What I Wish I Knew Before My First Big Con (Heroes Con 2026)

This past weekend (6/13/26) I went to my first really big comic convention. I’ve been to smaller local signings and events before, but this was on a completely different scale. I only went for one day because my wife is pregnant (she’s due in about a month), and I didn’t want to leave her alone with the other kids for multiple days. Even with just one day, I came away with quite a few lessons.

Some of these things were specific to this show, but a lot of them would apply to most big conventions. If you’re going to your first big con (or even if you’ve been to a few), here’s what I wish I had known ahead of time.

Getting There and Parking

One of the first things I had to figure out was parking. The convention center didn’t have its own dedicated parking for guests, so I parked in a nearby deck connected by a walkway (the NASCAR Hall of Fame deck). It ended up costing ~$25, which was less than the $40 some people online were saying it might cost. There were other parking options too — some possibly cheaper or even free — but they involved longer walks and less convenience.

Lesson: When you’re carrying a lot of books (or plan on buying more), and only have one day at a con, walking distance might matter more than you might think. What feels fine at the beginning of the day can feel a lot heavier by the end. It’s worth looking into parking options, prices, and how far you’ll have to walk ahead of time.

Getting Inside

Once I got to the convention center, I had to get my wristband before getting in line. There was basically no line for the wristband, so it was pretty quick. After that, there was a long line outside to get into the actual convention. It moved reasonably well (even started a bit early), but it was already warm out. By the time I got through security and inside, I was ready to cool off and get my bearings.

Big cons are big. Even though I looked at the map beforehand, I still got turned around a few times early on. One thing I didn’t fully appreciate is that maps can change or become outdated — things move around, and what’s on the map might not perfectly match what’s actually there on the day.

Managing Expectations With Popular Creators

I went in with a few creators I really wanted to meet. I knew going in that some of the biggest names were either long shots or would likely have very long lines. What I didn’t fully expect was just how fast spots can disappear.

By the time general admission started, tickets for one of the most popular creators were already gone. I heard some people with early access still missed out.

Lesson: Check individual creator websites and social media for signing times and updates before the show. Popular creators can run out of spots fast. It helps to go in with a flexible mindset and a backup plan rather than putting too much pressure on getting specific signatures.

Signing Experiences and What Surprised Me

Once I accepted that I wasn’t going to get everyone I originally wanted, I focused on who I could get signed. Some lines moved surprisingly fast (or wildly didn’t have a line at all), while others were much slower. A few artists were very chatty, while others kept things moving quickly.

One thing that really caught me off guard was how much carrying books around affects you physically. I brought a regular book bag, and by the end of the day my shoulders and back were a bit sore. Even in a relatively cool room, I could occasionally feel my back sweat. The next day I could still feel it in one shoulder from the strap. At first I thought some of the rolling carts and crates people were using looked a little silly — I don’t think that anymore.

Key Lessons I Learned

Here are some of the biggest things I’ll do differently next time:

• Bring more cash than you think you need. I brought some cash, but I should have planned to do most transactions in cash. A lot of vendors and some artists prefer it, and you will often almost always spend less when paying cash (card fees, cash deals etc).
• Think seriously about how you’re carrying your books. A regular book bag works, but if you’re bringing a lot of books or plan on buying more, something with wheels is probably worth it. Your back and shoulders will thank you.
• Give things time to dry — and consider bringing a small fan. I waited what felt like an incredibly long time for some books to dry, but a couple (signed in acrylic) still ended up with very minor issues. A small portable fan might be a worthwhile upgrade for future shows.
• Be flexible and have a backup plan. You might not get everyone you want signed. Bringing more books/options gives you flexibility without putting too much pressure on specific signatures. You might be surprised at who has a short (or no) line.
• Don’t spend the entire day in lines. This one surprised me. Because some of my original plans fell through, I actually ended up walking around more than I expected. I got to see more of the show, talk to people, and enjoy parts of the convention I would have missed if I had been in lines the whole day. If everything had gone according to plan, I probably would have spent almost the entire day standing in line.
• Big cons can be overwhelming. There’s just so much to see — books, art, creators, vendors, and displays. It’s easy to get overstimulated. It’s okay to slow down and not try to do everything. There is always next year.

The Human Side of the Con

One of the best parts of the day wasn’t even the signings. It was the random conversations I had with other people in line or at booths. Whether we were talking about what we were hoping to get signed or just random hobby talk, those moments made the day more enjoyable.

There’s something special about being surrounded by so many different people who are excited about the same things you are.

Final Takeaways

Going to my first big con was a good experience, even with the things that didn’t go perfectly. I got some books signed, met some cool people, and came away with a much better understanding of how these events actually work.

If I go to another big convention, I’ll plan differently — especially around parking, what I bring, and how I pace myself. While I’ll have a bit of a plan, I also won’t put as much pressure on getting specific signatures. Having more flexibility (and bringing more backup books) would have made the day less stressful and more enjoyable.

Big cons are a lot. They can be exciting, overwhelming, fun, and exhausting all at once. Going in with realistic expectations and a loose plan makes a big difference.

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