More San Diego Convention Survival Tips

I know...it's not Friday. But I do have those tips promised on Thursday, so let's jump right in.

Convention Essentials:

Sure, you’ve done Mega-Con and Heroes-Con. You’ve done so many Wizard Worlds you are on Gareb’s Christmas Card list. Now you’re about to do your first San Diego Con. Don’t get cocky thinking you’re an old hand at con prep. This show is a completely different beast.

*First things first, start walking NOW! If you’ve ever been wiped out walking the floor at Chicago, you’re going to be useless by Saturday. San Diego is four and a half days of comics and pop culture in the space of roughly four football fields. “Comfortable Shoes” is good advice for any convention. With San Diego, you’re actually better off going that step beyond by training and making sure those shoes are broken in. You’re going to walk the floor multiple times. You’re going to climb steps to get to panel rooms. You’re going to walk around the Gaslamp. You’re going to walk to your hotel or the Trolley stop.

*Cell Phone - These are pretty much a given anymore, but I’m sure there’s a few out there that are ludites or Maybe think they’re “edgy” iconoclasts by not packing a phone. At San Diego you’re better off having one so you can keep in contact with your group in case plans have to change at the last minute. Just snag a TracPhone at Wal-Mart or Dollar General ($20 give or take) and buy some extra minutes to get through the weekend. You can be edgy when you get home or keep it active if you gave anyone that number instead of your regular home number.

*Business Cards - Books and samples can find their way into hotel room trash cans. Business cards on the other hand go into wallets or badge holders. (Not to say you can’t give samples or books…just make sure you do the card swap separately.) As far as the cards themselves, all I can say is make sure you have the info you want on them. An email, a site address, a contact number…all are good. Maybe saying what you do (writer, pencils, lettering) so when they find the card later they’ll have a better idea of who you are and if you might be useful down the road.

*Hit the drug store - There have been times when the Digital Webbing booth has also served as a pharmacy because one of our people had a headache or hangover or con throat. Do yourself a favor and hit the CVS before you get on the plane or the road. Aleve, Chaser and Sucrets are your friends. You might also snag a roll of antacid (Rolaids or Tums) and some mints. Convention Center Pizza is bitch…and a bitter, unforgiving one at that. Some medicated powder for your feet might be wise too in case you didn’t follow the “start training” advise.

*Check the ATM Status - You might be lucky and have a nationwide bank with branches in Southern California. More likely, your bank is regional and if you use your card at the con you’re going to get slammed with ATM fees. Look into using American Express gift/travel cards. There’s a minimum you have to put on to get one (I want to say $500, check your bank) but you’ll be able to use it like a credit or ATM card and you’ll have the usual AmEx protection they offer with the travelers checks if it’s lost, stolen or magnatized. The local Dollar General has a Master Card version of the AMEX cards that can be recharged as well (and isn't as strict on dollar minimums) if you prefer to avoid ATM fees, big Credit Card bills and identity theft but don’t want to pack a wad of cash.

*The Event Guide - When you check in for your badge you’ll get a program, but the Event guide with your floorplan, full list of publishers, celebrities in the autograph area and panel schedule may be a separate publication that you’ll have to track down by the doors. While you can get away with bypassing the program at a Wizard show for the most part, the San Diego Event Guide can save your life. You’ll have what I mentioned above along with capsule descriptions of every exhibitor, information on Con Exclusives, info on portfolio review schedules and how to get your stuff looked over by specific publishers. A daily “Newspaper” is also produced Thursday-Sunday with any schedule changes or last minute guests and panels.

*Backpack, Bottled Water and something to eat for a quick energy boost- The Con prohibits rolling backpacks and handcarts during the show. This is a good thing because (1) there’s a lot more small children at San Diego than at Chicago and I’ve lost count how many times I’m seen kids and adults tripped by someone who decided to use their smaller rolling suitcase to carry their con booty, and (2) there’s nothing more annoying at a con then being in line behind the guy packing three copies of everything [creator X] has ever done and wants the guy to sign every single one of them. If you’re attending as a fan, decide what you REALLY want to have signed and toss it in the backpack. It will be better for you than carting around a “short box” all day or dragging one of those oversized plastic handled Tokyopop bags. You can also use that backpack to save a little money on drinks by keeping a bottle of water (refillable at any water fountain) and maybe an energy bar if you start getting hungry but are a little leery of paying for con-food.

*A Budget- This is important for the first-timer. You’ll have already bought your plane ticket and badge, but you’ll have to pay for your hotel at checkout…eat…and you’re going to an event that will have every comic, toy, statue, and art supply item you’ve ever wanted. Not to mention celebrities with 8 x 10’s and creators with original art for sale. Plan ahead. Make a “Must Have” list…maybe put a price range on it so you don’t go overboard on that replica of the bust that controlled the entry to the batpoles.

*Mailing Supplies- Wouldn’t hurt to take some flat rate Priority mail boxes with you. Especially if you were close to the luggage weight limit on the flight out. There’s a post office at Horton Plaza where you can mail your con booty home from, but it’s a madhouse the Monday after the con. Best to be able to go ahead and pack it all up at the hotel room rather than spend your morning waiting in one line to get the supplies then another to actually mail things out.


“Oh Crap! I forgot…”:

It never fails. For all your planning you’re going to forget something you’re convinced you’ll need. You’ll go into a blind panic trying to get a replacement…unless you know where to go ahead of time. That’s what this portion is for.

Art Supplies- Granted you’ll be able to grab the essentials you might have forgotten on the show floor. But if you need things prior to Preview Night or after show hours, what do you do then? Well luckily there are a couple of handy retail options in the downtown area. Closest to the Convention Center is an OFFICE DEPOT. (825 West E street) while not ideal, you’ll be able to grab an extra Kneeded eraser, microns, battery operated pencil sharpener and pencils of various lead varieties. You can also knock out some extra copies of your samples while you’re there. This location is open until 7pm weeknights and until 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you need something a little more specific, there is a DICK BLICK store in Little Italy. (1844 India Street) http://www.dickblick.com/stores/california/sandiego/ The store is open until 8pm weeknights, 7pm Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. IIRC, there was a “local” sale going on last year during the con. You might sign up for the store’s email list in case they do that again…you might be able to get a better deal on pads of Bristol than on the con floor.

Toiletries- You’re looking at 5 to 7 days in a hotel…likely with one or two roommates. The little soap bar and test tube of Neutrogena won’t cut it. And trust me…You had better shower every day. If you’ve never experienced the “fanboy funk” first hand…Let’s just say it’s not something Rick James wrote about his love for the old Luke Cage comics. You don’t want to be the guy who got sprayed with Febreze when he stopped at the Digital Webbing booth. If you run out or left behind your shampoo shaving stuff or deodorant, you can always run to the Ralph’s Supermarket downtown. At Horton Plaza there’s also a number of places you can grab those items ranging from Long’s Drug Store to the more upscale Bath & Body Works or Gap Body.

Tune in next time as we look at panels at the con and go in depth on the cheaper dining options.