HOW TO "DO" A FURRY CONVENTION
By Kiran Lightpaw (kiranlightpaw@gmail.com)
http://www.kiranlightpaw.com/



This is a short list of things to consider bringing with you to a furry 
convention. I tried to focus more on some of the lesser-thought of items that 
people might forget (obviously, I'm not going to include clothing or the like in
the list). 

Many of the items on this list come courtesy of Matt J. McCullar's excellent 
"What to Take to a Con" list that was posted to alt.fan.furry in February of 
2000. His list, in turn, was based on an older list that originally turned up at
A-kon 8 and likely has been circulating in the Science Fiction fandom for years.
This is simply my next revision of the list of things that I have observed come 
in useful, particularly at furry con.

So, without further adeiu...

* MONEY! There are lots of things to buy at furry conventions. You can visit the
dealers den, the artists' alley, the art show, the auctions, and much more. But 
you won't be buying anything from anyone at the con if you don't have any cold, 
hard cash. 

I generally recommend carrying a limited amount of cash on you when traveling, 
as this will make you less of a target for crime. Carry the rest in traveler's 
checks which can be obtained at your local bank. When you arrive in the host 
city, you can cash these at banks nearby or occasionally at the hotel. I would 
NOT recomment relying on credit/debit cards or checks exclusively. Very few 
dealers at furry conventions accept credit or checks, and most places in the 
host city won't accept out-of-town checks. ATM machines in the hotels will 
often run out of money, leaving you with no cash.

Carry small bills. Dealers will love you. Keep track of how many checks you've
written - you don't want to get down to the last one and realize you have no
more money.

Be sure to write down the serial number on travelers' checks, as you won't be
able to get a refund if they're stolen without these. Keep the serial numbers
somewhere other than your wallet. Carry your wallet and/or checkbook in your
front pocket, as this will make live miserable for pickpockets.

Put simply: carry a small amount of cash, a large amount of travelers' checks 
(which can be converted back to cash), and credit/debit for an emergency backup.


* A LIST. Write down some of the things you are looking for. Einstein said that 
if it's written down, you don't have to remember it. Write down things that you
are looking for in the dealers den and which artists you wish to visit in the 
alley - movies, CDs, prints, comics, books, anything you really want. 


* SCHEDULE. Don't wait until the convention to get your schedule - look it up on
the website before the convention and plan accordingly. If you have your 
schedule before get there, you won't accidentally plan a game of D&D during the
comedy show you really wanted to attend!


* TOILETRIES. Specifically, remember soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste.
Those little shampoo bottles and soaps the hotel provides will NOT last all 
weekend, especially when you have a bunch of people in your room trying to use
them. Be sure to wrap anything liquid - toothpaste, shampoo, soap - in plastic
bags as these have a habit of exploding during travel, showering your clothing
with liquid. Be sure to bring plenty of deoderant, but go light on cologne as it
can often irritate people with sensitive noses. And always remember that there 
is no substitute for a daily shower!

Also in your toiletries bag:

  - Tweezers & Nail Clippers- something you never think about until you really 
    need.

  - Pepto Bismol - You may have a reaction to the water, or simply get some bad
    food. The hotel gift shop can usually price this stuff into the stratosphere
    since they know you'll need it. Get the pill form, as pills will travel 
    better than liquids.

  - Vitamin C tablets - vitamin C can boost the immune system and help prevent
    the onset of CON CRUD - that mysterious disease that can spread at 
    conventions. Best to start taking it a few days before you leave and a few
    days after you get back.

  - Pain Killers - headaches happen, and you wouldn't want to be without these
    little wonders when they do. Cough tablets are another good item to bring
    as well.

  - Prescription Meds - Bring extra in case you lose one under a bed or get 
    stuck in town for some reason.

  - Birth control and/or condoms - as the Boy Scouts say, "Be Prepared!"

  - Sewing Kit - especially important if you have a costume or fursuit, and for
    more mundane uses like fixing a button.

  - Extra pair of glasses/contacts. Can you see well enough to drive home 
    without them if they get lost? If you have glasses, it might be a good idea
    to also include a pack of mini-screwdrivers to fix your glasses when one of
    those little screws pops out.

  - Earplugs. Have you ever been in a room with someone who snores? Are you a 
    light sleeper? This is a must.


* A SET OF NICE CLOTHES. Wear something nice to the dance. Most people don't, so
you'll stand out. The good kind of stand out. Also, you might decide to spring
for a snazzy restaurant one night! Other clothing items to consider...

  - Swimsuit. Relaxing in the hotel pool or whirlpool is a good way to end a day
    at a convention. (Remember - not a substitute for bathing!)

  - Towel. Douglas Adams said, "A towel is about the most massively useful thing
    an interstellar hitchhiker can have" - and he wasn't lying. There are never
    enough towels in a hotel bathroom, and they're never big enough or fluffy
    enough. Also good for the swimming pool.

  - Pillows. If you're picky about your pillows, bring your own.


