5 Tips on How to Survive and Thrive at BroadwayCon

For many Broadway fans, this weekend is their Super Bowl. Yes, BroadwayCon is exploding in New York City at the Midtown Hilton where fans from all over the world will converge for three days of theatre heaven.

The weekend will include performances, insightful panels, special guests and the largest theatre marketplace you’ve ever laid eyes on. I’ve been at the con since year one and it’s only gotten better and better with each year.

So for people coming for the first time, and maybe some returning, what are some tips to help navigate the convention to get your money’s worth? Here are five that I feel are most important.

Plan an itinerary

If this is your first BroadwayCon or your first major convention, be ready to be pulled into a dozen different directions. There is a ton to do this weekend. Every panel has been selected because the organizers thought it would be fun and interesting, so be ready to want to attend all of them. The only problem is that usually six of them are happening at the same time. Some of them are happening while large show presentations are going on in the main ballroom.

So plan ahead. The schedule is available here. Take a look and plan each day. Know when you’re going to come and go from some of these events. If you’re able to, budget in time for waiting in lines for autographs/photos. And make sure you eat, which leads me to my next point…

Find/Plan Multiple Food Options

The New York Midtown Hilton is a sprawling wonderful hotel. But it is surprisingly short on food options. Herb & Kitchen is their restaurant in the lobby that has a to-go section. They offer delicious food but it is expensive: a sandwich, chips, and drink will cost around $20. Also, since they are the only option in the hotel, the line is going to be long. So plan your food options. I’ve seen many people bring bagged lunch with them to the event. There are also plenty of food options outside of the hotel from food trucks to quick stops like Five Guys and Chipotle. 55th St, a block from the hotel, is lined with restaurants. If you want to grab quick bites in order not to miss much, I would suggest visiting some of these places around 11 or after 1 to avoid the lunch rush.

Be Open to Learning New Things

When it comes to panels, there are a lot of them that cover a wide array of topics. In addition to taking in the fan experience, I would encourage you to attend some panels that might open your horizons. Learn more about tech design, casting equality, performing arts colleges, etc. Just because the panel doesn’t have a big broadway legend attached, doesn’t mean it’s not going to be insightful.

REST

Treat BroadwayCon as a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re feeling exhausted by 9 pm, your body is telling you something. So take brakes during the day, if you’re staying in the hotel or nearby, mid-day naps are a good suggestion. But this is going to be a busy weekend, so taking some hours to relax and recharge is highly recommended.

Don’t be a jerk

This is a golden obvious rule. But being pleasant and open-minded during the event will go along way. Ask if you can take someone’s picture. Understand that cosplay is not consent. Be polite to the volunteers working the event, they’re not being paid and are just as big of fans as you are. Be flexible, there will be things that go wrong this weekend, it’s a big event and that always happens. So don’t erupt on someone who had no control over it.

Also, if you’re comfortable, talk to as many people as possible. Everyone there shares the same big interest as you do, so talk about it with them. I’ve seen people who have become the best of friends because of this event and come back to meet each other every year(I’m looking at you Erin, Tracy, and Trish!). Oh and come visit me at booth #105 ;)

Have fun this weekend. I can’t wait to see you and I hope this will be as memorable for you as it has for me in the past. Happy BroadwayCon everyone!