A travel humidifier has been the best thing for Nikki and me. Our voices usually bounce back from too much talking each night and helps prevent us getting sick (sadly not this year for Nikki). We prefer one that lets you use cheap small water bottles.
More of a tip for before you've been to a convention would be about what your first convention should be. Conventions aren't for everyone, so before blowing a huge wad trying to get to one of the big ones, there's likely to be a small or mid-size event somewhere near you that'll be much more affordable and will help you in realising whether being in big noisy crowds is for you, and whether the larger events are your bag.
i've been to almost EVERY con and i find i vastly prefer smaller regional cons. I just travel to new regions for them! this year will be my first North Carolina con!
As someone who has narcolepsy and anemia I'm very conscious of my blood sugar intake. I always try and carry some trail mix in my bag at conventions. It's a great pick me up and works wonders for keeping my energy going. Plus if you make it yourself it's pretty cheap. It can also be a healthy alternative to convention snacks. Also, it keeps well. I think that a lot of people don't factor in blood sugar when planning a convention. Something as simple as a handful of nuts and dried fruit can help keep you stabilized when you can't get to a restaurant for a good lunch.
As I have gotten older, and hopefully wiser, I have found that eating healthy, staying well hydrated, and getting ample sleep make all the different. Yes, eating and sleeping can take away from potential fun at the moment but the keep your energized and your mood positive for the long haul. Remember, big conventions are marathons, not sprints. I want to enjoy Sunday afternoon as much as I did Wednesday morning. I find eating three healthy meals (less junk food and heavy food, more vegetables and fruits) a day which lets me catch up with family/friends and getting six to seven hours of sleep each night lead me to having much more energy and a good attitude as the convention goes. I also do not come home sick as often as eating and sleeping keeps the immune system stronger.
Great tips! At Essen Spiel we could not find a water fountain anywhere to fill up our water bottles. A few other tips are comfortable shoes, remember to slather on the deodorant and bring some along in your backpack (it get hot in the convention hall). It's also good to have extra cash, we found quite a few booths that did not take credit cards, especially at Essen. And of course, Cargo Pants/shorts, Functional and stylish!
About the water fountains - the tap water in Germany is pretty good and under constant and strict quality checks. Just go to the wash room and fill the bottle there. We have no insane amount of chlorine in the water like in some parts of the US where a water purifier is mandatory.
I try to be extra prepared for a convention like Spiel... I have a folder that I carry in my backpack with everything I need for making things run as smooth as possible. A floorplan, a list of all the booths where I have to get my pre-orders and even each pre-order documents in a seperate part of the folder together with the exact amount of money in a ziplock bag to make paying go as fast and easy as possible. I also do this for auctions. Another advice is: try to experience the convention life from the 'other side' at least once. Be part of a demo team for a publisher, probably best one that has game(s) you really like. Even if just for a couple of hours, you'll see it is a very interesting and unique way to look 'behind the scenes' of a convention. Also, don't be affraid to talk to people (I'm an introvert who should listen to that advice myself, but I keep working on it). Socialize at demo tables, meet with 'old' friends, say hi to people you know from social media, converse with the person demoing the game you're playing, take a selfie with a designer... it is a very, very friendly hobby we are in and I've never gotten a 'no' when asking for a picture or an autograph. But must of all, have fun. Yes, when doing one great thing, you could be doing a dozen other great things, just treasure the memory you're creating and bring those memories back home. They'll definitely put a smile on your face multiple times in the future... and keep contact with the people you hung out with! You'll see how great it will be seeing them again at the next convention!
My tip would be less is, sometimes, more! Whilst planning is good, planning too much to do can mean you miss out on the random things that might happen during the unplanned times. Some of my favourite memories have been unplanned, such as late night KeyForge, late night BSG, late night Freedom....there may be a theme here. Also, trying to do too much might leave you disappointed if you don't get to do it all. Finally, if you're ever at Essen, make sure you eat the spiral potato on a stick.
