Conventions 101 - A Guide for Newbies

[-Shenaku-13]

thank you so much for this helpful article biggrin

[Doctor Mercy]

chibimajo

Recently, I became aware of the need for a new thread in this forum. From my own lurking in this forum, I've come to realize that we have a lot of newbies lurking around as well, and they have no idea what to expect at their first convention. This, will hopefully give you an idea.

I am by no means an expert. I've been to around 10 cons both big and small, some of them multiple times, and I've helped work several of them as well. I would like to share some of this knowledge to those of you who have no idea what you're getting into. Some of this stuff, you'll learn on your own, some of it, it's helpful to know before hand.

So I present to you, my Guide to Conventions. Please bear with me, it's VERY long, but I've been told it's an easy read, and has a helpful blend of common sense and information.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Please don't feel the need to read every single word in here, I know it's long, read what you need to know first)

I. Definitions - some convention terms defined
II. Registration - Tips for registration
III. Hotel Rooms - Tips for rooming in a hotel
IV. Food
V. Parts of a Con - The different parts of a convention explained
VI. Guests - Types, what they do, etc.
VII. Cosplay - What it is.
VIII. Pictures - Taking and being taken
IX. How to Amuse Yourself
X. Respect and Inappropriateness
XI. Extras - Extra Info that might be helpful
XII. Helpful Links
XIII. Credits

Please feel free to ask any questions you have, or provide your own helpful tips, or mention an area I've forgotten to include. I've had several people proofreading and suggesting extra things, so feel free to add your own thoughts.


EDIT -
Minor note, with all the new upgrades and the like to Gaia, much of my formatting and linking needs to be fixed. I'm working on it. It's not done yet, please bear with me.

U r so helpful!!!! 3nodding

[chibimajo]

Sakura_Minamuto

This guide is really well though out 8D Much thanks for it. I didn't see information about the Human Chess matches though~ I'm not sure how many cons hold this event, but at Metrocon it's done every year and it's absolutely amazing!

I've never been to a con that had a human chess match. They must have stolen the idea from the Ren Faires.

[chibimajo]

Emoangel-in training

woah, I didn't even know they lasted for more than a day! I'm kind of scared of the idea now...

Some cons don't last more than a day. If the local college has an anime club, they might do a one day con.

[chibimajo]

Roxy-bear1216

im still confused about the panels >.>

no matter how many times one of my friends has showed me or explained, i still can't find them!
and i heard there's all sortsa panels out there like yaoi and kingdom hearts and all that good stuff! DX


and has anyone ever gone to a con as their OC?
like they drew up a character for BLEACH or something and was like 'i wanna cosplay as you!'



awesome info btw. helpful biggrin

Panels are usually held in rooms of the hotel/convention center. They are separate from the dealer's room and the big ballrooms and stuff where the concerts and dances are. They are also held separate from the video rooms.

[Kreo45]

Is there any Canadian Conventions list?

as far as i know, theres only Vancouver and one in Nanimo (both on vacouver island, im pretty sure)

and THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

your so awesome <3 ive always wanted to go to a convention, but knew little about it other then high prices and need of water.

[akito_nguyen1973]

hoho, how fun

[akito_nguyen1973]

hoho, how fun

[akito_nguyen1973]

look nice, how can u do that

[-I- Purity in Training-I-]

Kreo45

Is there any Canadian Conventions list?

as far as i know, theres only Vancouver and one in Nanimo (both on vacouver island, im pretty sure)

and THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

your so awesome <3 ive always wanted to go to a convention, but knew little about it other then high prices and need of water.

Search animaritime. They host cons in the maritime provinces. One was just held in Halifax, and there is one upcoming for Moncton New Brunswick.

[Sardonic Cheshire]

biggrin Thank you so much for this article!! It makes me even more excited for my first con. ^^

[Lenne_Yuna1990]

Woot! love how you did the 101! ^^' do want to add the know the character rule. I've had many people call me one person when i'm clearly someone else...and it actually offended a friend of mine that they did that.

[RonniRadke]

I have tried being in a cosplay .. i think 29 times already ..: XD

there are lots of hotties ..

ive`d fu*k them many times .. hahaha

rofl