Top 10 tips for attending cons

Even if you are a seasoned pro, you’ll always arrive at the venue and suddenly remember you didn’t actually chuck those cereal bars into your bag or you’ll be on the train in your Deadpool costume and remember that you didn’t use the bathroom before you left and you’re not entirely sure you’ll be able to get in and out of the costume in the tiny train bathroom.
We’ve all been there.
If you are attending your first con, you might find yourself a little overwhelmed, but don’t panic, here are some tips to make sure you have the best time you can!

Whether it’s comic con, a tattoo convention, a literary festival or whatever other topic you’re into, there is a group of fans somewhere that will gather on these special occasions during the year, often in full costume to celebrate the thing they love the most.

These cons are always good fun, but to make sure you’re safe and not too overwhelmed, here are ten top tips to get you through!

1. Bring plenty of water
   This is super important, you will get hot and especially so when you attend conventions in the summer. Take plenty of water with you and make sure to keep hydrated. Many venues will have refreshments available, but if you take your own drinks you can save your money for merch!
2. Plan ahead
   Make sure you check the list of events and guests you want to see before you get there. If you know what panels you want to attend and who you want to meet, you won’t be rushing around when you arrive which gives you a better chance of taking everything in.
3. Get your bearings.
   Some events will give out maps so you know where everything is, but not all of them do. Make sure to do a lap or two of the venue as your first activity, it’ll make time management easier for you.
4. Be prepared to queue
   You might feel like you’re the only person in the world that likes this thing, but you are not. You will have to queue to get in, so bare this in mind if you’re coming in costume or bringing lots of props/things to sign with you.
5. Bring food
   See point number one. Having a couple of snacks on your person will help.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
   The crew members are there to help you! If you can’t find something, need some advice or anything else just go and ask! They’re very friendly, honest!
7. Bring enough cash.
   Not all stalls will be able to take cards and though you might think you’ll be reserved, we all know the truth, there will be lots of cool, interesting merchandise available from clothes to figurines to books to posters, you name it, you’ll see it. So be prepared to spend some money and make sure you have enough with you. It’s always good to set yourself a budget before hand so you know you have enough left over for food/travel home.
   
8. Make friends!
   You’ll see lots of fun, like minded people at the con, whether you’re at a book con, comic con or some other kind of con, everyone there will be into similar things as you, so chat, compliment their cosplays, get Twitter handles, all that sort of thing.
9. Take plenty of pictures
   You’ll want to remember the time you spend in nerd vallhalla.
10. Take post-it notes for signings
    If you manage to get yourself a signing and you’re taking your own merch to get signed, stick a post-it note to it first so you don’t have to juggle paper, pens and everything else when you’re in the queue.

And finally! Have fun! Cons are great opportunities to be unapologetically enthusiastic about stuff that you love, so enjoy it! Follow these tips to avoid stressing out and just have fun!

Attending any cons this year? We’d love to see your pictures! Tag us in your posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #staytripper to see what everyone else is saying!