The Ultimate Convention Packing List

There are two kinds of packers: people who plan out every last detail, working from a list they made weeks in advance; and people who make no list at all, throwing stuff in a bag at the last minute and hoping they didn't forget anything. If you are a member of the second group, please let me try to persuade to the dork side of the packing list.

Conventions are hectic, planning is hectic, packing is hectic. You're making last-minute adjustments to your costumes, you're making sure you have enough cash, you're making sure all your plans are intact. A packing list can help make your con better in two ways: it'll reduce stress when packing (you know you're not forgetting anything, and you can use the list when you're going home to make sure you don't leave anything in the hotel), and you'll know that you will have everything you could need, should your trip run less-than-smoothly. Here's what I take to a three-day con. (Before you judge, every last one of these things has come in handy.)

Go Bag

• The go bag itself

• Wallet

• Medical insurance card

• Credit card

• Cash

• Driver’s license or photo ID

• Camera

• Extra batteries

• Tablet and charger

• Phone

• Shout wipes or Tide to-go pen

• Over-the-counter medication (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Midol, Immodium, antihistamine)

• Travel first aid kit (bandages, rubbing alcohol swabs, Neosporin swabs, moleskin for blisters)

• Costume repair kit (sewing needle, thread to match your costume, hem tape, safety pins, extra buttons)

Apparel

• Socks and underwear for each day

• Pajamas

• Comfortable shoes/Ballet flats /Thin slippers

• Rain poncho

Costume

• Wigs (wig, wig cap, wig comb, hairspray, and bobby pins)

• All costume components (including any necessary undergarments and accessories)

• Any special effects makeup

• Airbrush for makeup, if using

• Lint roller

Toiletry

• Shampoo--use this to double for fabric detergent

• Conditioner--use this to double for fabric softener, shaving cream, and detangler

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Floss

• Mouthwash

• Comb

• Hairbrush

• Razor

• Tweezers

• Cosmetics

• Travel baby powder--for relieving chafed skin and setting makeup

• Cotton swabs—store these in empty prescription containers or empty tic-tac boxes

• Brushes and sponges for applying makeup

• Antiperspirant/deodorant

• Feminine hygeine products--ladies, you'll be surprised sometimes, and someone else you know might need some

Other

• Prescription medication—please double-check that you have enough; it can be a huge pain to get a prescription filled in another city on a weekend. Keep meds in their original containers, with your name on them.

• Sleeping mask

• Ear plugs

• Phone charger

• Items to get autographed

• Ticket or ticket confirmation

• Copy of hotel confirmation email

Also enjoy our freebie checklist for convention goers!

Convention Checklist

This might seem like overkill, but the confirmation email comes in handy when the hotel loses your reservation. A poncho can protect your costume from being ruined. Think like

the Boy Scouts: it pays to be prepared.

Audrey Peters, Writer

#preparingforconvention #packinghelp #ComicConvention #travel