For Christmas, the Other Half has very graciously gotten me tickets to Texas Frightmare Weekend, which means I’ll finally get to < hushed awe > touch < gulp! > my beloved Alice Cooper. Anyway, I’ve never been to anything like this before and I’d love to hear from others who have. So if you’ve done a Star Trek / furry / whatever convention, could you please share your tips, observations and anything else I might need to make this more awesome than it already is? I quiver in an-tic-i-pa-tion.
I’ve attended and run science fiction conventions, which are somewhat different from what you’re going to.
Be warned: The times I’ve been to conventions with media guests (as this had), the guest only put in a short appearance – one hour talk and maybe an hour autographing. It looks like this one has a few more events, and that they guests will hang around a bit more, but don’t expect to be able to really talk to any of them. Since there seems to be a lot of guests, though, there will be things to do.
Remember, too, that this sort of con is usually set up to sell stuff.
In fan-run SF cons, the guests mingle with the attendees the entire weekend and the dealer’s room is an adjunct (though a good place to run into people). There is usually more programming, too.
Basically, to have a good time, meet people, listen to them, join in when you have something to say – in other words, act like you’re here on the SDMB.
I’ve only been to one, the World Horror Convention in Kansas City, in 2003. I attended two days of the con – stayed in a hotel next to the convention site. There were panel discussions, a film festival, a gross-out contest, a costume ball, book signings (I got to meet Gary Braunbeck, who I’d chatted with on a message board) and rooms set up for dealers – books and artwork. We scored some free books, but mostly we spent a lot of money.
Wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing a lot of standing in line. Don’t be afraid to talk to your heroes – if they didn’t get off on the attention, they wouldn’t be there. Don’t try to attend every event – it won’t be possible, if yours is scheduled anything like KC. Don’t be shy about bargaining for reduced prices on stuff on the last day – they’d rather sell it than haul it back.
The highlight for me was Ed Bryant complimenting my daughter on her spider costume. And meeting Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (very nice lady) and Laurell Hamilton (very full of herself).
I’ve been to a couple of sci-fic conventions, a few comic cons, and at least one Star Trek convention.
They vary a lot depending on the size, but they all boil down to it being about dealers selling things.
Wear good shoes. Pack snacks and water. Food will be severely overpriced. Take lots of pictures and try not to stress about not catch panels. Plan around the ones you definitely want to get to.
Get a room at the actual no shit hotel, or the closest one to the venue.
I can not stress how valuable it is to be able to go back to your room, take a nap, take a fast shower, take a crap in private with nobody yammering on in the next stall. Having some place to dump the purchases you have made instead of having to schlep them around forever …
Get a ‘con bag’ a messenger bag is perfect. You can stash a bottle of water an some snacky stuff in it, that autograph book/cd/dead puppy doll so you actually have it in case of random autograph opportunities. You can keep a disposable camera with flash in it for random photo ops if you dont have a cell phone with camera. Some place for small purchases, a pen and notebook for swapping contact information [I have a friend who gets the blank print your own business cards and puts various bits of contact info on them to make giving out info easier.]
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I’ll definitely be prepared on the food and sensible shoes front, but tell me, how does the picture taking in the VIP line work? According to my package, it says I’ll be able to take one photo with Alice using my own camera. If I have a cell phone going off at the same time, is that okay?
Also, what’s the best thing to have autographed? I have a leather bracelet that I’m considering or would it be better to have something frameable?
I’m just hoping, that as a horror nut, I don’t just spend all my time there staring at him from afar. 'Cause I already know I’m going to be nothing but a blubbering idiot. Simply thinking about it has me stammering like there’s no tomorrow.
Bwahahaha! You know you’ve got the better story sweetie. I’m having to pay for the privalege.
I’ve only been to one, Dragon*Con, but I’m told the secret to keeping your sanity over 4 days of the kind of craziness that goes on at a big convention is to observe the 3-2-1 rule. Every day you should get 3 hours sleep, 2 actual meals, and 1 shower.
When I got my picture taken with the 2006 World Series trophy I gave my camera to someone who then took the picture. If I didn’t like how the picture turned out they deleted it and took another one. Of course the picture was not with a real life person so YMMV.
Whatever you have autographed remember that some things will fade over time. I usually get pictures autographed–they are easy to store and can be framed if you so desire. At my wife’s urging I have a couple of autographed baseballs. Over time the autographs tend to fade or become unreadable.
Okay, in Vancouver we were able to bring two items so I got my Aliced out biker jacket and the Along Came A Spider CD done. The way it worked was that I handed my camera to the store owner’s wife and she took the shot. I was able to click away in line and got another good shot plus a few through the window.
Oh, and he really is that nice. I brought along my stuffed chicken feather from one of the Lace and Whiskey tour dancing chickens. He took one look and said “You know, I married one of those chickens!”
Try to get in a word with Brian Nelson (Renfield) too. He’s also very willing to chat and of course he knows stuff that Alice has long since forgotten. I had a good five minutes with him while Alice continued with the lineup and believe me, it was almost as good as talking to Alice!
Here’s an idea for something to sign. Try to get Along Came a Spider on vinyl. It’s out there. I got mine for $30 Cdn at the vintage record shop I haunt. They do get in some current stuff. I don’t plan on actually opening mine though! It’s supposed to be coloured vinyl too.
