ConsimWorld Expo 2012

Pretty much all the food near the hotel is very good, but for a tight budget, try Fatburger, which is just on the other side of the street, or Jack in the Box down the street a few blocks. I haven't been to Consimworld in a couple years, so there might be some other options now. There is a Taco Bell, but you'll need a car to get there. I'll have my truck there, so I'll be making some runs to Taco Bell if anyone wants to make a "run for the border".

Hints by Ric:

1. Bring a Hat. No kidding! The first year I was there I didn't really understand how HOT it is there (I'm from Michigan). I didn't wear a hat when I went out in the sun and it was a killer for me. Not sunburn, I was sick. Now I make sure I have a hat and stick to the shade as much as possible when I'm out doors.

2. I find a brisk walk up the Butte behind the hotel in the early morning each day is an excellent way to get me ready for a good gaming day. Just make sure to do it early! Before breakfast is best.

3. Don't be shy to ask about a game that you haven't played before and see others playing. I find everyone is more then willing to chat about the game they are playing, just so long as you don't "butt into" the game.

4. Bring a copy of a game you'd like play, even if no one signed up for it. Sometimes games wrap up early and it's nice to have a backup.

5. Be ready to play! If it's a game you haven't played before do all you can to get ready. Find a copy of the rules and at least give them a once over. If you have the game, set up something and push things around a bit.

6. Have FUN!! This is the greatest war gaming event in the world, and its great because YOU are there!

My absolutely favorite lunch place is across the street and it's called something like 49ers Sandwiches or something along those lines. It's a sub place and they are cheap and absolutely delicious. I generally get a sandwich there each day for lunch and bring it back to eat alongside the free pasta salad, chips, and drinks offered in the snack hut. Can't be beat. With the free buffet breakfast (or factored into the cost of attending and room rates and paid for ahead of time anyway) you really only need to pay normal prices for dinner!

Bring something WARM TO WEAR as it will be cold in the gaming areas during the mornings and late at night; less gamers playing generating body heat. You can always remove your jacket or sweater later when the rooms start to heat up.

Mid May in Tempe should be quite hot outside for most of us. June is hotter but that is only relative. So we tend to dress quite casual but the big gaming rooms can get cold.

Folks brought plenty of alcohol into the gaming area last year but the hotel staff cracked down and I suggest you do not bring alcohol into the gaming area.

I bring a water bottle and keep hydrated.
It is pretty easy to overeat and not get any real exercise so the early morning (sunrise) walks up that mountain (butte) are nice.

Bring dice and a dice tower or dice bowls so the rolls don't clatter across the game map.
If you can drive, bring plexiglass because nothing else works well for securing the paper maps.

The convention really thins out Sunday morning so don't plan to stay late on Sunday unless you have made contact with your gaming partners.

Do not stay up all night playing Zombie or any other game because you will be wiped out for the more serious fare.

If you share a room with a fellow gamer, bring some foam ear plugs so you can sleep through most anything.

That's no Taco Bell, that's a Dell Taco!!
Bring a nice set of tweezers, the long kind that are bent near the end for moving those large stack of 20 to 30 counters.
Befriend someone with a car to take you to the best New York deli west of the Mississippi, Chompie's!!!! All I can say is WOW!

PLEASE shower and put on deodorant, the main room can really reak in a short time!