Fans have been attending the Philly Fan Expo since its early days and have learned a thing or two about how to easily navigate the expo. One, Josh Steinhouse, has attended nearly 100 cons in the last two decades, including the Philly Fan Expo, which he’s gone to as a fan and partnered with the organization as a balloon artist. Those familiar with the expo might have seen Steinhouse’s work at previous events, specializing in geek and pop culture balloon art in his business, The Geek Balloonist.
With years of experience as an attendee and working these types of events, Steinhouse shared with us via email what he called his “Attendee Con-mandments” that he wishes he had known upon participating in his first expo.
Learn the Ropes
“If you’ve never been to a Con before, study up how it works,” Steinhouse told us. “[The Philly] Fan Expo, in particular, draws about 50,000 people! You should be cognizant of how to meet your favorite celebrities.
“In general, if a celebrity is not at a panel or a photo op, they will be at their table signing. But reading up on blogs, watching videos, and just being prepared is always best for major events like this.”
Steinhouse also warned that Saturday is the busiest day, so plan accordingly and be patient with the crowds. He proposed bringing a sturdy bag or even a kid stroller to hold any purchased items to avoid juggling it all by hand.
Mind Your Money
The second of Steinhouse’s tips is to be mindful of your spending, as you’ll be tempted to open your wallet a lot throughout the weekend. He recommended that attendees make a budget prior to the convention to map out their spending. “It’s always best to think through how much you’re willing or able to spend,” Steinhouse said.
“Ticket, Autograph, and photo op prices will be listed on the website, but there are plenty of other things you’ll need money for. Food, parking/ transport, shopping, add-on experiences… you should go in with a general number in mind,” he added.
Steinhouse also advised that attendees bring cash to the event as that’s the preferred method of payment for many vendors. What could be worse is getting stuck in the endless ATM lines and having to pay a hefty service charge, that is if the machine doesn’t run out of money.
Purchasing souvenirs and anything else online in advance is the best option. “The more you can buy online and have ready to go, the less you’ll have to worry about buying at the Con itself,” assured Steinhouse. “Which means you’ll have a better sense of budget, and you won’t need as much cash.”
Use the App/Study the Map
Something else Steinhouse encouraged fans to do is to download the Philly Fan Expo app and study the map of the venue. “The Fan Expo, and most major Cons, have an app. Even the ones that don’t will have floor plans and maps that show where everything is. You should get familiar with this ahead of time because the space is always bigger than you think,” he noted.
“The Philadelphia Convention Center alone is three city blocks! Make sure you understand the layout, the entrances and exits, and the different levels for the various things you want to do. It’ll save you time and stress,” Steinhouse added.
More details about the mobile app and the floor plan are available here.
Reserve Parking
Traffic near the venue is expected for a weekend that draws in 50,000 people, which we confirmed via their website. One way to avoid the extra headache that Steinhouse proposed is to reserve parking ahead of time. “If you’re driving, prepare for traffic, LOTS of pedestrians, and a severe lack of parking,” Steinhouse cautioned.
However, attendees can utilize the apps and the Philly Fan Expo website to reserve a spot in advance without the hassle. “The best garage is right across the street above Trader Joe’s, on Arch St. between 13th and Broad,” Steinhouse disclosed. “But it fills up fast, so reserve in advance and get there early!”
Wear Comfortable Shoes
This should be a no-brainer, but many people forget about wearing proper footwear when they know pictures and meeting your icons are involved. Steinhouse pointed out that attendees will clock in a lot of steps that will be rough on their feet if they’re not prepared.
“Wear shoes you feel okay walking around in,” Steinhouse said. “And if you’re going to cosplay, make sure you can move, walk, and see comfortably in whatever you’re wearing. Your Iron Man costume made from actual metal alloy may be super cool, but trust me, you’re going to regret it by 2 p.m. if it’s not lightweight and has poor airflow.”
Watch the Food Lines
Food might be the last thing on your mind, with the packed activities offered throughout the weekend, but it can be factored in more easily if you plan ahead. Steinhouse instructed attendees to learn where the food is, and the best times to buy it to avoid the lines.
“The lines will be far busier at noon than, say, 3:30 pm, so try and time your eating to off-peak,” Steinhouse said. “You’re not supposed to bring food into the [convention] center, so grabbing a bite before you go in isn’t a bad idea either. But you’ll definitely end up hungry, so just try not to wait until the ‘hanger’ sets in and the line is 45 minutes long to get some overpriced chicken fingers,” he advocated.
During a conversation with us on Facebook, another seasoned attendee, Christopher Walter, who is also an artist who sold his work at the event when it was named Wizard World Philadelphia, urged others to stay hydrated during the event as the days are long and jam-packed. He also encouraged expo-goers to buy specialty items from vendors. The Philly Fan Expo notes on its website that outside food and drink are prohibited, which makes studying the map, watching the food lines, and budgeting your money crucial.
Get to Panels Early
With so much going on, you can easily get distracted and miss opportunities to see some of the most anticipated guests. That’s why Steinhouse suggested getting to the panels early to ensure you get a good seat.
“In tandem with understanding the map, learn where and when panels are,” Steinhouse directed. “The big ones with major stars will always fill up fast, so getting to the door early will always be your best bet. You’ll likely still be behind folks with VIP tickets and/or specialty seating, but row 6 is better than row 60.”
Keep Your Questions/Interactions Short
Another one of Steinhouse’s “Attendee Con-mandments” is keeping your questions and interactions with guests short. This one is simple fan etiquette, but it’s not always abided by, especially when you’re so excited to meet your favorite stars.
“If you’re at a panel with a Q&A (or even at the celebrity’s table), remember that you are not the only person in the line,” Steinhouse reminded. “Yes, it’s exciting to meet your favorite celeb, but gushing about it, taking up time from others to gather your thoughts, or blubbering through your tears just makes everyone behind you furious.”
Instead, keep your conversations with the stars to a minimum to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to connect with them. Steinhouse also advised that attendees ask questions clearly and precisely during panels and then move on so the next person can speak.
Follow Safety Guidelines
Another point that both Steinhouse and Walter stressed that’s worth noting is that attendees should respect others in cosplay. This should go without saying, but it’s an important reminder to ask before touching someone’s costume or trying to get a photo with them. The Philly Fan Expo is a fun and relaxing atmosphere where like-minded individuals can gather to relish pop culture phenomena. However, everyone should be respected in this space and feel free to express their love for their favorite characters through their attire without feeling uncomfortable around others.
The Philly Fan Expo lists their policies on their website, which all are encouraged to read before attending the event.
All in all, the Philly Fan Expo is a pleasant and interactive experience, and its thousands of returning and new attendees are looking forward to the festivities next month. However, many events are best enjoyed with a game plan, and that’s the case here. We (and your fellow attendees mentioned here) suggest referring to these guidelines and the expo’s website before and during the event to maximize your weekend. Please be mindful that these are just some fans’ experiences at the expo, and these guidelines can vary with other attendees.