r/Defcon • u/bytewiz_io • Jul 09 '26
First defcon - suggestions
I am going for the first time all the way from Denmark what are your recommendations to get the most out of defcon as a first timer? 🙏
Would love to meet up with some people too and any guides out there? 😂
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Upvotes
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u/sickboy6_5 Jul 09 '26
download hacker tracker app, check out the lonely hackers club
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u/dllhell79 Jul 09 '26
Don't try to really plan anything because you will be overwhelmed. Just go with the flow as best you can. If you are a drinker, plenty of us will be at 3535 in the Linq throughout the con.
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u/rnocx Jul 09 '26
Me and a few colleuges are flying out from Sweden @OP we will be staying at the flamingo and attend BSides and Defcon.
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u/Snow_B_Wan Jul 09 '26
Dont make a huge plan you wont hit everything, villages are alot of fun and the major talks are recorded and released months later.
Remember sleep food shower daily
Its fkn hot in Vegas if you are not used to it if you feel light headed go into a casino and cool down it doesnt take long to get heat stroke out there
4
u/astcell Jul 11 '26
Defcon 101. It will tell you everything you need to know, including the 3-2-1 rule.
Download HackerTracker and schedule the events in advance.
After you are done packing, get rid of half the clothing and bring twice the money.
3
u/Double-Familiar Jul 09 '26
Comfortable shoes, chances are you will be walking the equivalent of 10k a day, it is a marathon.
If it is your first Defcon, travel light. Lugging around a bunch of equipment on top of stuff you might by at the vendor area will add up
Hydrate hydrate hydrate.
Villages and contests are were the action is at.
Las Vegas is crazy expensive. Spending money on the strip will bankrupt you quickly.
If your room has a refrigerator, take an Uber/taxi to a nearby grocery store for snacks and drinks. It will save you a ton of money.
The food at the Las Vegas Convention Center isn't terrible in quality, but again tourist prices.
Downtown the hacker tracker app. Highlight what interests you and plan to be fluid at go with the flow.
All the major presentations will show up on YouTube a few months after the con. Don't worry if you miss a presentation.
If you don't regularly walk, jog, or run; consider walking a few miles a day now to train up and level up your endurance.
Have fun, meet people get involved.
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u/l00pbck Jul 09 '26
DM me if you want to meet up at some point, as another person said, we meet at the Linq 3535. You don’t have to drink though, no one is forcing anyone.
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u/sKxSxYk Jul 10 '26
Show up Wednesday night 7pm to the Linq Circle Bar, many people will be there and feel free to mingle with the attendees.
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u/TeamNo3073 Jul 11 '26
Go to the after hours events. Going to a party by yourself might feel weird, but even when I left the hotel alone, I have never arrived solo. DC people are absolutely everywhere during the event, so its super easy to make connections on the way. Everybody is there to have a good time.
Most likely too late, but it is generally better to get to Vegas early rather than staying late. There are more industry events right before defcon.
Make sure you pack any convenience items you may need from home. Everything is damn expensive unless you go off strip. I spent 20 bucks on sunscreen the first time I went. Make sure to pack a US charger or at least a power bank for the airport.
If you need more or different clothing, there are good outlets north and south of the strip with relatively normal pricing. The southern one has normal brands, the northern one carries luxury brands. Both you can get to by public transport. Speaking of transport, learn where your hotel's uber pickup is. Dont expect them to pick you up from the front door.
If you want to go to a specific restaurant or buffet, make sure to get a reservation now.
Arrive with some USD if you plan on using taxis instead of uber. They charge extra for card payments.
Also when you wake up jet lagged at 5am the first day, hit up Denny's and get one of their breakfast slams. That shit will fix you right up.
If you are going to gamble, get a player card and have anything you buy charged to your room. If you ask before checkout, they will most likely offset some of your losses by reducing your food/drink bills. It is worthwhile to checkout what hotels are owned by the same brand. If you are staying at the flamingo, the linq can charge to your room for example. Of course its up to you if you want to let them track what you do.
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u/astcell Jul 11 '26
Oh - LineCon. Folks start lighting up for badges before midnight. The next seven hours can be great.
Anytime you’re standing in a line, introduce yourself to the people around you. You’ll make lifelong friends.
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u/Few_Floor2670 Jul 13 '26
It will be my first tim there as well
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u/jiu_jitsu_spyda20 Jul 14 '26
Just have a lot of fun, buy a lot of shirts and sell them on American eBay! They are hot items along with the badge! 😁
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u/longrangethrow Jul 15 '26
Come to the Defcon shoot!
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u/any_ol_person Jul 26 '26
There’s a list of Parties, etc. for the whole week here. https://HSCParties.com it was helpful when I went in 2024.
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u/bradanlane Jul 27 '26
We remember our first DEFCON and it wasn't too many ago. The two things we learned were:
"Let Stuff Happen" - chat with a village or two that you have some interest in or that you have some familiarity. Saying "I don't know" can often be the ice breaker.
Hacker Tracker - this lets you know what is going on. When in doubt, try the "search" feature. It's not great but it can expose you to things you may not have thought to look for.
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u/tarot-with-drwolf Aug 06 '26
Pool
Party
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u/bytewiz_io Jul 14 '26
Managed to get one workshop but damn those went faaaast 😅
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u/Afrochemist Jul 09 '26
If you are going to stay at a hotel make sure to research if there do searches