Forward
During our journey since 2006, we have come a long way from simply observing everything that Gencon has to offer. We have made many friends whom we only see at this time of year, in person at least. Gencon takes friendship to the level that Yang from RWBY (by rooster teeth) states. "Strangers are just friends you haven't meet yet."
In many ways I find that Conventions as a whole have a life of their own with the energy attendees put into them. They make them fun, exciting, friendly, and overall very positive. Now, I know that many out there think they know everything there is to how to survive a convention. I believed that myself until I stumbled face first into a trick I will tell you about later. It has given my husband and I more energy than we ever expected and we won't attend another convention taking advantage of that.
Gencon has come and gone again, and the crushed souls of exhausted attendees are all that remains. We will float along as lost souls until next year. Gencon is a beacon of love and hope for unappreciated nerds and geeks alike. The love that gamers have for their IP, be it minis, board games, digital games, or rpgs shines through at Gencon and other conventions of the like.
As a convention attendee and cosplayers, I look forward to visiting the hold land that is Gencon every year. My husband and I attended our first Convention in 2006, and we fell in love with the atmosphere. Since them we have made the eight-hour pilgrimage from Kansas City to Indianapolis, Indiana. The one phrase that tells us we're back at our home away from home is, "Welcome Gamers."
This book is meant to be a guide for first time attendees, in order to make your first Convention an experience full of positive memories. I hope it will help you, weather it's your first convention or your twenty.
Chapter 1: Safety
There are several simple rules to follow that help keep every attendee safe.
1. Do Not Run!
2. Do Not Run!
3. Do Not Run!
4. Don't stand in the middle of the lane in the hall.
5. Pay attention to cosplay/Prop guidelines if cosplaying.
6. Be polite and Courteous when passing.
7. Do not touch the displays.
8. Do Not Run!
As if the three listing of the rule wasn't obvious, this is the most important rule of the convention. Paying attention to where you're going is the most important thing. Conventions are filled with obstacles that you don't find every day. You can find everything from large costumes like an Xman Sentinel or Warhammer 40000 Space Marine, or Power Armor from Fallout. There are also instances where the props are larger, such as Inuasha's sword or the key from Kingdom Hearts. They can be obtrusive and hard to hold, but are still very worthwhile to take a peek at in the construction aspect. While the cosplayers are one thing, Families do attend conventions.
The exhibitor's hall or Dealer's Room is also often packed with cramped isles and people moving at a snail's pace as they see what all the booths have to offer. This can make it difficult at moments, but being patient and not rushing will make a difference. If you push one person too hand there will be a domino effect and someone can get hurt as a result down the line.
Just be careful and walk wherever you go. The chief of Security of Gencon LLC (name here) said, the perfect summation for this rule in 2015. "I love you. You are my people, and you terrify me."
YOU ARE READING
The Convention Survival Guide
RandomA brief guide on how to attend a convention and survive. It's a simple how to with tips from someone who has felt the train wreck that most large conventions will do on your wallet, feet, and body as a whole. I hope they help someone... Anyone with...
