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Chapter 2

Getting Ready, Getting There

Chapter 2 – Getting Ready, Getting there ■ 14

Chapter 2

Con Prep: Getting Ready, Getting There

When it comes to getting ready for a con, there are a lot of things to take into account, and sadly not all of them can wait until the last minute. It’s a lot of effort to make sure that you get everything taken care of, but it’s well worth the wait.

Registration/Pre-registration

Your first and foremost priority should be registering for the convention. Your

registration will grant you a badge that is picked up at the location (usually a convention center) the event is being held at. This badge serves as your all-access pass to all the events and rooms at the convention. Registration can be done one of two ways, at-door registration or pre-registration.

At-door Registration is always done at the convention center during the day(s) of the convention. You can register for one day of the con, or the whole event if you choose. This method is especially convenient if you don’t have time or resources to pre-register months in advance or if you happen to randomly drop in at the last minute.

ANDI’S INSIGHT: Registering for one day is often a lil’ cheaper. Just try to get in the line early so you will have time to enjoy that one day you are there. This is a good idea if you only want to do one or two events, but aren’t really interested in everything else.  TIPS FROM THE DANCE FLOOR: Though it’s rare, unfortunately, some conventions only allow registration for the entirety of the convention, rather than just one day.

Pre-registration, or ‘pre-reg’, is just like at-door registration, only it offers a few more

advantages and can be done online via the convention’s website, over the phone or by mail, depending on the convention. The most significant advantage being that you are guaranteed a spot secured at the event, in the off-chance that the convention actually does sell out or reach maximum capacity[25]. Pre-registration rates are generally cheaper than regular registration fees. In addition, pre-reg takes place months in advance of the con itself; so it’s always a good idea to check the convention’s website as early as possible. Once pre-registered, you can pick up your badge from the convention center at anytime during the con, however, some cons have an unofficial ‘pre-reg pick-up day’ that allows you to grab your badge the day before the convention actually starts. Since most conventions take place during the weekend, these events usually take place the Thursday prior to the convention, and are a good idea if you want to avoid the crowds that show up to register the day(s) of the convention. These grabs also give you a decent sample of what you’re bound to see at the convention. Some people preview their costumes, others will photograph EVERYTHING [con-related or not], and almost everyone will be talking about their expectations and plans for the con. Would-be timesavers be warned, lines for pre-reg pick-up day can get really bad at a larger convention, in some cases extending as far as several whole city blocks or wrapping around that particular convention center two or three times. Not to mention, many conventions have a no refund policy, although, some will hold your registration for the

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following year if you can’t make it. So check with the staff or online to see what policies apply to your convention, and don’t pre-register until you’re 100% sure whether or not you’ll be able make it to the con that year.

If you do plan to attend pre-reg pickup day though, just make sure you have the 3 essentials on hand. Photo ID, badge confirmation, and patience. Photo ID is a lifesaving/timesaving/hassle-saving phenom. It lets you prove who you are,

DARK’S CON EYES: Especially if your name is, um, I don’t know, Dark Angel.

while helping the Con Staff get you into the event as soon as possible. Your badge confirmation is the most essential of these 3 essentials. This is your key, your golden ticket, THE ONE THING YOU CANNOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT! This simple confirmation is yours to print once you finish pre-registration online, and it’s conclusive proof that you purchased your badge. So if, heaven forbid, something happens and you don’t show up in the system

DARK’S CON EYES: ESPECIALLY if your name is Dark Angel! (Every con, I swear!)

when you go to pick up your badge, you’ll now have irrefutable evidence that you did indeed pay to get in. Lastly patience, because when dealing with the pre-registration line, you may in fact need a good deal of it. You may never ever waiting 2 or more hours to get your con badge, but come expecting to. As a general rule, the bigger the con, the longer the pre-reg wait. These three must-haves are even more important if a group is involved.

