The Ultimate Guide to Attending the Convention Solo

For some, attending the convention on your own is nothing new. For others, it’s a new experience after getting married, losing a mate, moving congregations, or facing changes in life they never expected.

If this is your first convention without someone by your side, it may feel a little different. That’s understandable. But one beautiful thing about Jehovah’s organization is that even when we arrive alone, we rarely stay that way for long. We’re surrounded by our spiritual family, and conventions have a wonderful way of reminding us just how large that family really is.

Here are a few ideas you may not have thought about that can make attending on your own even more enjoyable.

Arrange a Carpool Early

If you’ll need a ride, try asking a couple of weeks before the convention instead of waiting until the last minute. Your elders or service group overseer often already know who’s driving from your area and may be able to connect you with someone.

The nice thing about carpooling is that the convention often starts before you ever arrive. A few hours in the car talking, laughing, and getting to know one another can become one of your favorite parts of the weekend.

If someone offers you a ride, it’s thoughtful to offer to help with gas or even take a turn driving if that’s practical. It keeps the arrangement feeling like brothers and sisters simply helping one another.

Try Having a Convention Buddy

Here’s an idea you may not have considered before: ask a friend if they’d like to be your convention buddy for the weekend.

That doesn’t have to mean spending every minute together. Some convention buddies enjoy sitting together through every session. Others simply meet for lunch each day. Some check in with each other between sessions while sitting with different friends for the program.

There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Just mention ahead of time what you’re hoping for. That way neither of you has to wonder what the other was expecting, and if plans change from one day to the next, that’s perfectly fine too.

Start One New Convention Friendship Each Year

Here’s another tradition you might enjoy.

Each convention, make it a goal to meet just one person you’ve never spoken to before.

A simple question like, “What congregation did you travel in from?” is an easy way to begin. It’s one of those questions that’s unique to conventions and often leads to wonderful conversations.

Then next year, see if you can find that same person again.

If you do that year after year, you’ll slowly build friendships in congregations all over the place. Before long, arriving at the convention starts to feel a little like coming to a family reunion.

Thank Someone Who’s Serving

During the convention, there are always brothers and sisters quietly caring for everyone else.

Attendants, cleaners, sound, first aid, lost and found, and many others spend much of the weekend serving behind the scenes. They gladly do it, even though it sometimes means missing parts of the program they’d enjoy hearing.

The next time you pass one of them between assignments or in the hallway, consider taking a moment to simply say, “Thank you for all your hard work.” A few sincere words can be very encouraging.

Consider Volunteering

If you’re attending on your own, you may have a little more flexibility than someone caring for young children or other family responsibilities.

Why not ask your elders ahead of time if there’s an opportunity to volunteer?

Whether it’s helping with attendants, cleaning, sound, or another assignment, serving alongside fellow volunteers is rewarding in itself. It’s also a wonderful way to spend the weekend getting to know brothers and sisters you might never have met otherwise.

Spend a Few Minutes With an Older Brother or Sister

Here’s something that can make someone else’s convention a little brighter.

If you notice an older brother or sister sitting alone, stop and introduce yourself.

Just making the trip to the convention often requires a great deal of planning and effort for them. The travel may be difficult. Sitting through the sessions can be physically tiring. Yet they’re there because they love Jehovah and treasure the spiritual program.

You’ll likely encourage them with your conversation – but don’t be surprised if you leave feeling even more encouraged yourself. Many older ones have decades of convention memories, experiences, and wisdom they’re happy to share.

If You Find Yourself Eating Alone…

Lunchtime is often the only moment when attending alone really stands out.

If that happens, consider sitting near someone you don’t already know. Most people are happy to have someone to chat with while they eat, and a shared meal is one of the easiest places for a friendship to begin.

Of course, if you’ve already made lunch plans with friends, that’s wonderful too. But every once in a while, leaving an empty seat open for someone new can lead to a conversation you’ll remember long after the convention ends.

You’re Never Really Alone

Whether you’ve attended conventions on your own for many years or this is your very first one, you’re surrounded by thousands of brothers and sisters who all came for the same reason – to worship Jehovah and encourage one another.

Sometimes attending on your own opens doors you might never have expected. A car ride becomes a friendship. A lunch conversation becomes someone you look forward to seeing next year. A simple “thank you” brightens a volunteer’s day. A few minutes with an older brother or sister becomes a conversation you’ll never forget.

That’s one of the beautiful things about our spiritual family. No matter how we arrive at the convention, we leave encouraged – and often with a few more friends than when we came.