Convention Prep - what's on your list?

[MNblockhead]

Con of the North (CotN) starts tomorrow and I'll be staying at the hotel and making a weekend of it. I don't go to gaming conventions other than CotN and this is the first time I'll be staying at the hotel (I live close and in the past would just drive over for a couple games). So, I don't have a con-prep routine or packing list.

For you Con veterans, what are your packing and prep tips?

For me, I'm planning around the following considerations:

A. No air travel, so I don't have to worry about packing light.

B. I'm mostly playing. The only games I'm running are Illimat learn-to-play sessions, so there is very little gaming material I need to pack.

C. I go to play new systems. I'm not playing in any organized play sessions, so I don't have to worry about paper work.

D. The venue has restaurants on site. If that's not enough, I'll have my car, but I don't plan to eat out much. Partly to save money, mostly because my time is tight and the weather will make driving a pain. I'm packing in most of my own snacks and drinks.

So, over all, prep seems pretty straight forward. Beside toiletries and clothing for three days I'm packing:

1. My dice bag and dice. I have a Bag of Superior Sorting, which makes it easy to have all the dice I'll need for any system neatly organized and portable.

2. Phone and battery backup brick.

3. variety of snacks that don't have to be refrigerated (mainly for quick snacks between games or during breaks, I don't like to eat while playing). E.g. tangerines, beef jerky, chips, cheese-meat-cracker packs, puddings, fruit cups, ...

4. soda, energy drinks, water

5. Keurig cups (the hotel has Keurig machines but charge $0.75 for extras, so I'm just bringing a box of them) and my awesome Zojirushi thermos that'll keep coffee hot an entire day

6. A insulated bag for keeping sodas cold.

7. Laptop bag with laptop and accessories. Just in case I want to use it at night in the room. I expect I may never use it. But my work being what it is, I need to have it just in case.

8. Pencil box, lots of pre-sharpened pencils and a sharpener.

9. Clipboard, for character sheets, when table space gets tight.

10. A backpack with a grid-it organizer

That's about it. My schedule is going to be tight so other than Illimat, which I'm running a few sessions of, I'm not bringing any games.

What's on your Con packing list?

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

Paper. Lots of paper. For use in games and out of games, when inspiration strikes and you get cool ideas for your games. I carry spiral bound notebooks, where I can tear pages out and give them to people.

Don't forget an eraser or two to go with the pencils.

Health stuff - wet wipes for sweaty brows and hands, lip balm (aircond dries out the skin), throat/cough lollies (an annoying cough really spoils a game).

 

[Zhaleskra]

Do not leave the hotel by car: you’ll have to park illegally. I learned that last year. Even the overflow fills up fast.

 

[aco175]

I have a con next week, but only going for the day. I was trying to pack as light as possible. I'm only playing D&D so I only need my folder with AL sheets and some dice. I have a little organizational box that fits a few pencils, dice, and a few minis. Not sure if I need the PHB unless I make a caster.

If I was staying over I would also bring a few vitamin pacs, like EmergenC to mix with a water bottle. Good to ward off germs for day 2 and another on day 2 to wake up better if you stayed out late.

 

[MNblockhead]

Paper. Lots of paper. For use in games and out of games, when inspiration strikes and you get cool ideas for your games. I carry spiral bound notebooks, where I can tear pages out and give them to people.

Don't forget an eraser or two to go with the pencils.

Health stuff - wet wipes for sweaty brows and hands, lip balm (aircond dries out the skin), throat/cough lollies (an annoying cough really spoils a game).

Good point. I need to make sure I pack wet wipes and small tissue packets. I always pack mints and throat lozenges and, just in case, DayQuil (cold/flu meds).

For paper I like legal pads. The pages tear out neater and they are less bulky and there is no metal spirals getting in the way when writing.

 

[MNblockhead]

Do not leave the hotel by car: you’ll have to park illegally. I learned that last year. Even the overflow fills up fast.