ANDI’S INSIGHT: And just in case, for groups, make copies of the documentation of the group pre-reg. This way, if anything goes wrong you have more than one documented piece of proof-of-purchase in case one of them turns up missing.

C.C.’S AGED ADVICE: You are especially going to want proof-of-purchase if you are in fact the person who did the purchasing. Because everyone knows you do NOT want to be held responsible for two or more people not getting into an expensive con. It just ain't pretty.

Hotels

If you plan to stay in the area, your next move should be booking a hotel room. We here

at TheAnimeCon cannot stress this enough, BOOK ROOMS EARLY!!!! Most conventions will set up special ‘con rates’ with the surrounding hotels, to save you money. These limited-time offers go fast, so check the convention’s website for promotions, and again, BOOK EARLY!!!! Bear in mind, it is not uncommon for entire hotels to sell out only hours, in rare cases mere minutes, after the convention dates are announced.

ANDI’S INSIGHT: When you book your room, try to know roughly how many rooms you’ll need or how many people are gonna be there with you. Just in case, you might want

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to plan for extra, you never know who might decide to bring an extra person. It’s easier to drop a room than to get another one. So know the rules for the hotel and how many can stay in a room. Yes you might be able to sneak one extra person . . . but do you really want to risk it? Remember, you are guests in the hotels and other people are staying there, so try to be courteous to your fellow sleepers.

 Next to price, location, location, yes location is your biggest issue when dealing with

hotels. Sure, you want to shoot for rooms that are not too pricy, but take distance from the convention into account too. There are many questions to ask yourself; Do you want to be in the hotel closest to the con, or do you prefer to be closer to the hottest burger joint in town? Is your costume so huge and heavy that it would make long distances a pain? Are there any hotels connected to the convention center? Is the convention in a hotel? These are just some of the questions you need to think about before picking a hotel to stay in.

Just like any other vacation, you’re probably going to bring some personal effects. So do yourself a favor and keep track of your things, especially if you’re rooming with a group of people. Make sure everyone has a designated spot to stow his or her belongings. You don’t want to accidentally forget your stuff in the closet or in a small corner, or worse, find it missing.

ANDI’S INSIGHT: So thus, lock your stuff up; whether it be in your suitcase, bag, or just in a car. Make sure that all of the important things, such as money, credit cards, and ID are on your person or in a very secure place. Some hotels do have lock boxes/miniature

safes. Know who has been in and out of the room if they aren’t part of the original group and make sure someone is with them.

Lastly, you want to see what amenities the hotel offers. Irons are a godsend for cosplayers, while a coffee pot, fridge and/or microwave can really come in handy if you bring your own food. Make sure the hotel and/or con area has wi-fi if you plan on using the [hotel’s] internet. Confirmation numbers are also a must, so make sure to have them on hand when dealing with your accommodations.

C.C.’S EPIC LITTLE DARK CUP-A-INSIGHTFUL TIPS FROM MIKEN TECH SUPPORT: Hotel Pro Tips

• Know what the hotel has. Like a pool, exercise room, lounge, bar/restaurant, game room,

etc; so thus when you are taking a break from the con or looking for something to do in the dead hours of night, you won’t be bored. Explore your hotel, know what’s there, and take advantage of it and have fun; you paid for it so get your money’s worth.

• You also wanna see if there are any hotels that are actually attached to the convention center, because those are the most convenient.

• And double check with hotels if you can’t get a room at first. Just because the hotel is overbooked now doesn’t mean it will be overbooked right before the con. Somebody could have dropped by then…

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• If you ever find yourself bored, wander the hotel. You might make a friend or two, and it’s a great chance to check out where you’re staying.

• By ‘wander’, we don’t mean go running around being rambunctious at 3AM in the morning. For the love of anime, respect the sleepers! And always double check your hotel room when you check out. You’d be surprised the things you might leave behind.

• If you live close, and want to scope the convention center out just for kicks, try to check for cell phone signal. Only thing worse than a crappy signal at a con is none at all….

