Thought I'd just post this as someone posted this at an Asylum community @ LJ. It has some useful advise for people who have never attended conventions before, so I hope it helps some of you. Bear in mind it is advice for the Asylum convention (Supernatural) which is organised by a different events company, so the rules about gifts etc may be a bit different. There is also a link to one of the Star Trek guys's blogs- he has attended conventions as both a guest and a fan, so his thoughts are quite interesting. I'll put it under a spoiler cut as it's quite long. Thanks to jdsmylover @ LJ for this.
Just for interest, Will Wheaton (Wesley Crusher in Star Trek) once wrote a really interesting blog about conventions, which he's attended both as a fan and as a guest. It's worth a read:
suicidegirls.com/news/geek/22107/So here are my top tips :
- My biggest tip is to wear comfortable shoes. You may think you'll wear your heels because you'll look cool and taller in the photoshoots or whatever, but believe me, your feet will KILL you at the end of the day. If you particularly want to wear heels in the photos then wear your comfortable shoes, put your heels in your bag, and change into them just before you go into the photo. You will be queuing a lot during the day for photos and autographs and other bits, and the most important thing is that you're comfortable. Even the most comfortable heels will start to hurt after 4-5 hours of standing on them.
- Wear light clothing. Take layers if you need, I don't know how well the air conditioning will be working, but with 1400 people it will get hot and sticky in the hotel.
- Don't expect things to run perfectly to schedule, they almost never do. There's such a thing as "convention time" which means that things happen when they happen, usually late. So don't be late yourself or you may miss whatever it was that you were waiting for, but be prepared for it to be late, or for the schedule to change last minute, sometimes these things can't be helped.
- Don't queue for photos or autos unless you've been called, you'll only clog up the hallways and get in the way of people who've already been called. Autographs and photos are called by number order (autographs by registration number, photos by ticket number) so please only go when you're called. If you're asked to move or leave an area by a crew member please just do it, there are health and safety issues with large numbers of people crowding in small-ish spaces.
- Make sure you eat, keep some snacks and a drink with you. Sometimes you end up being so busy you miss mealtimes or be rushed through them and having something handy is always good, you need to keep your blood sugar levels up.
- Queues are the best times to meet new people as you're all standing there for the same reason, so its fun to just randomly start chatting to the people around you. If you're on your own and the people around you are obviously in a group then it can feel daunting, but there's no harm in saying "hi my name is....". I've gone to quite a few cons on my own in the past, even some where I've not known a single person before (not even met on a forum) but you know you're all there because you love the same show or actors, so I always end up with a bunch of numbers or facebook profiles to friend when I get home
- When you're standing in front of the guests to get your autograph, try to say something to them. I've seen lots of people just stand there, get their autograph, and leave, and to me it seems such a wasted opportunity. Ok I totally understand some people get a bit starstruck or nervous or shy and can't think of what to say, but even if it's something simple like "Supernatural's my favourite show" or even something like "thank you for coming and being here with us", you'll have more to remember from the experience, and the guests are more likely to take an interest and engage with you than if you just silently hand over something to be signed.
- Bring some kind of folder to put your photos and autographs into so they dont get damaged. I have something called a Tuff Box that you can get at places like Rymans that's basically a clear hard A4 size box which I always use for cons and it keeps my stuff safe.
- The schedule will be posted online before the event and will also be included in your registration pack (last year it was printed inside the convention booklet that everyone gets). Make sure you know where and when you need to be for your photos and approximately for your autographs, although this will depend on how fast the guests are signing etc. If you miss your photoshoot that's it, you'll have missed it. If you miss your autograph session you will have to wait until the very last session on the Sunday which is time limited, so if they've not got to you by the time the session ends you'll have missed your chance, so do go for your autographs when you're called, even if it means you dont have your photos back in time for signing. If you're called for photos and autographs at the same time get your photos first and then hurry down to your autograph session, photos only take a few seconds to take and if necessary you can talk to someone in the photo studio about going through earlier if you're at the back of the queue.
- You can only take photos during the talks. Flash photography will be allowed for the first few minutes and then they will ask for all flashes to be turned off. After that you can take as many photos as you want as long as the flash is off. No photos are allowed anywhere near the photo studio or the autograph room. Videoing is strictly forbidden during talks. Anyone caught taking video will be asked to leave. If you're caught again you may be evicted from the convention altogether so please don't even try it, it's really not worth the risk.
- Do not molest the guests. That means no groping, grabbing, jumping, kissing or anything else inappropriate. Asking for a hug for your photoshoot is ok, but be prepared that they may say no, it's up to them. Also please try not to get screechy in front of the guests. Getting excited and yelling a bit during the talks is expected. Doing it at the photoshoots or autograph sessions will only make you look scary.
ETA tip: If you want to give the guests gifts that's absolutely fine. You can only do this during the autograph signings, not at any time. Please don't try to do it during the talks, it disrupts things for everyone, and while I know other cons allow it during photoshoots, you wont be able to do it at Asylum, there simply isnt the time. Please don't give any food or drink products, they are not allowed to keep them for safety reasons. Also please keep in mind that anything you do give will have to be taken back with them on a plane so please keep it small and light, if it's not they're unlikely to keep them. Whatever you do give, please keep in the back of your mind that they may not keep them or take them home. Jared and Jensen at least will probably be given quite a lot of stuff and they simply wont be able to take everything back with them, so it's really best to keep it fairly inexpensive so you don't feel like you're potentially wasting money if they don't keep whatever you've given them. I'm quite sure it'll be nothing personal, but there really is a limit on what they can keep and travel with.
Feel free to add anything else you think might be useful to others or ask questions if you want to know more about any particular tip.
Is anyone from germany there?? 
Is anyone from germany there?? 
yes i´m from Germany and will go! 
) and then on sunday a Stich in Time.