Major Events: What do I need?

[Dont-Be-Haten]

Hello B&C,

I've been in this hobby for a long time. Previously in my hobbyist days I have not been much for attending major events, or the like, mainly due to financial constraints and little vacation time/availability. Now with my career I have a favorable amount of time to start participating in these types of major events. My first one that I want to attend next year is the Las Vegas Open (LVO) which is January 26-29th. I am very interested in participating in the narrative event for 30k. I should have my army completely painted and ready to participate by that point. I'm mostly just looking for advice on a few things. And while I can google information, or deep dive through reddit, I much prefer trying here first.

Here's a list of my current questions:

1. Do we need to arrive a day or two ahead of the event?
2. What are the best methods to transport your army via air travel? Is it better to take battle foam soft case, or something like the hard case provided by GW? Is carry-on the way to travel?
3. Other than glues for damage of models what other hobby items should I make sure to bring with me?
4. What are some things to expect at the major events other than a lot of people? Is this an all-day affair or is there going to be time to do sight seeing etc?
5. How many days past the end date of the event do you normally schedule out for? 1-2 days?

Thanks in advance,
DBH

[Rik Lightstar]

Hey DBH,

I've done a bunch of events in the UK all within driving distance but often opting for a hotel near the venue. I've also done one event in the US travelling from the UK.

There are a couple of elements to the answers to most of your questions, these are "most sensible planning choices" and "getting the most out of your trip choices" and for a number of reasons they won't always be the same thing:

1. Do we need to arrive a day or two ahead of the event?
   • If you're flying in, you definitely want to plan to arrive at least one day before if you're getting a morning flight or two days for an evening flight. If your flight ends up getting cancelled for whatever reason then you should have enough time in your plan to be on the next flight and still be on time.
   • Travelling can be tiring and stressful, if you want to enjoy your time gaming then you're going to want a good night's sleep the night before
2. What are the best methods to transport your army via air travel? Is it better to take battle foam soft case, or something like the hard case provided by GW? Is carry-on the way to travel?
   • I used some Feldherr cases that I could fit into my carry-on bag.
   • I wouldn't put an army for an event in hold luggage, if that goes missing in any way at all then your event is over, keep it with you as much as possible.
3. Other than glues for damage of models what other hobby items should I make sure to bring with me?
   • Your event is within the US, I'd pick up glue after arriving or order it to be delivered to wherever I'm staying.
   • Taking solvents and other chemicals on a flight is just asking for questions to be asked. Wherever possible avoid attention from the TSA and other similar organisations, they have the power to ruin your day/week/month/year/decade depending on their mood.
4. What are some things to expect at the major events other than a lot of people? Is this an all-day affair or is there going to be time to do sight seeing etc?
   • Expect the 4 days of the event itself to be pretty full, and the 3 days of the event your doing to be spent just on that. You may get to go out in the evenings but don't make too many plans on that front.
   • The 30k Narrative Event itinerary is here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oCKOLbODsBBekvI92woQj0cJn_b210x317A5fwbEKy8/edit
5. How many days past the end date of the event do you normally schedule out for? 1-2 days?
   • Depending on your travel arrangements, you're likely going to want the day after you travel back off too so you can get yourself unpacked and recover from a hectic few days.

If you want to do anything other than event participation while you're in the area I'd recommend planning it for BEFORE the event. Con-Crud *is absolutely a thing and it would absolutely ruin your follow-up plans.

*Con-Crud is the affectionate name for the accumulated affects of tiredness, terrible food choices and being in an enclosed space for 3 days with a bunch of people from different areas all sharing their germs. It's not something everyone gets, or that happens every time, but it'd be pretty frustrating for it to ruin other plans.

Hope this helps.

Rik

Edited August 10, 2022 by Dosjetka
Edited text formatting.

[Dont-Be-Haten]

Hey Rik,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the response. I have no problem picking up super glue from one of the local places in down town Las Vegas. I think overhead luggage with a hard case is the way to transport 4k points worth of 30k models.

I will definitely load up on purell and probably wear a mask in the center, just depends on the cigar/cigarette smoke that encapsulates the casino and how it affects my breathing.

My plan was to leave out either the Tuesday or Wednesday before so I could do some sight seeing etc. I've purchased the 3 day narrative event, I just was curious about the availability of the events after 7pm and what time there might be to check out merch tables and if I wanted to go to any speakers etc.

Edited August 8, 2022 by Dont-Be-Haten

[Rik Lightstar]

2 hours ago, Dont-Be-Haten said:

Hey Rik,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the response. I have no problem picking up super glue from one of the local places in down town Las Vegas. I think overhead luggage with a hard case is the way to transport 4k points worth of 30k models.

I will definitely load up on purell and probably wear a mask in the center, just depends on the cigar/cigarette smoke that encapsulates the casino and how it affects my breathing.

My plan was to leave out either the Tuesday or Wednesday before so I could do some sight seeing etc. I've purchased the 3 day narrative event, I just was curious about the availability of the events after 7pm and what time there might be to check out merch tables and if I wanted to go to any speakers etc.

I've not been to LVO specifically but I've been to big events Like GWs Games Days UK (back in the 90s and early 00s when it was pretty big), London GT and UK Games Expo along with the Cherokee Open which is also run by the FLG guys.

Any time to look at sales stands, merch tables or listen to speakers on "playing days" would be unexpected to say the least. Essentially I'd only expect it to happen if you got a bye for a round.

Rik

[Dont-Be-Haten]

1 minute ago, Rik Lightstar said:

I've not been to LVO specifically but I've been to big events Like GWs Games Days UK (back in the 90s and early 00s when it was pretty big), London GT and UK Games Expo along with the Cherokee Open which is also run by the FLG guys.

Any time to look at sales stands, merch tables or listen to speakers on "playing days" would be unexpected to say the least. Essentially I'd only expect it to happen if you got a bye for a round.

Rik

Yeah. I'll probably just have to shop around during my lunch hour that day, or see what fun things they have on Thursday before games day etc.

[Cactus]

You should also think about how you move your models (and dice, books etc.) quickly and easily between tables. Can you stand everything on top of your case and carry it? Do you need a dedicated tray?

You do not want to be packing away and unpacking again every round. Nor do you want to be dashing back and forth across a possibly very large room ferrying your models while everyone else is setting up for their next game as well.