Most of all, relax. We’ve got the nicest Rockstar on the planet. He’s going to seem just as delighted to meet you as you are to meet him. Our frontman and lead player from the band both had a really good experiance with the meet and greet thing too.
zoo, I’m so sorry I hadn’t replied to this sooner, but I thought I did. Ugh, I suppose senility is setting in. Anyway, thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll be on pins and needles until May and I’m sure all of everyone’s ideas will be rolling around in my brain endlessly in the interim.
I went to Anime Expo this past summer (want to return this year) and am planning to spend Saturday and Sunday at Anime Los Angeles. Some things I learned from going to conventions:
Get cash at your bank beforehand. The ATMs at hotels and convention centers charge an arm and a leg, plus the lines will be huge. The hotel I stayed at during AX was near a branch of my bank, so I was able to get cash with no problems.
If possible, stay at the hotel where the con will be held, or at least within walking distance. Some cons have a shuttle service between hotels affiliated with the con. You may need a special stamp on your con badge, though. At AX I was registered for all 4 days and stayed at one of the con-affiliated hotels, which supposedly entitled me to a shuttle stamp, but I did not get one, and neither did a lot of other people. One shuttle driver was not letting anyone on his shuttle who didn’t have the stamp, and this inconvenienced a lot of people. I made sure to go get my stamp ASAP when I saw this.
Ever heard the term “con funk?” It’s the smell of several unwashed bodies at a convention. This happens when people find a place to crash but forget to account for shower facilities. Don’t be one of those people. Also don’t be the guy/girl who falls asleep in the hallway or in the back of a room where a panel is being held. Arrange suitable accommodations to avoid these problems. (You’d be surprised how many people don’t know this.)
Oh yes, there will be lines. Lots of them.
There will also be people in costume. If you see any you like, ask before taking photos. Be courteous and don’t monopolize their time. I’ve seen this happen to girls in particularly attractive or popular costumes. Make sure your camera is in working order and bring extra batteries. I had just bought my digital camera in late June and was attempting to figure it out on the first day of AX. It was so embarrassing being trained in the use of my camera by the cosplayer I was attempting to photograph. He was very nice about it, though.
If you wear a costume, be sure it 's completely put together and have safety pins, bobby pins, and a backup plan in case your costume falls apart or otherwise malfunctions.
As a previous poster mentioned, bring water and snacks. Also a little notebook and pen for contact info.
I know some of the other posters already mentioned some of this, but I thought it was important enough to review. Have fun!
Also, check to see what the official costume policy is(best done at the website for the convention). Some cons have a “No face mask in the open hotel areas” rule to reassure the hotel staff, and others have some version of a weapons policy for the same reason.
Oooh, more suggestions! Thanks everyone. And since I probably should’ve addressed this sooner, here are some things pertinent to my going…
*I live close enough that I won’t need to stay in a hotel. So I think I’m pretty good with staying all showered up. Unless of course Alice makes me break out into an immediate sweat at the mere thought of being close.
*I’m not sure whether I’ll “dress up” or not. If I decide to, the costume is pretty simple with it only consisting of white tux, tails and the signature eye makeup. I think no matter what though, I shouldn’t have any restrictions on that.
*But I’ll definitely now remember to make sure I get money before hand. I hate paying ATM fees and that seems to be something that’s pretty hit or miss on escaping my memory to take care of in advance. Now I’ll be making notes!
Again, I appreciate everyone’s help. Gracias. Perhaps I should make a thread closer to the actual date asking opinions on what one question to ask him. Argh! Just so much to consider and prepare for. Heh.
I really REALLY know how that is. My musical goddess is Kate Bush (no relation to chimp!) and I’ve seen her in person a few times and met her once. I was a total doof and can never get that moment back. She was very very sweet though.
We’ve been to 3 Kate Bush fan conventions, one in Winnipeg, and two in London (she attended both of those). At least you’re in the same city! The time we met her was when she came to New York to promote an album (Hounds of Love) and we met her plane along with some other fans to welcome her to the states. She was very gracious and kind.
I’m not an Alice Cooper fan yet I’m getting a contact high of excitement just from reading this thread; I look forward to reading about your experience.
I went to Anime Los Angeles yesterday. I was going to go today also, but my child care fell through. Any way, I had fun. Made sure to bring my camera and lots of cash. unfortunately, my camera died halfway through and I had to buy a disposable camera at the hotel gift shop to get the photos I wanted. :mad: I also got a lot of shopping done in the dealers’ room, including some Sailor Moon VHS tapes that are long out of print - the Princess loved them and is considering cosplaying as Chibi-Usa (Rini) at this year’s AX. Plus I got to meet Kyle Hebert (Kiba from “Naruto,” also Aizen from “Bleach”) and got his autograph! Yay!
My sister used to work for Michelle Kwan’s manager and we went to ice shows every year. We got to have VIP passes and met tons of skaters. The one piece of advice I have is to make sure you have a good writing instrument to get autographs. If the background of whatever you’re having autographed is dark, a metallic Sharpie looks great, especially silver or gold. Anything autographed with a Sharpie lasts a good long time. You can practice at home with different pens on a similar surface to what you’re having autographed until you find the best look.
I found this out the hard way after my pen died! Most of the skaters came armed with their own Sharpies, which was nice.
Anyway, I’ve never been to anything like this before and I’d love to hear from others who have. So if you’ve done a Star Trek / furry / whatever convention, could you please share your tips, observations and anything else I might need to make this more awesome than it already is? I quiver in an-tic-i-pa-tion. 