Great tips, especially staying hydrated and not forgetting to eat. Try to get a good nights sleep each night and I also recommend vitamin/electrolyte boosters in the morning like Emergen-C or Airborne. Don't overdo them, but I like to put a Clif bar in my backpack. Great for emergency hunger situations. Not a meal replacement, but they are filling if you're super hungry in between meals.
Some things I have done in the past to keep myself healthy at conventions are: keep up my workout routine even if it is only a small workout because that is better than nothing and it also provides extra energy, whenever possible I stay in the convention hotel and try to have a refrigerator in the room so that I can keep healthy snack options semi close by, try to go out for either lunch or dinner once per day when possible, attempt to keep similar dietary routines so that my body isn't thrown off, get sleep, and stay very hydrated as it can sneak up on you. As for maximizing your experience: Stay in the hotel when possible, attend the first-timer event if the conference has one as this will help you know about norms/events/highlights/etc. before the convention fully kicks off and it can help you maximize your trip while meeting other first-time attendees, get to know those putting on the convention as they are typically awesome and can also help you navigate and they want to see you have fun, volunteering whenever possible is great too because these things help you build a new network plus it feels great to know that you had a hand in making it a success (these last two things also turn conventions into a summer camp type feel which is great), make a list of games you wanted to look at and others you want to try and keep both updated as you learn of new games at the convention (I use Google Keep and it helps streamline my time in the library by narrowing what I am looking for), try to gain new experiences at the convention whether that is game with new people who have a "players wanted sign" like at BGG or teach a game you know to others who have a "Teachers Wanted" sign like at BGG, grab food/coffee/other with others, pick one thing each day in advance that you are looking forward to, and lastly make sure to take a step back and realize the great community that is at the convention while trying to not get too caught up in the logistics of the whole thing (see the trees but appreciate the forest). Hope this helps, and feel better!
First of all, I hope you feel better soon. Secondly, and this adds to the planning, prepare for an exhbition well beforehand. Print out a smaller version of the exhibiton map and highlight who you want to see, so you can easily find them. Accompany that with an exhibitor list, so if you spot something, you can note it down and maybe come back to it later. The list also allows you to remember why you wanted to see a certain exhibitor.
Another tip is that, if you intend to go to an exhibiton only for one day, then the last day tends to be the quietest, meaning you are more likely to see the people and exhibitors you want to see. Even though exhibitors will be itching to go home, they usually have done all their meetings and caught up with business contacts, so they are happier to talk to you. Also, exhibitors want to take as little home with them as possible, so the last day is when you can get a good deal or even something for free. However, it also means that the popular items will be sold out of course.
And finally, do stay hydrated. Have a water bottle with you all the time and keep sipping. Exhibition halls are an artificial environment that will dehydrate you very quickly, even if you're just staying at one stand all day - and even more so if you walk around the show. So keep drinking.
If you're going to buy games, especially at one of the larger conventions, get in touch with your FLGS before hand to see what they're going to stock anyway. With improved distribution networks games, even new releases, are in stores shortly after the convention and it saves you having to lug it all back with you. Instead, look out for less well known or rarer games that will be harder to get hold of when you're home.
I'm glad you mentioned cough drops. Secret Pro Tip: a few cough drops each day can help prevent your voice from going out as quickly at the longer, noisier conventions, like Gen Con. I'm always completely hoarse after Gen Con, but daily cough drops can help me eek out an extra day or two before my voice goes out.
i think Lincoln once told me he also brings a small humidifier to shows to help with this. I have yet to try this baller move even though I lose my voice by day 2 at every show
A good breakfast is very important. Before conventions they are extra important. and bring some fruit. Always good and healthy. Apples are the best. Softer fruits can get smashed in your backpack and just leave a mess.
