Been to a conference before? If so share your wisdom about how to get the most out of conferences!
- Relax, its fun!
- Figure out where the toilet is.
- Pre-register as early as possible, then you will have more money for beer, and you will be able to get in the main hotel, the best networking and late night hacking will take place there.
- Don't worry about coming alone, most people will be.
- Use the Wiki and IRC to find other people arriving when you are. Form a group!
- Volunteer! You might get a discount and you will certainly meet people.
- Leave some space in your bag or bring a plastic bag, in case you pick up stuff there.
- Bring contact details - you might meet some new people. If you are worried about the environment, then you can get 20 copies of your email address on one sheet of paper.
- Accept that you can't do everything, so be willing to chat with people. No need to be shy!
- Good way to chat to people between sessions is to use the last/forthcoming session topic as an icebreaker: "interesting topic, ever used PyWidgetX'?"
- Carry some small sign of geekiness such as a T-shirt, you might strike up conversations on the way there!
- Be prepared, bring snacks and a water bottle, just in case.
Wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing, Birmingham is not London, no need to overdress then feel like Mr Benn. Popular talks may be crowded, and you also may not bother going back to the hotel much in the day.
- During the daytime, a well organised light bag can be really handy, a massive hiking sack or briefcase will just get in your way.
- Wear your badge really visibly, people will talk to you, pretend to know who you are or Google you, before you know it you are the centre of attention!
- Do not belittle the speaker during the talk, there is far more satisfaction in teaching him the one true path after the session.
- Vendors sometimes often offer conference discounts, but good deals tend to run out of stock, do not wait until the last minute of the last day, go early that day instead.
- Try to get at least five hours of sleep, at least two meals, and one shower each day.
- Bring some fruit with you.
- Laptop locks, laptop locks, laptop locks.
- If you plan on sending postcards to your friends and family then bring stamps with you.
See if you can get someone to help pay for your attendance, work, parents, etc. - it's educational, right?
- Dress for warm and cold conditions: wear a jumper and take it off if you get too hot (or keep it on if you find the venue too cold).
- Free yourself from your mobile, set it to vibrate, or reprogram it so only your immediate family members can ring it.
- Find the option in your camera/phone menu which silences the shutter noise (if permissible), and consider suppressing the flash - it's a technical conference, not a press conference!
- If you work somewhere with prepaid envelopes, then bring and and then post all the stuff you pick up back to yourself rather than carrying it.
Share a room, it saves money, you probably do not plan on sleeping much anyway.
- Get as many free pens as you can, it's a matter of honour!
- Bring a small extension lead. Everyone around you will love you for it as there are never enough.
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- (Add your tips here!)