The Beginners Guide to GenCon

A Beginner’s Guide to GenCon

The Best 4 Days in Gaming

With event lists that fill an entire book, gaming demos, tournaments, artists, writers, game publishers, designers, celebrities, and tons of stuff to see and buy it can be hard to wrap your head around just how big GenCon is. To give you an idea of the scale of the con, there are 16,000+ events held annually over 4 days. The ICC has 71 meeting rooms and 11 exhibit halls for 566,000 square feet of exhibit space. Lucas Oil adds an extra 183,000 square feet of exhibition space and 12 more meeting rooms, and all of the downtown hotels host GenCon events in their meeting rooms and ballrooms during all 4 days of the con. (Whew!) But don’t let that overwhelm you. So let’s tackle what to expect at GenCon.

*sources GenCon website:https://www.gencon.com/press/2018postshow ICC and LoS website: https://www.icclos.com/exhibitors/default.aspx

Large Crowds

GenCon draws in over 60,000 gamers a year. That means navigating a sea of people. Personally I normally avoid large crowds of strangers in my day to day routine, but when I’m at the con it really doesn’t matter. Maybe it’s the sense of belonging or the anticipation of all the cool stuff I’m going to see, but large crowds don’t bother me in this situation. Now navigating the crowds can be trying. Even staying aware of your surroundings you’ll be getting up close and personal you’ll still bump into people, step on feet, get your feet stepped on, etc. most convention goers know it’s bound to happen. So don’t worry if you accidentally run into someone, apologize, brush it off and move on, it’s all part of the experience.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

With large indoor crowds comes heat and dehydration. At GenCon it will set in before you know it. Have a bottle of water filled and ready to go, keep it in your backpack (I’ll get to that in a minute). And refill at water fountains whenever you get the chance, you’ll thank yourself.

Carry a Backpack or Bag

It is a very stereotypical thing to see people walking around conventions with a back pack or shoulder bag. Well there is a utilitarian reason, you can keep your water in there, along with aspirin, stomach medicine, Kleenex, board games, etc. And it also gives you a place to put some of your purchases. A backpack is essential, but not one that’s TOO big.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

It may seem like a play from Forrest Gump’s book, but a pair of good comfortable shoes will make or break your con experience. At any convention you will walk and walk and walk some more. Make sure your shoes are good and take a break when you need one. There will be so much to do you may not want to stop, but you most definitely should take a break from time to time.

Research

GenCon has A LOT of events going on simultaneously. Don’t ever think you’ll be able to do everything, you’d be lucky to experience 10% of it. Concentrate on going to events that really interest you, and if you don’t hit everything you want, let it go. Enjoy what you did, don’t lament what you didn’t. It’s also a good idea to know where your events are in relation to one another, at GenCon they can be spread very far apart. Have a map handy and don’t get lost.

Do Something Kind For Someone

Last but not least, do something kind for someone. Now, you should always be respectful and kind to people, and it’s easy to get caught up in the rush of the convention. But, making an effort to actually do something kind for one or more of your fellow con goers could make someones convention. And brighten your day as well. Up next I’ll discuss what to pack.

The Packing List

• Clothes and unmentionables for 4 days, plus extra (you never know what will happen)

• Hygiene stuff (cleanliness is next to godliness)

• Good walking shoes (really important!)

• Cooler w/bottled water, sodas, or anything you want to keep cold (winky face)

• Backpack (see above and below)

• Water bottle (remember HYDRATE!)

• Sunglasses (to be a cool nerd?)

• Swimming stuff (because you never know)

• Wallet or purse (duh!)

• Badges (“We don’t need no stinking badges!” just kidding you TOTALLY do)

• Phone

• Lanyard (a must for me at least)

• Portable Power Bank

What to Put in Your Backpack

• Water Bottle (HYDRATE!)

• Small Snacks (to keep you going)

• Pepto (or some other stomach meds, for changing up your diet for 4 days)

• Aspirin (a headache can ruin your convention experience).

• Pepto (or some other stomach medicine, for changing up your diet for an entire weekend)

• Tums (I’m getting old)

• Pencils/Pens/Markers (autographs, gaming, etc)

• Folder (I bring lists with me)

• Card Protector Boxes/Sleeves (for con exclusive card handouts)

• Fully Charged Power Bank (to keep your personal devices going as long as you)

• Portable Kleenex (allergies)

• Travel Size Deodorant (it can get HOT in Indy in August)

• Hand Sanitizer (to prevent the dreaded con crud)

• Poster Tube (to keep those cool autographs and art pristine)

• Books or Art you want signed by attendees

I tried to make an all encompassing list, there will probably be specific things you’ll need personally, but this is a very good start.

I hope I could help out, have a great GenCon!