Party Guidelines

Register Your Party!

Please remember that we need to know if you’re planning to host a party at Worldcon. You can contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Whether it is a small private gathering of friends or a big blowout, please register your party and let us know your plans. This will enable us to provide you with a party kit filled with helpful supplies!

Please note: The Fairmont Hotel is the only approved hotel for public and private parties. If you do not currently have a suite reserved, please contact the Fairmont and request to be blocked on floors 4, 5, or 7 in the South Tower.

Alcohol Policy

Alcohol restrictions have been legally clarified, and we are replacing previous guidelines with these -- this applies to parties both public & private:

  1. You must check photo ID for legal age (21 years old) -- your party’s bartender is legally responsible. You must be at least 21 years old to serve alcohol. (Convention badges in no way verify an attendee’s age.)
  2. “Last Call” is 1:30 AM, no serving alcohol after 2:00 AM.
  3. Alcohol may not be sold.

Signage/Taping onto Walls

We encourage you to advertise your public party in convention publications, with flyers on your Fan Table (if you have one), and on the party boards that will be located at the Fairmont & Marriott hotel, and Convention Center.

The Convention Center allows computer-generated (professional-looking) signage on our party board. If your flyers are posted anywhere but on the party boards, you are absolutely responsible for taking them down after your party.

The Fairmont Hotel also allows computer-generated (professional-looking) signage on our party board on the 1st floor (not on lobby walls, or other non-designated spaces). If you are putting up decor in your party room, you may only use painter’s tape to affix it to walls.

The Marriott Hotel will not be hosting public parties, and as such there’s no need for posting flyers in lobbies, hallway walls or doors. We hope to have a party board in the lobby there as well, so that people enjoying the hospitality of Consuite will also be able to find you.

Promote your Party in the Newsletter!

If you are hosting a public party, the Worldcon 76 newsletter wants your "Party Previews!” Rather than tell members about parties that have already happened, we want to get members excited about upcoming parties ahead of time. Email your info to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Party Competition

We will be collecting ballots and awarding titles for:

  • Best Food
  • Best Themed Drink
  • Best Decor
  • Best Overall Party

Ballots will be available at Registration and on the party floors. Ballot boxes will be on the party floors while parties are going on, and will be located in Party Ops (location TBD in the Fairmont) the rest of the time. Please Note: All ballots should be filled out by the member voting. Valid ballots will require the members badge number, badge name and registered name. Any appearance of ballot stuffing or pre-filled ballots will result in your party being disqualified from the awards.

Fairmont Hotel’s Amenities

The Fairmont offers WiFi for a surcharge.  Pro Tip: If you join the Fairmont’s loyalty program (free, please sign up now) you get free WiFi. 

You may rent a fridge for $25, but they have a limited number available: first-come, first-served. Furniture removal is not an option. While cooking in the rooms is not allowed, utilizing crockpots and the like to reheat food is acceptable.

Reasonable Hotel Etiquette

As we’re sure you’re aware, it’s best not to alarm or irritate the hotel staff. Don't be obnoxious bringing in your party supplies and decor, and treat the bell and housekeeping staff with respect and courtesy, especially if they help you! They can be your best allies sometimes with the challenges of being a host away from home.  It’s also a good idea to do your best as a party host to keep the noise to a level where you won’t have to deal with complaints from neighbors, and have unwanted hotel staff knocking on your demanding you shut your party down. No smoking is allowed indoors (even vaping).

Obviously, don’t damage anything. If you are sharing your suite with other parties, please check in with our party staff so we can come to your room and identify and photograph any preexisting damage so that you are not charged for it. We’ll also, if you like, come through when you’re done with the room and repeat the procedure.

Try to leave your room as clean as you found it, consider using the plastic sheeting we’ll have available in Party Ops (TBD location), and remember to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff. Leave full garbage bags inside the room for housekeeping to pick up when they clean in the morning, or call them for a pickup.

Reasonable Convention Etiquette

Please monitor your party attendance to only allow convention attendees wearing badges. Be sure to check ID if you’re serving alcohol. Use only painter’s tape to hang items on the walls. Don’t damage hotel property, and leave it as clean as you found it. smile

Acquiring Ice

Ice will be available in the ice machines of the Fairmont, but use it sparingly please.

If your suite has a shower stall instead of a tub, we can arrange to provide you with an alternate container for ice and drinks. Please speak with Party Ops staff.

You can also obtain ice from nearby stores. We will be compiling a list of locations shortly.

We ask that anyone using their tubs in their rooms for storing food or soda to use a tub liner. These are available at Party Ops (location TBD) for free to registered party hosts. Hotels will charge for any damages to the tub.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted in any of our contracted hotels nor any public building. This includes common areas and guest rooms for any kind of smoking (tobacco, marijuana, evapor, whatever). Most hotels may levy a cleaning charge for a room where smoking has occurred.

San Jose Party Ops/Party Maven

Come find us in Party Ops to check in before your party. We will provide you with some Party Support supplies, and if you give us copies of your flyers we’ll put them up on the party boards for you if you’d like.

Party Kit

The package we’ll provide for you will include:

  • Doorstop
  • garbage bags
  • bar towels
  • sm. roll of painter’s tape
  • bottle opener/corkscrew
  • roll of toilet paper

We will have a few other options for you to choose from as well, including a can opener, a plastic tarp, toothpicks, and more of the items listed above in case you need extras. If you’re in a suite, you may also have a trash can, and you can borrow one of the 12” pedestal fans for the duration of your event(s). If you would like a tub liner (if you’re putting ice in it to serve cold drinks) please let us know.

We will come visit your party to ensure your needs are being met. We will provide you with our contact numbers so that you can reach party team members for assistance.

Contact us

Pre-con: email Margaret Grady at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Margaret Grady)

At-con: Our dedicated party maven line, TBA soon.