There are some drops you can get at least at German pharmacies, which are meant for professional singers and people who have to talk a lot. They usually also help with a slight cough, but also are miracle workers to keep your throat going, especially if you have to talk (or shout) a lot. Those drops kept me going through several Gamescoms on booth duty. Also I usually bring candies for the people explaining games to me as a token of appreciation and for their throats :)
I usually do a lot of preparation for the Spiel and go through the new releases to pick out, which games intrigue me the most, prioritize them and mark them on the floor plans, so I don't miss out on them. Then I check which of my "must have" games allow a preorder with pickup at Essen and preorder them. It takes a lot of stress out of the shopping, especially if you are on the hunt for those games that are quickly sold out. After 15 years of Essen you develop a pretty good intuition and knowledge on which booths to collect first, because the games might be sold out quickly or develop an insane line within minutes after opening. Also I check the actual prices for older and new games I'm interested in, so I can check if the "special offers" are as special as they claim (some stores tend to overprice quite a lot on cons). If you go by car, try to get to P2: it is just beneath the Fitz Patricks, it has a shuttle and it takes you not long to drop your precious finds by your car, so you don't have to carry everything around for the rest of the day - plus you can refill liquids and snacks (Those without car can drop their goods at the cloakroom). Last but not least with the other good tips listed in the comments, if you are unlucky to run a blister, I always carry blister patches. there is one brand in Germany (they have a teal box) which are really good. They stick extremely well, if you warm them with your hands for a minute and rub them well on.They sooth the pain within minutes and you can just keep walking. Also when your feet are getting tired and sore: foot cooling spray. and later at the hotel treat your legs and feet with some cold water and rest them high (don't know how it is called in English, basically rest on the bed and stuff some pillows beneath your legs).
I'm going to PAX Unplugged for the first time this year. And it's a big Con. I was nervous about what do and this really helps me. Thank you soo much!! Hope you feel better soon!
I have never been, but, I am hoping to go to Gen Con next year, so this was really cool! I think when you sprayed your face on the VLOG you increased your chances of getting sick...... it was funny, but just saying. Thanks Rodney!!!
One of the important things is where to go and to know what games to buy or play. Ussually you can find preview lists of what games and demo´s will be at conventions and hall plans online. Just print them out and mark where you want to go and in what order so you are not backtracking much specially big events like Essen. Just dont lose the hall plans like i did lol. Because you can not play every game, you can watch playthroughs on youtube because some publishers or reviewers will have videos up already showing the game and even how to play. This way you decrease the risk of buying a game you potentially will not like when you dont have an opportunity to play it at a convention but still want to buy it. Also make a budget of what you want and can spend and dont exceed it like i do. Also ask if you can demo a game for a few rounds just to get the feel of the game. I found that sometimes they played a whole 1+ hour game and i ussually get a feeling or a game in less the half of that time. Just say ahead of time that you just want a short demo. Some games are stil playable after a person leaves and others not. just be honest upfront about the time you have or are willing to spend. Some publishers have demo´s that require you to register and then you have to be there at a certain hour. I had it at Essen for Wildlands. Ask them if they have that kind of a registration so you know you kan demo at a certain time instead of comming back to full tables every time and having to wait. Be mindfull of your possesions. Even tho mostly everybody is there to have a good time and not steal from others, the thefts from publishers at Essen thought me you can never be too carefull. A backpack is ok but dont keep your wallet in there. Same goes for your phone. And whatever you do, have fun.
gonna dig into the comments here to make sure I don't tread too much common ground! Rodney has already checked off so many amazing tips I got to really shore up my list to things more specific to me :D
A travel humidifier has been the best thing for Nikki and me. Our voices usually bounce back from too much talking each night and helps prevent us getting sick (sadly not this year for Nikki). We prefer one that lets you use cheap small water bottles.
More of a tip for before you've been to a convention would be about what your first convention should be. Conventions aren't for everyone, so before blowing a huge wad trying to get to one of the big ones, there's likely to be a small or mid-size event somewhere near you that'll be much more affordable and will help you in realising whether being in big noisy crowds is for you, and whether the larger events are your bag.
i've been to almost EVERY con and i find i vastly prefer smaller regional cons. I just travel to new regions for them! this year will be my first North Carolina con!