* COMFORTABLE SHOES. You are going to be doing A LOT of walking, so you want a
pair of shoes that will offer good support and be comfortable. Sandals are not
recommended as many hotels will not allow them outside the pool area. Be sure to
also pack extra pairs of socks for your shoes. Wear a clean pair of socks (and
underwear) every day.


* SLEEPING BAG. You might be the unlucky sap who ends up on the floor. Don't 
count on everyone else to give up their covers for you! 


* AIR MATTRESS AND PUMP.  If you do end up on the floor, you might as well be
comfortable. If you do bring an air mattress, be sure to bring a pump - 
inflating it the old-fashioned way means your roommates will have to either step
over you all the time or drag you out into the hallway after you've passed out 
from lack of oxygen. Of course, you could sleep in the tub if you don't mind a
rude awakening when one of your roommates stumbles groggily into the bathroom
and turns on the shower...


* FLASHLIGHT. Another one of those things you don't think about needing until 
you do. The power might go out - or you might need to find your way to the
bathroom in the middle of the night through a minefield of people sleeping on
the floor. If you turn on a light, you might be burned at the stake!


* JAM BOX/WALKMAN/IPOD & HEADPHONES. Never hurts to be able to listen to those 
CDs you paid way too much for in the dealer's room. They make great for room
parties. However, be sure you have private headphones in case your roommates
don't share your taste in music . I like country music - how many other furs 
would like to listen to my Alan Jackson MP3s? :P


* COMPUTER. Laptop preferrably. If the convention has an internet room, it will
always be packed by all the suckers who DIDN'T bring a computer. Most hotels 
have wireless these days. Airport security also may ask you to boot up your 
laptop computer, so be sure to keep the batteries charged.


* COOLER. If you're doing a con on a budget, one of the best ways to save
money is to "brown bag it." By making your own food, you take out one of the
highest cost items at a con (after travel and hotel). If you're a finnicky 
eater (you know who you are), this may for the best. Other things to consider...

  - Lunchmeats. Bread. Mustard. Peanut Butter and Jelly. Making your own food is
    a LOT cheaper than McDonalds, and loads cheaper than the hotel restaurant.
    Better for you, too.

  - Sodas. If you drink sodas, bring your own. They are ULTRA-EXPENSIVE if you
    buy them from the hotel vending machines. Also, pack some bottled water, 
    fruit juices, or other non-carbonated beverages.

  - Munchies. It never fails: it will be 1:30 in the morning, you've just
    finished with Robin Hood, and the munchies strike. Have some snacks on hand.
    Cookies, chips, granola bars and the like are all good.

  - Alcohol. Nothing sucks more than having to leave a room party to go buy more
    booze. If you're going to drink, buy your alcohol before the party starts.
    Also remember that some places have weird laws regarding alcohol sales - be
    sure to be aware of these before you begin partying.

  - Plastic Bags. There are never enough trashbags in a hotel room to clean up
    after a really good party. Go easy on the hotel staff - they will love you
    for it. Plastic bags are also really good for keeping dirty clothes separate
    from clean ones - just be sure to hide it in your bag so the cleaning crew
    doesn't think it's trash!

  - Paper cups, plates, and utensils. If you are providing your own food, this
    is a must. They're surprisingly hard to come by when really needed.


* LOCKBOX - not just for Al Gore! If you're a dealer or are otherwise carrying
large amounts of money with you, it is probably best to lock it up. Oftentimes,
the hotel can store things for you in the hotel safe, but it is probably best
not to rely on it.


* GOVERNMENT IDENTIFICATION. Necessary these days if you're traveling by air,
but useful in other situations as well. Many cons will not allow you to claim a
badge without photo ID. If you're a foreign guest, have your passport with you
at all times.


* CAMERA. Think about all the great times you'll forget you had if you don't
capture them for posterity? I recommend bringing two cameras - one nice camera
and one single-use camera for situations where having a nice camera might not be
a good idea (like around a pool). If you've got a digital camera, bring extra
batteries and either extra memory cards or what you need to get them off your 
camera - those things fill up fast and you don't want to be sitting around going
through your pictures trying to decide what means the most. If you have a film
camera, bring extra film. Always travel with your cameras - they're prime 
targets for luggage thieves. Remember that if your film speed is greater than 
800, the airport X-ray scanners will mess it up so request a hand inspection.


* WATCH. Seems obvious. It will keep you on schedule. Set it to whatever time
the host city is in, so you'll be on "con time."


Some other things to remember...


* Pre-register! Pre-registering for the convention will save you both money and
time, as you won't have to wait in the registration line. Remember to bring 
proof of registration with you - an e-mail, reg verification printout, etc. It
may make your registration easier to find if it gets lost.


* Stay in the con hotel and book your hotel room early. You want to stay in the
con hotel - the last thing you want to be doing is trudging back and fourth each
day to another hotel while others are partying and having a good time. However,
the con hotel will usually fill up fast so book your hotel room early. Bring
proof of your hotel room with you as hotels have been known to lose 
reservations.


