Once you reach a level of comfort with your kinky desires it may be time to go to a BDSM convention. A BDSM convention is much like a convention for any other activity. It is held in a hotel or large convention center with classes and seminars to choose from. There are vendors selling wares and people from all over showing up with one thing in common. They are all kinky.
While the classes won’t be about system analysis or team building they are still a fantastic resource for education and information gathering on what it is that we do. Some conventions are specific to one facet of BDSM such as Shibaricon which is all about rope bondage, but most cater to a variety of predilections.
It’s no secret that these conventions can get costly so I wanted to put together some tips for you to use to help you save a bit of money and still enjoy the event to its fullest.
Registration
The actual cost of attendance varies based on size, popularity, and overhead of the convention itself. Some events are economical at around $50 per person and others can set you back over $200 just to register. Start out by signing up for events that you can easily afford.
A way to make the registration more affordable could be to apply for a volunteer scholarship. Oftentimes conventions are looking for some help during the event and will deduct some or all of your registration fee if you volunteer to work part of the event. The work could be anything from watching tables, set up and take down, patrolling the area, dungeon monitors, and errand gofers. Even if this is your first event, there are things you can do to help if you wish to volunteer.
Sometimes registration is discounted for couples. If you aren’t with a partner, see if someone you know wants to go along. You can use the couples discount to shave off a few dollars of your entrance fee. And maybe even split travel and lodging costs too!
Travel
Conventions happen all over the world. If you have the ease to travel, then do so, but most of us have to figure in planes, trains, buses or automobile costs to get to the location.
As I mentioned above, one way to help cut many costs is to go with a friend or two. You can split these costs and make them cheaper for both of you to have a great time.
If you don’t have a companion then see if you have frequent flyer miles, savings from credit cards or perhaps if there are early ticket dates for more savings.
Better than that, try to attend conventions within a specific perimeter, say no more than 8 hours drive. Costs go way down if you can just drive there or take a bus.
Lodging
Most conventions I’ve seen are in hotels with large convention centers. The event coordinators will recommend that you patron the host hotel since they have likely garnered a deal for people who stay there and all of the activities are contained within. This is definitely where sharing a room will shave off money. So, even if you may not have traveled with someone, you can very likely broadcast to local groups also attending and see if you can share a room with someone. (This does not imply sex or play with them. Just sharing the room.)
Another option is to see what other cheaper hotels are in the area. Try to stay close since the event goes all day and won’t wait for you. The event coordinators might even suggest other hotels in the area if you ask. Then you can possibly use hotel loyalty cards if you have one or get better rates from a hotel booking site.
Lastly, do you know anyone living in the town the convention is being held? If so, see if you can crash at their place for the weekend. I know my friends would love to see me, even for a short bit in between play parties.
Meals
While there you will need to plan your meals. The larger conventions and even some of the small ones have meals catered or agreements with the restaurant in the hotel. It is convenient and in many cases worth the cost.
But then, if you have food preferences or allergies it is hard to control that with a meal plan. Knowing if there are other restaurants in the area will help so that you can budget that cost in. Now, there is a simpler alternative too.
You can bring convenience foods in your luggage if you can stomach that for an entire weekend. Some hotel suites have mini-fridges so you can go the route of sandwiches if you stop by a supermarket before the hotel.
Make friends and split appetizers or a 2-fer special is another way to not only get good food for less but to make friends in the process.
Shopping
It might seem impossible to imagine, but you can save money at the vendors on occasion too. Don’t assume that their prices are firm. If something really catches your eye, ask them if they’d be willing to work with you. If not, at least you asked!
Get their business cards and write down what you want and the price. Sometimes they are cheaper online at their site or they might go on sale after the event. Lastly, watch for the last few hours of the convention. Oftentimes vendors want to reduce stock because they don’t want to pack it back up so they hold sales on items and your dream item might be on the list.
Finally, if you really have the drive to go to a convention you will find some way to get there on a budget that you set. Make it firm and then work within that. There is no reason you should break the bank for it when it isn’t necessary.
Have you been to a kinky convention? What other tips do you have to save money?
Kink Academy Videos (affiliate)
Con-crud and Con-drop (free video) – Being healthy at kink conventions means more than just safe, sane, and consensual. The intimate contact can make you more vulnerable to colds and flu-like illnesses, and Lee has some specific ideas for maintaining your health at a con. He and Mollena also talk about “con-drop”, the depression that can hit after a particularly good convention when you have to make your way back in the “real” world. They discuss what kinds of self-care and support networks can help you through that process and help you get ready for the next one!