Stephanie's Board

I don't think there's such thing as too much interaction, as long as you're not bothering anyone or being weird. Going to a show is all about unprecedented access to creators we love and they're there (and often paid to be there) to interact with people and such. Most people don't really think of it that way, in my experience and are just really chill to talk to.

My advice is that if you're not going to network and want to get the most out of a show, make yourself a schedule. Look at the guest list of all the people who are going to be at the show and make a list of who you want to meet. If you're prone to forgetting what they work on or anything in the heat of the moment (I'm super spastic sometimes), make yourself little notes on things you wanted to bring up when you talked to them so you remember. It's also great to look up the floor plan and where the creators you want to talk to will be.

Another great way to be a part of the show in a really interesting capacity is to attend panels. Most shows will release their programming a few weeks before the show and it's great to look through them and see if there's anything that might be interesting to check out. Maybe there's a panel on your favourite TV series or about social media or just a roundtable about the industry with some of your favourite creators.

It might seem OCD or whatever to make a schedule, but it honestly helps so much when you're overwhelmed by everything going on at a big show. It helps ensure that you're not wandering aimlessly and it'll get you to different places that you might not have found if you hadn't done any research before hand. Ask creators if there's any booths you should check out that you might not have looked into otherwise. Some creators aren't as good at being social as others, so don't take it to heart if they aren't all super friendly and nice. Many of them just have crippling social anxiety that they're working through.

Conventions are lots of fun, even if you don't have money to spend, you just have to know the kinds of things that you enjoy doing!

Hope that helps!

I've never been! I was actually on an island just across from it though! But with that being said, I know of a couple of places to check out. The Empress Hotel is supposed to be amazing (and haunted!). If you're going to have access to a car, I hear that the trip to Tofino is SO worth checking out. It's not too far from Victoria. Also: WHALE WATCHING. I can't recommend this enough... if you can find a good guide, it is amazing. I went on Tuesday and while I didn't see whales, I saw porpoises, eagles and tons of other amazing things including otters and seals.

I'm hoping to make the trip to Victoria later this year at some point!

Ahahahaha MAYBE! Does anyone in your family have a birthday on June 16?

I'm REALLY hoping to go, either for work or just for fun. I'll hopefully know this week.

I am absolutely going to look into it! You also reminded me by mentioning the BBC that I'm wanting to check out the new Musketeers series from them. Ahhhh! I'll let you know what I think. Going to go try and find the first couple of episodes of In The Flesh.

Nah, not this year. We were hoping to make it on the list fairly last minute but it didn't work out unfortunately.

Booooo!!!! I pushed for him from this side too or at least put a bug in Shelton's ear, was hoping to meet him and you...amd on a side note....DO pick up Thor:God of Thunder,and go back and read issue #12(my single issue of 2013)!