• Don’t just let people who aren’t paying for the room stay there and chill. They WILL trash your room and not clean up after themselves. Monitor who has card keys and who is allowed access into your room. And considering you're sharing a small space with a group of people, take notice of your surroundings and even clean up after your own self. It's just common courtesy to you and to those in the room.

• Try to room with folks that you know AND like. There will be a smaller chance of bloodshed before the weekend is out.

• Always call at least two months prior to the convention to confirm your reservation and any special requests you might have. There is not much the hotel can do for you if you arrive the day of the convention and find out that the two king sized beds you reserved are now a twin and a roll away. Hotels are also known to overbook their space, so it’s a good idea to arrive early to ensure you get your proper room. (True Story)

If you’re not lucky enough to snag a hotel, or your plans fall through at the last minute,

another alternative is to stay at a friend’s (if at all possible). This option is generally a great deal cheaper than staying at a hotel, and since [this way] you know the area, you won’t have to worry about any unfamiliar surroundings. Don’t get all hot and bothered about making sure you spend the night at the friend who’s closest to the convention, because you might not have that option. However, if you have a friend who’s down the street from the con, it generally comes in handy as a good checkpoint. Just remember you’re the guest. Don’t come home at 3AM in the morning, don’t eat all the food, don’t bug friend for rides, and don’t overstay your welcome.

Work

You’re registered for the con, and you’ve got a hotel room. Awesome! Well, what about work? Assuming you have a job, don’t forget to take off work for the days of the convention you’re attending. Constantly remind your employer(s) and make sure [ahead of time] that you have permission to be off for that weekend. This way, if there’s a schedule conflict, you can politely remind your boss(es) that they gave you full reign to take off. If you’re only going to be at the con for one day though, just try to find someone who can cover your shift. And don’t forget to factor in travel and fatigue. It may take you up to 10 hours to get to the con; that’s almost half a day! Subsequently, as amazing as these events are, you will burn out like a candle, and you’re gonna need time to recoup.

C.C.’S AGED ADVICE: If your job is purely a summer deal, try and set your schedule to have the weekends off. That way you'll be able to work your week, get your mullah, and still have time for convention fun.

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DARK’S CON EYES: Personally, if I find that my boss is particularly ‘forgetful’ about my vacation time, I try to get their permission in writing. I’m not necessarily suggesting this, but it has saved my keister once or twice….

What To Bring/Pack?

Ah, the one question that has plagued otaku mercilessly convention after convention,

since the dawn of time…! Or at least since conventions started. You pack, and you pack, and yet something is always left behind. Well we here at TheAnimeCon have put together a little list that might help you out.

Ultimate Convention List (Essentials) -Autograph Book (or something to have autographed, if you plan to meet the guests) -Backpack/Messenger Bag/Tote (To carry your, or your cosplay friend’s stuff in.) -Battery & Electronic Chargers (For electronics) -Body Spray or Spray Deodorant (Do you really need us to tell you why?) -Camera or Video Camera (Or disposable for you cheap bastards. Every con is an once-in-a-lifetime experience, if you don’t have camera, you will regret it!) -Cell Phone (If you’re afraid of losing your phone or don’t have text messaging, you can get a Pay-As-You-Go phone and put credits on it so you can text as much as want until your credits run out.) -Comfy Shoes (You will be walking all day, why not make things easier on yourself?) -Con Badge (It sounds silly, but it’s important for newbies to realize that their badge must be on them at all times; once you get it, don’t go anywhere without it!) -Con Guidebook (For a peek at the schedule, con layout, & nearby city attractions.) -Directions to and from the convention center (Navigation is key.) -Extra Food/Snack and Drink (So you don’t starve prematurely.) -Extra Money (For emergencies; Keep in a separate place or spare wallet.) -Highlighter (For marking schedule) -Light Jacket or Hoodie (No matter the weather, most convention centers run air conditioning all year long; it’s good to bring an extra layer in case you get chilly.) -Memory Cards (For electronics) -Passport (If you’re out of the country, or from another, have this on hand at all times.) -Personal Prescriptions or Medications (In general, it’s a good idea to bring medicine for headaches, upset stomachs, allergies, and body aches, as these are common. Caution; At all possible times, leave these in the hotel room or someplace safe.) -Printed Ticket Confirmation Page (For pre-registration) -Proper Clothing (Determined by climate) -Sketchbook & Drawing Utensils (Cons are a cesspool of inspiration and a ripe breeding ground for creativity. If you’re an artist, have your tools on hand, because this is a rare chance to survey, draw, and compare valuable source material that makes up the fandom, in addition to getting live feedback from tens to hundreds of attendees admiring your work.) -Watch (If you don’t have a cell phone or device to tell time with) -Water (You’ll need to stay hydrated.)

