The Exhibit Hall floor at San Diego Comic-Con is one of the main draws for the show. There is literally over 1 square mile of show space, and walking up and down every aisle is like walking a half-marathon. So how do you tackle this behemoth nerve-center of the show? Today's tip will give you some ideas of how to get the most out of this one-of-a-kind arena of nerd merchandise.

Check Out the Map Before the Show

Navigating the maze to find a specific exhibitor's booth could take all day, especially if they are a smaller retailer. The Program Guide that you'll pick up at the beginning of the show has a fold-out map of the Exhibit Hall floor. Even better, we recommend that you print the map once it is posted on the www.comic-con.org website. Plan an attack strategy, especially if you're hunting for a rare gem.

Stay Away From the Movie Studio Booths

Okay, maybe it is better to say “approach with caution”. The large production houses tend to all set up shop right next to each other, and this means that if you go in, you're going get stuck there for a long time. You see, people have realized at the film production houses hand out swag (which stands for Stuff We All Get) and so they flood this area. I've literally been swept up in a crowd and gotten stuck in this area for an hour just because the crowd was so dense and no one was moving. The trinkets the movie houses give away are not worth the time lost, which could be better spent seeing the other marvels on the Exhibit Hall floor.

Choose Your Exclusives Wisely

We all salivate over the exclusive offerings that vendors dangle at us during Comic-Con. When it comes to exclusives, fans will stand in lines for days to score that specific exclusive. Before you get caught in that trap, think about why you come to Comic-Con. Are you here to get that one key item? Is it worth missing the rest of the show? If so, get in line early and enjoy your collectible gem. But you need to know a few things first.

A few years ago I had the chance to be on the Exhibit Hall floor during the 3 hours that the booths were being assembled. I was nearby the Hasbro booth, and watched with fascination/horror as the show start drew near. A crowd of hundreds of exhibitors formed near the booth, all milling about waiting for the show to start so they could jump into line before the hardcore fans waiting for the doors to open. Security attempted to disperse the crowd over and over again, but they were totally ineffective. As soon as the show's official opening announcement came over the PA speakers, the line formed around the booth. These exhibitors are almost certainly the only people who can buy items on Preview Night, and boy, do they buy. They buy the maximum of every item, which is often dozens of the same figure. They sell these items at their booths for a markup, or on eBay for a tidy profit.

So my recommendation is that you spend your Preview Night time more wisely, at least when it comes to the large toy vendors (who are clearly the biggest exclusives draw). It is easier to score exclusives from other companies, so if you have your heart set on something, grab that as soon as you get into the Exhibit Hall. When it comes to the stuff that the large toy vendors (Hasbro and Mattel) sell, I suggest that you consider getting those items from they toy vendors who stood in that line. Figure that you're going to spend 10% to 20% more on those items, and consider that money well spent since it will mean you can enjoy more of Comic-Con than a line.

Pack the Right Bag

Choosing the right bag to pack your junk around San Diego for a few days can be a serious challenge. You're going to be loading the bag with all the fantastic goodies you get, but want to be able to maneuver through the crowded Exhibit Hall. You have two basic choices: a backpack, or an over-the-shoulder satchel bag. Backpacks allow you to carry the most, but are also the most awkward option. I've seen more near-fight incidents caused by someone's unwieldy backpack accidentally smacking into someone, or worse, someone's kid. Satchel bags are vastly more accessible, since you can easily swivel the bag across your body, however not just any satchel bag will hold up to the rigors of Comic-Con. I carry a US Army M-51 Engineer's field bag, which is sturdy enough to hold many heavy trade paperbacks and is easily accessible during the show. It has pockets for all of your gadgets and can hold your water bottle too. You can pick it up at most Army Surplus stores or on Amazon for a smoking deal.

Convention Hall Etiquette

It is a shame that I even feel the need to include this topic, but it bears mentioning. When you're in the Exhibit Hall, you need to act like a decent human being. Don't become an obsessive jerk who will do anything for a cheap t-shirt. Don't stop to snap a photo in the middle of the aisle. Make space for the disabled, and make sure your fellow Con-goers do the same.

Keep your hands to yourself. I've seen several incidents where some jerk in the crowd thought he could get away with groping some unsuspecting fan girl and get away in the crowd, only to be detained by other attendees who witnessed their douch-baggery. That's not only a scenario where you'll get kicked out of Con, never to return, but you'll also find yourself visiting with the San Diego police. Jerks like that are few and far between, but it is unacceptable and we all have a responsibility to stop that kind of behavior. It can be hard to be a female nerd, and we need more of them, so make it your job to make sure they don't get mistreated.

Wear deodorant and brush your teeth. Be polite and wait your turn. Be especially courteous to Exhibitors, who are working long hard days. And I know that Security guards can be really challenging, what with their asking you to turn your badge around every time you enter the building, but be nice to them. They're dealing with cranky fanboys all day and they're just doing their job.

Sunday Isn't (Always) the Best Day for Deals

Somewhere along the way, Comic-Con attendees decided that Sunday was a magical day to score the best deals. It is true that Sunday at Comic-Con is generally a bit less crowded as fans begin to trickle out, and some retailers will sell at a discount so they can avoid having to ship everything home. But in actuality most prices don't take a very dramatic dip, and Exhibitors know that they're going to do some of their best business on Sundays as people make their final purchases. So don't expect that T-shirt booth to drop prices dramatically on Sunday; this is their day job, and they're not going to give stuff away at a loss. (Plus, those booths are a nightmare on Sunday, and you can bet that they'll have sold out of all sizes that fit a reasonable human being.)

I find that selection is important. If there's an item you really want, but it is rather limited among the booths, get it when you see it. Feel free to haggle with the Exhibitor. But if you wait until Sunday to find a deal on that rare item, you'll find that it is already gone or is still the same price. A good tactic for haggling with Exhibitors: offer to purchase multiple items at a discounted price, such as buying two figures/prints/issues and getting the third half-off.

Comic-Con is No Place for a Poster

Artists love to sell posters and prints because they are cheap to print and they look impressive, and fans tend to buy more than one at a time. But most people don't realize that their beautiful poster is going to look like a crumpled mess when they finally exit the Exhibit Hall. If you really love posters, you should consider buying a large poster tube. For most people, though, it isn't worth the heartache of toting a poster tube through the Exhibit Hall floor just to get a poster for Chucky 17: The Doll Factory.

Exhibitors are making the gradual transition to 11 x 17 inch prints, which are great because they are small enough to fit in some bags and can sit flat. I like 11 x 17 prints because many Exhibitors include clear print protectors for a few bucks more. (If you want to savecash, you can also buy your own print protectors.)

Get Out of the Exhibit Hall

Don't spend all of your time in the Exhibit Hall. Get out and see some panels, or take in some of the delicious cuisine San Diego has to offer (watch for our next tip, ‘nough said). In my experience, three hours in the Exhibit Hall is enough for any one day.

Do you have a war story from the Exhibit Hall? What are your best tips for making it out alive? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!