian NO EXCEPTIONS.
We will have copies available at registration but bringing a presigned copy will help you get through registration faster.
Refunds and Registration Forwards Index
If you choose not to attend the 2021 convention for any reason, we will automatically move your paid 2021 registration to our next SNAFU Con event at the end of the 2021 convention. You do not need to do anything.
Alternatively, we are offering no-questions-asked refunds to anyone who has pre-registered for SNAFU Con 2021. We will attempt to refund you automatically through Paypal; if that doesn't work for any reason we will mail you a paper check.
Request a Refund
Refund requests will be accepted online until registration closes on October 25th.
Alternatively, we are offering no-questions-asked refunds to anyone who has pre-registered for SNAFU Con 2021. We will attempt to refund you automatically through Paypal; if that doesn't work for any reason we will mail you a paper check.
Request a Refund
Refund requests will be accepted online until registration closes on October 25th.
If you feel sick at con Index
We will be offering partial refunds for anyone who feels sick and chooses to leave and quarantine themselves. More policy and instructions for that to come.
Accommodations Index
We are going to be doing our best to provide some online content in our Discord for individuals who cannot or choose not to attend. More information will be provided as we get close to con.
FAQ Index
Do I need to get a test if I'm vaccinated?
No, we're only requiring proof of vaccination. However, if you'd like, you can also get tested just to be sure you're not bringing COVID-19 to the con but you will not need to show proof of that test.
Can I bring my group member's vaccination record so I can pick up their badge?
No, we don't want to encourage letting other people have your medical records.
How do I get a medical exemption from the vaccine requirement?
Email us with a doctor's note. See above "Exemption Process" section for more detailed instructions.
Will (some website) be acceptable proof of vaccination?
Possibly, but we're looking to avoid accepting websites. We are accepting SMART Health Cards which you can probably make from your website. Contact us if you have any questions on how to make a SMART Health Card and we'll do our best to help you.
Can I use X test?
As long as the test is administered by a medical professional, such as a pharmacist, it will count. This includes rapid tests. We do not allow tests that you purchase and administer yourself.
I've got my first shot but I won't get my second one until (any date after the 17th). I've really been looking forward to con. Is there any way I can attend?
We want to express how happy we are that you are getting vaccinated. However, we're really sorry, but no, you still cannot attend. You must be fully vaccinated to attend, which includes a 2-week period after the date of your second shot (or only shot for single-dose vaccines). We really hate to have to turn anyone away but due to the fact that this is a matter of the safety of all convention participants, we cannot waiver on this policy.
My child is under age 3, where can I get a test?
Although some testing sites will only see children age 3 and up, there are other locations that do not have a minimum age. For example, if you are in the Reno area, you can contact the Washoe County Health District, who has confirmed they will test children regardless of age. For other areas, be sure you contact your local health department or medical provider for options.
No, we're only requiring proof of vaccination. However, if you'd like, you can also get tested just to be sure you're not bringing COVID-19 to the con but you will not need to show proof of that test.
Can I bring my group member's vaccination record so I can pick up their badge?
No, we don't want to encourage letting other people have your medical records.
How do I get a medical exemption from the vaccine requirement?
Email us with a doctor's note. See above "Exemption Process" section for more detailed instructions.
Will (some website) be acceptable proof of vaccination?
Possibly, but we're looking to avoid accepting websites. We are accepting SMART Health Cards which you can probably make from your website. Contact us if you have any questions on how to make a SMART Health Card and we'll do our best to help you.
Can I use X test?
As long as the test is administered by a medical professional, such as a pharmacist, it will count. This includes rapid tests. We do not allow tests that you purchase and administer yourself.
I've got my first shot but I won't get my second one until (any date after the 17th). I've really been looking forward to con. Is there any way I can attend?
We want to express how happy we are that you are getting vaccinated. However, we're really sorry, but no, you still cannot attend. You must be fully vaccinated to attend, which includes a 2-week period after the date of your second shot (or only shot for single-dose vaccines). We really hate to have to turn anyone away but due to the fact that this is a matter of the safety of all convention participants, we cannot waiver on this policy.
My child is under age 3, where can I get a test?
Although some testing sites will only see children age 3 and up, there are other locations that do not have a minimum age. For example, if you are in the Reno area, you can contact the Washoe County Health District, who has confirmed they will test children regardless of age. For other areas, be sure you contact your local health department or medical provider for options.