Spy Con Review
Recently, I was able to attend Spy Con. This was the con's first year, so going in I wasn’t sure what to expect. At the registration table, as soon as they saw Gwen (my service dog) they grinned and declared that she needed her own badge. And they printed her one! All day, she had a Spy Con badge that read 'Agent Gwen' clipped to her harness. I’ll be honest, I was squealing on the inside. I’ve had generally good experiences with Gwen at cons. But anytime I go to organized event, there’s always a chance I’m going to get an uncomfortable 'why are you here? or 'I wish you would leave' attitude from organizers or staff, when they realize I have a service dog. Spy Con's organizers and volunteers were so kind, genuine, and very helpful with any questions I had.
The host hotel was very nice and easy to navigate. I ate off-site, as I usually do at cons, but there was a bar and hotel restaurant that seemed to have a lot of options. There were plenty of benches, chairs, and small couches to sit and rest or wait for the next panel to start. There was a also a snack room, a room full of tables and chairs where you could go to eat or just sit and be quiet for a bit. I thought that was a really nice touch that I wish every con had. The bathrooms were very nice and accessible for myself and my service dog, but a power wheelchair might be a tight fit in the single handicap stall.
This is a very family friendly con. There were kids of varying ages in attendance. With the Spy theme of the con, it’s something I would have adored as a child.
The highlight of the con for me was the tango lesson. I love to dance! I haven’t done more than dance goofily around the kitchen with Gwen for a very long time. Part of me was afraid I couldn’t manage it, even as I’ve insisted to other people that it was possible. Spoiler alert: I did and it was awesome. The instructor, understandably, assumed that Gwen and I would simply be watching, but when I said we were planning to participate she didn’t bat an eye. That meant a lot to me, and I can’t remember if I even thanked her. Gwen stayed with me for the first part of the lesson to keep me standing when I wasn’t with a partner. Then when we were doing the basic steps as pairs she sat to the side. Turns out, she’s not nearly as in to dancing when I have a partner besides her! Once I was confident I could stand with a partner without falling, I put her in a stay at the edge of the room for the rest of the lesson. The instructor was amazing. She was excellent at breaking it down for all of us, very patient and funny.
Before the day was out, I also learned how to pick (a very basic) lock! The lock picking panel was great. When it ended, we marched from the panel room into the vendor’s hall where their table were set up for an impromptu demonstration and lesson. Spontaneity is always fun, and it fit right into the spirit of the con.
I really, really enjoyed myself at Spy Con, and I can’t wait to watch it continue and grow. Everyone was welcoming and accommodating. The panels and activities were a blast. I will definitely be telling my friends about this one and eagerly waiting for next year.
