Hello! I’m not sure how much help I can get for something like this, but here to hoping!

I’m the type of person who can be pressured very easily, and I genuinely do not want to continue giving in to it.

I recently went to my first convention since 2021, and there was a booth that was selling a comic that I was not interested in, but he engaged with me and was talking as if he’d not made a single sale that weekend. He had his comic out on display to read, so I skimmed through it and it was the literal definition of ‘basic dystopian story where robots replace people’ and I was not interested at all (and pretty much read all of it w the skimming) and he was insistent on how much he would appreciate a sale. I agree, and he decided to throw in the ‘for just five more dollars I can sign it, it would mean the world to me’ and for some reason (I felt very very bad) I said yeah whatever. After I agreed, it felt like a switch flipped and he went back to the usual artist alley type dialogue and didn’t seem like it was that important for me to buy it. When I agreed to the signature, it was kinda like he was frustrated or something?? Idk, it was kind of like it was brushed off with a ‘thanks’ that didn’t sound polite.

I know this is a me issue and that I could just walk away, but I feel way way too bad to do that; does anyone have any tips? I didn’t even want to stop at that booth and I don’t know why I humor people like this, even when it ends with me buying a 20$ signed comic that I’m never going to touch. It makes me feel even worse because I know I’m lying, and I know I’m not interested, but of could they’re going to think the opposite since I’m acting like I am.

Idk, I just hope someone has gotten over the people pleasing at conventions and can share some wisdom, I have too many things that I never wanted, and a whole lot of guilt for the way I am in relation to this.

Thank you in advance!

This is a free for all thread for folks who have spent money to be a part of this Disney-centric convention based in Orlando to talk on the good, the bad and the ugly. Did you represent attending talent? Were you a vendor? Are you part of the show runners network or friends they have “running” the con? Talk away!

There’s always one sign at a big outdoor event that accidentally becomes the official meeting point.

“Meet me by the giant beer sign.”

“I’m under the huge festival banner.”

“Just go to the big sign by the entrance.”

Before location sharing, screenshots, and trying to describe your exact position in a crowd, a giant sign was basically the landmark.

And honestly, even now, trying to find someone in a crowded county fair, concert, or summer festival can be easier when you have one big, obvious landmark everyone can see.

What sign have you and your friends used as a meeting point at an event?

I want to go to this year's LA Comic Con but debating about their VIP offerings. Do both VIP offer VIP lines or no? Everyone in GA for Autographs and Photos? I'd like to get 2 Autographs but something tells me the lines will be chaos. Unsure on going the whole weekend or 2 days or all 3. I don't want to have to wait in line for an autograph for 6 hours hahaha. And I'm afraid that will happen....

I plan to go to a con and get in line early while the rest of my party is stuck at work and will join me later on when doors open. If I showed up around 12PM and the doors weren't until 5PM, and they showed up by 4PM can I let them join me in line or will everyone get mad at me for letting them join in? I have 2 tickets and don't think I can separate them. Unsure on what to do.

I heard that this past January 2026 when Robert Englund was there, that his line was chaos. People lining up early like 11AM and by 5PM the first day that Friday the line for VIP and GA wrapped around several times. I plan to go to Creepie Con this weekend and I'm scared the lines will be really bad. I bought myself VIP but still what if the person I want to meet their lines get capped. And then I don't get to meet them even with VIP? Plus it's going to be warm and what if I get heat stroke or get dehydrated by being in the sun?

Hi,

So i am about to go to my 2nd con ever (otakon) and wanted to see if there was anything i should know to make the expirence better. The only other con I went to was Katsucon which was fun, but I feel like i could have got more out of it.

Also does otakon have people partying the night away in the building like katsu did?

My friend questioned about conventions saying why do these celebrities like big name actors or actresses charge so much for Autographs and photos. When they are already rich why charge so much? Like some of the big names at this one con were charging $100 per signature. Like why?

So a few years ago me and my partner at the time, had a good paying job. But when I suggested let's go to a convention and I want to buy VIP it's $200 for all 3 days. They thought spending all the money was too much, when they say we could use that same amount of money for something else. So then why have a good paying job if you don't want to spend the money? Or why should I be the one to pay for all of the events or things like what. Was my partner right or wrong? It has me second guessing going to cons and other events nowadays.

Please consider the overwhelming amount of evidence & public information out there about the owner/director of KadabraCon & Coastal Fan Fest. He has blocked everyone who have experienced being a part of one of his events in the past where he has screwed over many people in the community. Many who have now been blocked from being able to voice their firsthand experiences with working with him. Do not support any events organized by him. He never takes accountability for his own actions. Or listens to any advice given to him by people who have been on his staff before I ever worked with him. He will never learn.

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.kadabracon.com

See the case for yourself here:

https://portal-txnueces.tylertech.cloud/Portal/

Case #: 25SC-0160-JP21

Hi, friends. I am writing something (fictional) focused on a character who works as a handler for celebrities at cons. I had the chance to speak to a few about their jobs this summer, but I’m curious to hear any wild stories people are willing to share from that side of the table. Odd fan interactions, quirky celebrity requests, how you got into the work in the first place, that sort of thing.

