Embedded Files
First-Time Con Survival Guide: Part 1: Before the Con
So... You're planning on attending your first anime/video game convention and you're not sure where to start. You see conventions on social media and they look like so much fun, but everything you find about them is overwhelming! You're not even sure what half the things listed are. Where do you start?
I've got answers for you!
As you can imagine, going to your first con can seem daunting, especially since there can be so much involved. How are you getting there? What are you wearing? Do you have to dress up? What's a panel? And so many more questions. Because of this, I'm going to break this series up into three parts: Before the Con, During the Con, and After the Con. So, welcome to part one!
Congratulations! You've found a convention you want to go to! Now, remember that all conventions are different—what may be true for one convention won't be true for another—but I've found that at the very core, most conventions run similarly enough that you can adjust this guide to fit the convention you plan to attend.
First thing's first, you've got to get your ticket. Most conventions provide "early bird specials," meaning the cost for attendance is usually discounted (sometimes heavily) for registering early. This could be anywhere from $10 to 50% off! One convention I used to attend had at-the-door prices of $50-70, but if you preregistered on Sunday of the con for the following year, you only paid $25 for the entire weekend (of course, that only becomes a problem if the con becomes defunct before the following year). In a time where every penny counts, if you know for sure (because many cons have strict refund policies) you will be attending the con, my advice is to get the badge sooner, rather than later.
"But Koi, what if I can't afford it?" Would it shock you to know that I don't remember the last time I paid for convention registration? There are several ways to enjoy the con outside of paying full price... But it comes at it's own price. One of these ways is by staffing the con. Cons take many hands to work and that work is primarily done by volunteers. In exchange for x hours of work, staffers can usually earn either a discounted or completely free badge. Sure, you may miss out on some things because you're working the convention, but many cons work to make sure you can attend the programs you really, really want to see and, on top of that, you're working for the badge you're using. If you're lucky, some conventions even offer hotel space for their staff! As I said, each convention is different, so check with the con you're attending to see if this is a viable option for you.
Another way to attend the convention through working is by giving panels. This is my specialty. Panels are tools to entertain and educate con goers. You are the con. Because of this, many cons have a policy of working x hours in return for a badge. Usually this is about 2 hours (or, in other words, two 1-hour panels) to be reimbursed. Again, each convention is different so it may be more hours needed or, most importantly, you may be working towards a future badge, rather than the year you present. Being a panelist is much more than simply commanding a room of con goers and deserves an entire post on its own.
Now that you have registration out of the way, you need to plan for your transportation and a place to stay. Some conventions are close enough that you could drive or use public transit daily to attend—others may be far away and require you to stay at a different location. If you are planning on staying at a hotel, see if the convention has a hotel block for the weekend and you may get a discounted price! Just remember, hotel blocks, especially for larger conventions, go quickly. They may have been sold out within the first week of the con announcing the hotel block.
So, you've got your registration, your transportation, and your hotel booked... Now it's time to think about the convention itself.
One of the main questions you'll ask yourself is whether or not you want to cosplay. Cosplay is the act of dressing up like a character from a particular fandom (even, sometimes, your own original character!) Cosplay takes time, effort, and space (an important feature to keep in mind when packing for the convention.) Cosplay doesn't have to be hard—it's supposed to be fun, not a competition. Of course, perhaps you'll get the competition bug from trying it out! I recommend looking on YouTube and investigating more about cosplay and whether or not you'd like to participate. Additionally, YouTube is fantastic for resources on how to create just about anything (or even simply sources on where you can buy cosplays!) If you decide to cosplay, make sure to look at the convention's policies and adhere to them. You don't want to get all the way to the con and be turned away simply because there was a rule you didn't know!
The next stage is determining what to pack. My biggest recommendation (even months out!) is to begin a packing list. I guarantee that no matter what you do, something will always be forgotten. At least with a list (and starting one early!) you may cut down on the things you forget. You can find a good start to your list with my handy guide here!
As you get closer to the con, usually anywhere between a month to two weeks before the con, the convention schedule will be released. This is where you will be able to see what events are planned for the convention! At risk of sounding like a broken record, every convention is different, but typically there are things such as Opening Ceremonies, panels put on by attendees such as yourself, panels from industry experts (i.e. voice actors, game designers, writers), activities such as a video game room or video rooms to watch shows (sometimes even new premieres of one!), the artist alley where creators can sell original drawings/crafts as well as some fandom content, and the vendor's/dealer's room which will have licensed items for sale.
Once this schedule comes out, I recommend looking and seeing what kind of things you will like to go to! Start marking down and planning out your days. Just remember: you don't have to do everything! There have been plenty of panels I've missed because I've been too tired/hungry/got caught up with something else. Marking things down will at least give you a plan for when you have down times and aren't sure what to do in the moment.
This also ensures that if you want to participate in certain events such as a video game tournament or the masquerade/cosplay contest, you know what time you need to be in what location. Also, if there are workshops you wish to do, you'll know whether or not you need to bring money in order to participate (some are free, such as the one I did for Make Your Own Witchbottle, wherein the panelist shoulders all cost for materials, but some may be pay only to cover the materials used.)
Now... You're ready for the con! In Part 2: At the Con, I'll discuss some tips and tricks to making the most out of your convention!
Google Sites
Report abuse