It's Convention Season! (What to Remember and What to Bring)
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You’ve done it! You’ve bought the tickets, and you’re ready and eager to go to a fan convention!
So what now?
Fan conventions, especially those with a large turnout, can be perplexing. What do you need to remember? And what do you need to bring? To answer those questions, here are some important points to remember:
Before You Go
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1. Do your planning.
Do as much research as you can and use that knowledge to plan out your weekend. If you’re following the convention on social media, use available material to take stock and plan out your moves. That way, you can prioritize the things you want to do and how to go about doing it.
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2. Figure out travel, accommodation, and transportation.
Make sure you know how much you need in terms of travel costs and look into what would be the best mode of transportation to get you where you need to go. When considering where to stay, remember both cost and proximity to the convention as this can affect the mode(s) of transportation that you use.
3. Make sure you have your tickets!
What To Pack
1. Bring lots of cash!
More and more places are using mobile payment methods, but cash is still the easiest payment method. You’ll need it for autographs, merchandise, photos, and more! Also, if you have cash with you, you can avoid long ATM line.
2. Bring a large backpack or tote!
You’re going to need it to carry everything you bring as well as anything you might buy. Bonus points if you can work your bag(s) into any costume you might wear.
3. Pack comfortable shoes and extra clothes.
You need comfortable shoes because you’re going to be doing a LOT of walking. You also need extra clothes because, realistically, you can’t be in cosplay all day. You’ll end up tired and sweaty. Make sure you have comfortable clothes to change into if costumes become too much.
4. Costumes and costume accessories.
Bring costumes and your favorite character, of course, but remember to bring everything you need to maintain them. Bring mini-toiletries to keep yourself fresh, things like sewing kits, stain remover pens, and tape— LOTS of tape.
5. Don’t forget your electronics and their accessories!
Whether it’s a laptop or tablet for planning, a camera for taking pictures, or phones for communication, make sure you have room for all your devices. And don’t forget their accessories like portable chargers, charger cables, and SD cards.
6. Bring water and snacks!
You can save money by packing your own snacks for refueling. You will also save time not waiting in the long vendor lines. Most importantly, stay hydrated! Bring a reusable water bottle if you can.
7. Bring Sharpies for taking notes, and for on-the-spot autographs.
At The Convention
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1. Take a lap around the exhibit hall before buying anything.
Walk around and check things out to get a lay of the land. Don’t be impulsive. Taking the first look can help you prioritize and figure out what you might want to spend money on later in the convention.
2. Head to panels early
Make sure that you line up for entry ahead of time. This can help you get better seating.
3. Plan your cosplay for earlier in the day
This will prevent sweating and claustrophobia. Wear costumes for a set period, then switch to a more comfortable outfit later on so you can keep enjoying yourself.
4. Make time for breaks
You are your number one priority! Find somewhere quiet to sit down and recharge so that you can keep enjoying yourself.
5. Most of all, keep a positive attitude!
Your experience will only be as good as you make it. Now. Go forth and geek out!
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Source(s): LA Weekly, PopVerse, Asher & Lyric, Pigeon Week [1], [2]