#attending conventions

[elorfinthendt]

My Convention Experiences and Thoughts

This past year I was able to attend PAX East 2013 and I had an amazing time. It wasn't too expensive (outside my flight and hotel costs which I figured would be there) and my day to day experiences more than made up for any monetary expenses that were incurred.

In the past I've attended two conventions, both courtesy of the woman I was with at the time. AnimeUSA was fine, but there wasn't a lot there to interest me. I'm cool with anime, but I've never been really into it outside of Cowboy Bebop and the occasional little thing here and there. Anthrocon, I was a spotter for a cosplayer and I had a great time being her spotter, but again, I really had to hunt for the things that grabbed me because I'm not an anthropomorphic cosplayer (mad respect for them though).

At PAX, I didn't have to try to find things I was interested in. I basically looked around and found a dozen things I liked and in a matter of moments I was able to prioritize and choose what I wanted to do. Note: the lines had little impact on my decisions except on Sunday when there was a panel I was interested in, but ditched it to hang at the Bioware Booth. Uh, the panel was on the future of gaming and was concerning Mechwarrior Online, Tribes, and Star Citizen and I bet that all that they'd tell us about what was coming would be readily available online later and hey, look, it pretty much is.

The thing for me is that I'm mainly either not interested in other conventions or not aware. Probably more the latter than the former. Also, I've been wanting to go to PAX East since the first one was announced and I missed it. It was a big step for me, it helped with some of my anxieties about traveling by myself (yikes #1) to a city (yikes #2) where I knew no one (yikes #3), to visit a place where I knew no one (yikes #4)... it helped me a lot.

What I didn't do was attend the ego stroking panels. I didn't need to see the PA Q&A things because I know how they go (I have seen several situations on YouTube where people extoll the virtues of Gabe and Tycho and I'd rather not be in on that... I'm not there for them, I'm there for me).

I went to the Rooster Teeth panel, I hit up the Strategy Megaminds panel, I got to walk the Expo floor and talk to Awesomenauts developers and let them know how amazingly wonderful I found their game and I got to ask them questions that were important to me. I got to meet people in lines who were there because they enjoyed what I enjoyed and we got to discuss all sorts of things. I got to meet a favorite voice actor (Raphael Sbarge) who voiced characters in several of my favorite games these last 13 years.

I'm not saying these things are exclusive to PAX East or anything, but I'm saying this is my first time experiencing them in this format and I'd like to keep going with that. I'm aware there are other conventions and they may cost less, but if I only get to attend one convention a year, I'd probably choose to keep going to PAX.

It's fair enough to say I'm uninformed and that's true, I think I am. However, I'm not there because of Penny Arcade (even though I've been reading it for over a decade and I look past the couple of significant issues because I know I don't agree with those perspectives and I know they're wrong re: dickwolves and a few other things), but I'm there because I had the chance to go and I took it.

I refuse to feel bad because I won't go to other conventions. I refuse to feel bad because I choose to go to PAX East. I'm doing what I want to do. I had an amazing time because I was able to overcome my anxieties long enough to attend and I want to recapture that next time, if I can go. Maybe one day I'll attend a bunch more different conventions and I'll find a favorite somewhere, but right now, I'm a one-con man. It might not be the best con, but that's for me to work out for myself.

Thanks.

[agirlreads]

How to survive a convention Part 1: Being a good attendee

We are now in the heart of the convention season and with Otakon just over a week away I figured now would be a good time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and share some helpful convention tips. Here are some things you should know that will make your life easier, as well as the convention staff's. 

If you are cosplaying be sure to check the convention's policies regarding weapons and costumes. I can't tell you how many times I have seen attendees get upset because staffers have told them that they have to remove a prop because it goes against the con's policies. Most attendees are disappointed but nice about it but some others are not so nice. To avoid this happening to you, always be sure to check the convention's website and look at their policies. Don't assume that what is acceptable at one con will be acceptable at another. For example, Otakon bans ALL airsoft guns including non-functioning ones from the convention while BronyCon allows unloaded airsoft guns with orange tips. These conventions have vastly different policies despite using the same venue a week apart from each other.      If you've read the weapons policy and you still aren't sure, you can have the staff take a look at it for you as soon as you get to the convention. Some conventions, like Otakon, require a weapons check anyway so it saves you some stopping later.

Be respectful of your fellow con-goers when taking pictures and don't block traffic! One of my biggest pet peeves is when people block a busy hallway to take a picture of cosplayers. While picture taking is expected, please don't block traffic. If you want to take a picture of a cosplay, ask them to move over to the side. If you are in a busy corridor or hallway, please move out of the hallway to take pictures. Blocking traffic doesn't help anybody and can be a big problem if there is an emergency, so please be respectful of other attendees and don't block traffic.

Practice good hygiene. Shower and deodorize frequently. I'm sure many of you think this is a joke, but con funk is a thing. Body odor is guaranteed to pervade crowded spaces like large convention, but you can do your part to prevent it by showering every day and making sure you use deodorant. You will sweat a lot from the heat outside and the heat inside from all the bodies, so do your part to curb BO.

Have your badge out and ready at all times You may be asked to show your badge at times. If you come to Otakon, this may be a LOT of times. The best way to prevent a hassle is to keep your badge out and visible at all times so that you won't get stopped by staff. If you are a cosplayer and you want to slip your badge in your pocket or bag while taking a picture that's fine, but be sure to put it back on as soon as you are done. Just remember that keeping your badge on you is also the easiest way to keep it safe.

If you see something, say something If something doesn't seem right to you or you see somebody in danger, report it to con staff immediately. They are usually wearing a shirt that says [convention name] staff which should be easily identifiable, or go to an information booth. Some cons provide their staffers with radios, so find one of them if you can to get through to the proper channels faster.

Treat your fellow attendees with respect. We're all here to have fun. Everyone just wants to have a good time. When you harass a fellow attendee or make fun of them, you are making yourself look like an ass and are ruining their time. If you say something completely out of line or sexually explicit, they are in their rights to report you to con staff. Please respect the other attendees and remember, you're all here because you have the same interest!

That's all for now, but remember the most important part is to have fun! If you have any questions feel free to PM me. Part 2 is here.