What is a con?

[Goltotoo]

http://somethingpositive.net/sp10012007.shtml

Yeah, I've never been to one, but that sounds about right. I still want to go someday. :)

[Mike Taylor]

A convention is a large gathering of people brought together with a common interest for a certain amount of time with the express purpose of sharing thoughts and ideas (sometimes even goods and services). There are political conventions, religious conventions, business, medical, and so on. Most will have exhibits or seminars of some form or another. Pop culture conventions like Dragon*Con exist so that fans of things like sci-fi, fantasy, anime, comics, and so on can gather to meet other people like themselves, show off and sell their wares, and just goof off and have a good time. Some are massive multi-day events like Dragon*Con, others are small one-day events hosted at local fairgrounds and the like. The smallest con I'd ever been to was at a little run down Best Western in Tallahassee FL. Two meeting rooms ran fan-subbed anime while the tiny banquet hall was converted to an art gallery and dealer's room.

[Crazeyal]

In many many ways, a con is what you make of it. Very many people had their first Dragoncon this year. Very many people enjoyed themselves. I got sidetracked and bummed out over things I missed. Jennie described this one as "the BEST DC evah!!!"

Sometimes the content overshadows the fellowship. Sometimes it's the opposite. But as to defining what a con is??? What do you WANT it to be?

[Ecchi_Kitty]

A con is like going over to a friends house to game or watch anime, depending on what kind of con it is. Well, more like a friend of a friend.... one you don't know.... with a whole bunch of other friends you don't know. And it isn't really at their house, it's at a hotel or college or someplace. And there's a fee to help cover costs. But other then all that, is just like going to a friends house.

[Claidhmore]

I go to cons to check out what's new in the world of whatever kind of con it is, hit the dealer's room, game if there is any gaming there and ogle as appropriate.

[Goltotoo]

Darn my deadpan expression! :) It was meant more as a humorous/rhetorical question. After all, I read DP and these forums, I know exactly what a con is, right? Because Jennie wouldn't make things up or exaggerate or nuthin'... :dgrin:

But thanks! I do appreciate hearing your various viewpoints. I've been to several professional conventions, but, ya know, when everyone is walking around in business suits, it doesn't quite have the flair of D*C. (At least everyone bathes, though.) :jbangel:

[sableagle]

Now there's a nice thought: costumes at the next academic convention, a whole line of stormtroopers at the back of the lecture hall for the Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Threat presentation and a dozen catgirls and pirates and at least one Hello Kitty in the Advances In Plasmid Identification Technology show.

Actually, "everyone in business suits and taking two showers a day" is probably a very nice thought for some people.

[Ecchi_Kitty]

You must go to those 'boring' medical conventions.

'round here, most docs come dressed as their favorate micro-organism, or Historical Medical Professional.... Florance Nightengale is frighteningly popular... frightening in that it's usually old men who dress up in the classic nurse uniforms....