Stayseeliz Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I'm going to my second homeschool convention next weekend. I went last year but I didn't feel like I was really prepared. I don't plan on buying a ton so I shouldn't have too many books to carry but I will buy a few things. I saw some people pulling wheeled totes last year but they looked cumbersome when you're trying to get down a row of chairs. I'd rather take a sturdy tote bag I think. I really need to think through the food aspect. They will have a few choices but it's a little pricey and I'd rather only buy dinners when I'm there. I eat pretty clean so I was thinking a ham/cheese sandwich for lunches, nuts, fruit, cheese sticks, etc. I have a small insulated tote and I can go out to my car if needed but I'd rather not. It can be a long walk. Any other ideas for food? Also, anything else I should think through? I'll be attending most of the sessions alone. We tried to take all the kids last year and DH and I were both about to lose it. So DH said for me to go alone this year so I could enjoy myself. Thanks for any advice. I've been looking forward to this for a long time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PentecostalMom Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 I took a tote bag and that was it. I didn't buy a lot either. For food, maybe snack mix in addition to what you already have? I also like Luna Bars, they are like a complete nutritional bar for women, but I am careful about which ones I get. Notepad & pen for notes? What convention are you going to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted April 28, 2013 Share Posted April 28, 2013 Take some Lunabars or Larabars or even Bananas for a quick snack and to cut down on pricey convention food. Water bottles (plastic, probably no glass allowed), a tote bag for all the flyers, etc., and a little money. :) I am past homeschool conventions but this is what I used to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datgh Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 One of my kids has a backpack with wheels that works really great. I didn't take it this year because I didn't think I would buy much which I didn't but what I did get started to feel heavy pretty quick. I find a refillable water bottle the best thing to bring a long. I think I drank half a gallon at our convention this past weekend. Make sure it is inside your tote. If they can see it, they may make you dump it because they want you to buy the food and drink in the convention venue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 My snarky suggestion is: $$$. But, additionally, water, comfortable shoes, a sweater, a list of what you want to see and/or buy, and some kind of rolling container. We almost always appreciate not having to carry the actual weight of what we buy, if the conference is a big one. You might buy more than you think you will, and you will tire quickly carrying all the weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I have a wheeled backpack that I like. I can fill it up and wheel it or carry it. it isn't quite as big as the cart. Does the convention have a book drop? The one I attend does, I have used it and collected things at the end. I also usually take food in my cooler and leave it in the car. It isn't a far walk for me though. I do like that part. It is in a parking garage and I take a chair to sit in while I eat lunch out there. it is a relaxing time. Hopefully you can meet up with some others and enjoy your time there. Our convention also has water in coolers that you can drink. I take a refillable container for water. They don't like outside food at the center but you can eat outside or in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZooRho Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I have a wheeled backpack that I like. I can fill it up and wheel it or carry it. it isn't quite as big as the cart. Does the convention have a book drop? The one I attend does, I have used it and collected things at the end. I also usually take food in my cooler and leave it in the car. It isn't a far walk for me though. I do like that part. It is in a parking garage and I take a chair to sit in while I eat lunch out there. it is a relaxing time. Hopefully you can meet up with some others and enjoy your time there. Our convention also has water in coolers that you can drink. I take a refillable container for water. They don't like outside food at the center but you can eat outside or in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Rolling cart or suitcase. Shopping list. Money. If you can get the vendor hall layout ahead of time you can plan you shopping smartly. Bottled water, easy healthy snacks like you mentioned. And of course pen and paper to take notes in the sessions. The convention I attend has a coat check that you can leave your purchases at but I tend to keep them with me and put them into my trunk or drop back at the hotel during lunch time and again at the end of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stayseeliz Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share Posted April 29, 2013 Outside food is allowed at the convention so no worries there. I'm just wondering how much to carry and whether I want any kind of rolling cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecclecticmum Posted April 29, 2013 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Depending on what you're planning to do there, here's a random list: -Fabric Shopping Bags (smoosh a couple of those at the bottom of your tote/backpack) - Notepad/paper/pens/higlighters/ruler - Dayplanner/Diary/Business Card Holder - Camera (or phone with camera) - 2 Bottles of Water (just in case you need to re-fill one but are currently thirsty :p I'm a water freak though) - Trail Mixes to munch on (if you're in a seminar, eating a sandwich is not easy, and is usually frowned upon, so bars/trail mixes are best for one-handedness) - Painkillers (simple iburofen or panadol. If you feel a headache coming on from all the lights/noise, you have water, plus them to take care of it before you have to end up going home early) - Bandaids (Well....I just always have some....paper cuts are probably a pain at conventions...lol) - If you can, pre-lookup your conventions and the holders, print out stall map and tick off ones interested in and why - Note down products/subjects/books/ebooks you already have, so you don't go buying something else for the same subject - Note down subject you need to address. - Note down any seminars you plan to attend & time - Which reminds me, a wrist watch (its much easier to glance at your watch than pull your phone out) - Sometimes seminars require you bring certain things, so check on that - Comfortable Shoes - Various Ziplock bags from mini to large (not neccessary, but when I have them, I always find a use for them, from separating bits of paper, to holding bits & pieces etc, to one time using a large one to hold a wet shirt when I got something split on me (I had a change of shirt too, lol. Whenever I'm at a large gathering, someone always finds a way of spilling something...lol) HTH xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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