So You're Going to a Convention?
Jun. 1st, 2015 09:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kerravonsenWith Continuum XI coming up, I have been contemplating a few things I've learned by experience over years of convention-going, and I thought I'd share them, in the hope that it will be helpful to somebody.
First, preface everything I say here with "If you can" and "If you can afford it". Because I know that some things are not feasible, and some things are not affordable... but I'd rather not have to repeat myself. So just take that as given, okay?
Preparation 1: Accommodation
A. Stay in the convention hotel.
It is good to have a place to retreat to when you need a break.
You can stay up late if you like, without having to brave the darkness.
You miss out on less, since it takes less time to get places.
B. Stay in a nearby hotel.
If you can't get into the convention hotel, a nearby hotel is the next best thing.
C. Restrict the number of roommates.
I once stayed at a convention where I thought I was just going to have one roommate, then roommate invited another roommate (which was okay, she asked me first). Then roommate's roommate invited another roommate (without asking first), who invited another roommate, who... there ended up being six people in the room; two in the double-bed, one in the other bed, one in the roll-out bed, and two on the floor. It was utterly awful. Do not let this happen to you!
D. Stay at home and get a taxi.
If you can't stay in a hotel, and you live in the same city, rather than waste a lot of time with public transport, get a taxi to and from the convention. Especially "from" as you are likely to be staying at the con quite late. This way you can sleep in your own comfortable bed, without having to deal with roommates; and it is cheaper than a hotel.
Preparation 2: Packing
A. List.
I personally find it easier to pack if I make a master-list of what to pack and cross things off. Yes, even obvious things like toiletries and undies.
B. Pack light.
One large suitcase is easier to wrangle than two smaller ones. Also have a day-bag or day-pack to carry with you around the convention, where you can put your programme, your things-for-guests-to-sign, etc. While conventions may supply you with a very nice bag, they're just as likely to supply you with a nasty plastic bag, so it's easier to just bring your own capacious and comfortable bag.
C. Layers.
The temperature of the hotel is not going to be the same as the temperature outside. If it is winter, it will be cold outside and hot inside. If it is summer, it will be hot outside and cold inside. So you need layers in your clothing to deal with these differences.
D. Mix-and-match.
While you obviously need to plan your clothing beforehand, it is easier to be flexible on the day if you have pieces of clothing you can swap around, things that will go with more than one thing. I tend to choose a colour-theme, like "black/white/grey" or "blue and things that go with blue". One also needs to factor in costumes if you are into cosplay.
E. Breakfast bars or muesli bars.
Really very helpful to have some quick food with you that you can eat if you're too busy rushing around to go off and buy your lunch or dinner. Yes, many conventions set aside plenty of time for lunch and dinner, but that doesn't preclude needing food for the good of your blood sugar just in case.
F. BYO tea
I like herbal tea rather than black tea, so I bring my own.
G. BYO music
If you are staying in a hotel and you like listening to music, bring an MP3 player or equivalent, because the only music you will get in the hotel room is the radio.
Preparation 3: Other Things
A. Sleep
Make sure you get plenty of sleep before the convention, because you aren't going to get much sleep at it.
B. Read
For author guests of honour, read at least one work of theirs before the convention. Likewise, for actors, watch something they're in.
This will enable you to enjoy the con more, because you will find the guest more interesting if you know more about them. Besides, you're likely to want to explore their work afterwards anyway (because GoHs are good at their work), so it's not as if it would be a waste of time.
C. Pre-Mark
If the convention programme is available before the con, get a copy and pre-mark all the things you want to see. Even though things will be changed and shuffled around a bit at the con, it will mostly remain the same, and doing decision-making beforehand will enable you to get into the swing of things straight away.
At The Con:
A. Eat the Full Breakfast.
There are two reasons to eat the Full Breakfast at the hotel: (a) it will fuel you for the day, and (b) more importantly, it is delicious, and you are on holiday.
B. Pack your daybag.
If you are staying at a hotel, pack for the morning or afternoon, because there won't be enough time to dash up to your room between items.
If you are not staying at a hotel, obviously you would pack for the day.
C. Drink water.
Many convention facilities provide water. Drink it. Because it is good to stay hydrated, it will stave off headaches, and you need something to go with those muesli bars.
D. Find the loos.
Because you've been drinking water, right?
