GenCon newbie....advice needed

[tennyson]

Hi Everyone,

I've never been to GenCon myself, but my group and I are planning to go in 2005 (I know, it's a long time away). Anyway, I was wondering what are the things that a first-timer should know before going.

How far in advance should I book a hotel room? What are good things to bring on the trip? I'm basically just trying to pick the brains of some of the seasoned veterans (which I know these boards are full of), so I can make the trip as memorable as possible. Any suggestions or recommendations would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Teflon Billy]

Well, keep in mind thatGen Con has only been at it's current location for one occurence. The most seasoned vets that exist have exactly four days more experience than you do

You might want to try what we did last year: appealing to the good graces of the EN Worlders who reide in Indianapolis. they by and large really came through for the attendees last year in terms of local advice.

Double-plus good thank yous to whomever recommended "The Red Garter" as the strip bar last year. You were right. It was awesome.

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Book your hotel rooms as early as you can, Jan or Feb of 2005 should be ok. As for things to take; shoes you can walk in all day, food and drink so you don't have to pay convention center prices, and cash (some of the booths can't take credit cards).

If you want to get books signed, plan out who you're going to get them signed by and when, because the last thing you want to do when you're walking around all day or buying lots of stuff is carrying around a big backpack full of books. On that note, a backpack is a good thing to bring, but make sure it's distinctive, because a lot of people will have them. A unique keychain or patch will help.

Plan ahead. Check out the seminars and games and always, always, always preregister. If you're going to do some pick-up games, have some characters pre-made and some adventures prepared.

 

[Richards]

Sean K. Reynolds posted a really great piece on what to pack for Gen Con a while back ago. You can find it by clicking HERE. (Note that some of the tips are Wisconsin-related, and can be ignored.)

Johnathan

 

[Hand of Evil]

Pre-reg and get your hotel asap!

Don't take everything you own for gaming, you will be lugging it about and it gets heavy.

Good walking shoes.

Plan your day(s) out, build a timeline of your events.

First time through the dealer room don't spend money (don't take it) just look and check out things, note items, picking them up later (you will be lugging them around) and if you can get it from your local dealer, it is sometimes better to wait.

Pick-up games - the most fun to have many times is not the normal events but things you find going on at the CON.

Talk to people, be friendly but don't talk like a stalker to industry people.

 

[Dirt]

Fathead's GenCon suggestions

My suggestions:

1. As everyone mentioned, definitely book everything early. The good rooms tend to sell out fast (as you may have guessed by some of the recent threads).

2. Definitely sit down and make a schedule of events. Plan in demos as well and take an entire slot just to peruse the dealers hall...it's worth it. When planning your events, don't schedule everything back to back. I used to game straight through. One year, my friend's fiancee attended and suggested that we take some breaks...it was the best suggestion anyone gave us. We enjoyed dinner out, took breaks in between a hectic schedule, etc. It made for a more enjoyable time all around.

3. Take time to play some games that you've never played before. Also, don't play every slot with your friends. Take the opportunity to game with other people.

4. Get there on Wednesday. It gives you time to settle in.

5. Throw hardened powdered donuts at Tewligan while he is sleeping. It will provide for many good stories later in life.


Also, here are a couple of good website with some valuable tips. They should be helpful.

http://www.thedociverse.com/xml/indyintro.htm

http://php.iupui.edu/~wrporter/Food.html

 

[Henry]

The second site posted by Fathead is an excellent site for much good Gencon Advice. The Keeper of Ancient Gencon Lore is an icon for all Gencon visits, and even more so now because the guy who runs the site is also an Indy native.

I hope you get to go, because you are gonna have SO much fun.

 

[Dirt]

I hope you get to go, because you are gonna have SO much fun.

I agree. GenCon is one of the vacations that I look forward to every year. Take lots of pictures. You'll have plenty of fond memories that you'll want to keep...

 

[Tewligan]

This is common sense, but try not to screw up your sleep schedule too badly - if you're up all night, every night gaming, drinking or whatever, you are going to feel like a bag of asses by Saturday. Get at least a few hours of sleep every night. Oh, and PLEASE - when you climb out of bed in the morning after getting your well-earned sleep, be sure to shower and apply deodorant before you head back to the convention center. I've noticed that a lot of attendees do not heed this advice, making it quite unpleasant to shop or game next to them. Don't be that guy.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I've noticed that a lot of attendees do not heed this advice, making it quite unpleasant to shop or game next to them. Don't be that guy.

So true so true.