How to Prepare for Your Next Convention

Conventions, anime and other nerd conventions, are some of the most fun events I have ever experienced. With more than a decade’s worth of con-going experience under my belt, I can tell you that both of my home conventions, Otakon and Katsucon, have given me some of the biggest joys in my short 30 years of living on this earth. Nerds can be the absolute worst, but more times than not, coming together to celebrate similar interests has made my heart feel fuller than any Tom Hanks movie ever could. Thousands of con-goers venture into whatever venue to cosplay, debate, compete, and spend an offensively large amount of money in the Artist’s Alley. However, the wise man always plans ahead for debauchery. In this case, convention circuits need to be thoughtfully planned out in order to avoid being in the red the next time you receive a credit card statement. Before we get to the actual, physical convention, you need to plan. A lot of nerds make the mistake of under-preparing which can lead to a boatload of problems including dehydration, getting into debt, having to sleep on the floor of a gross hotel room, and being stranded at a derelict bus stop. We’ve all heard rooming horror stories, from trashed hotel rooms to 20 people to a twin bed, so let’s break down how we can AVOID that.

How do you prepare for a convention weekend? These can vary between three-day weekends, one-day affairs, to occupying your entire work week. What you begin with, however, is to be honest with yoursel…