Traffic control can be one of the biggest frustrations at Dragon*Con. You’re trying to get from one place to another, but a gigantic line is in the way. Somebody’s barking at you to keep moving, but you can’t because people ahead of you have stopped to take pictures of a really great costume. You just want to see something cool, but all these people are in your way.

When it comes down to it, traffic control is also behind most of the problems that can crop up during fan panels. Fan panels can be really amazing — in my first few visits to Dragon*Con, I learned a lot about costuming and “Lord of the Rings” lore from fan panels, and I met tons of creative, interesting fans. But it’s also easy for fan panels to be derailed, taken over by soliloquies or bogged down by the endless re-hashing of a particular point. Without good traffic control, a promising panel can wind up in the weeds.

So here are some traffic-control tips for getting the most out of fan panels:

1. Keep your questions and comments concise and on topic. The whole panel will run a lot more smoothly, and you’ll have more time for other questions and discussions.
2. Don’t be baited by people who want to argue, and don’t fall into the trap of restating the same questions or comments that have already been raised.
3. Read the room before you dive into the discussion. Some moderators run really free-form panels that turn into open discussions. Others would rather attendees raise their hands before asking questions.
4. If you’re a moderator, don’t be afraid to politely put the panel back on track if someone’s monopolizing it or dragging it off course.
5. Speak up. If you can’t hear or if the visual aids are arranged so that part of the room can’t see them, let the moderator know.

You can read some other Dragon*Con tips here:
Dragon*Con Survival Guide
Costumes 101
It’s Dragon*Con: Do you know where your panel is?