How to go about

[Khellen]

I know there are various topics coming many different parts of conventions (what they're like, how much money to take, Artist's Alley, so on and so forth), but I didn't really find one(recent one, at least) that covered all the topics are first, and then how to go about signing up, getting a room (and finding people to share it with, especially if you don't know any other furs in real life), plan tickets, so on and so forth...

And I was thinking about in last night as I was dwaddling over my resolutions. I'm at a complete loss--I mean, I get the basics about the pre-con packets, and having to reserve rooms really easily, but I can't help but feel scared for the first time I have to do it myself.

How would/do you go about doing it? What's first on your list? How early do you start?
Picking/finding roommates? Splitting the bill for the room? Is using a credit card the only way to reserve a room?
What about finding a buddy who'll show you the ropes, introduce you to other furs so you can get acquanted and make new friends (this is a biggy for me; I'm outgoing after a few minutes of speaking to people and getting to know them, or if I think I'll probably never see them again... but I have a feeling I'm going to be EXTREMELY shy about my first con)?

Why am I asking now? Well, I'm turning 18 this year, and my birthday gift to myself is going to be, first off, a fursuit, and then a trip to a convention.

So... help?
And I apologize if there's already a topic like this. I couldn't find it, or maybe I just didn't go far enough back.

[Kobuk]

You know, your topic here has given me the idea that someone could write a tutorial of sorts about how to prepare to go to a con.

How to arrange airfare.
Reserving a hotel room.
Seeking friends to ride with/roomshare.
Money issues.
How does one register for a con?
.....etc., etc., etc.

It would just be a step-by-step guide/tutorial on how to plan/prepare for a con. As much as I wish I could write this up myself, I have to say I have no plans to do so. I really don't know enough info. about cons to write something like that.  

[zwabbe]

Quote (Kobuk @ Jan. 01 2007, 2:42 pm)

You know, your topic here has given me the idea that someone could write a tutorial of sorts about how to prepare to go to a con. How to arrange airfare. Reserving a hotel room. Seeking friends to ride with/roomshare. Money issues. How does one register for a con? .....etc., etc., etc. It would just be a step-by-step guide/tutorial on how to plan/prepare for a con. As much as I wish I could write this up myself, I have to say I have no plans to do so. I really don't know enough info. about cons to write something like that.

That is a good idea ^_^

And seeing as I am in the proccess myself of trying to make my first con, anthrocon 07' I might do just that, But my main hassle is trying to find out if im gonna be able to take the time off or be at sea being navy.

Khellen as an australian though, I can't offer that much hint and how you do it when travelling interstate in america, But im sure its much easier then doing it from australian and being military, I have to get a passport, Visa, approval from the navy, international flights, Try and get around a completely diffrent country, (At least it still works on dollars, although you guys have quaters and stuff) It is rather overwhelming.

One tip though, Having been thrown into many countries were you don't speak the laungage, security gaurds have machine guns, your suddenly one of the richest people in town, and much more crazy things. I think just do it, don't worry so much about whats going to happen while your there, As long as you have a way to go home and a roof to lay under. You will have heaps and heaps of fun.

Ive been in some pretty crazy situations in countries like vietnam, and I still look at them as some of the funnest things ive done. Your around new people, you don't have to worry about locals you know seeing you or anything like that. Just enjoy yourself as much as possible.

I think a room is the biggest thing you need to worry about, because if interstate flights are anything like australia you can book them a few hours before you want to fly and everything is okay.

As for a room, Lots of peeps here on furtopia attend many cons all over the place. some even live near by, and in such a friendly community im sure there is someone who will happily share a room, or give you a roof, And if they have been to the con before they will even happily show you around and introduce you.

Good luck on your adventures  '>

[Wolfy the Twisted]

Heya Khell! (Havoc here X3)

I went to my first convention last year, so I know how you feel. I had no earthly idea of what to do when it came to reserving rooms.  A lot of the convention sites have tips for you to follow. I started by looking for the conventiones nearest to me. My family and I went so I can't offer you any help on the room-sharing bit.

I was really really shy at first so I just kind of hid in the Hospitality room. Sudenly Cake comes out of nowhere with Concord and a couple others and hugged me. XD I was home after that.

What convention are you planning on going to? The one I mentioned was RFCM in Atlanta.

Catch me on Furc if you have any questions at all!

[Khellen]

Currently, I have no clue... though I'm probably going to try for Midwest Furfest, which is in November. I met some furs up in Wisconsin when I went to a faire there, and hopefully might meet them there.

