With winter coming up, it’s also the season for winter conventions! There’s Holiday Matsuri, MAGfest, SacAnime, and smaller ones like the Otakufest Holiday Special (which I happen to be going to!)
So, I thought I’d do a little special on the ins and outs of a con, and how to prepare for one!
Before the Con
Before a con, there are a few things you can do to prepare better, and that starts with tickets. Usually the earlier you buy them, the better. For a bigger con this obviously prevents the risk of them selling out, but it can even be useful for a smaller con. Prices are usually lower the earlier you buy, and if you buy before a cut-off date for some cons they can send the badges to your house and you won’t have to wait in line the day-of.
After you have your ticket, it’s time to plan! You can plan whether or not you’re cosplaying/dressing up, what events you're going to hit up, and things like that. From here, the world is your oyster. You can look at the con schedule and see what events interest you. A couple of my friends spent the entire last day in an art workshop, while I went to every stage performance they had. The world is your oyster, so have fun with it!
My mother and I at Miami Supercon with Michael Copon, who played Blue Ranger Lucas Kendall in Power Rangers: Time Force.
Next, sort out your arrangements. If the con is local, you could obviously drive there, but then you have to pay for parking. There’s options like an Uber, but that’s probably more expensive than parking. When going to a big con that’s local, I like carpooling— you can split the parking fee between you and your friends and it sorts through ride problems. If it’s not local, then you have to deal with things like booking a hotel and possibly flight arrangements if it’s far enough. Sort those things out early, and definitely check the con’s website to see if there’s a preferred hotel that they give discounts on and is also within walking distance from the convention center.
Third, set a budget. There are a lot of events that come included with your con ticket, but the thing that isn’t is the artist alley and exhibitor halls. Trust me, I know how tempting the artist alley is. The little trinkets are so cute, and it’s usually supporting a small business, so it’s hard to argue against. If you’re not careful, it can drain your bank account fast. Setting a budget can help prevent that.
However, if you set a budget that’s too low, you’re bound to go over and feel bad about it. There’s reel after reel after reel about people setting unrealistically low budgets at a con, ren faire, or card show and feeling guilty about going over it afterwards, and it’s just sad. You have to pick a budget that fits your financial situation, but also allows a bit of freedom. I’m telling you right now, $10 is probably not going to happen unless you’ve been to every con in your area multiple years in a row.
After that, get cash. Once you have that budget set, you definitely need to get cash. I know nowadays everything’s on card, but just hear me out.
The people running artist alley and exhibitor stalls are likely small businesses. Most of the time, they don’t have the ability to cut into their profit margin through card fees, so they have to pass it on to the consumer. However, if you pay cash, you get a small discount. And if you’re spending a lot at a con, those little fees can add up. Plus, in the event the con’s WiFi is bad and the card readers go down, you just might not be able to buy anything from the artist alley. Wouldn’t it suck to see a little trinket you really want and not be able to get it?
And finally, you’ve gotta pack your bag. Check the convention website and see if the hall allows you to bring in food and water, and if it does, pack some non-perishable snacks. Con food is expensive, so get all that squared away in advance. Bring some hand sanitizer too. You’re going to be touching a lot of people and things in a confined area, so doing that helps you not get sick. And you can’t forget your keys, wallet, phone, and anything at all that you want signed by a celebrity. And bring a portable charger too— you don’t want to be at a con with a dead phone.
Got your tickets? Your hotel/car plans? Your budget? Perfect! Now it’s time to sit back and relax until…
The Day Of
Congratulations! You made it to con day! It’s the morning, and you’re waiting for your ride. What do you do right now?
First, start with your outfit. Whether or not you’re cosplaying, you’ve gotta check on your outfit. If it’s not exactly comfortable, you can bring things like a change of shoes in case your feet start to hurt. And I hate to say this, but be sure to put your safety first— If your outfit includes a skirt of some sort, it’s a good idea to wear shorts underneath. People can unfortunately be… creepy, to put it mildly.
Voila! You’re at the con! So, let’s keep going.
You need to keep an eye on your own safety. If you’re under 18, stay near a trusted adult. I know I probably sound like a broken record you’ve heard a thousand times before, but cons can get crowded and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But no matter how old you are, if you’re going alone, you should make sure to check in with someone in your area. If you need something like a ride in an emergency, they’re your guy.
And don’t forget, keep your bag close. A crowded area is the best place for pickpockets, and there are a lot of horror stories about people losing their wallets at a con. Keep your wits about you and your bag zipped up, because you don’t want to run into any problems. Only take your wallet out when you’re ready to pay for whatever you’re buying.
Speaking of buying, when it comes to the artist alley, don’t crowd the rows between them for pictures. If you want to take a picture, go to the end of a row so you don’t impede foot traffic. Artists' livelihoods depend on making sales, so please make sure people can actually get to their booths!
Some of my favorite trinkets from different cons, AI: The Somnium Files Keychains by @deepsealily on X, musical theater pins by @lenlencreates on Instagram, and an Eeveelution enamel pin display by @hideawaymelon on Instagram.
Be polite and courteous to your fellow attendees! Cosplay is not consent, and that means that you shouldn’t take and post photos of people without asking them or go up to them and start role-playing without asking first. They’re just regular people, not the character they’re dressing up as.
Make sure that if there’s a panel you really want to see, you’re there early. Sometimes seats can fill up fast at the most popular events, so getting there fifteen to twenty minutes early can guarantee you a seat.
And if you lose something or you feel unsafe, check the convention map and find an area with a security guard, such as the information desk.
Lastly, just enjoy yourself! You've been waiting for this for a while, and the biggest thing you need to do now is to have fun!
After the Con
Yay! You made it through the con, and everything is good! Double-check your bag to make sure you have everything, leave, and go get some dinner! The fun doesn’t have to stop once the con’s over! Show off your merch, talk to your friends, look at some pictures, and enjoy the memories you made!