Navigating Conventions with Independence: A Post-MomoCon Addendum

This week’s article is a follow-up to last week's piece, as I’ll be diving into my experiences at this year’s MomoCon. I’ll also share a few tips and observations I didn’t have the chance to include last time—either because of time constraints or because they didn’t feel relevant then. This one will be a bit shorter (I know I stretched it a bit last week), but I hope just as useful.

Travel Tips and Timing

Whether you’re driving or flying, it’s essential to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of buffer time. Travel delays are often unpredictable—anything from traffic jams to flight hiccups can throw off your schedule. If you’re driving, backroads might end up saving you time over main highways. And if you’re flying, make sure to allow enough time for airport security, travel to your hotel, and getting to the convention center—especially if you’re trying to catch a specific panel, seminar, or event.

Hygiene Matters (Yes, Really)

Here’s something that might sound basic but gets overlooked more often than you’d think: hygiene. At conventions, you're constantly around people, moving, walking, sweating—and, let’s be honest, talking. Bad breath or poor hygiene can limit your social opportunities and make interactions awkward. So, be sure to pack a bathroom bag with essentials like deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and maybe even some mints. You don’t need to carry the bag with you during the day—leave it at the hotel, but use it!

Try New Things

Conventions are also a great excuse to try new food. I stepped out of my comfort zone and ended up discovering something new I liked: a Korean steamed bun with BBQ pork filling. It was delicious and reminded me that experiences outside your typical interests can be just as rewarding as what you came for.

Another Lesson in Independence

There’s one story I want to highlight from this year’s con—a true test of patience and independence. You might remember from last week’s article that in 2023, I had trouble getting back to my hotel due to an Ed Sheeran concert that let out near the convention center. This year, I planned ahead and relied on the event’s shuttle service for evening travel to avoid the high cost of Ubers.

Well, on my third night, history almost repeated itself. A Rauw Alejandro concert ended at the nearby State Farm Arena, causing another traffic jam and delaying all transportation. I ended up waiting over an hour for the shuttle—along with a group of other attendees—while keeping in touch with my parents the entire time. I seriously considered calling an Uber again, but thankfully, just as I was about to, the shuttle finally arrived.

It was past midnight, it was raining, and I was absolutely exhausted. But I made it back safely, and with another story under my belt.

That’s all for now. Next week’s article will be something completely different—and not convention-related—so stay tuned!