Con Virgins in General -> FAQ

A couple of tips for those new to attending any convention ever (listed in no specific order and please feel free to add!)

- Register early. Very early. Most conventions reach attendance cap far earlier than anticipated.
- Make hotel reservations at the same time. Often this will fall off your radar as you get busy and you will find yourself registered with no accommodations.
- Scout the area. Know where you are arriving and how you will get from there to the hotel. Also know where nearby convenience stores are for the inevitable forgotten item(s)
- Research weather. Summer in NOLA is very hot and very humid. Pack with appropriate clothing, especially for any outings. In fact, with so many different workshops, panels, events and evening field trips, you may find yourself packing multiple outfits for each day.
- Stay hydrated. Running around any convention, it is easy to forget something like keeping a bottle of water on hand. Especially in the hot weather, you'll find yourself more energetic and healthy if you stay hydrated.
- Pack with enough room to bring home goodies. AAD NOLA will have lots of prizes, swag and giveaways. Make sure you can take 'em home with you. Alternatively, plan to ship stuff home.
- Bring a writing implement and notepad or electronic equivalent. There's lots to do and lots of information in every panel. Also, it's handy to mark events in the schedule to remember what you wanted to attend.
- Bring a camera. Shenanigans occur around every corner and you'll want to save the memories.

Another note: Remember that AAD involves lots of free books. If you're traveling by plane, consider a pre-paid USPS box instead of paying for the (heavy) books to fly with you. The Postal Service is fast, and the books will get to you in about 3-5 business days.

I know Stella has had them available at all the previous AADs.

Stella mentioned the USPS boxes when I had a question about AAD 2011. What a great idea for those of us who are flying there and to New Orleans next year. Stella is so organized and super about answering questions. She deserves the Con Organizer of the Decade Award.

Thanks for the information! 2012 will be my first CON...I'm really looking forward to it!!!

Wow, lots of firsties.

Do any of you have specific questions? This year is going to be larger than the previous AADs, but some of us are serious con veterans.

This is great information! AAD2011 is my first Con so this is good for me to know now. Thanks!

The shipping boxes are really great.

Absolutely if anyone has any questions - feel free to add them here. We can to the FAQ

taxis?

Shipping boxes are a great idea from and too, for those planning costuming for one or both of the balls. If you have a room, you may have something shipped to the hotel ahead of you. Just contact the hotel, and usually they are more than happy to assist you with this.

Also, remember, when traveling to places/events away from the convention hotel, it is always a good idea to a) notify someone at the convention/hotel of where you are planning to go and when you expect to return and b) it is always best to wander with a friend. Getting lost can be much more frightening when you are alone, and so hilarious when you are not.

WOOWOO wrote:

taxis?

Yes, there are taxis. The hotel and the airport both will have information, as well as the visitors center online. Go to http://www.visitphilly.com/ to find all kinds of useful information for traveling to Phillie. Taxis are usually more expensive; try to find shuttles or arrange to ride share with other travelers coming in. Creating a forum here for arrival times may be a good idea for those wishing to do just that.

Go Mavs!

thank you.

I think an arrival coordination forum would be a fabulous thing once we get closer...

good idea.
maybe a wed evening get together?
nothing formal get gather in a spot

Really like the idea of an arrival coordination forum. I'm not arriving at Philly airport til 8:15 on Wed. but also like the idea of announced spot for getting together that evening.

Ooh. Good to know. Might need to make special arrangements for NOLA then... it's a bit longer a drive than usual for me.

such good talking points...

the ladies are on the ball

2012 will be my first con, since I've been part of the writing/book world my kids have been too little. But 2012- my youngest will be 6 by then and hopefully able to be on his own.

I want to go to RT in Chicago and AAD NOLA- I'm dragging hubby with me to NOLA.

Chicago I think I can manage the drive on my own from MI. Not so for NOLA that's too far of a drive to be alone. (I don't do airplanes- another reason I haven't attempted going to any Cons before)

Roxanne, AAD is a wonderful con to try out. It's small enough to actually have conversations with people and not get lost or miss things because you lost track of time. (Although I have missed things because I got caught up, so it's not like you'll be bored.) Also, the food choices are spectacular. It's a more informal convention, with plenty to do and a really unique dynamic for the panels. Bring questions. The authors have always provided a more interactive dicussion type of panel at AAD. Even if you're not completely sure of a panel, it's often a wonderful time and very personalized. This is the con to be adventuresome at. It's also much more immersive - the authors are readers, too, so there are a lot of times when you find yourself unknowingly conversing with someone who turns out to be an author.

RT can be a little overwhelming, but is also fun. Make sure that you plan your itinerary beforehand, and keep an eye on the clock. As a reader, there are specific events the authors throw for you, and you don't want to miss them. There can be lines, and certain things fill up quickly, so plan a little extra time for anything you really want to attend - especially food. The panels are a more traditional lecture format - you may or may not actually get to ask your questions. Be prepared to listen - there's a lot of great information, but it can go by pretty quickly.

great tips

It is tips like that......that make me very excited! To actually talk/ meet some of the authors I read, is very excting! I bet a have a lot of "Oh my goodness" moments!

I have been to a couple of Lori Foster's Author/Reader events and thouroughly enjoyed them. Looking forward to a larger con experience. My question is whether it is frowned on to video/tape record panels? Some of us are not the world's best note takers.