Dateline: 06-19-2011

CONvergence Survival Tips!

For those of you who might be first-timers at CONvergence (maybe first-timers at ANY convention), or just could benefit from some reminders, here are some tips as to what you can plan in advance to make your CONvergence experience a little easier and more fun!

Remember, CONvergence is a 4-day convention, and most of you will be living out of a hotel room for three nights or more.

What to Pack

Clothes

Underwear and socks for every day plus extras
Cool clothing (It's July, and the hotel is crowded!)
Warmer clothing or extra layers (It's Minnesota - the weather can be unpredictable!)
Comfy shoes and more than one pair
Swimsuit

Food & Beverages
Yes, the convention has ConSuite and the CoF2E2 Free Coffee shop, but neither of those are intended to provide full meal service. Bringing some of your own food is a great way to make sure you stay fueled for the long weekend without having to rely on ConSuite food or paying eating-out prices. Consider packing:

Fresh fruits, sandwich fixings, and other food you can store in a cooler
A water bottle that can either go in a purse or clip to a belt
Granola bars or other quick high-energy snack

Toiletries & Medications

Deodorant
Ear plugs
Tylenol or your favorite pain medication
Tums
If you are sharing your room with more than one other person, you should bring shampoo, soap, and towels for yourself

Technology & Media

Cell Phone power cord
Camera
Spare batteries
Books for the book exchange
Books and Memorabilia to be signed by Guests and Attending Pros.
(Many of our Guests are selling their own books and memorabelia, but they will usually sign your items as well. Plan accordingly, and ask politely.)

Tipping

Bring cash - especially singles - for tipping! Where should you be tipping?

The bellmen who move your bags and gear in and out of the hotel. (A dollar a bag is fairly standard.)
The housekeeping staff. (They get worked HARD by our convention. Make them feel APPRECIATED.)
Room parties (Tipping isn't required at parties, but most parties at CONvergence take hundreds or in some cases THOUSANDS of dollars to run. Consider given a little something back, especially if you're enjoying the party's food and drinks..)

Your Badge, Badgers and You

We have badging stations throughout the hotel, to make sure the people enjoying the resources and hospitality of CONvergence have badges are supposed to be there. It keeps the convention a safer place, and it makes sure that no one is freeloading off of your convention dollar.
Keep in mind that badging stations are largely staffed at-con with volunteers ("Badgers") who often have minimal experience or training, and are just wanting to do their part to support the convention. Be patient with them, and do what you can to make their job easier.
Keep your badge on you and visible. If a badger can see your badge as you walk past their station, they won't have to ask you to show it to them.

Things You Should Know

This is an entirely volunteer event, from the organization leaders to the convention members signing up to volunteer a single hour at the convention. None of them are paid a dime for the time and work they put in. Please keep that in mind and show the volunteers you deal with a little extra patience and appreciation.

During peak elevator use times (6:00-11:00pm evenings), we try to ease the pressure put on the over-taxed elevators by going to the "On-on-One, Off-on-Two" system. Get on the elevator on the first floor, get off the elevator on the second floor. Unless you have serious mobility issues, please don't take an elevator from the first to the second floor or vice versa. You can go up or down a floor with the handy stairs or escalators nearby.

More Survival Tips and Advice

Try to sleep a little every night, eat at least one full meal a day, and pace yourself on the partying. It's four days of con, and the effect is cumulative.
Wear fresh clothes and comfy shoes.
Brush your teeth. Twice a day. Connie says so!
Shower. Seriously. There's around 5000 of you in the hotel. Damn!
If you're not staying at the hotel, keep a change of clothes in the car.
Bring a travel cup or mug. ConSuite provides disposable cups, but they are small and not eco-friendly.
Most people in costume are happy to have their picture taken, but it's still polite to ask first.
The on-site ATM empties quickly and often has a line. Plan ahead and acquire cash ahead of time.
Be aware of the inconvenience of large costume pieces in negotiating crowded hallways and parties.
CONvergence is an all-ages event. Some parts are intended to be more kid-friendly than others. Use common sense when bringing children and be prepared to supervise them over the convention weekend.
If you do not have a room at the hotel, do not plan on staying over night. The hotel is going to be full, and it's going to be tough finding a place to get some sleep. Sleeping under tables, in chairs, and rooms not designated for sleeping is not allowed. Plan on going home or where you're going to sleep, and plan in advance how you're going to get there. Designate a driver if you are coming for the parties.
Plan on at least a day of recovery time after the convention. Most of the Convention Committee schedule a day or two of vacation after the con to recover!
A lot of tear-down and move-out work is happening the Monday after the convention, and we could always use more volunteer helpers if you are available. Volunteer hours earned after the convention's official end count double!

Other First-Timer Lists and Advice can be found:

http://womens-literary-prizes.suite101.com/article.cfm/surviving_sf_conventions
http://www.greatwesternmedicineshow.com/neofans/index2.htm?myoutxt
http://blog.thinklynsen.com/2009/06/7-convergence-survival-tips.html