Con-cation: The Ultimate Guide

What, you’ve never heard of a con-cation? Okay, I admit, it’s a word very specific to my personal interests, and a word I definitely just made up, but it’s going to be a thing. I promise. By now I’m sure you’ve figured out that I’m talking about a vacation centered on attending a comics convention. From San Diego to Seattle to New York City, comics conventions have been steadily taking over tourism industries for the past decade. In fact, most conventions sell out within days of the tickets becoming available, drawing excited fans from around the world.

While I attend conventions for work, most people go for fun. But spending four to five days in outrageously crowded convention centers with expensive food, long bathroom lines, and unpredictable air conditioning can sometimes be more stressful than a vacation should be, so I’m sharing my tips for how to get the most out of your con-cation. After all, you shouldn’t come home feeling more exhausted than you were when you left, right? And after twenty years of attending comics conventions as both a fan and a professional, I definitely have some genius strategies for making it out alive. 

ARRIVE EARLY 

I make sure to tack on an extra travel day. Not only does this allow me to settle in leisurely, but I avoid the con crowds in the airports and generally save a little money on the flight. It also gives me the benefit of settling into my hotel, unpacking, and overcoming any jetlag. By giving yourself a day of rest before you hit the hall, you begin an arduous journey with max stamina—which you’re going to need. It’s a great opportunity to meet up with any friends in town and have a calm dinner or a few drinks, since even the best intended schedules can go haywire during con time. If you’re visiting a new city, it’s even a fun idea to do some sightseeing and experience the town outside of a climate-controlled convention center. 

STOCK UP ON SNACKS AND SELF-CARE ITEMS 

I’ve never—NEVER—been to a comics convention with appetizing food being served inside. It’s generally almost edible nachos, room temperature hot pretzels, junior high school cafeteria pizza, or greasy sandwiches that are neither hot nor cold. So throw some good food into your suitcase or shop when you arrive, because you’ll need it. I like to bring individual bags of nuts, fruit leather, M&Ms, Goldfish crackers, sunflower seeds, and trail mix—stuff that gives me a good, sustainable boost of energy without feeling like total health food. I mean, you’re on vacation, right? Take a little time to scout for good eats outside the convention center. By lunchtime, you’ll want a break from the crowds and sitting down to a nice, quality meal is going to feel better than succumbing to the snack bar. 

Make sure to grab things like hand sanitizer, vitamins, Emergen-C, travel sized bath soaks, band-aides, and sunblock. Trust me, you’ll be glad you have them. Cons are germ factories and nothing feels worse than coming home from a vacation with a nasty cold. Take care of your body, you’re going to be up from morning until the wee hours. My feet get incredibly sore from all the walking, so I always bring a travel sized bottle of Epsom salts for a soothing soak in my hotel room. Balance your self-care time with your con time and your body will appreciate it. 

INVEST IN A GOOD BAG 

If I had a dollar for the number of times I thrashed my shoulder by lugging a heavy bag around a con, I’d be able to afford the bag I carry now. You’re going to buy stuff, probably a lot of stuff, so be prepared. Don’t use a thin-strapped backpack or messenger bag; get something designed to support weight without inflicting pain. Check out REI for a camping bag or proper bike messenger bag—a good one will set you back around $75, but you will appreciate it when you don’t have angry red welts at the end of the day. 

PACK MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU’LL NEED

Let me be real about something: conventions are disgusting. You are going to sweat. You are going to eat weird food. You’re probably going to smell bad. It’s okay, just don’t make it worse by not having enough clothes to change into. Throw a few extra t-shirts, a couple more pairs of socks, and twice the number of underpants you think you’ll need. Give yourself an hour in the late afternoon/early evening to visit your hotel, take a quick shower, pop your vitamins, and change clothes. Be fresh for nighttime activities and don’t drag the stink of the day around with you. 

DON’T BE “THAT GUY”

Cons are an awesome place to make new friends and catch up with old ones, but please don’t be the guy everyone dreads seeing. Don’t be gross toward people in cosplay, don’t make nasty remarks, don’t touch ANYONE without their permission, and don’t take photos without getting explicit verbal consent. Yes, you will see lots of attractive people at the con, and many of them won’t have a lot of clothing on—that doesn’t mean it’s an open invitation to be a pig. They are dressing up for themselves to show off their craft, so treat them with the respect they deserve. I’m serious. No one likes that guy.