Guest Author - Meg Grooms

Homeschool conventions can be wonderful experiences full of learning and encouragement or they can be a hurried hassle. To make your trip easier and more fun consider the following tips.

What to wear - Go for comfort! Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes as you’ll probably log a mile or more just walking the exhibitor’s hall. Do not bring large jackets or other items that will be bulky to carry around. Consider bringing a fanny pack to carry your money instead of a cumbersome purse. If your convention venue allows backpacks they can be very useful as both purse and carrier.

What to bring - Cash and checks. Many vendors aren’t set-up to accept credit cards on the spot, so bring plenty of cash and checks. Cash has the benefit of quick transactions but is harder to keep track of, checks take longer to write but are easier to trace and can serve as a receipt should you lose the original.

-Bring large canvas bags to hold your purchases, catalogs and the freebies you’ll collect. You may find yourself making trips to your vehicle more than once to drop off items.

-Patience! If you already know what you want to purchase a convention is a great place to visit. If you’re looking for an idea of what to buy a convention is a good place to see many items available, but isn’t usually the best place to buy. It’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of the convention and arrive home with thousands of dollars of merchandise you will never use, prepare yourself ahead of time to just say no.

-A tablet and pen are handy for writing down the names of people you speak with at booths and the name of curriculum you’re interested in, as well as taking notes during lectures.

What NOT to bring - Your kids if you can help it! Many conventions are so well-attended that strollers are not allowed and it can be a burden to navigate children through a large gathering of people. This type of environment tends to exhaust children sooner than adults and no one will enjoy the experience if you must pull your pouty children along.

If you must bring your children bring another adult to keep them occupied while you talk to exhibitors and attend lectures. If you are bringing an infant or toddler use a sling or baby carrier to keep them close. Some conventions provide childcare, be sure to reserve your spot quickly!

General attendance tips
Plan your schedule in advance. If there is a lecture you absolutely do not want to miss plan your day around it, or considering buying a transcript or recording instead. Generally the best time to shop and talk to exhibitors is during lectures, by ordering recordings of the lectures you can enjoy shopping the less crowded hours and still experience the lecture. Join in with a friend to buy different lectures and share.

Bring your lunch if you can so you can shop during the less crowded lunch-time hour.

Arrive early and pace yourself, it is ok if you miss something this year, there is always next year!