@@MargueriteCottrell When you run out of US regions you can come visit us in the UK at AireCon :D
@@markcooke776 i'm still dreaming of getting out to UKGE. maybe next year (though it'd be for work, boooo)
As someone who has narcolepsy and anemia I'm very conscious of my blood sugar intake. I always try and carry some trail mix in my bag at conventions. It's a great pick me up and works wonders for keeping my energy going. Plus if you make it yourself it's pretty cheap. It can also be a healthy alternative to convention snacks. Also, it keeps well. I think that a lot of people don't factor in blood sugar when planning a convention. Something as simple as a handful of nuts and dried fruit can help keep you stabilized when you can't get to a restaurant for a good lunch.
As I have gotten older, and hopefully wiser, I have found that eating healthy, staying well hydrated, and getting ample sleep make all the different. Yes, eating and sleeping can take away from potential fun at the moment but the keep your energized and your mood positive for the long haul. Remember, big conventions are marathons, not sprints. I want to enjoy Sunday afternoon as much as I did Wednesday morning. I find eating three healthy meals (less junk food and heavy food, more vegetables and fruits) a day which lets me catch up with family/friends and getting six to seven hours of sleep each night lead me to having much more energy and a good attitude as the convention goes. I also do not come home sick as often as eating and sleeping keeps the immune system stronger.
Great tips! At Essen Spiel we could not find a water fountain anywhere to fill up our water bottles. A few other tips are comfortable shoes, remember to slather on the deodorant and bring some along in your backpack (it get hot in the convention hall). It's also good to have extra cash, we found quite a few booths that did not take credit cards, especially at Essen. And of course, Cargo Pants/shorts, Functional and stylish!
About the water fountains - the tap water in Germany is pretty good and under constant and strict quality checks. Just go to the wash room and fill the bottle there. We have no insane amount of chlorine in the water like in some parts of the US where a water purifier is mandatory.
I try to be extra prepared for a convention like Spiel... I have a folder that I carry in my backpack with everything I need for making things run as smooth as possible. A floorplan, a list of all the booths where I have to get my pre-orders and even each pre-order documents in a seperate part of the folder together with the exact amount of money in a ziplock bag to make paying go as fast and easy as possible. I also do this for auctions.
Another advice is: try to experience the convention life from the 'other side' at least once. Be part of a demo team for a publisher, probably best one that has game(s) you really like. Even if just for a couple of hours, you'll see it is a very interesting and unique way to look 'behind the scenes' of a convention.
Also, don't be affraid to talk to people (I'm an introvert who should listen to that advice myself, but I keep working on it). Socialize at demo tables, meet with 'old' friends, say hi to people you know from social media, converse with the person demoing the game you're playing, take a selfie with a designer... it is a very, very friendly hobby we are in and I've never gotten a 'no' when asking for a picture or an autograph.
But must of all, have fun. Yes, when doing one great thing, you could be doing a dozen other great things, just treasure the memory you're creating and bring those memories back home. They'll definitely put a smile on your face multiple times in the future... and keep contact with the people you hung out with! You'll see how great it will be seeing them again at the next convention!
i love the volunteering tip! I totally do this at almost every show
@@MargueriteCottrell As do I. Met a lot of great people, got to see and do things I never dared hoping for...
My tip would be less is, sometimes, more!
Whilst planning is good, planning too much to do can mean you miss out on the random things that might happen during the unplanned times. Some of my favourite memories have been unplanned, such as late night KeyForge, late night BSG, late night Freedom....there may be a theme here. Also, trying to do too much might leave you disappointed if you don't get to do it all. Finally, if you're ever at Essen, make sure you eat the spiral potato on a stick.
this is a big part of my enjoyment at cons. I schedule as little as humanly possible while still hitting things important to me!
