With IC approaching in less than 2 weeks, what better time to give a rundown on everything you should bring and look out for during International Convention in Orlando this year! Attending a convention with upwards of 3,000 Jewish teens may seem intimidating, but I am here to give you the tips and tricks to have a blast at IC. 

Here are the reasons why I am qualified to give this advice: I have attended the past two in-person ICs, 5 regional conventions, and have run around numerous conventions to get the most out of every activity and opportunity. 

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First: What you need to pack! 

Highlighting some of the items from the packing list, make sure to bring regional swag for Thursday night, Shabbat attire for Friday, decades attire for Saturday, and the IC shirt for Sunday (Saturday night is Havdalah & Block Party, and Sunday night we go to Universal). Dressing comfortably would be my biggest advice. Also, make sure to bring snacks and a water bottle to ensure you stay hydrated and have snacks when you need them through the long days of IC. This is especially important for going to Universal on Sunday! Another thing that you may want to bring is a clear bag for your belongings for the night of the concert as well as for Universal. 

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Second: What you should expect at IC! 

With thousands of Jewish teens in a convention center, it can be hard to navigate, find where to go, or even locate some activities. Luckily, BBYO provides an app with all the information about each day, including a very detailed schedule, where each event is located, and even late-night food orders. My biggest advice is to have the map pulled up on the app to make sure you know where you are going. Also, I recommend checking the app one time in the morning to check out all the cool opportunities that are provided throughout the day because if you don’t check, you may miss them. 

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Third: Highlighting special centennial opportunities that you won’t want to miss out on! 

One very exciting opportunity is that all of BBYO is going to Universal on Sunday! Besides that, there is a special BBYO museum in the hotel that will display the past 100 years of BBYO. Also, make sure to check out all summer programs and exclusive spaces as well as the AZA & BBG lounges for fun photo ops. Lastly, (a little shameless plug) I HIGHLY recommend you attend separates on Friday night as they are an amazing time to bond with people from throughout the order through meaningful programming and decompress from your time at IC. Last year I loved leading a program reflecting on insecurities. Over 100 BBGs attended and everyone left feeling more connected. 

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Finally, I want to emphasize that IC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make the most of it! Whether that's from attending all events possible, hanging out with your friends from across the world, or making new ones, IC fosters a unique environment for all Jewish teens.