First Time Convention Questions

Sometimes vendors will have convention discounts and often free shipping if you order from them there.  Most usually bring a certain amount of stuff with them and offer free shipping if they run out and must ship it to you.  You are wise to go with a list.  It can be VERY overwhelming with the sea of homeschooling materials available now.  I remember when I first started, there wasn’t nearly as much.  Now it’s enough to make your head spin.  Even in the CM realm, there are so many choices.  Will SCM be there?  The first places I go when at a convention is to any booth selling used, living books like Jan Bloom and load up…literally.  That’s almost all of my budget (but I operate a living books lending library.)  When those are gone, they’re gone.  Then I go to SCM.  I’ve found that many companies who say they’re CM aren’t in my book.  You’re on the right track with SCM.

Enjoy!  It’s an experience!!  Oh and wear comfortable shoes!!!  And take some sort of wheeled cart with you if they allow it.  Otherwise you’ll break your back.

SCM is going to be in California this year!!  I’m so excited!!  I’m going to my first convention this year, and hearing Sonya talk was my main draw.

Sonya is great to hear! I love love conventions. And about to go to the South Carolina this wk. If I am not sick. I am having some strange pain and swelling.

I love going to the inspirational talks and visiting different vendors. It is so nice to be w/ other like minded people. It just always “lifts” my spirits and helps me get into the “mode” for the following yr.

I usually take just a little cash and a debit card. That way I don’t have to keep up w/ so much money. I have never had problems w/ anybody not accepting credit/debit cards. Except getting food at conventions.

A lot of booths will have good non-twaddle books. I always look at least 3-4 of them before deciding whom to buy from. Made the mistake yrs ago of buying the first I see. I have found out that some might have a book up to $2-$4 difference. If Queens Homeschooling is there, visit them. Rainbow Resource has good books. As well as Apologia, Jan Bloom, and other book vendors.

Have fun..I always do!

Tanya-our loss is your gain! We usually have Sonya here at our conference in Winston-Salem…I have been lucky enough to hear her speak on so many CM topics, you’ll love it! I am going to miss her here this year.

Conference is a super great way to refresh your mind and soul! I cannot tell you how fantastic it is to be surrounded by other families like your own. And the vendors are really helpful as well. I spoke with Emily last year about the brand new Picture Portfolios they were debuting that weekend….she is just as incredible to talk to as Sonya and her husband…I am so blessed to have run into these wonderful people who have helped us so much on our homescool journey! I don’t know about you, but I LOVE getting my hands on books before I buy them 🙂 And yes, definitely arrive with a list of what you need to buy/what vendor you want to be sure to check out…..my friends and I have a rule to absolutely NOT buy anything on the first day, Lol! This is because we get so darn excited about every.single.thing. we see, we could go nutso really easily! We find it more practical to “window shop” on day 1, go home & sleep on your ideas, and then go back & buy when you’ve calmed down a bit, hahaha.

My must haves include a rolling cart to lug those purchases around in, money for lunch and little items, debit card, list of books/vendors I need to seek out, a couple of snacks and a drink for those moments I realize I need to refuel. Have fun, try not to let yourself become too overwhelmed!