Do You Know Anyone at this Convention?

Do you know anyone at this convention?

Hi. I’m Pete McCabe. I’m leading Basecamp at The Session and Magifest 2026. Since Basecamp is pretty new, you probably want to know what it is. That makes two of us.

Basecamp is a great resource for conventioneers. It started at The Session as a dedicated place where people at their first magic convention could go and get some help navigating the experience. It’s also a way for generous convention veterans to connect with newcomers and share some of the joy of the convention from their eyes. Another way to think of it is that Basecamp is for anybody who doesn’t know anybody else at the convention. Come to Basecamp and meet other people like you, see them at several events, and leave the convention as friends.

Table Magic

At The Session and Magifest, there will be dedicated Basecamp tables; look for the table tents. Anytime you want, just walk up to the table and say hi. Meet other Basecamp people. Ask questions if you have any. Do a trick for me; I’d love to see it. Tell me what you’re interested in and maybe I can show you something. If not, I’ll try to find someone who can. That includes meal time, so you can eat with new friends. And if there isn’t one where you think there should be, let me know.

What if there’s no Basecamp at my convention?

Currently, there is only Basecamp at The Session and Magifest (although if Josh and Andi want to hire me to run Basecamp at The Retreat in Kauai, let me know). If you are going to any other convention, there won’t be a dedicated service for you. So here is my general advice for people new to conventions.

The first time you go to a convention, go for variety. Try as many different things as you can. That includes official convention events and informal activities and sessions. Next year you can focus on something if you want. When you are there, talk to the people next to you. If you are on line or the audience of a show or lecture, ask the people next to you if they have seen the performer before.

At the end of whatever event precedes the lunch or dinner break, ask whoever you’ve been talking to if they want to get something to eat. At the Session or Magifest there will be Basecamp tables at meal times so you won’t have to eat alone. Anywhere else, see if you can find a restaurant where other convention people are eating, and go there, and ask if you and your friend can join them.

In general, my advice is to assume that everyone else there would love to help you make your way through the convention experience. Whether the convention has an official Basecamp or not.