Convention Tip #4 – Go To Opening Ceremonies
AKA So That's What They Look Like
Depending on the convention, opening ceremonies can be short (less than half an hour), long (over 2 hours), and may or may not contain belly-dancing.
merry halloweenFor most conventions, there is some kind of kick-off event that usually happens the evening of the first day. That event is called “opening ceremonies”.
If you can handle it, go to opening ceremonies*.
Because one of the great things about opening ceremonies is that the guests of the convention are introduced. Maybe you are already familiar with each guest, and could easily spot them across the room. If not, this is your chance to put a face to the name, and hear that name pronounced correctly.
I find this immensely useful, especially if the guests are people whose faces I usually don’t see on the book jacket, such as agents, editors, and publishers.
Sometimes the convention program book will contain photos of guests and other panel attendees. Sometimes those photos were taken several years ago and their facial hair, haircut, or hair color has changed.
Going to opening ceremonies takes the guess work out of it because you see them as they are at that convention.
* Note for Introverts: It took me at several years to get to the point where I would take a seat close enough to really see their faces. Open ceremonies are a popular event at most conventions, so there will be many folk there, just so you know.
Butch Cassidy: That’s not an outlaw name. You don’t have an outlaw face, either. You better do something about that.
- Butch and Sundance: The Early Days
Oct 29, 2009
Categories: conventions
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