* If you are driving to the convention, have your car checked out before you set
off on the journey. Have the oil changed and make sure all your fluids and air
are within parameters. Carry a small toolkit and jumper cables in the car with
you - you never know when they may be useful. Don't "run on empty" ether because
you never know how far it may be to the next fuel station. Invest in a good road
atlas to help you get around any obstructions on your route. Plan your route
carefully and allow for bathroom and food breaks and rest along your route. If 
any service needs to be done, get it done several weeks before you leave.


* A small toolkit consisting of basic tools (wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, a
hammer, etc) should be in the inventory of any car owner. Useful for fixing 
small problems that can occur on an extended roadtrip, but also useful in a wide
range of situations - another one of those things you never think of until you
wish you had it.


* Be realistic when planning your trip. Don't expect to travel 900 miles in 12
hours - with breaks and traffic it is closer to 18. Don't try to pack four
people and luggage in a sub-compact car, for that is a miserable trip no matter
how long it is. Stop and take frequent breaks for both the occupants and the 
car, and at each stop check the fluid and air pressure levels.


* Get a spare car key made and put it in your wallet. That way you're not 
stranded at a rest stop in Missouri looking at your keys through a window.


* If you're flying to the convention or going by bus or train, keep your tickets
in a safe place. Appoint one person in a group to keep track of all the tickets
for the group.


* Under no circumstances are you to joke, AT ALL, with security, or do one 
within earshot with a friend. Certain words, such as bomb, gun, and related, 
will set off alarm bells with security people. Finish the humor before you get 
to the security area. If you listen carefully to what a security person tells 
you and do exactly as you are told, you should have no problems.


* All luggage looks the same at the luggage claim in the airport. Make sure 
yours stands out by tying a bandana or neon piece of tape to the handle.
Remember not to lock your luggage as the TSA will have to cut it off to inspect
it. Put your name on the outside and on the inside.


* Put your name and contact information on everything you bring. Laptops and 
sketchbooks can appear similar when laying on the floor next to each other - 
quickly be able to tell what is yours and make it easier to locate when lost.


* Do not hang anything from the sprinkler heads in the hotel room. Bad things
can happen that result in big bills.


* If you have any life-necessary medications, keep them on you at all times.
Write your name, contact information, information for a relative, and medical
conditions you have on a stiff card and keep it in your wallet - it is the next
place a paramedic will look if you don't have a medical bracelet.


* WATER. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. I cannot say this enough. And soda/coffee/whatever
is no substitute for water. You're going to be on the go for potentially 18-20 
hours - a schedule the human body isn't designed to run on for long. Please 
don't be that guy that has to have the paramedics called because of dehydration.
And, best of all, water is the secret key to recovering from hangovers!


* Remember the 6-2-1 rule: Get 6 good hours of sleep each night, eat 2 good 
meals each day, and take 1 good shower each morning. Budget your time 
accordingly and in a way that will allow you to see what you would like - there
is far too much going on at a furry con to try to do it all.


* Business cards are not just for suits - they're an ultra-convenient way to 
exchange contact information with all the friends you'll make. Be certain they
contain all your relevant contact information - website, e-mail, blog, etc - 
that you want people to have. Hand them out three at a time - people always lose
one or two, and this gives the opportunity for your contact info to spread.


* When fursuiting, take breaks often and drink LOTS OF WATER. You can overhead
and/or dehydrate incredibly fast in a fursuit.


* You will always come back from a con with more than you arrived with. Keeping
that in mind, be sure you have extra luggage space to accommodate whatever you
buy. You may consider bringing an extra bag if you intend on going on a mega
shopping spree.


* Get a spare key to your hotel room. Put it in a safe place (like your wallet).
This will save you the trouble of having to go to the hotel desk if you lock
yourself out.


* Leave the bathroom light on when you go to bed each night. It serves as an
excellent night light.


* Before you leave, check under the bed, dresser and in the shower. Black holes
in these locations suck in all the lost items in the universe. Be sure you note
the checkout times so that you don't get charged for an extra day for not check-
ing out on time.


And finally...

From the moment you step foot into the convention hotel, you will be serving as
an ambassador for the furry fandom whether you like it or not. You may be the
first interaction someone has with a furry. Try to make everyone feel welcome,
not terrified. Let's try not to make CSI and MTV look right.

If you are new to the fandom and this is your first convention, go out of your
way to say hello to people and talk with them. That's why we have cons - to peel
ourselves away from our computers and actually see other furs in real life! You
will see all sorts of people, but they all share the same common interest in 
anthropomorphics that you do. Thank the hotel and convention staff for making
all the magic happen. If you have any problems, bring them to the convention
staff - they are willing to assist all attendees but can't help if they don't 
hear from you.

Above all, bring a sense of humor, patience, and a willingness to have FUN! See
you at the cons!

EOF