E. Do not stress if you miss stuff. ESPECIALLY if you miss stuff because you were having an interesting conversation with someone.
First, preface everything I say here with "If you can" and "If you can afford it". Because I know that some things are not feasible, and some things are not affordable... but I'd rather not have to repeat myself. So just take that as given, okay?
Preparation 1: Accommodation
A. Stay in the convention hotel.
It is good to have a place to retreat to when you need a break.
You can stay up late if you like, without having to brave the darkness.
You miss out on less, since it takes less time to get places.
B. Stay in a nearby hotel.
If you can't get into the convention hotel, a nearby hotel is the next best thing.
C. Restrict the number of roommates.
I once stayed at a convention where I thought I was just going to have one roommate, then roommate invited another roommate (which was okay, she asked me first). Then roommate's roommate invited another roommate (without asking first), who invited another roommate, who... there ended up being six people in the room; two in the double-bed, one in the other bed, one in the roll-out bed, and two on the floor. It was utterly awful. Do not let this happen to you!
D. Stay at home and get a taxi.
If you can't stay in a hotel, and you live in the same city, rather than waste a lot of time with public transport, get a taxi to and from the convention. Especially "from" as you are likely to be staying at the con quite late. This way you can sleep in your own comfortable bed, without having to deal with roommates; and it is cheaper than a hotel.
Preparation 2: Packing
A. List.
I personally find it easier to pack if I make a master-list of what to pack and cross things off. Yes, even obvious things like toiletries and undies.
B. Pack light.
One large suitcase is easier to wrangle than two smaller ones. Also have a day-bag or day-pack to carry with you around the convention, where you can put your programme, your things-for-guests-to-sign, etc. While conventions may supply you with a very nice bag, they're just as likely to supply you with a nasty plastic bag, so it's easier to just bring your own capacious and comfortable bag.
C. Layers.
The temperature of the hotel is not going to be the same as the temperature outside. If it is winter, it will be cold outside and hot inside. If it is summer, it will be hot outside and cold inside. So you need layers in your clothing to deal with these differences.
D. Mix-and-match.
While you obviously need to plan your clothing beforehand, it is easier to be flexible on the day if you have pieces of clothing you can swap around, things that will go with more than one thing. I tend to choose a colour-theme, like "black/white/grey" or "blue and things that go with blue". One also needs to factor in costumes if you are into cosplay.
E. Breakfast bars or muesli bars.
Really very helpful to have some quick food with you that you can eat if you're too busy rushing around to go off and buy your lunch or dinner. Yes, many conventions set aside plenty of time for lunch and dinner, but that doesn't preclude needing food for the good of your blood sugar just in case.
F. BYO tea
I like herbal tea rather than black tea, so I bring my own.
G. BYO music
If you are staying in a hotel and you like listening to music, bring an MP3 player or equivalent, because the only music you will get in the hotel room is the radio.
Preparation 3: Other Things
A. Sleep
Make sure you get plenty of sleep before the convention, because you aren't going to get much sleep at it.
B. Read
For author guests of honour, read at least one work of theirs before the convention. Likewise, for actors, watch something they're in.
This will enable you to enjoy the con more, because you will find the guest more interesting if you know more about them. Besides, you're likely to want to explore their work afterwards anyway (because GoHs are good at their work), so it's not as if it would be a waste of time.
C. Pre-Mark
If the convention programme is available before the con, get a copy and pre-mark all the things you want to see. Even though things will be changed and shuffled around a bit at the con, it will mostly remain the same, and doing decision-making beforehand will enable you to get into the swing of things straight away.
At The Con:
A. Eat the Full Breakfast.
There are two reasons to eat the Full Breakfast at the hotel: (a) it will fuel you for the day, and (b) more importantly, it is delicious, and you are on holiday.
B. Pack your daybag.
If you are staying at a hotel, pack for the morning or afternoon, because there won't be enough time to dash up to your room between items.
If you are not staying at a hotel, obviously you would pack for the day.
C. Drink water.
Many convention facilities provide water. Drink it. Because it is good to stay hydrated, it will stave off headaches, and you need something to go with those muesli bars.
D. Find the loos.
Because you've been drinking water, right?
E. Do not stress if you miss stuff. ESPECIALLY if you miss stuff because you were having an interesting conversation with someone.
