Greetings! While the conventions of 2020 were mostly held online, it can't hurt to prepare in advance of next year's (hopefully) in real life events! Thankfully, Straight Outta Kanto is a convention veteran and is more than willing to impart their sensei-wisdomness to you...
1. RESEARCH:
What are you in to!? What is your nerd-dom!? If you're more introverted and like video games a smaller, local gaming con might suit you better than diving straight into one the hyper-huge DC/Marvel specific Comic Con style cons. However, if you like the wild crowds and even wilder big names then you dive right in to the deep end, baby!
Conventions are always a freight train of emotions and sensory over-loads at the best of times so a quick Google search or chatting to knowledgeable nerds in your community can be a great starting point for finding out what the local scene has to offer.
Whatever con you do decide to start out with, make sure you book your accommodation and source your travel well in advance - take it from me, no one wants to be stuck in the back arse of no where after a convention is over with no way to get home and all the hostels in the area fully booked. (Again...)
2. The Bare Necessities':
It feels weird reminding adults to eat food and drink water but it's so surprising how easy it actually is to forget - especially during the excitement of a convention! I know the thought of bringing a large bottle of water and a packed lunch with you to a con is a cumbersome pain in the arse idea. Who wants to be carrying lunch around like an over-grown school child!?
The reality is however, depending on the location of your event, water and basic food may not be provided by the venue. On the occasion that refreshment is provided at a convention, it's usually grossly overcharged, undersized and not filled with any sort of the good stuff designed to help your body last through a long hot slog through winding convention halls. Take care of yourself - and your wallet!
3. BAGS!
Hands up if yer mammy has a plastic bag filled with lots of other little plastic bags somewhere in the house!
RAID. THAT. BAG BAG.
One of the top complaints at every convention I have ever been to is "Ah sure... my backpack's full, I can't carry anymore otherwise I'd buy this/that/the other." Fill your big bag with little bags and bring it with you to the con.
Vendors and artists don't always provide bags with their merchandise, and if they do, how long d'ya really think a small paper bag is going to fare over a full weekend of conning and travel!?
Think about the planet, think about your poor weak arms, shove a few placcy bags in your coat pockets and shop to your heart's content!
4. CASH IS KING:
While the future is plastic and Tap-pa Tap-pa Tap-pa reigns supreme on the consumer trends - bring physical legal tender cash money to a convention with you. Larger merch stalls or big store vendors may have card payment options, but the chances are smaller stalls, artists, charity donation buckets, raffle tickets and a whole host of other convention related traders won't. Also, I've seen it myself endlessly - card machines break, wifi wanes and batteries die - cash is KING. Take the pressure off your plastic and deny yourself no convention pleasure.
5. Pain in the neck...
Going to a convention in full Cosplay!? Cosplay clothes are the epitome of "Fashion Before Function". Be realistic - can you realistically walk, run, sit, stand, pee, poop, eat, drink, BREATHE, walk around a jam packed arena unimpeded in your costume!? If not, get some advice and make some cheat adjustments.
Same goes for non-cosplayers! Conventions in general are hot, crowded, long and tiring. You will sweat in strange places, your feet will hurt and you'll (hopefully) be carrying loads of amazing rare merch from your childhood that you've just bought...! While looking glam at a con is the goal, not ruining your own day by wearing too much (or too little) and the wrong shoes is also a perfectly acceptable goal. Do you. Be comfortable.
6. Support the Arts:
Conventions are an amazing opportunity to buy merch and memorabilia that you wouldn't always have the chance to buy in mainstream stores. But, before you drop another twenty quid on yet another Pop Figure from the local Game Stop who just so happen to have a big ass vendor stall - think about the little folks in the artist alley who have reasonably priced, thoughtful unique and hand-crafted prints and wares just dying to be bought. You've all year to buy generic mass produced merch from big stores, when are you ever going to see this travelling artist or prop maker again?
7. Permit me...
Conventions are photo-opportunity of the year! Almost everyone makes a massive effort costume and Cosplay wise. Even if you don't, you'll still be making precious treasured memories with friends that you'll want to commemorate forever. HOWEVER. When wanting to get a photo with anyone at a convention, always ASK first! It's just common sense and basic manners. Just because someone is all dolled up doesn't mean they want to caught off-guard by your sneaky flash! Chances are, someone who has spent months hand making a costume WILL want to have their work admired and photographed, but give them the chance to say yes and the right to say no.
8. Shake ya ass, BUT watch ya self...
Yes, conventions are (mostly) filled with happy shining people who are a magical bretheren of nerds and super nerds just waiting to take you under the wing of their fandom - but there are weirdoes and predators out there. Ya get'm in all walks of life and conventions are no different. Not everyone who wants to hug you or take a photo with you will just be a nice person. Sadly.
Make friends, but exercise caution. Trust your gut instinct. Practise basic 'stranger danger' - EVEN IF YOU'RE AN ADULT. Try not to go alone to places - and if you do have to split up from the group STAY IN CONTACT.
There's all sorts of chancers out there, don't let them take a chance with you.
9. VOLUNTEER!
Want free tickets to a convention? Behind the scenes access to all the excitement and activities? The chance to meet new people and gain experience for your C.V.!?
VOLUNTEER AT A CONVENTION!
Yes! It's exhausting. Yes! It's full-on. Yes! It's WORTH EVERY SWEATY TANTRUM OVER FORGOTTEN DOOR-CODES AND FAILED POWER POINT PRESENTATION IN A ROOM FULL OF EXPECTANT GUESTS AND PANELISTS.
It's good for you and supports your local scene - try it at least once.
10. DON'T HOLD BACK:
Conventions are the one place you can forget about the real world and fully immerse yourself in absolute fantasy. DO IT. Attend as many panels as you can. Buy as many boxes of Pocky as you can cram in your mouth. Sample that Saké. Get an over priced photo of yourself on the Iron Throne. Speak Pigeon-Japanese to your peers. Befriend an artist. Buy back issues. DO. IT. ALL. Conventions come and go and are only once a year - don't regret ANYTHING.
Tell Straight Outta Kanto what you think on:
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Instagram: @straightoutta_kanto and @venus_de_vilo
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Join the Pokemon Fan Club Ireland Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1623889321229114/
Listen to the Straight Outta Kanto Podcast Radio Show https://open.spotify.com/show/0FRul8v6Xpy8JFD8clhlok?si=-f1uecxqT5erPBqigRIALg and the music of Venus de Vilo https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hSAeNpNk7ydf8lgE93sHn on Spotify.
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