Are you a first time fan or a seasoned Salt Lake Comic Con vet? The SLCC is right around the corner and it’s packed with tons of events, panels, booths and more. Here are several ‘tips’ to get you going. IMO, what makes a convention fun, it’s the sense that people are just geeking out together. If you can’t find someone to nerd out with at a con, you’re missing out. Get into it and get involved.
Get the Schedule
The Salt Lake Comic Con is awesome from the moment you walk in the door, and it’s very likely you’ll be excited or overwhelmed, or maybe a little of both. How are you going to get through it all with the short time the weekend offers? No worries, just get the schedule. Go to Saltlakecomiccon.com and for the technologically adept con-goers, there is an app for your smart phone to get all the info fitted neatly into your pocket to check at a whim. The Salt Palace will also have WiFi to help power that app as well as your other social media services to share your experience. And I’m sure that volunteers will be handing out maps and schedules in and around entrances all over the convention center.
Quench Your Thirst
…and hunger, really. SLCC will take a lot of energy because unlike reading funny books at home on the couch, you’ll be hiking all over the convention center as you complete objectives. You can save some extra cash and buy the expensive food, or you can stock up on small snacks to keep you energized throughout the day. Some like a Camelbak to stay hydrated. Maybe that’s for you, or maybe you’ll carry a reusable water bottle. Either way, stay hydrated! No one has a real Quick Revive if you faint, but medical personnel will be on duty to get you to a rest point.
Keep $ Safe
You’re going to need cash to grab the cool things you see, so start saving now (I mean, you have a few days right?) if you haven’t already set up that special SLCC bank account. This convention has a ton of wonderful knick-knacks, souvenirs, and everything else worth dropping the Benjamins. Not everything is expensive, but it all adds up as you fill your swag bag with gifts for you and your friends.
Remember to keep your cash safe. SLCC is a huge event with close quarter crowds, and a bump might knock your wallet free from your pocket. Make sure you keep your money and merch safe. If your hotel is close by, make pit stops to drop off the goods before going back for photo ops or catching after parties. There might be awesome honest people who will return a dropped load of cash, but there are those who’ve gone to the dark side who won’t resist temptation. Plan for the best safety possible. Maybe you have an inner pocket to use, or sew one into your Cosplay costume.
HYGIENE!
Salt Lake Comic Con is attempting to break the existing world record for the largest gathering of Comic Book characters this weekend. 70,000! The number seems exponentially bigger if you can smell each individual’s unique odor when showering has been neglected. Please, please, please – for the love of nostrils – freshen up with showers at your house, hostel or hotel.
Respect
Being respectful is a broad topic. There will be fans in Cosplay, and there will be authors/filmmakers/scenesters sharing sensitive first peeks at their newest of the new. Showing respect is important, so ask if you may take pictures or video or audio because not everything is fair game for your social media. Also, we all know some costumes will look super hot or sexy on some ladies and gentleman, but let’s not harass anybody, okay? We’re all there to have a good time as part of a special niche: all things nerd. So let the inner geek shine, and try not to rage if you get tired and cranky. Remember your schedule, remember your snacks, remember your money, and remember to respect yourself and each other. Basically, you’re going to get the most out of a con, any con, regardless of the size, when you put a little something of yourself in it. Have a blast this weekend & I’ll see you at the Salt Lake Comic Con.
-Dagobot
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