Conventions 101

[captboog]

Hi guys, i made a google docs on Conventions 101. i generalized the document so that the details work for any convention, but i reference Fanime as my main example, since i have gone to Fanime the most. enjoy, and have fun!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZyBw6Vp0F3MrpZfF8KWsOnNWgr8f4R2x4GLOEF0xdcI/edit?hl=en

[TC X0 Lt 0X]

Your depiction of a Rave is incorrect. Raves CAN have Drugs (and other bad stuff) at and used at the local, but then any event CAN have Drugs (and other bad stuff) at and used at the local. Drugs are not an inherent part of a Rave.

[ewu]

K, thanks

[captboog]

My apologies. only used a term that i had heard in the past. i have removed the term from the doc. i hope that the rest of the document helped though.

[Kertus]

tl;dr
I did skim several of the sections, seems ok for brand new con-goers though.

[Lizchan33]

Fabric isn't that cheap normally..... you can get 2 to 4 dollar super cheap looking fabric but for something decent looking expect to spend 5$ a yard or more....

Also... typos >_< You put costly for costumer or cosplayer... it started to get really irritating while reading.

But otherwise it's pretty good......

[captboog]

Fabric isn't that cheap normally..... you can get 2 to 4 dollar super cheap looking fabric but for something decent looking expect to spend 5$ a yard or more....

Also... typos >_< You put costly for costumer or cosplayer... it started to get really irritating while reading.

But otherwise it's pretty good......

yeah, the spelling checker was not very friendly. i will go and edit. thanks for pointing that out.

[PyronIkari]

You really don't provide any information that isn't on a cons website outside of a few things that are... what I deem as inaccurate and insufficient. Like, carrying a backpack or something is really... toolish. You look like a nerd/loser if you're trek'ing around a convention with a back pack. Like, what comes to mind is those stereotype otaku images of people in Akiba with a backpack and posters sticking out from the back.

I don't carry a backpack. Why? Because why would I need to? If I want to buy something, I'll get a back from the vender to put it in. This only doesn't happen in artists alley, in which case, it's a print anyways, and I wouldn't want it in a backpack where it can bend/fold/crease.

Two bottles of water? Keeping hydrated is a necessity but that doesn't mean I need to carry two bottles of water. Even if I'm carrying one bottle, I can refill it at a water fountain need be.

I suggest you put a lot more info in terms of money usages. As your outline is really bad. You don't break down prices, or what money is/should be/could be spent on. Food for example can range from 6$ at McDonalds, or 40$ if you eat at a local restaurant. If you're eating inbetween, con center food is generally 8-10$ for a meal. So aiming to spend at least 10$ a meal is basic. So that's already 30$ a day just for bare essential food. If you read the guides on this forum alone, there is plenty of info and things you could easily add to your thing to make it feel a little more complete.

[captboog]

You really don't provide any information that isn't on a cons website outside of a few things that are... what I deem as inaccurate and insufficient. Like, carrying a backpack or something is really... toolish. You look like a nerd/loser if you're trek'ing around a convention with a back pack. Like, what comes to mind is those stereotype otaku images of people in Akiba with a backpack and posters sticking out from the back.

I don't carry a backpack. Why? Because why would I need to? If I want to buy something, I'll get a back from the vender to put it in. This only doesn't happen in artists alley, in which case, it's a print anyways, and I wouldn't want it in a backpack where it can bend/fold/crease.

Two bottles of water? Keeping hydrated is a necessity but that doesn't mean I need to carry two bottles of water. Even if I'm carrying one bottle, I can refill it at a water fountain need be.

I suggest you put a lot more info in terms of money usages. As your outline is really bad. You don't break down prices, or what money is/should be/could be spent on. Food for example can range from 6$ at McDonalds, or 40$ if you eat at a local restaurant. If you're eating inbetween, con center food is generally 8-10$ for a meal. So aiming to spend at least 10$ a meal is basic. So that's already 30$ a day just for bare essential food. If you read the guides on this forum alone, there is plenty of info and things you could easily add to your thing to make it feel a little more complete.

while it is true that quite a bit of this information is indeed on a conventions website, i typed this doc to not only give my advice on certain subjects, but my opinions as well. i plainly declared at the start of the doc that all of the information that i posted was based off of my own experiences and preference. that doesn't mean that you have to do the things that i mention in the doc.

for example, you state that "I don't carry a backpack. Why? Because why would I need to", as well as "carrying a backpack or something is really... toolish". You may think that a backpack or messenger bag may look silly, but there are people who would rather carry a bag to hold their belongings instead of carrying plastic bags (i believe that you misspelled bag with "back"), wether or not they are carrying art with them. it makes me sad that you stereotype all people who carry a bag as a "nerd/loser". I honestly feel proud carrying my "Bag of Holding" while i have all of the things i need for the day with me.

EDIT: I have modified parts of the doc based off of some of the things you mentioned. I hope that the information i added is more helpful then what i had previously posted.

[ewu]

Pyron, your comments are acknowledged, no need to reply.

Boog, thank you for the document. Let others know that it is your opinion and there may be other interpretations and alternative solutions out there that they should look at too.


Now get along and don't make Mod-Monster mad....

[LordKefka]

Just as a side thing... is his shift button broken? -_-;

[TC X0 Lt 0X]

Personally Pyron, I don't think very many are going to care if someone is Treking the Con with a Backpack, or that one looks like a nerd/loser for doing so. They can be useful for storing personal belongings, like phones, portable gaming devices, TCGs, or anything else you may need/want to have on the con floor
That said, I agree with most of the rest you are saying to a degree.


