🚀 go-pugleaf

I attended the December national Sun User Group conference in San Jose, 
along with my son.  We *both* registered appropriately at the registration 
desk.  We both wore our badges in easily visible places.

As we walked through the doors to enter the equipment exhibit area, we 
were stopped by one of the security guards, a rather large and aggressive
man.  He said that it was "policy" that no one under the age of 18
have admittance to the show.  "It has to do with insurance," he said.
I was shocked and astounded.  I argued with him, saying that the
proper place to enforce such an (unreasonable) policy was at the
registration desk -- and they had not!  And since they had not, that,
having travelled nearly 50 miles to get there, and having taken him
out of school, that *we* were going to enter.  (My son, incidentally, 
is *clearly* under 18, so there could be no doubt in the registrar's 
mind, if there were such a policy, which side of 18 he is on.)  

This guy goes on to say that he is an off-duty San Francisco policeman
who regularly works security at computer conferences.  He claimed that
this is policy at *all* computer conferences.  (!!)  I responded that 
I attend several computer conferences each year, and have seen individuals 
under 18 at *all* of them that I have attended (I'm talking about the 
equipment exhibit area, not the technical sessions), even including infants 
in those little carriers on their parent's back!  Let alone, those who
obviously walk on their own, such as my son.

This guy would not back down.  He went on to say that the *Teamsters* 
don't like to see under 18s at the conference either, for liability 
reasons.  Is that bizarre, or what?  After some more jawing, he finally 
allowed us to enter.

1)  I want to know *why* this guy took this position?   He said that it
    was "policy".  
2)  Is it SUG's policy?  
3)  If not, is it the SJ Convention Center's policy?  
4)  Do I recall that a company is hired to run/coordinate the
    conference?  Is it *their* policy?
5)  If it is not *anyone's* policy, I want to know what to do in the
    future if it should occur again.

Larry Little
SLUG Chairman
University of California, LLNL