So you’re going to a leather con for the very first time huh?

Here are a few tips for surviving one of these events from someone in the trenches, a guy who has worked more than a few booths.

1) DO NOT FREAK THE LOCALS!
Unless you are going to one of the really big conventions, the kind that sell out an ENTIRE hotel, you are going to be sharing space with the locals. It is important to recognize that these folks outnumber you and well, a lot of them would like nothing more than for our kind to be marched off in chains for re-education. Sure, you have just as much right of self-expression as the next person, but have some common sense. Prancing about the lobby dressed like an adult baby or doing a D/s scene in the sports bar is a sure fire way to get the hotel up in arms and the event shutdown. Your one act of sexual freedom could mean setting back the local SM community for years.

2) Don’t be a jack ass to the staff.
Most of the event staff at these conventions are volunteers. Folks who are donating their time and talent so YOU can have an event to go to. They are usually over worked, under informed and doing the best job they can under the circumstances. Coping an attitude and causing them grief accomplishes nothing, save making you look like a spoiled brat. So take a chill pill, relax and strike up a conversation with the person in line with you.

3) A black top and jeans is your best friend. (This also goes for pretty much ANY kink event you go to, this combo should fit right in)
During the course of the day you will be attending classes, meeting people and shopping (yeah shopping). Dressing in the backless PVC evening gown is really not advised. Save that for the play party later. Layers are a good plan if you are going to classes that require you to participate. A loose top that you can quickly remove over a tight body stocking or something like that works great. Stick to something comfortable and something that if you find yourself in the middle of the hotel restaurant and suddenly surrounded by Mormons. Well you know the rest. Call it “kink camouflage”

4) You did not invent SM sex.
A convention is a great place to meet a huge cross section of the SM community. From the old guard to the new kids, everyone there is coming for the same reason. To meet, share and shop (yeah shopping). Kinksters love to share their knowledge with those who have a genuine and sincere interest in learning. You may think you are the baddest SM top on two legs and your submissive might worship the ground you walk upon, but you are not the first. You didn’t invent this. Also, when you run afoul of some self-important top, keep that in mind too. Neither did he.

So in short, if you just remember these things you will have a great time.
Jeans, a black top, and don’t be a self important ass clown!