5 Tips for Attending Your First TTRPG Convention

Going to your first TTRPG convention can be overwhelming, both in good ways and uncomfortable ones. If, like me, you gain some comfort from going into a situation feeling prepared, here are 5 tips to make your first one a great experience. 

1. Read the rules. 

TTRPG conventions are a blast. You can wear a cool costume, meet celebrities, and buy a Bag of Holding’s worth of merch in the Artist’s Alley. But bringing hundreds or even thousands of nerds together in one place is a huge undertaking and requires a lot of structure to keep everyone safe and having a good time. 

Any convention worth going to will have a list of rules for attendees. It’s usually called something like “policies” or “information”, and if it’s not part of their site’s main menu, there’s often a link to it on the footer. You’ll probably also get a copy at some point in your registration when you purchase a ticket. Each con policy is going to be slightly different, so don’t just skim them. 

This is especially key if you’re doing any cosplay. Most cons have (for good reason) strict rules around what types of model weapons and props you can carry. Make sure to read them well in advance so you can adjust your cosplay if needed. Getting turned away at the door is a really unfortunate start to a day, but it can be completely avoided. 

Still picking out a convention to go to? Check out our list of every TTRPG con in the U.S.

2. Plan loosely. 

There’s a balance to how you plan your day at a con. You want to give yourself enough time to wander around, shop, or catch up with friends. But you also don’t want to ignore the schedule entirely and realise that you missed a panel by one of your favourite authors. 

It might take a couple cons for you to dial in on the right amount of planning for you. For me, I like to plan one event a day in advance. That makes sure I make the event I’m most interested in, and it gives me some structure to map the rest of the day around. Then I know when I can tag along with my friends to see the new game they’ve been telling me about without stressing that I’m missing anything important. 

Some cons will still give out printed schedules and maps, but many have also moved over to apps or other digital resources. If you are using digital schedules, try to download a copy on your phone before you arrive, as reception can be bad on convention floors. Keep an eye on their socials as the con approaches; there’s always last-minute updates and headliners that get added or dropped. 

3. Pack the essentials.

It’s a dungeon out there. The only thing standing between you and a level of exhaustion is a well-stocked adventurer’s pack. Here’s some things to consider for yours: 

• Snacks | I’m going to be a dad for a moment, but you gotta eat. You’re going to be doing a lot of walking on very little sleep; this is not the time to skip meals. Caffeine can help, but you’ve got to have some solid proteins and carbs in there too. Con-food is also expensive.

• Water Bottle | Hydrate or diedrate. If you’ve been carousing the night before, some of those electrolyte packs really hit the spot, too. 

• Extra Bag | Unless you’ve got a 20 in Wisdom, you know you’re going to buy something. Make it easy on yourself by bringing a bag that’s more durable than the plastic or paper ones vendors may have. One of those foldable or expanding tote bags is perfect. 

• Medications | Inhaler, Epi-Pen, pain meds… whatever you need, make sure you have access to it on the con floor. In a packed hotel, it can take a long time to get back to your room, so have anything important on hand. 

• Permanent Marker | What if you run into that voice actor you love in the hallway and don’t have anything for an autograph? Don’t let this tragedy happen to you. 

• Battery Bank | Or what if you met them and couldn’t get a selfie because your phone was dead! Good planning can save lives, people. 

• Cash | Vendors get charged for every sale they make with a card, and that 3-5% really adds up when they’re also shelling out for table fees. Paying with cash is one way that you can help support small artists and businesses. 

• Hand Sanitiser | The con-crud is real. Reverting to Covid-era hygiene practices can help you avoid the worst of it. Wearing a mask is another good precaution, and if you want to wear one, you won’t be alone. 

• Contraception | On the other hand, you may not want to keep six feet between you and absolutely everyone you meet at a con. Be safe, kids.

If you really want to go above and beyond for your group, you can take on the role of party cleric and bring along extras of these essentials as well as some standard first-aid supplies. 

4. Dress for comfort. 

Conventions often take place on concrete floors, have chairs that are less than ergonomic, and tend to be really crowded. I get the temptation to try out some very cool new shoes, but let me tell you, down that road lies blisters. Wear clothes and shoes that allow you to move comfortably. Depending on the venue, they can also get hot sometimes, so dressing in layers isn’t a bad idea either. 

That also goes for cosplayers. Give your costume a good test run before the con to be sure that it feels good to wear for long periods of time. Be honest with yourself and your limits if it’s a heavy cosplay or hard to move in. That doesn’t mean you can’t wear it, but it might be one that you bring out for a photo shoot rather than wearing all day. You can also always drop by your room (provided it’s close enough) and do a costume change midday when you get tired. Lots of people do that as well. 

5. Join the community. 

Getting to meet others in the TTRPG community is the best part of going to a convention. It’s also a great time to hang out and game with old friends. If it’s your first convention and you don’t know anyone else who’s going, it could be the perfect moment to make new friends. 

But you don’t have to wait until the day of the convention to start! Check out the con’s social media. Depending on the size, they might have a forum, Discord server, Facebook group, or other way of connecting with fellow attendees. You can chat with other members of your fandoms and plan meetups for photoshoots and games. 

The real convention is the friends we make along the way.

It's easy to get caught up in the planning and trying to make a perfect day out of a convention, but I would encourage you to let go of that a bit. Something’s definitely going to go wrong at some point, and on the other hand, something really cool and unexpected will probably also happen. Get your party around you, and just roll with it. 

Try something new. See creators you love. Have a full meal and a Gatorade before going to a room party. You’re going to have a great time. 

Need more TTRPG nerds in your life? 

Speaking of communities you should join, we’ve got a Discord of our own! The Chicago Tabletop Gaming Community is dedicated to making Chicago the center of the TTRPG multiverse. And we can’t do it without you! 

If you live (or visit) the Chicagoland area, you can check out our upcoming events here. Or use the button below to join our Discord.