Gen Con is this week in Indianapolis, which you probably know because I’ve been talking about it a lot. But today’s article is going to be a bit different than some. Normally I write about the games that are going to be there, but today it is what you might want to think about bringing. It is easy to forget something, and I won’t go through the standard packing stuff, you know what to bring for a trip.

Gen Con Prep List

• Badge and Tickets
  This is only the case if you had them shipped to you. I generally do, though I’m debating about adding one as a will call, but we’ll see. I think I might want something to do Thursday morning is the big thing.
• Backpack
  People travel around Gen Con with a lot of different things. I suggest bringing a backpack versus say a cart that you pull around or a little dolly. Con goers tend to pay less attention to those and they can trail behind so people bump into them more and harder. And sometimes people have big things like that, which just blocks up an aisle because they aren’t paying attention. Be considerate, bring a backpack and not a huge one. If you buy a big game, take it back to your car or hotel.
• Small Games
  It might seem odd to pack in some small games, but these are your waiting games. Think something you can sit down with a play quickly. Roll and writes, or small card games work well. You buy more at the con, but it’s not a bad plan to have something for just hanging out and chatting.
• Snacks
  Also important are snacks. I tend to make my snacks hearty enough that I don’t need to buy a lunch, so trail mix, jerky, dried fruit, and more. I can make a lunch out of that, I probably will even run out and get some apples one of these evenings. The idea is save yourself some money, but also, don’t let yourself get hangry and run down.
• Water
  Another obvious one, but bring a bottle for water. Or buy a water bottle and fill it up with water at least once per day if not twice. Stay hydrated.
• Masks
  Hopefully this will be the last year we need to do this, unless you want to, but bring masks. I am saying plural, again this is about staying healthy. My plan is one mask each day just to reduce touching and breathing on the same mask.
• Hand Sanitizer
  Even pre-COVID, I’d recommend this. Keep your hands clean, this is again is to fight off con crud. It’s easy to get run down because it is a busy event and there are a lot of chances to play games later into the night or early into the morning. Plus, probably eating worse than normal and sleeping in a new bed or location.
• Comfortable Shoes
  I know, I said I wasn’t going to say things that you would normally pack, but really, pack comfortable shoes. I think in the four days in 2019, I averaged 7 miles of walking per day. That is a ton of walking, so good socks and shoes.
• Notebook and Pencil/Pen
  I will bring this so I can take notes on what I play for this website. You don’t need it for that, but it handy to take notes on what you’ve demoed. If there is something you are interested in or not. It’ll help you remember everything that you played. And what you might want to buy later.
• A budget
  Yes, you can physically bring a budget. It is simple, you get cash, when the cash is gone, you buy no more games, swag, artwork, anything. Now, you don’t need to bring cash, and there are some downsides to bringing cash and risks with it, if you lose it is it lost. But set a budget, very important.

What Not To Bring

• Big Containers
  This goes back to the backpack. Carry something small with you. If you buy a big game, walk it to your car or hotel and then come back. Don’t plan and carrying around 30 lbs of stuff all day and bumping it into people. Don’t take a cart with you everywhere blocking up the aisles.
• Strong Smelling Cologne or Perfume
  Firstly, it won’t mask the fact that you didn’t shower. So shower. But also, especially right now, no one wants people sneezing around them. People have allergies, it is unrelated to being sick, but everyone is going to freak out. So leave your strong smelling perfumes and colognes at home, in general, but for sure this year.

Final Thoughts

Pack smart, some of these things might not make sense for you. Maybe you have enough disposable income you can buy what you want, so skip the budget. Or you will each somewhere for lunch every day so you need fewer snacks. But be smart about what you do and what you bring.

I recommend making a checklist, I did that. The point of this is to call out some things you might not think about. Basics are important but remember the other things as well that you might need. I hope I brought up some less obvious ones for you. And it’s not really something to pack, but remember to shoot for a 5-3-1 – five hours of sleep, three meals, and one shower, every day. It’ll make your con going experience better and everyone who is around you will enjoy theirs more too.

Send an Email
Message me on Twitter at @TheScando
Visit us on Facebook here
Support us on Patreon here