How to Prepare for a Convention: Part Two




This is a continuation of Part One about preparing for a convention. If you haven't hit up part one, please take the time to check it out. I went to 3 conventions last year: PAX South, PAX Prime, and TwitchCon and after attending each one I learned something new from my travels. Here are some more ways you can prepare for attending a convention out of town and what to look for when you arrive!

1. Make sure you know where all charging outlets are.

What do I mean by that? Make sure you know where there are outlets to charge your phone. This is usually at the entrance to a convention hall. It's also a popular spot for people to hang out because they all need to charge their phones. Your phone is going to be working overtime to keep you connected to the world. Every time I've been to a convention, the best way to get ahold of someone is through text or calling. It's even better if you have multiple ways of getting ahold of someone, because even texts or calls may not get through if a massive convention is in town. And trying to send out a tweet or a selfie can take up a lot of juice from your phone. This leads me to number 2.

2. Try to get a portable battery charger ahead of time.

Something like this works. This will save you and you will be friends with everyone who doesn't have one. Don't lose it and make sure it is charging every night so it is full at the start of every day. Trust me, you will love this after going to a convention! I didn't have this the first two conventions I went to, and I was constantly borrowing my friend's asking them if I could "have a hit".

3. Pack your badge someplace where you won't lose it.

This might seem like a really obvious tip for preparing for a convention, but you'd be surprised how many people lose their badges or their mixer bracelets before a convention even starts. Keep all this in one location where you can easily find them.

4. Make new friends through networking!

Yes, ask over twitter and facebook and everywhere who is going to the same convention as you! You are going to meet a lot of people. Try to get a group together of people you have been wanting to meet. Make sure you take lots of pictures, which brings me to number 5.

5. Bring a camera! (or better yet, a cell phone with a decent camera!)

Some people bring huuuuge cameras and some people use their cell phones. Cell phones are way more portable and take pretty good pictures nowadays. Don't go out to get the latest coolest gadget that takes pictures. Use what you got!

6. Download the guide to the convention.

Getting a program every time you go in is okay or saving the program you were using from the first day, but having the guidebook app on the phone can really help save time and paper. They have it where the app can be customized to alert you when you'd like to head over to a certain panel. Plus there is usually everything in there you'd need, from a map to the description of the panels and where they are located.

7. Make sure you bring some cash.

You just don't know what kind of currency some places take. Cash is king. Just don't lose it! Credit cards are good to have, but airports can be a prime place for skimmers to get your information. Be safe!

8. Be clean!

No one likes the PAX pox. And no one likes spreading it to their friends either. Take showers, wash your hands frequently, and possibly carry a travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer.

9. Check the rules of the con and please follow them.

Some conventions are kid friendly (strollers are banned in some of them! But babywearing is welcome), some are not. Some conventions are cosplay friendly, some are not. Check the rules of the convention well in advance before you book the hotel and tickets. If the enforcers ask for you to do something (such as move inward to create more spaces for people to sit, or not save seats, or anything else that logically will improve the experience of convention-goer's) please do it. They are volunteers giving their time so everyone can have a good time. :)

10. Have fun!

Remember, conventions are meant to be enjoyed. I hope you have fun and I hope these tips helped a little. Enjoy!

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