As an experience con-goer and con-runner..... I'd give the following advice:
1. Check out the schedule and see what interests you. There's one that's available in your program book or a separate handout.
2. Make sure you follow the con rules so you don't get tossed out..... (hopefully not necessary but bears mentioning). Hence read the program!
We love it when people "read the steenkin' program!!"
3. You know what they like.
See if there's anything they might be interested in. If they want to do stuff that you don't want to do, let them. Cons are pretty safe for children. Some cons also have a "children's track", geared for children of 6-12 yrs of age. Programming in those vary from con to con...
4. If you're from out of town and staying the whole weekend.... HELL YES!!! It's easier for you to shuffle up to your room than drive home if you stay late.... not to mention easier on the children to take them up a few floors when they get tired and need to nap, rest, etc.... Definitely moreso if you're the "party type" who likes to have a few at some of the parties..... remember folks: DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! IT'S NOT WORTH IT!! It's a helluva lot cheaper to get a room than the costs if you get busted.
5. Food..... see if they have a consuite. Some have "real food" (burgers, hot dogs, chili, spaghetti, etc...) in addition to "munchies" and soda.... Not all cons have them, so check. I know alot of the cons I go to here in the Southeast (Dragoncon, Stellarcon (my home con that I help run), Con Carolinas, etc...) have a consuite of one form or another. Some have just munchies whereas others, like Stellarcon, have real food.
5a. See what restaurants are in the area of the con. Some cons put a restaurant guide in their "goody bags" you get at registration. If they don't, ask the locals!!! We know, for the most part, where there's good and bad places to eat!! Not to mention how to get there! And "pizza strikes" are great too!! Just remember, most cons don't allow "pizza strikes" to be sent to people in the con area, just your private room.
6. Budgeting: that's a toughie! Believe me!! And it varies from con to con...... there's money to eat on (remember, you're feeding three!), dealer's room, parking fees (sometimes cheap, but aim for VERY EXPENSIVE to be on the safe side. Our's cost, I think $3 a day but at Dragoncon, it can cost up to $20 a day to park!!!
) If you're leery of that cost, see if you can ride with someone and split costs. Don't forget gas in that budget too!! Deals will vary depending on what dealers they have in the dealers' room..... I don't know about Kublacon (never been there, on opposite coastline), but I know we at Stellarcon like to have a variety of dealers, not just gaming dealers....
7. Remember, if you're going to wear a costume with any sort of weaponry, it's GOT TO BE PEACEBONDED!!! No realistic looking guns allowed! You can have a blunderbust but not a Colt 45 unless it's OBVIOUSLY A TOY!!! (with orange tip). Swords and knives have to be tied so they cannot be unsheathed and no unsheathing weapons in public. If someone wants to see that nice nifty new sword you just got in the dealer's room, go to your room to do so! Or off con site! Down a back hallway where the con staff or hotel security can't see you!
8. No costume is no costume: So no reddiwhip costume or something you can see "naughty bits" through. Most cons are PG-friendly and you have to take into consideration younger folks (like your kids!). There are a few cons for R-rated stuff but few and far between..... I've seen people "push the envelope" at Dragoncon.... but it's more PG-13 than anything....
9. Be considerate of other fans. They paid the same amount of money to be there as well.
10. Be considerate of the con staff. We worked our asses off to put this con on for your enjoyment! If you have any complaints about the con (scheduling errors, a con worker being an ass), bring it up in a polite manner. Don't get abusive because some of the stuff may have been stress-related. Did I mention we worked our asses off to do this?!?!
It's hard work to put this on and organize it where it runs smoothly. If there's a major beef, ask for the con manager personally. He/she has the ultimate authority over the whole shebang.
11. Please don't use cell phones in panels. It's very disrupting and rude. Put all phones on "vibrate" when you enter the room. Or use an earpiece.
12. If the con has an art show: NO PHOTOS in that room! If you see someone in a kewl costume in there, wait until they leave.
13. No trashing the hotel. The con would like to return there next year.
14. If you lose something at the con, report it. Don't expect reimbursement from the con for lost item. We'll feel your pity but, alas, can't afford to replace said lost item. Sorry.
15. Wear your badge at all times during the convention when you're on site. If you don't wear it, you can't get in. Simple.
Yes, you've got to wear your steenkin' badge!!!
whew! That may seem like alot of rules.... but not all are rules... just the last half dozen....
I've been to alot of cons and helped out at several. I've seen and heard alot of what goes on at various cons from both the fan POV and the staff POV. You'll probably see the rules in some varying form of wording when you get there and read the program.
Hope you have fun!!!!
