How To Make The Most of Your Convention Investment

How To Make The Most of Your Convention Investment

Choosing a Convention That’s Right For You

Steve “Salty” Kissell

Your time and your money are both valuable. So how do you find a convention that makes for a wise use of both? There are several ways to approach this.

First, you can ask your clown friends. If you are part of an alley you have probably already heard about several. During a meeting find out what clown conventions others have been to. Find out what specifics they liked about particular ones or disliked. One person may not like a convention that does not have a competition while another person values more workshop opportunities. Decide what is important to you and choose one that matches that goal. Keep a list going so you can make notes, it’s hard to remember which information to associate with which convention if you are listening to several folks at once.

Second, decide if there is one or more performers that you find match the kind of program you like. We all have our favorites/mentors. Check out their website and see if they are going to be at a convention in your area. If nothing is listed on their website you can usually e-mail them through their website or a link and check to see if they are offering any mini-workshops in your area. This might make a great opportunity for you to meet folks from other alleys. Or perhaps get together with another alley and sponsor that performer to give a couple workshops for you.

Read at least one clown magazine. Funny Papers is a good one and it has a free listing of Upcoming Events. Check out the websites of ones listed. They usually list their staff, schedule, registration information and any site information there. Call for more information and don’t be afraid to ask questions about what to expect.

Realize that there is a reason some conventions are more expensive that others. Check and see who is on staff, where it is, the kinds of classes offered and the evening events planned. Look to see if there is something included with registration, such as notebook and audiotapes, that give it added value. Remember that your time and money are an investment and the more expensive conventions can offer you the opportunity to learn from many high caliber folks at once.

Decide ahead that you may have to travel. When our office registers folks for Comedy Magic Workshop or Kentucky Clown Derby we try to help anyone that requests a roommate. This is a great way to save money and meet new folks. Our policy is to give contact information to both people and let them take it from there. Many conventions are only offered once a year and usually in the same location, check to see if you can get a group from your alley together and go. It can save gas money and hotel expenses. Call the registration number and see if they give a discount to groups.

Ask for a scholarship but only if you need one. This is usually money that can be applied toward registration. Hotels bill independent of conventions and so be prepared to cover hotel and food on your own. This will usually be a pre-determined amount but seldom covers the entire registration. You might be able to talk to the convention director, if you contact them earlier enough, and ask if you can work off your registration by helping with setup, check-in, evening activities and clean up. If that interests you, be prepared to arrive the day before, miss a couple classes if you are helping with registration, and to stay late. Remember, you have offered to work for your registration.

Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons and try a new convention or kind of convention. If you usually focus on a magic convention try one on storytelling to expand your skills and marketability to schools and libraries. Try a face painting convention if you have been doing more of that at birthday parties. You might be able to get a deal with a local sports team.

Finally, go and have fun. It’s okay to be a beginner at a convention, most other entertainers are glad to help show you some tricks of the trade they have learned along the way too. You will usually find informal jam sessions of various types - balloon twisting, face painting, juggling and such, at each convention. At one point, every entertainer was a beginner. Some have continued to practice and developed their skill. Make sure that you are one of them!