Yes. Always has been an issue as I didn't stay at the hotel in the past and might only come in for a couple games. Luckily, the Crowne Plaza has valet parking. Makes life much easier. Now that I'm staying at the hotel this year, I'm hoping I'll be able to get a covered spot and just leave it there all weekend.

 

[ccs]

I can't stand traveling heavy to cons.
This is how I do GenCon most years:

{I believe this pic is from 2013}
For the record that's:
1 bag with 7 days clothes & general travel gear + contacts/medications etc
1 clipboard
whatever character sheets I need for any ongoing convention based RPGs I'm in
1 legal pad
1 20ct chessex minis case
my dice (in the Batman mini camera case)
3-5 rule books (varies by year)
1 novel for killing time/standing in line
my coffee cup
cookies - mostly for in the car
phone, (chargers, extra cords - not seen)
1 clothes basket & blanket - used to corral stuff I buy & keep it from rolling about the trunk
Not pictured - a light jacket & a ball cap.

*Some years I'll add 1 or 2 cases of miniatures.
Either Flames of War (WWII), Dark Angels (40k), or both.
Both are in "Ammo Box" transport cases by Battlefoam.

$


**Ooh, look how shiny & new my PF book is in this pic! It don't look like that anymore.

 

[MNblockhead]

This is how I do GenCon most years:

Nice, but what's with the laundry basket? That seems unwieldy.

 

[ccs]

Nice, but what's with the laundry basket? That seems unwieldy.

It stays in the room & gets used to collect the stuff I buy in the dealers room. Keeps things nice & orderly both in the room + on the drive home. Makes it real easy to carry the stuff into the house as well.
Go through Fantasy Flight? Drop the X-wing boosters in the basket when I swing back to the room before dinner.
Buy books at Paizo? Drop 'em in the basket before dinner.
Go minis shopping? Board game shopping? T-shirts? Into the basket before dinner....

Takes up the same space in the trunk of the car as all that stuff loose, just makes it easy to move all at once.

 

[MNblockhead]

It stays in the room & gets used to collect the stuff I buy in the dealers room. Keeps things nice & orderly both in the room + on the drive home. Makes it real easy to carry the stuff into the house as well.
Go through Fantasy Flight? Drop the X-wing boosters in the basket when I swing back to the room before dinner.
Buy books at Paizo? Drop 'em in the basket before dinner.
Go minis shopping? Board game shopping? T-shirts? Into the basket before dinner....

Takes up the same space in the trunk of the car as all that stuff loose, just makes it easy to move all at once.

Makes sense, if you're driving. But even then, I would think something like a collapsible cargo crate with roller-back wheels and handle would be more convenient (e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E8PVZY1RP183SR0G3SPV)

 

[ccs]

Makes sense, if you're driving. But even then, I would think something like a collapsible cargo crate with roller-back wheels and handle would be more convenient (e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Office-Depot...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=E8PVZY1RP183SR0G3SPV)

No, believe me when I say that basket is the perfect size for GC duty.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Good suggestions, here. I will definitely be adding throat lozenges to my list this year (occasionally I’ve been lucky and just randomly had some in my messenger bag, but I really should bring a bag).

For my part:

-The usual gaming stuff (books, character sheet, notepad, pencils, dice, and miniatures).

-If I know a character that I’m using in multiple sessions is going to level up, I generally prepare a cheat sheet of what’s going to change in advance, so I don’t have to mess around with that.

-I always bring my Bobble (water bottle with built-in filter).

-Hand Sanitizer

-Inserts for my shoes (my usual Converses feel like they’re made of metal by the end of a con, otherwise)

-The prescriptions and OTC things I normally take. I also take Echinacea pills during a con – I know it’s a bit woo, but I’ll take whatever I can get to stave off Con Crud.

-Clothing, of course, including one more day than I think I need, plus a hoodie in case one of the rooms is cold (looking at you, Origins Ballroom).