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-Valid Photo ID (You will need your Photo ID on you at all times, in addition to being 18 or older, in order to view or purchase anything considered ‘adult’; although it’s a good idea to have it on you whenever you’re away from home. A valid driver's license, state issued ID card, military ID, or passport are the ONLY legal forms of ID. Make sure you check your expiration dates as well, as an expired card is no longer legally valid ID. ~Amber Frazier a.k.a. The Hentai Pirate~)[26]

FEMI’S TECH SUPPORT: BUY THIS BOOK!!! You can never do enough planning ahead!

C.C.'S AGED ADVICE: If you do forget something don't panic! It will only make matters worse. And when you look back at the situation, you'll realize that it wasn't as bad as you thought.

MADI’S LITTLE SECRET: No matter how prepared you are, there will always be surprises. And in most cases, where the convention is located, there will be a place where you can pick up items that you may have forgotten to pack.

Getting To and From The Con

Carpooling is a prime option to keep in mind if you’re going to be commuting. Make sure the driver is reliable and knows where they are going; and if they don’t be sure to appoint the front seat passenger as navigator. It’s always a good idea to double check on directions via your choice of map software or by pre-driving the route before the actual convention; and don’t forget to print directions back home. Also be sure you know where all available parking lots and spaces will be in the vicinity of the convention center, you don’t want to be driving around for hours looking for parking.

MADI'S LITTLE SECRET: Make sure the person in the front passenger seat will NOT fall asleep on you. The last thing you need is asking them what's the next direction and they're snoozing away, then oops, you passed your exit.

Buses and trains are also other reliable means of transportation. Just like with hotels though, you want to try to book tickets for these early and online, rather than at the station. This way you’re likely to get a discount, or at the very least will be guaranteed a seat in the event that the transport reaches max capacity before your trip. Make sure you know your itinerary! It is very important to know where your train or bus will go, where it will stop, and if you have to switch to another vessel mid-ride, or do so more than once. This way, if you do get lost, you’ll have a way to tell whoever’s going to pick you up or direct you back home, how to track you. Plus if you want to switch to another route, you’ll have some idea of where you’re starting from.

ANDI’S INSIGHT: If you know someone who has a GPS that follows the law (because some will tell you to make an illegal U-turn or something like that), ask to use it, cause it can save you and tell you where other places are in the area you may not be familiar with.

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DARK’S CON EYES: If you’re traveling through a state with tolls, be sure to bring enough to cover ALL the tolls, or an E-ZPass®. Whatever’s more convenient.

Be sure to leave home or hotel early, or as early as necessary to get to the con at a decent

time. That last thing you want is to oversleep, or worse, get stuck in traffic with everyone else that overslept. Try to make sure everything is prepared the night before, so that and everyone is awake and ready to go and you don’t have to do that much thinking in the early hours of the morning.

