Conventions 101 - A Guide for Newbies

[chibimajo]

wolfspectre13

And a question (I hope I'm not rambling. XD; )

For a first time artist-alley goer at large conventions (I've been an artist at smaller conventions, but not large ones)
What exactly should you bring/be prepared for? I'm planning on possibly going to Otakon and a number of other large cons next year and it'd be great to get a table, but I don't want to if it involves missing everything else/WAY too much work (AKA slaving over your table 24/7 instead of walking around a little bit)

Again I'm sorry if these things have already been covered or are more suited for another thread. ^^;

I have to say, I don't really know. I've only recently started visiting the artists alley more often when I go to cons. Given that it's a larger con, you may want to be at your table more often, because there will be more congoers passing by. And I would probably suggest, however much stuff you think you should bring, add extra. Unless you want to sell out of whatever you're going to be selling. Artist alley tends to have later hours than the dealers room at the cons I've been too, so I would say, definitely work your booth with a partner if you want to see anything. But I really don't know that anything I say means much. I'll have to talk to a friend who does artists alley.

[Anisan0]

I has a question! D; I did not pre-order tickets to Connecticon because I was too late and I was wondering when is the best time to arrive at an anime convention so you don't have to stand in a huge line for hours?

[wolfspectre13]

Anisan0

I has a question! D; I did not pre-order tickets to Connecticon because I was too late and I was wondering when is the best time to arrive at an anime convention so you don't have to stand in a huge line for hours?

EARLY

But really, I don't know the size of Connecticon. D: So I can't give you a better estimate than maybe about 45 minutes early? Probably more.
(I've only had friends stand in the at-the-door reg line for ONE con and it was relatively small. Still got there about thirty minutes early and there was a decent sized line )

And thanks Chibimajo~
(Yeah I was kind of figuring getting a table-mate. XDD Especially if I'm going in the costume I'm planning (Pyro from TF2 FTW!) )

[chibimajo]

Anisan0

I has a question! D; I did not pre-order tickets to Connecticon because I was too late and I was wondering when is the best time to arrive at an anime convention so you don't have to stand in a huge line for hours?

EARLY! Like, find out what time they're opening registration (it should be posted on their webpage) and add an hour.

[Moophy]

WOW! Its like the single best guide I have ever read! ninja

[Friska Traumen]

This is a WONDERFUL guide

[i Pervert]

wolfspectre13

For a first time artist-alley goer at large conventions (I've been an artist at smaller conventions, but not large ones)
What exactly should you bring/be prepared for? I'm planning on possibly going to Otakon and a number of other large cons next year and it'd be great to get a table, but I don't want to if it involves missing everything else/WAY too much work (AKA slaving over your table 24/7 instead of walking around a little bit)

I don't see that big of a difference between a larger con and smaller con's AA (other than size and traffic). Then again, it depends on how small your old AA was. Normally, if someone gets an AA table, they usually have a friend who can watch the table for a few minutes so that they can use the bathroom/get something to eat. But I don't usually see single artists (just one person) leave their tables to look around the convention.

If you want to go hang around a bit, I suggest getting a friend and calling them so they can watch over your table for a bit while you go have fun for a while. Or you could just throw your cloth over your table/close up and go walk around for a while and then come back. (Though the AA might have a policy about how to open/close your table).

As for me, I have a group of about 5 artists working with me, so we take shifts. Maybe you'll want to team up with another artist or two and do this shift method? It's really effective so that everyone can enjoy the con while still making money (without the worry of having someone who doesn't know the price of things take change while you're gone).

[lynx shoma]

that must of been a lot of wok but all very true thanks it helps newbs out

[II Deleted II]

Thanks for the tips and definitions. You are my hero. 3nodding

[S is for Spaz]

Wow, thanks! This is going to help me a lot for my first Anime Convention (A2F in Fayetteville, Arkansas this fall)

[kamyii]

Thank you, this is a great guide. I plan on attending conventions in the near future, so this is definitely helpful. mrgreen