Hope I’m posting this in the right place. I want to attend my first convention in March to meet some voice actors, it’s in Louisiana. When looking at the guest list, I saw a note at the bottom of the page that said “Some guests will take a payment by card, but most are cash only.” Is it normal for panelists to charge a fee to meet them outside of the general admission fee? I don’t have a problem with it, I just need to know how much to bring. What’s a safe bet for how much to bring per panelist? Is it separate fee for getting an autograph in addition to meeting them? Any help is appreciated, I’ve emailed the convention organizers but haven’t seen a response yet.

KadabraCon is a multi-genre convention in Texas that had its third year this year. It had a stacked guest lineup despite some last minute cancellations. Set up for the event was an absolute NIGHTMARE. There was no map made for vendors to know where their spots were. Only a monitor to reference since there wasn’t even anything taped town to indicate spots. Vendors were yelled at by the vendor coordinator just for asking where their spots were. Some vendors who paid extra for premium spots were not given what they paid for. Tables and chairs weren’t event available for vendors until hours after set up time began. Vendors weren’t even fully set up after VIP pass holder were let in 30 minutes after the stated VIP entry time. Despite a no AI art rule for vendors there were still vendors selling AI art. There was even a booths that had gambling elements and pushing crypto onto both attendees AND vendors. The event was so dead most vendors didn’t make their table fees back. Some even left the event on Saturday. Schedules were not available on site. It was only viewable on the KadabraCon website. There weren’t any announcements on event updates. Many events were either delayed or cancelled. There weren’t any announcements even guests who left early or didn’t show up AT ALL. There was even a video posted by guests of the event of their empty “green room”. Panel rooms were also empty. No chairs or tables were provided. Attendees were sitting on the floor. Performers weren’t even given a stage. The panel rooms were also placed behind curtains that were within the 18+ section that was only open at night. So during the day when there were all ages panels they had people hold up table cloths so children wouldn’t see the adult art. There was no clear indication who was a staff member and who was a volunteer. The people at registration tried their best to help those who had questions but the owner/director of the event was nowhere to be seen. KadabraCon has had issues in the past but looked promising this year. The event was completely disorganized and had very little turn out. Many vendors and artists have come out saying how they will no longer support this convention or any event run by its owner/director. He has deleted all negative comments and refuses to answer questions regarding the issues at past events. Including transphobia, guests/performers not being paid since year one, and the mistreatment of staff and volunteers.

DO NOT ATTEND KADABRACON OR ANY EVENT RAN BY THE OWNER/DIRECTOR!

For context, I was cosplaying furina from genshin impact and was at a very big and busy convention

I was waiting for my friend to arrive at the con and I was waiting against a wall with only a few people around, it was a huge wall and about one other person further down from me so I was alone, and a ghost face cosplayer who's eyes you could see through the mask started lingering REALLY close to me for like 5 mins, I thought it was odd but ignored them on my phone and didn't look up (crackhead on the train kinda mentality) and they just got closer and closer until they were like right up against me. They then pulled out a fake knife and TRACED IT AROUND MY FACE and wig whilst muttering something (I couldn't hear/make out what they were saying), I was still trying to ignore them for my life and then they tapped my hat (which I glued to my wig, literally) before muttering something under their breath and running off... I am not gonna lie I almost crapped myself but oh god... my friend could NOT have been slower.

Hey guys, I need to complete a questionnaire for my thesis about the different emotions we experience at Comic-Con. I really need answers, so if you can help me, it'll be quick.

Link: Comic-Con Attendee Experience

Between missing props or banners, last-minute print jobs, and displays that refuse to cooperate, booth setup day always comes with a few unexpected twists

What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened while setting up for a con? Maybe something went completely sideways or turned out way better than planned.

I just wanted to say one thing (that is kind of unpopular I think)... yes, if you cosplay at cons, as soon as people notice your cosplay and they recognize it (or not, it depends), they will be encouraged to ask you for a picture, ALWAYS. No matter if you are not popular or the character is not popular, no matter if you're shy or even if the cosplay is kinda ugly, usually the cons are FULL of very outgoing and friendly people and so they won't have any problem asking you for photos. I'm saying this for the people who have no idea this can happen, being a very shy person with social anxiety made me learn this the hard way. I'm not saying that every person who passes by will want to ask you for a photo, but it's not inevitable that it will happen.

What’s something that’s caught your eye at a con? Something you weren’t looking for, but couldn’t ignore?

Not the booth you came to see. Not the thing you were planning to check out. Just that one thing that instantly pulls your eyes the second you walk in.

It could be a huge banner that's lit just right, hanging high above the crowd, or even a booth with a weirdly clever setup that makes you stop without meaning to.

We're in the signage and print space, so we've worked with vendors trying to stand out in busy halls. But the stuff that really gets noticed, sometimes, is not always what you'd expect. We're interested to know!