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Protect your gaming gear and personal data at an expo by packing only what you need, securing devices and accounts before you leave, keeping belongings with you, and treating open public Wi-Fi as unsuitable for sensitive tasks. Check the specific event’s current bag, screening, storage, and re-entry rules before packing: expo policies differ by organizer and venue.
Before you leave: check rules and prepare devices
Confirm what the venue allows
Read the organizer’s current attendee guide and prohibited-item policy. Check bag dimensions, security searches, permitted storage, re-entry rules, and restrictions on gaming equipment or cosplay props. A convention center and an event held in a public shopping center may have different requirements.
For example, CES attendee materials describe entrance bag searches, limits on the number and size of small bags, restrictions on rolling bags, and bag-check facilities. Those details apply to CES, not to every expo. GameACon’s rules reflect its shopping-center location and include restrictions on masks and props. Verify the rules for your own event shortly before you travel.
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Pack lightly and make belongings identifiable
Bring only the gear you expect to use, and keep loose belongings identifiable where appropriate. Gen Con recommends putting an identification tag with a mobile phone number on loose items to help return recovered property. A compact crossbody bag can be a convenient way to keep essentials close, but it is not theft-proof; check its dimensions and the event’s screening policy before bringing it.
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- COMPATIBLE CONSOLES: Compatible with Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, & Xbox 360 (NOT compatible with Xbox Series X 2020 Console Release) | Exterior Dimensions: 15 x 12.25 x 6.5 inches
- HIGH QUALITY DURABLE EXTERIOR: Tightly Woven RipStop Nylon over a reinforced shell with padded interior gives your Xbox One X the best protection from water damage, scratches, and impacts
- PADDED SHOULDER STRAP & HANDLE: The S13 features 2 convenient carrying options to sling over your shoulder or comfortably carry in hand || Padded dividers provide extra protection for your gear
- EXTERNAL ZIPPERED POCKET: For even more storage and customization, our Xbox One Carrying Case features external pockets for smaller items like HDMI Cables, Power Cables, and more for quick access
- SPACIOUS INTERIOR: The customizable interior provides room for multiple controllers, cables, and headphones
Secure devices and accounts
Update your phone, handheld, laptop, and relevant apps before the trip. Set a strong device passcode, enable encryption where available, and turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) for important accounts such as email and gaming services. Confirm that your account recovery methods still work. The FTC’s Cybersecurity for Small Business guidance recommends strong device passwords, encryption for devices containing sensitive information, MFA, and software updates.
Learn where your device’s location and remote-lock controls are before you need them, and note how to contact event staff. If your phone offers a setting to prevent automatic connections to public Wi-Fi, turn it off for automatic connections.
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- COMPATIBLE CONSOLES: Compatible with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, and PlayStation 3 (NOT compatible with PlayStation 5 Console 2020 Release) || Exterior Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 6.5 inches
- DURABLE DESIGN: Made with tightly woven RipStop Nylon over a reinforced shell and scratch resistant interior, our PS4 Pro Case provides the ultimate protection for you console and gaming accessories
- EXTERNAL ZIPPERED POCKET: For even more storage and customization, our PS4 bag features external pockets for smaller items like HDMI cables, power cables, and anything else you need quick access to
- PADDED SHOULDER STRAP & HANDLE: The S13 features 2 convenient carrying options to sling over your shoulder or comfortably carry in hand || Padded dividers provide extra protection for your gear
- SPACIOUS INTERIOR: The customizable interior provides room for multiple controllers, cables, and headphones || 3 YEAR WARRANTY: All USA Gear products are backed by a 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty
At the expo: keep gear close and use networks carefully
Keep bags and devices with you
Keep gaming devices and bags in sight rather than leaving them on a table, chair, or charging station while you step away. In crowded seating, hold a bag close or keep it in your lap. GDC’s attendee guidance recommends carrying shoulder bags under the arm and keeping bags in your lap while seated; follow your own event’s instructions as well.
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- 【Super Protectiion】 Our carrying case compatible with PS5 is no less protective than a hard shell. The exterior is made of wear-resistant and water-resistant materials, and the middle is filled with super-thick EPE sponges. And the main compartment adds an additional 3 protective cushions, giving your game console a full range of protection
- 【Reasonable Arrangement】 Each compartment has its own function. Separately compatible with the game console, earphones, controller and other game accessories, which can better protect them from scratches and collisions
- 【More Than Just a Carrying Case Compatible with PS5】Our travel case compatible with PS5 comes with padded shoulder straps, carry handles and luggage strap, so it can also be used as a suitcase to easily organize your clothes, laptop, camera, chargers and other travel essentials
- 【Fixity】 Designed specifically compatible with PS5 and PS5 accessories, the carry-on suitcase is well-made and durable, designed with sponge fixing pieces with sticky on both sides for better fixing and shock protection
- 【Large Capacity】 Measuring 16.5''L x 7.9''W x 12.2''H, the travel bag compatible with Playstation 5 has a double-layer design for increased storage space, making it a choice for both home and travel
Keep sensitive activity off open expo Wi-Fi
Use open public Wi-Fi for tasks that do not involve sensitive information, and avoid using it for banking, shopping, or personal business. CISA’s travel guidance says, “Avoid using open Wi-Fi networks to conduct personal business, bank, or shop online.” If a sensitive task cannot wait, use cellular data where practical. This advice does not mean every connection on public Wi-Fi automatically exposes your activity; it is a reason to avoid sensitive transactions on an open network.
Do not give anyone who approaches you your password, one-time authentication code, or account recovery link. MFA and unique passwords help protect accounts, but a code or recovery link is still meant for you, not for someone requesting it in person.
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- CUSTOMIZABLE INTERIOR STORAGE: 1 Large and 4 Small adjustable dividers allow you to create custom sections to store up to 1200 sleeved cards, dice, notebooks, tokens, counters and more MTG accessories
- PORTABLE COLLECTION BAG: Roomy interior storage bag holds decks and large card boxes held in place with an elastic security strap allowing you to bring along a collection to every game night
- WEATHER RESISTANT EXTERIOR: The MTG carrying case is made from tightly woven RipStop Nylon to give your MTG cards the best protection from water damage, scratches, and impacts
- REINFORCED PADDED INTERIOR: Premium scratch resistant interior loaded with adjustable reinforced dividers keep your deck boxes, cards, tcg accessories in place and safe during travel
- INTERIOR DIMENSIONS: 11 x 8 x 2.5 inches || Trading Cards and Binders NOT Included
Follow event-specific safety directions
Follow staff instructions, know where to find event security, and note the event’s contact method and lost-and-found process. If the organizer advises attendees to put badges away when leaving, do so; GDC gives that instruction for its event, but policies may differ elsewhere.
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Report it promptly
Tell event security or staff as soon as you notice something is missing and ask how to check lost and found. Gen Con identifies its Show Office as its convention’s lost-and-found center; other events may use a different office or process.
Protect payment cards and identity documents
If a payment card is missing, contact the bank or card issuer immediately and follow its instructions. GDC’s guidance tells attendees who lose cards to contact their card companies or banks and includes reporting contacts specific to San Francisco. Use the reporting process for your own location rather than relying on contacts published for another event. If an identity document is missing, follow the relevant issuing authority’s and local authorities’ reporting instructions.
Lock down a missing phone or computer
From a trusted device, use the device maker’s official location or remote-lock feature. Change important account passwords and revoke active sessions where the service allows it. CISA’s travel guidance recommends changing associated account passwords from a different computer you control after a device is compromised or lost.
Quick Recap
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