Convention season is in full swing and the biggest US convention, Gen Con, is right around the corner. Everybody is excited to check out the exhibit hall and crush some games, but it’s also important to keep in mind some general tips that should assist you in being prepared for the Best 4 Days in Gaming!
There’s a lot of things that come off as common sense, but sometimes there are things people don’t seem aware of, and I’m here to point some out.
Take Care of Your Hotel Space
Indianapolis has a bounty of hotels, even if some people wished there were even more rooms connected via Skywalk to the convention center. Gen Con has grown in popularity and the downtown area is stressed with the influx of traffic and people that show up annually for the event.
Remember that hotels are not some throwaway amenity; they exist before and after the event for the public at large. It is a privilege to stay at a hotel and as such it is the responsibility of the temporary tenants to do their part in keeping their rooms and hallways in working order.
There’s no reason to break things within the buildings, including ceiling lights, walls, etc. If you need assistance with something mechanical, like a toilet, you can always call down to the front desk to ask for it. At the same time, remember that these hotels are PACKED during Gen Con, and therefore it can be a stressful time for the employees. Your requests may take longer than you would like, so please be patient.
As conventions grow, they offer up great hotels with wonderful hospitality. The conventions are so lucky to get hotels willing to work with them, and we are lucky to have these hotels available for us. DO NOT vandalize hotels. Do not break ceiling lights, signs, door handles, write on walls, and leave mysterious stains everywhere. Yeah, I’m looking at you Katsucon guests! Prices for hotels rise because of things like this.
Gen Con’s Housing Portal isn’t perfect by any means, but hotels cooperate in the process because it’s good for business. There are already not enough ‘good’ rooms to go around, so we can do our part to ensure that the hotels want to continue working with Gen Con in the future.
Celebrity Guests are People Too
Parasocial relationships are in abundance these days with social media, meaning that some people feel like they are on best friend basis with celebrity guests. It is important to understand that you likely aren’t, and you should be respectful of them and their privacy.
DO NOT stalk them, corner them, threaten them, touch them without consent, and etc. You treat them like any normal respectable human being.
Celebrities are more than the characters they play, and it’s important to separate the fiction from the real world. A persona that you might see on camera isn’t necessarily the same shown by the actor in question. Be respectful of this distinction.
Maintain Some Civility in Conversation
You’re going to see a lot of cosplay and people who are passionate gamers within their various fandoms. It’s perfectly fine to have debate about particular aspects of a fandom, but there’s no reason to take it too far. Intentionally going up to somebody to chide them for their choice of cosplay is out of line; let people have their fun with what they enjoy. Gen Con does not stand for Gen Conflict.
It’s always awesome to see the enthusiasm that gamers have, and Gen Con shows that off in full force. Keep in mind that people also spend a lot of time on their cosplays and you should never be touching cosplayers or their costumes without explicit, express permission. Asking to take a photo is also good etiquette in this arena.
Be Patient.
Trust me when I say that everybody has somewhere to be at Gen Con. There are constant crowds, lines, and gatherings for everything, and not just at the convention center. Nearby restaurants are generally packed to the gills, sidewalks are shoulder-to-shoulder, and it’s just…busy. We can all take a moment to breathe deeply and be patient.
Lines within the exhibit hall require even more patience, as you may be roped off in a line with a stream of people walking beside you as you wait to get your hands on that new board game release. Pushing, shoving, and cutting in line are not tolerated, so just wait your turn.
Everybody is Responsible for Safety
With over 70,000 gamers at Gen Con, there is a huge emphasis on safety, and it’s not something that you should take lightly. It’s important for us to look our for one another. If you see somebody being harassed, threatened, assaulted – or if it’s happening to you – bring it to a staff member or security’s attention. You shouldn’t rely on these things resolving on their own.
We want everyone to be safe at conventions, and so it’s also important to remember a few safety tips. Use a buddy system, offer help when you see it’s needed, and report activity that you think is infringing on anyone’s safety. If we all look out for one another, Gen Con will be a safer place for everyone.
Conventions are an amazing experience that people should get to experience, but it really is up to us to help create the best experience for each other. Let’s all do our part to make this the best Gen Con ever!
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