RCFM is out of the question because the middle of that con is my birthday -and- my high school graduation ceremony (technically, I'm out right now! Woo! Just need the cap n' gown and official diploma).

I was debating AC since it was also after my Birthday, but pre-reg ends soon, and I don't think I can get things around by then, plus I'm only 17 right now--I'll probably need a minor form or something, despite being an adult by the time the convention rolls around, and I want to avoid that.

Ah, I wish I could convince my family, but... well, my father is a nutty, gun-totting conservative who thinks furs are all neo-hippies, my brother can't keep his mouth shut and is very biased (via the internet) about everything, and my mother... would probably be embarassed to death, even though she encourages what I like and do.

I'll try to grab you sometime so you can tell me what it was like. '>

[WildbillTX]

My favorite place online to compare and find the best airfare prices is http://www.orbitz.com/  But they do add a surcharge of a few dollars more if you make your flight reservations through them. I suggest printing out the flights you want, and then going to that airline's own website instead and making your reservations there.

As for the con and hotel reservations check that con's main webpage for the best information. They will usually have a way to register for the con on-line. and also a way to reserve your hotel room, usually through the Hotel's own website or phone number. If the con has a discount rate be sure to mention it.

BUT you will need a Credit Card for the Airfare, Hotel or a Paypal account for the con reservations if you decide to register everything on-line.
  
Another tip - make reservations to the BIG cons like Anthrocon, Further Confusion and MFF as soon as they open because their main hotels fill up quickly.

Hope this helps..
Wild`Bill`TX

[Vaide]

For all those things...

Well, you just kinda do 'em. Real life doesn't have a step-by-step tutorial. Just think of it all like ordering a pizza. A really big pizza that you a few people to help eat it. ^^

Go to the con's website and find out their official hotel, call the hotel and ask to reserve a room. I believe they will require a credit card on file to reserve one.

Finding roommates, either take some people you already know, since it's a con maybe you can room with some of your online friend? If you know them, consider them a possible roommate until they say no. You can also always use the con's forums, there's usually a few people last minute begging to be let into a room.

So you know, you're 18, right? Well, consider the age of who you want to bring with you. At a recent con, I tried to take the room I'd reserved and was turned away because I had my sister and one other friend who were 16 and 17, minors. It's legal for me to get a room with a bunch of 18 year olds, but you need to be 21 to have anyone under 18 in your room with you.

Shyness. No. At a con, it's very odd. You already have a common connection with people just for being there, so it's a LOT easier to talk to someone at a con than in real life. I mean, they're at a con, you obviously share an interest, eh? I recently met some awesome furs at an anime con and I'm going to be going with them when they go to AC this year, as well as they're going to be my con group for the next con I'm going to too.

It's hard to explain, but it's like, say if you identified a possible furry in public. Yesterday, I saw a girl wearing a little heart dog tag. Without even thinking about it, I approached this stranger and told her I liked her tag. She said she got it from Petco, I said that's where I'd got mine from too, but I don't wear it that often anymore, said bye since my group was leaving that store and parted ways.

Things like that make it easy to shatter the ice and the moment you start talking to someone, it's a lot easier to keep up the conversation.

"I love your suit! Is that an original character?"
"I like your ears! Did you buy them or make them yourself?"
"Ooh! Can I see your sketchbook?"

[Black Foot]

Well for me since I went to Anthrocon 2006 I didn't have to reserve a room but when I arrived I saw one of my roomies and I was scared at first but when he showed me around the Convention I started to feel much better.

So if your gonna fly to a convention check out the Orbits website unless you know your local airport's web page to find out the prices for your trip out of state.

As for Reserving a room you can do it 1 of 2 ways and they are: A) online but you have to use pay pal or a credit card or B) call the hotel that you can find on the Con's web page and call them and see if you could pay by cash, if not then ask them about using a credit card.

Now for meeting other furs you can go with some furs that lives near you or go to the con and hope that you meet other furs that is on a chat forum (like this one) or just go there and maybe you'll meet someone that you already know

and finally but least for me I'm gonna start reserving my room for up to 5 furs next week so I know that I have a room so if any of you that doesn't have a room you can PM me and let me know if your gonna make it to Anthrocon 2007 here is the dates for AC'07 July 5-8th I'm planning to be there a day prior to the convention since I know a few furs likes to attend a day before the actual convention kicks off.