STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo 2008

Hi folks! I'm Keith Quinn, creator of the Local Heroes and Playtime Projects strips. For the second year in a row, I'll be at Staple!, and boy, I'm excited! I want to make sure I bring everything I need for a successful show, but time's running out. What I need is a checklist to keep me from frantically gathering the goods at the last minute or, even worse, forget to bring something important.

First thing's first, let's make sure I have my "convention basics":

• The goods
  
• A big stack of Local Heroes #1.
  
• Two or three copies of Heroes Incorporated #1.
  
• A big stack of Playtime Projects Temporary Tattoos.


• Hand-outs
  
• A stack of flyers. (Special note: The backs of my flyers double as sketchcards!)
  


• Cash
  
• I need to make sure I can make change for any customer that needs it. It's especially important to bring plenty of singles and a scattering of change.
  
• Receipts.

Whoa, whoa whoa...I'm already forgetting some important things. Don't I want my table to look nice? What if someone wants a sketch on those sketchcards?

• Table supplies
  
• Table cloth. (I picked up a nice disposable one from Target!)
  
• Character standees and price list.
  
• Napkins/paper towels.
  
• Tape, rubber bands, big clips.
  
• Scissors (That table cloth is probably bigger than I need).
  
• Garbage bags.


• Art supplies—got to have something to use on those sketchcards!
  
• Pencils, pens, sharpies, markers, etc.
  
• Erasers.
  
• Pencil sharpener.
  

If I bring nothing else, at least the basics are covered. But I can do better. I want to make sure I capture some promotional moments as well as some great memories. And I probably want to make sure some personal comfort is accounted for.

• "Capture the moment" gear
  
• Camera (with fresh batteries!).
  
• Flip camera (also with fresh batteries).
  
• Extra batteries.
• Autograph book.
  


• Comfort
  
• Bottled water.
  
• Small snack.
  
• A table partner—great to spend time with (and to watch the table when you have to step away!).

Whew! I think I'm set...for now. In the future, especially if I were to have a larger table, I might also include more books and other merchandise, and maybe even sketches and portfolio pages for fans to flip through.

Am I missing anything? What do you have in your convention checklist?

Labels: Heroes Incorporated, Keith Quinn, Local Heroes, Playtime Projects