July 5, 2026: A Big Con Tip From Nikki: Calm In The Chaos

GURPS Project Manager Steven Marsh recently put out a call around the virtual water cooler for any tips related to surviving and thriving at the big conventions.

If you can manage dealing with large crowds for a period of time but are occasionally overwhelmed, take steps before you arrive at your favorite large-scale convention to find if they have a designated quiet room.

A quiet room is a special place located in a lightly traveled area of a convention center. Sometimes the location simply has tables, chairs, and a volume-level policy. Other times, the room is well appointed with places to rest, stuffies for cuddling, and quiet toys to fiddle with. The "Fans of Gen Con" Facebook group had a post from last year that showed the official quiet room, and it's quite likely there will be a repeat of that locale this year.

If the convention doesn't have a designated quiet room, or it's not convenient for most of your events, you can often find other quiet locations, such as a hotel lobby or a nearby park. Some convention centers have special alcoves with a ledge and outlets or comfortable chairs with high sides that can serve a similar purpose.

These gentle places are a great way to help you pace your energy and get more out of your favorite game convention.

-- Nikki Vrtis