Unfortunately however, if you’re carpooling or taking local transit, you will probably have to deal with traffic before, after, and/or during a con. Now while traffic is always a pain, convention traffic is a downright natural disaster. Not only do you have to contend with the usual commute of that particular city, but you may in fact be driving along hordes (depending on how big the convention is) of con-goers such as yourself, not to mention all the cosplayer pedestrians that swarm outta nowhere. Also, if driving, be prepared to break! Many local drivers are not used to seeing what is going on and will slow down or even stop to stare. For most cons, the more mature events will begin later in the evening. So if you’re not old enough to hang with the big boys and girls, or do not feel safe walking back to the hotel by yourself after dark, then it’s best if you leave during the evening, especially if you have a curfew. The last thing you want to do is get in trouble during the con and not be able to go for the remaining days. Be sure you’re ready to leave town as the convention is ending. You don’t want to end up packing at the last minute and rushing out the door to catch your ride home. If you stayed in a hotel, make sure you or your friends sweep the room to ensure that all belongings are packed, and all room keys are accounted for. Also, if you’re taking local or state transit, make sure you know the weekend schedules for these. Some trains and buses run dramatically different schedules the Sunday you need to leave than the Thursday or Friday they brought you to the con, or in some cases, don’t run during the weekend altogether.

Groups

One of the best dynamics that help make up a convention is going in a group. Sure, being surrounded by tons of fans that share your interests can be amazing, but nothing beats going to a convention with your friends. Groups offer a great opportunity to help split food and hotel bills, introduce you or your friends to new people, or even try new things at the con you normally wouldn’t have by yourself.

When dealing with your group, some things are a given, and some things aren’t. For instance, it’s a given, that as a group, you guys will probably do at least one thing together. What’s not a given are things you and said group members assume. If you have plans to meet up, grab food, or go to a certain activity at the con, then make sure to go over it with everybody. Nobody can read your mind, so if you have a personal agenda that is going to affect the entire group, like taking over the hotel room to work on your cosplay, or leaving the con early when you’re supposed to be driving everybody home, or having someone over to the hotel room for some “after hour activities”, then have the courtesy to let your group know.

When it comes to picking your group, take size into account. You don’t want too many people, but you want enough to have a fun time. Smaller Groups tend to consist of close friends or associates. So there are less people to keep track of and it is easier to take part in activities as a

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group. Larger Groups tend to consist of friends of friends, or otaku who’ve met over the Internet. Some convention websites offer forums for attendees to communicate with each other, making for a good watering hole for orchestrating these types of things. There are also more people to hang out with or watch your stuff in bigger groups. Also take personal history into account. Sometimes it's best to see who’s in your group in advance, because if there’s someone you don't get along with, it might be best to address that issue first.

It’s ok for groups to split up and let people do their own thing, just be sure to remember meeting times and locations. Take it from personal experience, communication can make or break any group experience. Some conventions offer group registration when you pre-register. Group registrants usually get a cheaper fee than even those that pre-register by themselves.

C.C.'S AGED AVICE: For all the chibi otaku, try to work out a contact buddy system. You do not want people to lose track of you. That induces panic, which leads to chaos, and then you find out that no one wants to go to the con with you next year.

(True Story)

FEMI’S TECH SUPPORT: When in groups, have everyone’s the cell #. If going w/a group prone to split up, have a general idea of what they want to see or go do. That way, if your plans fall sour, you have backup.

MADI'S LITTLE SECRET: Make sure the people who you're with will want to be at the places you want to be. If not, it's okay to split up. I've been guilty of dragging around my friends around a convention unintentionally, especially if I want to be in a planned photo shoot. Most of the time they don't mind, but make sure it’s okay with your friends.

25. O'Malley, Elizabeth. "How-To Guide for Planning to Attend a Convention." AnimeCons. Adequate.com, n.d. Web. <http://www.animecons.com/articles/article.shtml/816/How-To_Guide_for_Planning_to_Attend_a_Convention>. 26. Otakorp. "Registration." Otakon. Otakorp, n.d. Web. <http://www.otakon.com/faq.asp#_Registration>.

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Chapter 3

At The Con