Great tips, especially staying hydrated and not forgetting to eat. Try to get a good nights sleep each night and I also recommend vitamin/electrolyte boosters in the morning like Emergen-C or Airborne. Don't overdo them, but I like to put a Clif bar in my backpack. Great for emergency hunger situations. Not a meal replacement, but they are filling if you're super hungry in between meals.
Some things I have done in the past to keep myself healthy at conventions are: keep up my workout routine even if it is only a small workout because that is better than nothing and it also provides extra energy, whenever possible I stay in the convention hotel and try to have a refrigerator in the room so that I can keep healthy snack options semi close by, try to go out for either lunch or dinner once per day when possible, attempt to keep similar dietary routines so that my body isn't thrown off, get sleep, and stay very hydrated as it can sneak up on you.
As for maximizing your experience: Stay in the hotel when possible, attend the first-timer event if the conference has one as this will help you know about norms/events/highlights/etc. before the convention fully kicks off and it can help you maximize your trip while meeting other first-time attendees, get to know those putting on the convention as they are typically awesome and can also help you navigate and they want to see you have fun, volunteering whenever possible is great too because these things help you build a new network plus it feels great to know that you had a hand in making it a success (these last two things also turn conventions into a summer camp type feel which is great), make a list of games you wanted to look at and others you want to try and keep both updated as you learn of new games at the convention (I use Google Keep and it helps streamline my time in the library by narrowing what I am looking for), try to gain new experiences at the convention whether that is game with new people who have a "players wanted sign" like at BGG or teach a game you know to others who have a "Teachers Wanted" sign like at BGG, grab food/coffee/other with others, pick one thing each day in advance that you are looking forward to, and lastly make sure to take a step back and realize the great community that is at the convention while trying to not get too caught up in the logistics of the whole thing (see the trees but appreciate the forest).
Hope this helps, and feel better!
My tip is definitely bring some fruit to the convention, just an apple, a banana, some grapes easy to eat and it gives you the energy you need.
First of all, I hope you feel better soon. Secondly, and this adds to the planning, prepare for an exhbition well beforehand. Print out a smaller version of the exhibiton map and highlight who you want to see, so you can easily find them. Accompany that with an exhibitor list, so if you spot something, you can note it down and maybe come back to it later. The list also allows you to remember why you wanted to see a certain exhibitor.
Another tip is that, if you intend to go to an exhibiton only for one day, then the last day tends to be the quietest, meaning you are more likely to see the people and exhibitors you want to see. Even though exhibitors will be itching to go home, they usually have done all their meetings and caught up with business contacts, so they are happier to talk to you. Also, exhibitors want to take as little home with them as possible, so the last day is when you can get a good deal or even something for free. However, it also means that the popular items will be sold out of course.
And finally, do stay hydrated. Have a water bottle with you all the time and keep sipping. Exhibition halls are an artificial environment that will dehydrate you very quickly, even if you're just staying at one stand all day - and even more so if you walk around the show. So keep drinking.
Thanks Rodney!!! Can’t wait to hear from Maggi too!!!
If you're going to buy games, especially at one of the larger conventions, get in touch with your FLGS before hand to see what they're going to stock anyway. With improved distribution networks games, even new releases, are in stores shortly after the convention and it saves you having to lug it all back with you. Instead, look out for less well known or rarer games that will be harder to get hold of when you're home.
I'm glad you mentioned cough drops. Secret Pro Tip: a few cough drops each day can help prevent your voice from going out as quickly at the longer, noisier conventions, like Gen Con. I'm always completely hoarse after Gen Con, but daily cough drops can help me eek out an extra day or two before my voice goes out.
i think Lincoln once told me he also brings a small humidifier to shows to help with this. I have yet to try this baller move even though I lose my voice by day 2 at every show
then i noticed lincoln later in the comments saying just this thing!