-For food, I generally bring all sorts of snacks (of the nutritious, boring variety), and a big container of actual food (I generally go with a protein and veggie heavy quinoa salad), so I'm not dependent on going out to eat for every single meal. And yes, a bottle of wine.

 

[Zhaleskra]

Yes. Always has been an issue as I didn't stay at the hotel in the past and might only come in for a couple games. Luckily, the Crowne Plaza has valet parking. Makes life much easier. Now that I'm staying at the hotel this year, I'm hoping I'll be able to get a covered spot and just leave it there all weekend.

I met a couple of my friends from my days at Winona State, we all went in a single car to the nearby Red Robin on the Thursday. The friend who was driving was able to park when we got back. On Friday I drove to Firehouse Subs because I was having issues with which side of the hotel corresponded to what Google Maps was telling me. When I got back, I ended up having to park illegally about half a mile up the main street. I figure, Plymouth Minnesota police probably know when the convention is and don't ticket anyone parked illegally near the convention during it. Later on Friday, I was able to park my car in the lot and leave it there.

 

[PrometheanVigil]

This is one of the nerdiest threads on any forum ever.

I love it.

 

[MNblockhead]

I met a couple of my friends from my days at Winona State, we all went in a single car to the nearby Red Robin on the Thursday. The friend who was driving was able to park when we got back. On Friday I drove to Firehouse Subs because I was having issues with which side of the hotel corresponded to what Google Maps was telling me. When I got back, I ended up having to park illegally about half a mile up the main street. I figure, Plymouth Minnesota police probably know when the convention is and don't ticket anyone parked illegally near the convention during it. Later on Friday, I was able to park my car in the lot and leave it there.

Man, that seems like a huge hassle to avoid paying $5 for valet parking.

 

[MNblockhead]

Well, I had a great three days.

Some items I would add to my packing list:

1. A small pocket knife. I always carry one, so I didn't have to put it on my list. But it was surprising how often I was taking that thing out lend to DMs or other players to cut packaging for new games and game aids.

2. Spoons. I brought most of my own food, but forgot to pack utensils. Sucks when you go to eat and then have to run around looking for a spoon or calling reception to have one brought to your room.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Unless I'm flying (or going some place with strict security), I have my Swiss Army knife with me. Always comes in handy.

1. A small pocket knife. I always carry one, so I didn't have to put it on my list. But it was surprising how often I was taking that thing out lend to DMs or other players to cut packaging for new games and game aids.

 

[D351]

Last Gen Con, I bought a sizable backpack with a clip on the front for attaching stuff at Ikea on the way there. Best last minute purchase. I strapped my collapsible back pack to the front of it (which I didn't end up needing this time), had plenty of room for those weirdly long boxes and stuff that needed to be kept flat between them, and it was just extremely convenient to have one less of those shopping bags on my arm. And now I use it for my weekly Call of Cthulhu materials. I'll definitely be emptying it for this year's Gen Con.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20313571/

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

Doing my first Con in a long time, GaryCon, next month and here is my initial pack-list.

5 days of clothes + Hawaiian Shirt (a GC thing apparently)
Books for games I'm playing or may play. (AD&D 1e PH, OD&D PDF's, B/X, V&V, Boot Hil, DCC)
iPad
phone
chargers
hand sanitizer
dice
notebook
pencils
a few growlers of local craft beer to share
miniatures (D&D and wild west)
fan

 

[MNblockhead]

Last Gen Con, I bought a sizable backpack with a clip on the front for attaching stuff at Ikea on the way there. Best last minute purchase. I strapped my collapsible back pack to the front of it (which I didn't end up needing this time), had plenty of room for those weirdly long boxes and stuff that needed to be kept flat between them, and it was just extremely convenient to have one less of those shopping bags on my arm. And now I use it for my weekly Call of Cthulhu materials. I'll definitely be emptying it for this year's Gen Con.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20313571/

That's a pretty cool and useful looking backpack. The only thing is that the straps look like they may not be that comfortable or sturdy. In any event, the next time I'm in Ikea, I'm going to take a look at it.