To captboog, it is still a good idea to lay down some specifics for budgeting, broken down into High/Mid/Low Budgets, giving people a good bare minimum of what to spend on food, merchandise, and etc.

[captboog]

i looked back at the doc again, and i have added more to the budgeting section, as well as changing a few small things as well. thank you guys for all of the comments and advice. they are helpful in making the doc even better.  

[M]

I am going on record as saying that I do carry a backpack around with me while at conventions. Does this make me a tool? No, it means that PyronIkari isn't always right.

[LordKefka]

Yeah but it's ok for you cause you're sexy every time I see you in your backpack Milton.

[Moonblossom]

I usually have a backpack or a big old-lady purse too, because I carry around a snack, my medications (of which there are many!), my large-body DSLR and usually a spare lens or two, and my DS. I'd rather look a little dorky and have everything I need. I mean really, we're at an anime con, people. Not really the best place to be if you're concerned about looking dorky.

[PyronIkari]

I am going on record as saying that I do carry a backpack around with me while at conventions. Does this make me a tool? No, it means that PyronIkari isn't always right.

No you don't... the only time I see you with your bag is when you are going from your hotel room -> Pro-reg or from Pro-reg -> Your hotel room.

Opinion based is fine, but your opinion isn't covering my options which is my point. Bags are great for convenience, and I'm not arguing that, but what if you're going to a convention to meet new friends, people, etc. Regardless of it being at a nerd convention, your appearance matters, which is what I'm getting at. Your perspective is incredibly narrow into "this is how I go to conventions" rather than a "conventions 101" or a basic outlining guide like you're trying to promote this as.

There are thousands of reasons to go to a con, and people go to conventions expecting/looking for/seeking different things. In example... I buy nothing at conventions, so I wouldn't need a backpack, bag, or anything to carry goods anyways. I also don't care to carry a camera, because, taking pictures isn't my thing. Your "guide" is very insistent on these things though, as if the reader would be incredibly dumb NOT TO do these things. Again, I know they're your opinions, but you're passing it off as a general guide more so than you are "your experiences" or how "you do conventions".

[captboog]

I am going on record as saying that I do carry a backpack around with me while at conventions. Does this make me a tool? No, it means that PyronIkari isn't always right.

No you don't... the only time I see you with your bag is when you are going from your hotel room -> Pro-reg or from Pro-reg -> Your hotel room.

Opinion based is fine, but your opinion isn't covering my options which is my point. Bags are great for convenience, and I'm not arguing that, but what if you're going to a convention to meet new friends, people, etc. Regardless of it being at a nerd convention, your appearance matters, which is what I'm getting at. Your perspective is incredibly narrow into "this is how I go to conventions" rather than a "conventions 101" or a basic outlining guide like you're trying to promote this as.

There are thousands of reasons to go to a con, and people go to conventions expecting/looking for/seeking different things. In example... I buy nothing at conventions, so I wouldn't need a backpack, bag, or anything to carry goods anyways. I also don't care to carry a camera, because, taking pictures isn't my thing. Your "guide" is very insistent on these things though, as if the reader would be incredibly dumb NOT TO do these things. Again, I know they're your opinions, but you're passing it off as a general guide more so than you are "your experiences" or how "you do conventions".

On that mark you are correct, the reasons that people go to cons will be very different from each other, and that's totally fine. But because there are so many options and opinions, it is probably impossible to make a guide on conventions that will appeal to everybody. So in the end, you are right, this doc is just one long description of my opinion. In the end, it is ultimately up to the reader wether or not they will care about the doc, or the advice it gives. For the "insistant" descriptions in the guide, I can try and lighten emphasis on certain topics, but i made this guide with people who have never been to a convention before in mind. Even though i wish that this doc could be useful to everybody, i know that not everybody will share my opinion. If you have any ideas on places that you think could be generalized, let me know so i can look into them.

[PyronIkari]

You're writing the article backwards. You're writing people you should "do this" because of this. Which is the opposite of how you approach a convention for the first time. Your writing limits peoples options. What you should write is "if this, then you should do this".

I.E. your bag thing. You should write about how, there are dealers rooms, artists alley, swap meets, and other places where people can buy lots of goods. If they are going to do this, then be sure to bring a backpack or something of the sort so that it is convenient to carry all your purchased good. Then afterwards they can return all the goods easily to their hotel room/car, and then not be burdened with carrying around a backpack full of stuff/carrying goods around all day while trying to do other things.

That way, they will read it and go "that's a good idea, to bring a backpack when I hit up the dealers hall etc. then after my run I can place it all away and then be good". Or they can go "I don't care about really buying a lot of stuff so this doesn't apply to me".

Information like how lining up early for concerts(but not until the con creates a sanctioned line) and they may be in the sun for a while so if they want to go to concerts, maybe bring some sunscreen is good. Telling people that they should bring sunscreen because they're going to spend hours in line outside... is not. Because it sounds discouraging and makes it sound no matter what they will be in line. Regardless if that's their thing.

As a guide, you're supposed to open up options, and explain the outlaying ideas if they take those options. Not tell them "this is how it is, and you should do it like this".

[Lizchan33]

How can I make it so this doesn't come up in my "replies to your posts" link..... I wasn't expecting this...... do I delete my posts?