Geekery | Support Legit Local Artists and Sellers at CONQuest’s Quest Market + Shopping Tips and Tricks
8:06 AMIt’s just one week until CONQuest 2023 and everyone is busy preparing for it in their own ways. One of the things I’m excited about is the QuestMarket, where local artists and sellers will sell their merchandise from various fandoms. They’re also busy preparing for the event and are working hard to produce awesome and high-quality items for us. For a long time, I always supported local artists and sellers. Thus, in every pop culture convention I go to, I make sure to buy their items from different fandoms. This year, I plan to make the most of the three days to visit their shops. For your reference, here is the floor plan of SMX 2nd floor where the QuestMarket is located, as well as the list of artists and sellers: 9 Tips and Tricks in Buying at Quest Market While shopping for merchandise is fun, it can also be a bit stressful and tiring. But I have some tips and tricks for you, so you can enjoy exploring the QuestMarket: 1. Set a budget. For sure, there will be A LOT of artworks and items from your favorite fandoms. I suggest that you set a budget for all your shopping expenses. At this time, most of the artists and sellers have already released their own catalogs on social media. You can check those out to see what they’re selling and how much. This way, you can plan out your budget and know what to buy. 2. Plan ahead on your time in going to QuestMarket. CONQuest is extending the show floor closing to 7:30 PM instead of 6:00 PM, thus you can shop until then. Thus, I recommend you plan ahead of time when going to QuestMarket. 
Please also note that no re-entry will be allowed past 6:00PM. For MeetZone attendees, if the activity extends past 6:00PM, just show your stub and wristband or Premium badge for re-entry to SMX until 7:00PM.
3. Wear comfortable footwear and clothes, as well as bring water.
Shopping around QuestMarket means you will be walking around---A LOT. Thus, if you are a normal congoer and not cosplaying, it’s really advisable to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. However, if you’re cosplaying, make sure to bring extra footwear in case the ones you’re wearing are not comfortable anymore.
And of course, don’t forget to hydrate.
There are also food stalls in QuestMarket, so you won’t get hungry.
4. Bring a big eco bag.
It’s not advisable to bring the items you bought with your hands. It’s best to bring a big eco, so you can put your items inside and keep them safe.
5. For art prints and stickers, bring a flat organizer or storage.
One of the things that artists and sellers will be selling are art prints. I recommend placing them in flat organizers such as: envelopes, clear folders, accordion folders, binders with clear pockets, small pouches, ziplock envelopes, or anything that can keep the prints safe from wrinkling.
6. Bring smaller bills or load up your Gcash/bank accounts.
Based on my shopping experience last year in CONQuest, the majority of the artists and sellers (if not all) accept payments via Gcash or bank transfers. So, I recommend you to load up on your GCash and bank accounts.
If you’re paying via cash, make sure to give smaller bills so the artists and sellers won’t run out of cash for change.
7. Ask for the artist’s or shop’s business cards or take note of their socials (which are usually displayed).
Sometimes, I post the items that I buy on social media and I like to tag the artist or seller.
If you plan to do this, make sure to get their socials or ask for their business cards, so you can tag and follow them.
8. Use this list to know where the artists and sellers are located.
Take a look at the social media pages of the artists and sellers to find out what they’re selling, so you can list down the items you want to buy.
Here are the partial lists of artists and sellers, which consist of their locations in QuestMarket, their booth numbers, and what they will be selling. Click on the links below:
Thank you to @_frostybreezes and @Kimbee331 for doing these lists.
9. Lastly, have fun shopping.
Don’t let shopping become too stressful for you because it should always be enjoyable.
Support our local artists and sellers by buying the items that they worked so hard for at QuestMarket. And don’t forget to thank them for giving us awesome merchandise. 😀
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CONQuest Festival 2023 will be on June 2-4, 2023 at five venues: SMX Convention Center, Conrad Manila, Mall of Asia, Seashell Lane, and NU MOA.
For more details about the event, you can visit their social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok.
Buy your tickets now at https://bit.ly/CONQuest2023_Tickets
Official Hashtags
#CONQuest2023
#SeeYouInTheSkies
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