A good breakfast is very important. Before conventions they are extra important. and bring some fruit. Always good and healthy. Apples are the best. Softer fruits can get smashed in your backpack and just leave a mess.
There are some drops you can get at least at German pharmacies, which are meant for professional singers and people who have to talk a lot. They usually also help with a slight cough, but also are miracle workers to keep your throat going, especially if you have to talk (or shout) a lot. Those drops kept me going through several Gamescoms on booth duty. Also I usually bring candies for the people explaining games to me as a token of appreciation and for their throats :)
@@wasserdrache5881 what's in the drops?
I usually do a lot of preparation for the Spiel and go through the new releases to pick out, which games intrigue me the most, prioritize them and mark them on the floor plans, so I don't miss out on them. Then I check which of my "must have" games allow a preorder with pickup at Essen and preorder them. It takes a lot of stress out of the shopping, especially if you are on the hunt for those games that are quickly sold out. After 15 years of Essen you develop a pretty good intuition and knowledge on which booths to collect first, because the games might be sold out quickly or develop an insane line within minutes after opening. Also I check the actual prices for older and new games I'm interested in, so I can check if the "special offers" are as special as they claim (some stores tend to overprice quite a lot on cons). If you go by car, try to get to P2: it is just beneath the Fitz Patricks, it has a shuttle and it takes you not long to drop your precious finds by your car, so you don't have to carry everything around for the rest of the day - plus you can refill liquids and snacks (Those without car can drop their goods at the cloakroom). Last but not least with the other good tips listed in the comments, if you are unlucky to run a blister, I always carry blister patches. there is one brand in Germany (they have a teal box) which are really good. They stick extremely well, if you warm them with your hands for a minute and rub them well on.They sooth the pain within minutes and you can just keep walking. Also when your feet are getting tired and sore: foot cooling spray. and later at the hotel treat your legs and feet with some cold water and rest them high (don't know how it is called in English, basically rest on the bed and stuff some pillows beneath your legs).
I'm going to PAX Unplugged for the first time this year. And it's a big Con. I was nervous about what do and this really helps me. Thank you soo much!! Hope you feel better soon!
hope you have a blast at PaxU. I'll be there saturday and sunday, my first year at this con!
I have never been, but, I am hoping to go to Gen Con next year, so this was really cool! I think when you sprayed your face on the VLOG you increased your chances of getting sick...... it was funny, but just saying. Thanks Rodney!!!
One of the important things is where to go and to know what games to buy or play. Ussually you can find preview lists of what games and demo´s will be at conventions and hall plans online. Just print them out and mark where you want to go and in what order so you are not backtracking much specially big events like Essen. Just dont lose the hall plans like i did lol. Because you can not play every game, you can watch playthroughs on youtube because some publishers or reviewers will have videos up already showing the game and even how to play. This way you decrease the risk of buying a game you potentially will not like when you dont have an opportunity to play it at a convention but still want to buy it. Also make a budget of what you want and can spend and dont exceed it like i do. Also ask if you can demo a game for a few rounds just to get the feel of the game. I found that sometimes they played a whole 1+ hour game and i ussually get a feeling or a game in less the half of that time. Just say ahead of time that you just want a short demo. Some games are stil playable after a person leaves and others not. just be honest upfront about the time you have or are willing to spend. Some publishers have demo´s that require you to register and then you have to be there at a certain hour. I had it at Essen for Wildlands. Ask them if they have that kind of a registration so you know you kan demo at a certain time instead of comming back to full tables every time and having to wait. Be mindfull of your possesions. Even tho mostly everybody is there to have a good time and not steal from others, the thefts from publishers at Essen thought me you can never be too carefull. A backpack is ok but dont keep your wallet in there. Same goes for your phone. And whatever you do, have fun.
gonna dig into the comments here to make sure I don't tread too much common ground! Rodney has already checked off so many amazing tips I got to really shore up my list to things more specific to me :D
Feel better, Rodney!
That is a sweet stow away bag! What is it?