What to bring: • Badge!!!!!! Please don’t forget!!  o They give you a free lanyard at the convention. So unless you have on you really, really like, don’t worry about bringing one. • Chargers/power supply • Comfortable walking shoes • Cash! More places are taking credit/debit cards now but it’s always safe to have cash just in case. And that way you know how much money you’re spending. • Pain meds/ band aids • Phone • Camera w/ storage space and charger • Snacks • Water bottle • Backpack/bag to carry things in • Music player/book/handheld games/distractions while waiting in line (I try to bring something that’s not my phone so I can maximize storage space and battery power) o Lots of people like bringing games for street passes because you get to street pass with a lot of people • Jacket • Things to get signed • Hand sanitizer/tissues to avoid the con plague Getting There: • Plan and budget accordingly for travel arrangements whether it be hotel, car, public transportation, airplane, etc. 

Make sure to map out your way to get there and get home/to your hotel. I recommend planning this a couple days ahead just so everyone’s comfortable. I also recommend having a couple back up options (ie train times or if your flight gets delayed) in case your plans change. 

If staying in a hotel, make sure to be respectful of the room, you’re roommates, and other people in the hotel. Don’t trash the place and be screaming in the early morning about spoilers or why you love a certain character. 

Before the Con: • If you are just using your phone to take pictures, make sure that you have plenty of storage space • Most conventions offer a mobile app to help you keep track of events and things you want to do. They also offer a map. While conventions will give you a paper guide when you get there, the app is the most up to date especially in case anything changes at the last minute. • Also, feel free to familiarize yourself with the convention’s website. The website will give you lots of news and info about events, panels, guests, directions, FAQs, etc. Sometimes they have pictures and maps of the convention center that are nice to check out. Some conventions have online forums too where people post pictures, ask for advice, and talk about convention related things. This is a nice way to talk to other con goers and prep yourself for the convention. • Make a list of stuff you know you would like to do/see. Then prioritize and make a loose schedule. What can you absolutely not miss? Be realistic because it’s impossible to see everything you want to see. • Try to budget. Your bank account will be less angry. • It’s fun to wear nerd gear if you have it. Some examples include fandom gear, cosplay, clothes, pins, bags, whatever you’d like and feel most comfortable and excited to wear for all day (please remember you’ll most likely be wearing it all day) • Sometimes it’s fun to check out tags for the convention on social media and see what’s going on/ whose there. Sometimes exhibitors or artists post things they will be selling and you can plan/budget ahead of time (see artist alley) At the Convention: • Prepare yourself for lines, especially for big panels with big time celebrities, the Masquerade, signings/photos, and badge pickups. This is when friends and distractions come most in handy. • Conventions are places for lots of walking on the convention floor and lots of sitting in the hallways to recharge both ourselves and our phones’ energies, especially if we’re taking a break from seeing panels or are waiting in a long line for panels. Make sure to have games, a book, or music player for something to do. During these times, it’s also fun to just people watch or even talk to the people next to you in line. • Every once in a while people will be offering free stuff or have fun activities at their booths or around the convention center, especially if they are trying to promote something.  Keep an eye out • Prepare yourself to see strange things and people or things that make you uncomfortable.  I suggest walking away really fast and avoid interaction. o Also, some people forget/don’t understand the concept of a shower. Prepare to hold your breath and walk quickly at times • One of the best parts of the conventions is the occasional random long lasting nerd conversations that strike up while waiting in line for something or just hanging out. Sometimes these go really well, and sometimes it’s just awkward. • Lots of conventions have different night life scenes such as raves, 18+ panels, parties, etc. Plan if you would like to attend these and work something out with your friends/ hotel roommates. • If you want time to yourself but don’t want to do nothing, lots of conventions have screenings of anime or shows. Sometimes they’re all day and sometimes they’re only at certain times. They will be listed in the guide • Staff are also a really helpful resource. They’re usually walking around or standing outside panels/rooms to keep an eye on things. Feel free to ask them if you need anything, but also keep in mind that many are volunteers and may not know /everything/

Cosplay: • Lots of people cosplay at conventions! There’s a wide variety ranging from video games, memes, comics (especially at comic cons), anime (more especially at anime conventions), movies, cartoons, and Disney characters! But don’t worry, cosplay is not required and no one cares if you choose not. It’s whatever makes you most comfortable • Don’t be afraid to ask someone if you can take their picture! Unless they look like they’re in a rush or eating, people love getting their pictures taken! If you want, you can take a picture with them or of them!!  Just make sure you don’t do anything to damage their cosplay • If possible, try not to take pictures of people in the middle of a really crowded aisle and accidentally end up blocking the aisle. It’ll make things a lot easier. See if you can step off to the side if possible. • Also don’t force anyone to do anything they’re uncomfortable with whether it’s a certain pose, acting with another character in a certain way, or you doing something towards them ie don’t sexually harass someone or *glomp* or touch someone without their permission Cosplay does not equal Consent 

Beware of body paint and people wearing it. If it’s not sealed, it will get on other things and ruin people’s clothes. If you’re wearing it, make sure to set/seal it. Please. • Masquerade/Cosplay Competitions: These are competitions where people are judged for their cosplay craftsmanship. Sometimes there are 2 categories: People who just walk out and show off their cosplay and others who perform skits. They’re cool and fun but they are at the end of the night and are usually very popular so you’d have to plan getting in line early. • Stay aware of your surroundings. Sometimes people have costumes with pieces sticking outside of their regular bubble space. It’ll save you and them some pain and awkwardness. • You’ll also see cosplayers in the bathroom in various stages of fixing their cosplay. There will be make up and wig hair and people frantically trying to adjust/fix their cosplay. Sometimes people who cross play (cosplay a character of the opposite sex). It’s fine. Try not to freak out

• Don’t talk bad about someone’s cosplay. They’re really excited about their costume their character. Don’t ruin it.

