Hi hello and welcome to a different kind of post. I generally talk about all things books, but outside of my book blog life, I'm also a cosplayer and attend conventions! Tomorrow, I'll be leaving for my yearly trip to DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia where I work as a volunteer. Recently, I was approached to write an article about preparing for your first convention and I couldn't be more excited to write about this! I attend several conventions a year as a volunteer and cosplayer and would like to think that I have gotten my routine for con prep down fairly well at this point. But what about those who are planning on attending a convention for the first time? Today, I'm here to share some tips and tricks to help you survive your first convention! Let's get started!
1. Learn all about your convention
We'll take DragonCon as an example since this is the next convention I'm attending. DragonCon is held annually during Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. It spans five hotels and runs from Thursday August 31st to Monday September 1st in 2017. The specific dates will vary but it always falls on Labor Day weekend. There are tons of guests from every fandom you could imagine with panels and events starting Thursday and ending Monday. DragonCon has an awesome parade that happens Saturday morning that you can either watch in person or on TV if you don't want to try and fight for a spot. Generally, the weather is hot and humid (welcome to the South) so you always want to be prepared for potential rain showers followed by humid air that's almost impossible to breathe in! Learning about the location that the convention is held at can help you prepare for any potential changes in weather that you may not be used to and also helps with your packing plans. It also helps to keep an eye on the convention website or Facebook page for new guest announcements as well as hotel openings. Some cons may even have an app that you can download to get the schedule, maps, and locations of various events that go on during the con. A great place to look for event information is Eventbrite, since many cons use this site to register and list their events! Just getting a general idea about the convention really goes a long way into attending it for the first time.
2. Create a packing list
Staying at a hotel for the duration of the convention? Write down all of the things you plan to bring! It really helps you keep track of things once you're in the hotel room and have unpacked everything. The list above provides a great general guideline for things to bring to a convention. Of course, you don't have to bring everything on that list, but it's a good starting point to get an idea of what you might want to bring with you for the weekend. Are you planning on cosplaying at this convention? Check out this awesome video from Mango Sirene on how to pack for conventions! She gives great tips on how to pack your costumes, props, and armor to ensure that everything is organized and kept safe while traveling to the convention.
3. Hydrate and bring sensible shoes!
Click the photo to get a super cute 'Hydrate or Die' sticker from Spiro Paper Co!
It sounds simple and like a no-brainer, I know, but it's something that a lot of people tend to overlook. Myself included. Conventions are synonymous with a lot of walking and standing in lines, and you're not going to want to do that in six inch heels or work/dress shoes. You want some comfy, broken in tennis shoes with good support and maybe even some decent sole inserts to help keep your feet blister free and also from hurting too terribly bad at the end of the day. As someone who walks a ridiculous amount due to volunteering and having to walk between various hotels and ballrooms throughout the weekend, trust me when I say a good pair of comfy shoes is life saving.
When it comes to water, you can never have enough. Carrying a water bottle that you can refill throughout the day is the best way to go. Unfortunately, convention prices for both food and drink can get a bit high, so bringing a reusable water bottle will not only be useful but will also save you a good chunk of money in the long run! Staying hydrated will help ensure that you can enjoy your day at the convention and won't have to worry about sweating out all of the water in your body and getting sick. Sorry, but beer and coke are not good substitutes for water! With DragonCon especially, the weather gets hot and humid which means people will crowd in the hotels to stay cool. When there are over 77,000+ people trying to stay cool in such a confined space, you're going to sweat. Keep a water bottle with you and remember to hydrate frequently!
4. Remember the 6-3-1 rule!
Okay, so this one changes depending on who you ask about it. But the general idea of it is that you get six hours of sleep, eat three meals a day, and take at least one shower daily. Some people call it the 5-2-1 rule, and some even go as low as 3-2-1. As a volunteer and someone who has been going to cons for a bit, I prefer the 6-3-1 method because I need my sleep. But when you're at a convention, it's very easy to get lost in the hype and excitement of all that's going on. Always remember to take care of yourself and your body and get a good amount of sleep nightly, eat at least three meals a day (chips and soda from a vending machine won't cut it here, friends), and please, please, please take at least one shower a day. Con funk is a serious epidemic and Axe body spray or perfume is not a substitute for a shower! Basically, just take care of yourself and have fun!
5. Budget accordingly
With conventions come a lot of costly things such as a hotel room, food, and dealer room goodies. It can be tempting to hit the dealer room and drop a ton of money on some cool things you've found over the weekend or even go out to a fancy dinner every night, but remember to budget accordingly. You don't want to blow every penny you have in one weekend and leave yourself with nothing when you return home! Keep it realistic and spend smart. Bring things like peanut butter and jelly or granola bars to eat in place of eating at a food court every day. Try splitting the cost of a hotel room with a friend or two. Don't buy that super overpriced figure you saw in the dealer room on an impulse. Try to come up with a reasonable budget before the convention and stick to it!
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These are just some basic tips that have really helped me with literally every convention I attend. If it's your first time going to any convention, remember to have fun! Conventions can be overwhelming at first, but as long as you don't forget to take care of yourself, you should have a great time. To sum everything up really quick:
-Remember to check out the convention beforehand by visiting their website or Facebook page or even downloading the convention app if one is available.
-Keep a list of all of the things you pack to help yourself keep track of things once you get to your hotel if you plan to stay the weekend.
-Hydration is key so be sure to always carry a refillable water bottle and keep drinking!
-Good shoes are key and will save you from falling over at the end of the day and not being able to walk the next day because your feet hurt so bad.
-Get at least six hours of sleep, eat three real meals, and take at least one shower daily.
-Budget your money before you leave and spend wisely!
Take these tips and go conquer your first con! Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you in the next chapter!
