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Post by miss_lizzie on Feb 8, 2015 17:02:35 GMT
I've seen people talk about comic cons, but I've never been to one and aren't sure what exactly they are. I saw one this summer that I'd like to attend--a catcon!--but it's the inaugural one so I don't know what it will be like. What are cons like? Do people stay at the same hotel? Any general info would be great. I'm trying to talk my DH into going with me, but he's not big into crowds.
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Post by bc2ca on Feb 8, 2015 17:17:01 GMT
A "con" is a convention. There is likely to be a mix of classes, seminars and trade show. Depending on how it is organized, there might be meals included or you can be on your own for all or some of the meals. A small convention might be held in a hotel, so staying there has advantages (going up to your room between events, not having to commute in the morning) and probably a discounted rate.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Feb 8, 2015 19:08:24 GMT
Thanks! I'm really excited to go (even if my DH doesn't want to)!  |
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:58:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 19:20:40 GMT
A couple of my friends go (they are in the DC area) and she posts photos of their family and they have a blast. They get totally into it and are total fans! They dress up and are absolutely cute!
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Deleted
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Aug 18, 2025 19:58:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2015 19:37:18 GMT
I've seen people talk about comic cons, but I've never been to one and aren't sure what exactly they are. I saw one this summer that I'd like to attend--a catcon!--but it's the inaugural one so I don't know what it will be like. What are cons like? Do people stay at the same hotel? Any general info would be great. I'm trying to talk my DH into going with me, but he's not big into crowds. "Con" is short for convention. What they are like varies a great deal. Some are opened to anyone interested in going (many comic cons) some are by invitation or only to those working in the industry. The one you are interested in should have an agenda of activities. But normally there will be some classes, vendors, meet-n-greet types of things. Remember all the talk of CHA (craft and hobby association) on the 2peas boards? That was one type of convention. Dress is going to depend on the type of convention (business casual is pretty standard) and the atmosphere the organizers want. So a comic con or one devoted to steampunk themes may be "dress up" in costume while a convention for cats may be more business apparel although cat related costumes might be welcomed. You should be able to get an idea from the literature promoting it. eta: if possible I'd try to stay at the hotel is is being held in, or one very close. Saves on needing a rental car, dealing with parking and driving in a new city. Also lets you escape to your room for a rest if you feel the need. |
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scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,672
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Feb 8, 2015 19:42:36 GMT
We go every year and have a blast. My sons go in costume, but my dh and I just wear a nerd shirt. Our comic con is split up into 3 areas; celebrity row, artists row (comic book artists, painters, etc), and merchandise row. Celebrity row is where you go to get autographs and/or pictures. You need to get in line and pay for each celebrity you want to meet. Artist row is where you go to meet the comic book artists. You can even commission a piece of art. Then there are rows and rows where you can buy merchandise.
There are also panel discussions where you can hear the actors and artists talk. The Star Wars 501st loves to give a talk about their awesome costumes. Oh, and of course there are always costume contests.
We usually meet what ever celebrity the kids want to meet, do some shopping and check out the artists at work, and go to one or two of the discussion panels. And we do tons and tons of people watching. It's awesome! Since the comic con we go to is only 30 minutes away, we don't get a hotel. But there are people who travel to town for the event, and they rent out rooms for the night.
If you are planning on going, be sure to arrive early. It can get packed with people. And if you plan on shopping, bring something to carry your purchases in. The shopping bags they give you, will not last.
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944 
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Post by Grom Pea on Feb 8, 2015 20:34:51 GMT
Be prepared to wait in line, basically you wait in line to get in, to see a panel or to post to get an autograph. Its a whole lot of waiting but its fun. I've been to CHA and to Disney's D23 convention. I dressed up for the latter. Its really a place for like minded folks to gather and enjoy a similar subject, in my case crafts and Disney :-)
I live near they host comic con in San Diego. I've been told by coworkers that you might wait 5 hours in line to buy a ticket for next year, just so you don't have to win a lottery to get a ticket. It biggles my mind that out of the 3 days you're there 5 of those hours are just spent guaranteeing you can return, but my boss did it two days in a row because they limited the number of tickets sold each day and he missed out on the first day.
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Post by miss_lizzie on Feb 8, 2015 21:18:42 GMT
Thanks, everybody! It sounds like so much fun! (And I'll start saving my money now because I KNOW there will be things I need to buy!)
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Post by sacteach on Feb 8, 2015 21:23:57 GMT
For a new con, I'd really look into who is organizing it and if it is their first ever con to plan. If it is, I'd be a bit more leery (not saying it wouldn't go well) but there are companies that are REALLY good at putting together a con and some that are run by people who just think it's "fun". I've been to a few but they were very well organized and consisted of what others have talked about - panels/discussions, Q&A sessions, photo/autograph sessions, vendor hall, large group events (concerts, opening ceremonies, etc.)
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Post by smokeynspike on Feb 9, 2015 0:29:43 GMT
I went to Comic Con last year here in Salt Lake and it was the only time I plan on going. We got in for free, but it was a mess of people, so much in fact that the fire marshal shut down entrance for a long time because they were over capacity. There wasn't really room to move around and once you were in a line, you couldn't really get out against the opposing traffic. Some of the booths were cool, but most weren't really all that interesting to me. I would say my family is pretty nerdy too so it wasn't like this was outside of our interests.
Melissa
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Post by artisticscrapper on Feb 9, 2015 0:56:14 GMT
When I saw your title I thought you meant 'convicts'.  Guess I'm more tired than I thought. |
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Post by OntarioScrapper on Feb 9, 2015 5:50:11 GMT
I used to go to a Star Trek con in the 90s. Then it turned into something different and really expensive. I took my kids to an inexpensive Transformers con and they loved it.
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Guess I'm more tired than I thought. 