Franklin was supposed to write this post. Unfortunately, Franklin died from Covid after attending a recent convention. (Editor’s note: This is not true.) He did get his notes to me before perishing, though, and I’m going to see what I can do with them.
1. Come a day early and make sure you’re caught up on sleep.
It’s really nice to not have to worry about checking into two things the day that you get there, and catching up on sleep will pay off handsomely over the course of the convention. But if you can’t do this, at least do this next one…
2. Stay as close to the venue as you can, if possible the same hotel.
Many of these should speak for themselves, and this is one. Even if the hotels are next to each other, it’s impossible to overstate how convenient it is to be able to stop by your room in under 2 minutes. Which isn’t possible if you aren’t in the same hotel as the convention.
3. Fill your room with snacks and meals so you can waste as little time and money eating as possible.
I think Franklin covered most of it again, but long lines and steep prices for food will eat into both your budget and your schedule. Bring non-perishable snacks that are quick to wolf down and easy-to-prepare meals. A reusable water bottle and caffeine sources are also good ideas. You’ll free up time, and you’ll avoid the midday crash from overpriced pizza.
4. But absolutely go out to eat with your favorite new friends if you get the chance.
Budget for a meal or two, and treat it as networking gold. After all, the real magic often happens outside the schedule. Informal settings strip away the chaos of the convention and allow you to chat freely, making connections that should be valuable whether you’re an amateur or a professional. Not to mention it’s where the laymen are, giving you a chance to perform for someone who isn’t a magician.
5. Cash is still king.
While some of this won’t apply to all conventions (skipping the line after lectures with cash, for example), much applies regardless. Cash will enable you to purchase things at Blackpool even when the credit card processors are inaccessible due to the network being slammed. Cash is preferred by quite a few vendors, if not all. (Okay, not all. Christian Schenk, the Card-Shark, would still prefer that you use Bitcoin.)
6. Products in the dealer’s room go on sale the last day. …If they haven’t sold out.
Nobody wants (none of the dealers do, anyway) to be lugging a bunch of stuff back from the convention. Expect discounts on anything with a decent profit margin, but at the same time, don’t expect anything popular to still be available.
7. Products associated with lectures (such as lecture notes) almost always sell out. Run to get in line.
Especially lecture notes. Lecture notes will nearly always sell out. However, anything unique that can’t be found in the dealer’s room or elsewhere is also likely to be impossible to get even 10 minutes after the end of a lecture. If you’re really into a lecturer, consider leaving early during the applause to get in line for the products.
8. But if you can take good notes quickly during a lecture, you may not even need to buy.
Plus, audio recording is frequently implicitly allowed, as it was at the convention that killed Franklin. (NO VIDEO RECORDING, proclaimed the signs.) Having the audio of the lecture plus your memory should be enough to assemble your own notes if you don’t put it off too long.
9. Speaking of, there is very little at the dealer’s room that you actually need. If anything. Contain yourself.
Franklin is lying here. Or at least I wish he were. I’m the type to limit myself by bringing a mere thousand dollars in cash, only to end up visiting an ATM to spend even more. There are deals and rarities that often can’t be found anywhere else, as dealers try to win repeat customers with memorable items, but I suppose you technically don’t need them.
10. Find your people to jam with in the common areas, especially after the lectures and shows are over.
This is the most important part. This is the real value of going to a convention. Collect business cards, connect on socials, and most importantly reach out to them ASAP after the convention ends to increase the chances that they’ll stay in touch.
In Conclusion
What? What am I supposed to conclude with? The notes just say “In Conclusion”. I guess I could say something about a magic convention being its own kind of magic trick. Preparation butting heads with spontaneity, and all that.
If you plan ahead, engage, and balance frugality with strategic splurges, you’ll discover that the real magic isn’t just what you learn, but who you become along the way.
Enjoy Blackpool, everyone!