Tips and Tricks of the Con

See the Lamest in Gamerwear.
Gamer Concepts

Under the Sails is a great meeting place

First and MOST IMPORTANT! Settle upon a meeting place and time for your group for when you get separated. Notice I say when not if, because it will happen. Great meeting places are upstairs Under the Sails, on the back patio, and by the information booth in the front hallway. Or pick your own booth to meet by. But don't pick the ATM, it's always crowded (see next item).

The ATM like you'll never see it

If there's more than five people in line at the ATM's, DON'T bother getting in line, especially if you're in a hurry. The ATM setup is quite slow, taking a minimum of 2-3 minutes per person, often more. A quick walk either to the Ralph's store or half a block up into the Gaslamp Quarter will bring you to an ATM. At a leasurely pace, getting there, getting your money, and getting back shouldn't take more than 15 minutes, which is a big improvement considering that I've spent 45 minutes in line at the con's ATM before.

Jason Amelio, of Fangboy and the Ghouls has also let me know that there's an ATM in Marriot hotel right next door to the con. Just exit the Convention Center, turn left, walk to the traffic light, left up the curving sidewalk and enter the lobby. It's to the right of the main desk.

The ATM's are run by an external company in which neither the SDCCI, nor the Convention Center has any real control over and who seem to have no real clue as to what's happening. At the 2001 con, they were surprised that we used so much money and I hear they said something along the lines of "You're using a lot more money than the auto show last month". Well Duh!

The Con is quite crowded, so keep that in mind when you come across an old friend or start talking to a new one. A few steps to an intersection will give you more room to breath, as well as clearing out the aisles. If you plan on comparing your plunder, a great place to go to is upstairs under the sails. There is lots of room and plenty of big tables upon which you can spread your loot on.

Do you really need to check your e-mail? There is (or was?) an internet terminal in the Marriot hotel right next door. Follow the directions to the ATM above, but turn left at the main desk. Go up to the second floor and keep going straight down the hall, as if you were heading back to the Convention Center. There terminal is at the end of the hall. I can't remember the cost for going online, though.

My walkies are yellow, but look just like this.

Something that's becoming more and more popular at conventions like this are cell phones and two-way radios (aka walkie talkies :^) For the 2000 con, I got several of them and they worked great. I was using Motorola Talkabout radios, and my friends & I were able to keep in touch through the Con and all the way to the Horton Plaza food court. Just make sure you turn them off when you go into one of the panels or shows.