This guide represents a filtered culmination of pearls gleaned through
years - and in some cases, decades - of comics con enjoyment and fortitude; countless hours of standing in line for autographs and
sketches; dozens of creator panels attended; hundreds of pitfalls awful enough to register mental footnotes. For the most part,
convention organizers take care in their implementation to facilitate pleasant experiences for all con-goers. But beyond
staff attention to line orderliness and general safety measures, convention-going can be further enhanced by thoughtful
preparation. Read onward for our top secrets to your best con experience yet!
1. Be sure to get proper sleep during the night before your convention starts. Whether you want to be first in line at your
favorite artist or writer's autograph table, or you have plans to hit as many booths as possible, try not to waste valuable
convention floor time by charging your batteries prior to the doors opening. Note that this piece of advice is potentially
only applicable to the first night before the convention opens. Feel free to keep the party going once the excitement is underway!
2. Be organized with all supplies, signing boards, cameras, batteries, cash and everything else ready beforehand.
ATM's can be notoriously long at convention centers, wasting time and leading to frustration. Perennial convention attendees
may find it worthwhile to consider investing in a nice SwissGear backpack, and then designating it strictly to be taken to conventions.
That way you can leave all your Sharpies, Splenda packets and ear buds in it all year long. When convention time rolls around
just pick it up and you're ready. (Be sure to periodically rotate out your old Sharpies/Staedtlers.)
3. Wear comfortable shoes for the occasion, as you will most certainly be on your feet a lot. Also, wear closed-toed shoes as
a courtesy to others if you happen to have bad foot odor, please.
4. Bring gum to chew and/or water bottles to drink as you go on. Everybody knows concession stands charge more for refreshments
and snacks at these venues. You pay for convenience. But you don't have to. A helpful tip in this specific case is to
consider bringing only beverages that are in reclosable containers. This is so the liquids will not accidentally spill onto and
thus ruin potentially valuable paper items while walking around.
5. Consider wearing pants or shorts that feature a good amount of pockets for small items such as keys, wallets,
business card holders, Staedtler pens, lip balms and cell phones. The more pockets one has, the easier it becomes to stay
organized. Pockets that include zippers or snaps are especially good for keeping items secure.
Backpacks with a large number of compartments work well for this purpose also. SwissGear manufactures some of the
best backpacks in the industry.
6. Buyers who plan on purchasing a large amount of merchandise may want to consider bringing a suitcase or other luggage
that rolls on wheels, so that you're not dragged down by having to carry multiple items throughout the con. This can
save you a lot of aches and pains.
7. While in the convention dealer room, stay away from large crowds whenever feasible, especially when handling money or
other valuable goods. If you need to pull out your wallet for a purchase go around to the dealer's side of the table,
away from where the crowds - and any potential pickpockets - are gathered.
8. Remember where you parked, and be prepared to make frequent trips to your car to unload purchased items as you go along.
This way you can stay light on your feet no matter how much you buy.
9. Try not to ever leave your bags and personal items unattended, even for a few minutes. It is an unfortunate reality, but
artwork and comics memorabilia are valuable and get stolen from unsuspecting vicitms.
10. Although the crowds that these events attract can be overwhelming at times, remember that most everyone
is friendly and well-meaning. Keep a pleasant outlook and be patient. The point here is to have fun.
Alan Shih is a senior writer at RCMG. Send Alan a
question or comment for potential use in a future column.