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Fan conventions are great ways to meet people who share your interests and want to celebrate them. Conventions can also be crowded and hecticâbut donât let that ruin your experience. Whether youâre attending Star Wars Celebration or the San Diego Comic-Con, youâll need this survival guide on what to bring to your first fan convention.
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A Backpack
Make sure you bring a comfortable backpack so that you have a place to stash all of your convention swag! Youâll probably want to take home a couple souvenirs, and youâll need a safe place to store them.
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Comfortable Shoes
Conventions require a lot of walking around, which means youâll want to wear comfortable shoes to avoid blisters. Sport gym shoes or flats, because the only time youâll be able to sit down will be at panels.
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A Water Bottle
Staying hydrated throughout the long day is incredibly important. Bring a water bottle to refill so that you donât become dehydrated.
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Snacks
Youâll also get hungry at some point, and long lines for food can be scary. Pack high-protein snacks to keep yourself full until youâre able to eat a proper meal.
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A Portable Charger
Youâll probably spend most of your day on the convention floor, and there will be so many cool things to see along the way. Make sure your devices are fully charged so that you can take pictures and contact other members of your group. Bring a portable charger with you to ensure battery longevity.
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Cash
Having cash on hand at a convention is always a good idea. You never know which booths wonât accept credit cards, and paying an ATM fee is never fun.
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Deodorant
Conventions are known to get ripe due to the sheer amount of people. Make sure that person is not you and pack deodorant. Also bring some gum to make sure your hygiene is on point.
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A Poster Tube
Conventions usually feature talented artists and their work. There are also likely to be free giveaways throughout the dayâbring a poster tube to keep your exclusive artwork safe.
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A Schedule and a Map
Planning out ahead of time which panels and booths you want to hit up is crucial. Bring a schedule of all the panels as well as a map of the convention floor so that you know how to get where you need to be.
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Sharpies
Conventions are full of celebrities, authors, directors, and moreâthe chances that youâll run into some of them are high. Pack a Sharpie in case you get the opportunity to ask for autographs.
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An Extra Lanyard
Youâll most likely have a badge to get you in and out of the convention center, and having an extra lanyard is one of the best ways to make sure you donât lose it in case the first one breaks.
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Hand Sanitizer
While conventions are a great experience, the crowds are also known to get people sick. Have some hand sanitizer handy so that sudden illness doesnât ruin your experience.
Conventions can be pretty stressful, but knowing what to bring to your first convention will ensure youâre prepared for a positive, unforgettable experience.