The conventions are nearly upon us and are we prepared for it? Well, if not, hopefully this information will be really helpful and beneficial to you and all who read it. These tips are things I learned as I ventured into Conventionland for my first time. If you have any tips to add, feel free to send them to our email address under Contact Us link.
Before you look over the tips, the best thing to start with is what I saw recently titled, Curriculum Fair Battle Plan. That was a great title because it seriously feels like a battle, but sometimes fun too, getting to the best deals. If you would like to see a copy of this Battle Plan, email me and I will get it to you. In the meantime, you can get an idea of what to expect as a first timer to a convention by getting prepped and prepared.
PREPPED AND READY TO GO!
1. Bring 2 pairs of shoes - You'll be doing A LOT of walking and your feet will truly appreciate it when you slip them into another pair of comfortable shoes (other than your fuzzy slippers - Ha!). I suggest that you wear sneakers as some convention sites have hard cement flooring that can be hard on your feet.
2. Have a Curriculum Planner - Wanted List, Wish List, and Budget List to have your plans laid out before hand so that you can budget accordingly. It is VERY EASY to slip into your pocket and grab some cash for something you may not necessarily need or that you can wait on. Go to your catalogs and internet to find discount prices and write them down (including S&H) so that you can compare prices from your planner sheet to the prices that are offered at the convention. Most likely you'll make out better at the convention because many of the items are already discounted and you won't have to pay S&H if your purchase is in your hands. But there may be items that are hard to find or get and you'll be glad that you took the time to research your product ahead of time so when you order, you won't have to waste so much time in getting the best offer.
3. Carrying Purchases - Well, if you've been doing some major body-building and can hold about 50 lbs. of curriculum, they hey, feel free to skip this section. However, most of us get tired of holding some toddlers after 15 minutes and could use some help when it comes to carrying all that curriculum we just purchased. So, find your on-board airline roll-on luggage that is small to get through the aisles at the convention but easy to maneuver around and you'll be set for the day in loading all your purchases in your luggage case. Make sure you put a very bright name-tag on it because many other mom's have the same idea in mind and you wouldn't want to go all the way home and open that luggage and find that you have someone else's curriculum. Oh my! Some conventions are now offering a box that you put your name on and can add your stuff in it throughout the day and then pick up at the end of the day, but don't count on it. But do check this service out if this is something you would like to do the following year.
4. Wear a Waist Pocket Belt - I truly enjoyed the freedom I had in not lugging my heavy pocketbook around the convention and getting to it with easy access and not worrying about it being picked up accidentally by another conventionee. I had one that I kept all my receipts in one pocket and cash in the other pocket. I also kept separately money put aside for snacks/lunch when I needed a break to sit down. If you don't have one, ask the other homeschool members who are not going, if you can borrow theirs.
5. Workshop Tapes - The workshops are FABULOUS! It is better to go to one than get a tape, however, if you are only going one day or have a limited time to be at the convention, don't despair. Tapes are being made available nowadays for all the workshops that these wonderful speakers are sharing in. You can even order ahead of time and the tape will be sent to your home several weeks later for you to sit down and enjoy. These workshops are a great opportunity to ask many important questions, such as more details on a particular curriculum that the speaker is sharing on, or a topical question that may not be in their book that they wrote, or just getting some great veteran advice from these well experienced teachers. So, really try to hit the workshops if you can.
6. Stay the Day or Make it an Overnighter! - The options are out there for you giving you nearby motels/hotels in which you can book and invite 3 other mom's to help offset the cost and have a great time of fellowship and time to relax and view what you've purchased. But there are some parents that have limited time in their schedule to get away for a couple of days, so instead, they do one day trips. These are just as fun by sharing in the gas cost, traveling with a friend instead of alone and staying however long you need. But you need to make your plans ahead of time (especially in booking motel/hotel because they fill up very quickly) with you stay or carpooling to your destination. Either way, you need to start a plan now.
Well, I hope that this was helpful and like I said, if you have a convention tip - PLEASE SHARE!!
Stacy