• Don’t freak out if you see someone wearing the same cosplay as you. You both look great. If anything, it just means you both have good taste in characters. It’s also a great way to strike up conversation.

Eating: • Set money aside for food. It’s very expensive. Some people like the ease of eating hot food at conventions and others plan/bring their own meals depending on the hotel. Plan accordingly • Eat breakfast or something beforehand and drink water all day. Don’t sacrifice your health for a convention or a cosplay. Your body is already going to be stressed out enough with walking all the time. Don’t make it worse • It’s not a bad idea to bring snacks too. • Prepare yourself for long coffee lines, especially in the mornings and on Sundays Artist Alley: • Comic book creators/ artist area. Also includes fan art. Here you can find some of your favorite comic book artists and get them to sign comic books or pieces of art. You can also usually buy posters and stuff, sometimes with their autograph on it. These are nice and there are usually a wide variety of art styles. • There are also fan artists here who have art pieces that are really cool to look at • Don’t talk bad about someone’s art work, especially right in front of them. • If you’d like, you can also get commissions done by artists. Prices and deals vary from artist to artist, but if you like their style and art subjects and they have a sign noting they take commissions, then you can work something out. Sometimes, they can get it done quickly, sometimes within a couple hours, and sometime you have to wait till the next day. Make sure to figure out which one works the best for both of you. • Sometimes with these artists, especially fan artists, you can only get their stuff at conventions or have to order from them online. Sometimes prices are cheaper at conventions, and sometimes they’re more expensive so keep an eye out. Dealer’s Room/ Exhibition Floor • One of my favorite parts and my wallet’s least favorite. This is where I buy most of my convention stuff. • You can buy anything nerd related you can imagine. Steampunk stuff, clothes (tons of nerd t-shirt/clothing stores), action figures, posters, comics, manga, movies, journals, corsets, dvds, etc.You never know what you’re going to find and it’s even fun to just walk around and see everything. o Keep an eye out for deals, some places like comic book stores have $1 comics or buy so many things get another one free. Keep an eye out but don’t go crazy o Sometimes you can get deals on stuff on Sundays because exhibitors are more willing to haggle/sell what they can on the last day. Use your judgement • Budget. Don’t hurt yourself. • Sometimes it pays off to compare prices. There’s usually a number of booths that sell the same/similar items. Sometimes the prices are the same, sometimes they’re not. • Have a navigation system/ attack plan to navigate the floor. I usually start at one end/corner, and weave through one at a time. • SOMETIMES THERE’S FREEBIES!!! PAY ATTENTION AND LOVE IT! Also you will get lots of promotional papers/cards too, but sometimes they’re interesting so it’s not all bad. • If you really like an exhibitors’ stuff but don’t have enough money to buy it at that time, most places have a card you can ask for to look them up online later. Or you can take a picture of their sign (never hurts to ask if you can take a picture of their sign/name. Sometimes people are cautious of people taking pictures of their booth because they’re worried about copy cats) Panels! • Another exciting part is going to panels! These vary, a lottttt. Cosplay, writing, fandom based, viewings, fanfiction, speed dating, music, sword fighting, discussion based, upcoming news updates, previews, music, philosophy, industry, video games, etc

Sometime panels ask for audience participation! Feel free to participate! Just try to avoid rude questions or make the panelists uncomfortable. Also don’t be unruly or try to hijack the panel. Basically don’t be a jackass. o They convention usually releases the schedule anywhere between a month and a couple days before the convention. I recommend noting which ones you’re interested in • Some panels are fan run and some of these are official.   • Depending on the types of panels and their subjects, some of these will fill up quickly and are worth getting in line for. A safe estimate for regular panels is 20 -30 minutes. For popular panels, like major industry/film news or popular topics, be prepared to get in line at least an hour before hand. (This is one reason why prioritization is important) o Conventions vary in how lines/queues for panels work. Some conventions do not empty out rooms between panels. So if people wanted to have a seat for a later panel, they could come to an early one and camp out in seats. This might be needed if you want to see bigger panels. Other conventions clear out rooms after every panel. Either way, follow what the convention staff says. Sometimes this info is provided online or you can ask the conventions veteran con goers • Some panels encourage participation! Feel free to participate as much or as little as you’d like! The important part is to have fun with it and geek out with other fans! If given the opportunity, feel free to ask questions to people/guests/celebrities at panels if you’d like.

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