Convention Survival Guide (8)
If you’ve gone to a convention even once, you’ve at least heard of a party put on by the convention itself, one of the companies participating, or by fellow attendees. Of course these are usually late night activities and they should be far more relaxing and stress free than the bustling, sometimes claustrophobic pace of experiencing the convention during the day. Regardless of who’s putting on the party, as always, a little bit of forethought and planning will save take care of almost anything that might go wrong during your evening out. Although these late night activities should, theoretically, be relatively spontaneous and fun, it never hurts to do a bit of research.
If you’re not there for the dealer’s hall or cosplayers, you’re probably at a convention for the panels or autograph sessions. These events tend to be the pillars around which a convention day is planned since this is where you’ll meet cool guests, hear breaking news, watch experts discuss the goings on of the industry, or possibly even get a quick lesson in art, writing, or something else creative. As anyone who’s been to even a single convention can tell you, there are often more events than you can go to in a single day, and random little things tend to prevent you from keeping to a strict schedule. So, what’s the best way to create a decent schedule that lets you see everything you want to but includes a decent amount of breathing room? Find out below!
You’ve seen them, you’ve gawked at them, and you might have been one yourself. They are an ever-present element at conventions, and their tradition spans back decades. What is this omnipresent force of rubber-necking fury? Why, cosplayers of course. Even if the convention you’re attending takes place in a dull white room with nothing interesting to look at, you’re still probably going to want to take a picture of at least one cosplayer. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking them for a picture, but if you want to be courteous while you snap away, follow these general rules.
Convention Survival Guide: Showroom Floor and Artists Alley
Stephen Bajza
The showroom floor is the most chaotic place in any convention. Even though the panels are spread out, most people are concentrated in or immediately around the dealers hall and artists alley since they account for the bulk of the conventions’ floor space. Not only will you have just enough room to shuffle around, you’ll have to maneuver your bag so it doesn’t catch on or hit anybody while scoping out vendor booths and artist tables in quick, jerky glances so you don’t end up running into someone.
Deciding what to eat might seem as easy as stuffing your bag with your favorite snacks and bringing cash for a few restaurants, but you’d be surprised at how hard it is to keep food costs down and energy levels up. While wandering the halls of a convention is nowhere near as hard as running a twenty-six mile marathon, keeping hydrated and energized are important nonetheless. There will be a lot of shuffling, standing, and walking, so if you don’t do a little bit of planning with food, your experience can turn very sour very fast. The right food will not only save you money, but boost your longevity and keep you active right till bedtime.
Just like transportation, your options are broken into public and private: crash on someone’s couch, or get a room at a hotel. Unlike public transportation, there’s no guarantee that one will be more comfortable than the other. How much space you get is determined by how many people you’re sharing the room with, and both options have their share of limitations on showering, food access, and other little details. The main things you need to consider is which option you can afford, and which provides you the space you need.
Transportation is the first and often hardest roadblock to overcome. If you’re still trying to decide how to get to a convention, break your options into public transportation and private; there are variations on both, and each one has its own pros and cons.
Being unprepared in general is an unpleasant experience, but when your enjoyment of a convention is at stake, having key items means the difference between a satisfying experience and utter misery. What will you do if a swarm of bees attacks the convention and you’re left without something as basic as Benadryl? That may sound funny and implausible, but it has happened. If your convention is farther than you can reach within an hour or two and you’re staying at a hotel, you’ll definitely need to pay close attention to this list.