How to Prepare for Your First Convention

Attending conventions and meeting people are the two things I love the most about being a cosplayer. Every time I go to a con, it's like being at a party and seeing people in their costumes. If you're new to cosplay and searching for some ways on how to make your con experience enjoyable and memorable, then you have come to the right person. I've been doing cosplay for about four years and I get pumped planning for a convention. To me, it's like preparing for prom. I'll be sharing some pointers to make sure everything runs smoothly for you before your next convention.

• What to Wear?: Making a decision on which cosplays to do at a convention can sometimes be difficult. Be sure to pack the costumes you'll be wearing that weekend, as well as a sewing kit, just in case you have a wardrobe malfunction during the con. Also, be mindful of the convention's dress code before you arrive. Be sure to ask if you're unsure of something that is or isn't allowed to the con, to save yourself some time.
• Keep yourself fed and hydrated: Almost all of us have huge appetites, so pack lots of snacks and water that will last you through the weekend. Making sure that you have food in your stomach and being refreshed are a must because no cosplayer should cosplay on an empty stomach. Never neglect your belly and keep it happy.
• Cell Phones: You'll definitely need your cell phone or camera to take those awesome cosplay photos and post them on your social media pages. Also, make sure you bring your chargers along with you so that your electronic items don't give out on you. If you would like to take a photo with or of a cosplayer, please ask their permission first before doing it. Don't be that creep at the con attempting to snap a picture from behind and be seen by others.
• Hygiene Products: I know this is a very sensitive subject for most people, but it has to be addressed. Have bars of soap, shampoo, and other personal items in your bag. When you're at a convention, nine times out of ten, expect lots of people walking around in their costumes all day. After a few hours, you'll start to smell foul or unpleasant. As I mentioned in my story about cosplay do's and don'ts, the 6-2-1 rule is something we should apply to ourselves every time. So be sure you take your two showers a day.
• Con Badges: If you purchased a convention badge online, some conventions mail them out to you, while others require you to print out the information and present it to the staff at the convention you're planning to attend. It'll be shown as proof that it's really you. Convention badges are not cheap, so make sure you have either of them on your person and not lose them.
• Miscellaneous Items: It's important to keep yourself occupied whenever you have some downtime from the crowds. Have a game system with games, comic books, or whatever it may be to pack during con weekend. When I was preparing to attend a con in North Little Rock, Arkansas last year, I was searching in my room for things that I want to load. I packed my Power Rangers comic books and Blue Ranger plush. Besides packing my Blue Ranger suit, helmet, boots, shield, belt, gloves, gauntlets, and cuffs, those two items were the ones I packed in my large duffel bag. This was my first time going outside my area to attend a convention. Every year I would attend GlitchCon at the local Holiday Inn in town, which was not too far away from my home. However, since it was my birthday weekend, my friend and I headed to North Little Rock for the con together and arrived in about three and a half hours.

I hope these tips will help you enjoy your very first convention. Remind yourself that attending a convention is a privilege and not a right, so be sure to act accordingly at all times. Now, go out there, make some friends, memories, and have a great time.