Swingtacular 2025 Code of Conduct
Swingtacular: The Galactic Open is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. To achieve this, we ask you to abide by the following code of conduct during the event. We reserve the right to handle any violations of this code of conduct as we deem necessary, which may include loss of access to the event without a refund. We also reserve the right to refuse admission for any reason.
Treat Others With Respect.
We want everyone to feel comfortable attending our event, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ability, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or any other personal circumstance.
Social dancing should always feel safe. You are entitled to:
If someone says “no” or “stop” to you, honor their request. Never pressure anyone to act against their own feelings. If someone turns down your invitation to dance, move on. If someone refuses several invitations to dance, stop asking and move on.
Thanking your partner will always be appreciated. However, unless someone specifically asks for feedback, never offer unsolicited advice, teaching, criticism, or comments about physical appearance or dance technique.
Treat all of our Swingtacular staff including our Workshop Instructors, Judges, DJs, MCs, Event Support Staff, Work/Exchange participants, and hotel personnel with respect. Accept their assistance, guidance, boundaries, and/or instructions. Do not harass or demand the time or attention of our team members. If you believe a team member is misguided in their instructions, practicing poor conduct, or is not representing the event well, please contact the Event Directors and/or submit a report via Swing Reports & Restorations.
No harassment of any kind
Harassment can be for many reasons and take many forms. At Swingtacular, the why or the how doesn’t matter—harassment is not acceptable here. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Discrimination and bigotry, such as racism, ableism, ageism, queerphobia, transphobia, or any other expression of structural prejudice.
- Deliberately causing physical harm.
- Inappropriate interactions regarding minors.
- Hostile online communications.
- Unwelcomed photography/videography.
- Unwanted physical contact.
- Verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation of any kind.
- Violating explicitly stated boundaries.
Any of the actions listed above are grounds for immediate intervention, up to and including loss of access to Swingtacular 2024 without refund.
Help keep others safe
We all love trying new dance patterns and movements, but be mindful of the inherent risk of injury. Any movement that increases the danger of hurting your partner (or other dancers) makes for unsafe dancing.
Avoid forceful movements that could cause an injury by yanking or jerking your partner, or making your partner move before they are ready. Avoid lifts, drops, or other dramatic weight-supported moves that your partner may not be prepared for. (For example, don’t suddenly throw yourself or your partner into a dip.) You never know when someone might be nursing a tender shoulder, bad back, or cranky hip. You also don’t know when your “tricks” could accidentally cause those issues for someone.
Be mindful of other dancers around you to avoid accidental collisions and potential injuries. Be especially careful when the dance floor gets crowded. Sometimes, accidents happen and there may be an accidental collision. In our experience, it is helpful to acknowledge the collision with an apology, regardless of who you might believe is at "fault".
If anyone near you falls or is injured, please offer immediate assistance and check if they are okay. If you see that someone needs medical attention, contact a member of our staff immediately, or call the hotel operator and ask for the medical first response team. In an elevated emergency, call 911.
Be a good citizen
Dancers of all ages and levels of ability will be at our event. You can help grow our dance community by welcoming beginners and demonstrating to parents that dancing is a safe activity for their children.
Our door monitors are support staff. Please be prepared to show your event wristband to gain entry to event activity spaces.
Don’t solicit our attendees for any cause (no matter how worthy), or sell any goods or services, if you have not received approval to do so from event staff. (A table will be available for other event flyers.)
If you feel sick leading up to the event weekend, and are concerned you may be contagious, please stay home. Swingtacular has a no questions asked refund policy, which we ask you utilize if you are ill.
Per California state law, no smoking is allowed in any of the indoor public areas of the hotel. This includes e-cigarettes. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor smoking areas.
Do not attempt to sneak into the event without paying, damage or steal other people’s property, or give alcohol or other age-sensitive substances to anyone under 21. (This all should go without saying, but we’re saying it explicitly for the sake of clarity.)
We will report offenders to hotel staff (or the police), if necessary. We will ask hotel security to remove anyone who appears to be intoxicated or “high” that could be a danger to others, or who engages in disorderly or destructive behavior. Those who cause property damage will be personally liable.
No weapons are allowed into the event, including but not limited to firearms and/or knives. If you are unsure about whether or not a certain item would fall under the category of "weapon", please reach out to us.
Please be mindful of fragrance sensitivities and common allergies, food or otherwise. Many fragrances can cause extreme discomfort for others. Be mindful that many of our community members may have allergies to certain foods or animals. Please, wash your hands between handling pets or food and dancing. No peanuts allowed in Swingtacular ballroom(s).
Swingtacular 2025 is partnering with a harm response and reduction system (Swing R&R) and anyone refusing to participate in the program may have restricted access or loss of access to event spaces. If you have any questions regarding Swing Reports & Restorations and the systems they are offering event attendees, we highly recommend clicking HERE to check out more information.
Have questions or need help? Contact one of the Swingtacular: The Galactic Open 2025 Event Directors:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Cameo McHenry - (925) 667-9820
Ben McHenry – (925) 922-9572
Treat Others With Respect.
We want everyone to feel comfortable attending our event, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, physical appearance, ability, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or any other personal circumstance.
Social dancing should always feel safe. You are entitled to:
- Choose who you want to dance with.
- Choose whether to lead, follow, or switch roles during the dance (if your partner agrees).
- Choose to change partners for the next dance, dance again with the same partner, or take a break.
If someone says “no” or “stop” to you, honor their request. Never pressure anyone to act against their own feelings. If someone turns down your invitation to dance, move on. If someone refuses several invitations to dance, stop asking and move on.
Thanking your partner will always be appreciated. However, unless someone specifically asks for feedback, never offer unsolicited advice, teaching, criticism, or comments about physical appearance or dance technique.
Treat all of our Swingtacular staff including our Workshop Instructors, Judges, DJs, MCs, Event Support Staff, Work/Exchange participants, and hotel personnel with respect. Accept their assistance, guidance, boundaries, and/or instructions. Do not harass or demand the time or attention of our team members. If you believe a team member is misguided in their instructions, practicing poor conduct, or is not representing the event well, please contact the Event Directors and/or submit a report via Swing Reports & Restorations.
No harassment of any kind
Harassment can be for many reasons and take many forms. At Swingtacular, the why or the how doesn’t matter—harassment is not acceptable here. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Discrimination and bigotry, such as racism, ableism, ageism, queerphobia, transphobia, or any other expression of structural prejudice.
- Deliberately causing physical harm.
- Inappropriate interactions regarding minors.
- Hostile online communications.
- Unwelcomed photography/videography.
- Unwanted physical contact.
- Verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation of any kind.
- Violating explicitly stated boundaries.
Any of the actions listed above are grounds for immediate intervention, up to and including loss of access to Swingtacular 2024 without refund.
Help keep others safe
We all love trying new dance patterns and movements, but be mindful of the inherent risk of injury. Any movement that increases the danger of hurting your partner (or other dancers) makes for unsafe dancing.
Avoid forceful movements that could cause an injury by yanking or jerking your partner, or making your partner move before they are ready. Avoid lifts, drops, or other dramatic weight-supported moves that your partner may not be prepared for. (For example, don’t suddenly throw yourself or your partner into a dip.) You never know when someone might be nursing a tender shoulder, bad back, or cranky hip. You also don’t know when your “tricks” could accidentally cause those issues for someone.
Be mindful of other dancers around you to avoid accidental collisions and potential injuries. Be especially careful when the dance floor gets crowded. Sometimes, accidents happen and there may be an accidental collision. In our experience, it is helpful to acknowledge the collision with an apology, regardless of who you might believe is at "fault".
If anyone near you falls or is injured, please offer immediate assistance and check if they are okay. If you see that someone needs medical attention, contact a member of our staff immediately, or call the hotel operator and ask for the medical first response team. In an elevated emergency, call 911.
Be a good citizen
Dancers of all ages and levels of ability will be at our event. You can help grow our dance community by welcoming beginners and demonstrating to parents that dancing is a safe activity for their children.
Our door monitors are support staff. Please be prepared to show your event wristband to gain entry to event activity spaces.
Don’t solicit our attendees for any cause (no matter how worthy), or sell any goods or services, if you have not received approval to do so from event staff. (A table will be available for other event flyers.)
If you feel sick leading up to the event weekend, and are concerned you may be contagious, please stay home. Swingtacular has a no questions asked refund policy, which we ask you utilize if you are ill.
Per California state law, no smoking is allowed in any of the indoor public areas of the hotel. This includes e-cigarettes. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor smoking areas.
Do not attempt to sneak into the event without paying, damage or steal other people’s property, or give alcohol or other age-sensitive substances to anyone under 21. (This all should go without saying, but we’re saying it explicitly for the sake of clarity.)
We will report offenders to hotel staff (or the police), if necessary. We will ask hotel security to remove anyone who appears to be intoxicated or “high” that could be a danger to others, or who engages in disorderly or destructive behavior. Those who cause property damage will be personally liable.
No weapons are allowed into the event, including but not limited to firearms and/or knives. If you are unsure about whether or not a certain item would fall under the category of "weapon", please reach out to us.
Please be mindful of fragrance sensitivities and common allergies, food or otherwise. Many fragrances can cause extreme discomfort for others. Be mindful that many of our community members may have allergies to certain foods or animals. Please, wash your hands between handling pets or food and dancing. No peanuts allowed in Swingtacular ballroom(s).
Swingtacular 2025 is partnering with a harm response and reduction system (Swing R&R) and anyone refusing to participate in the program may have restricted access or loss of access to event spaces. If you have any questions regarding Swing Reports & Restorations and the systems they are offering event attendees, we highly recommend clicking HERE to check out more information.
Have questions or need help? Contact one of the Swingtacular: The Galactic Open 2025 Event Directors:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Cameo McHenry - (925) 667-9820
Ben McHenry – (925) 922-9572