I've been to a decent number of TechEds since my first one in
1997. This is probably my sixth visit. TechEd has certainly
grown and changed in that time, so I'd like to offer some advice to
people attending for the first time (especially if you've never been to
a large tech conference.)
- If you're really looking forward to a speaker or topic, chances
are that lots of others will be, too. If the session is in
something that sounds like “Room x” (vs. “Hall x” or “Auditorium x”),
you should do your best to get there at least 15 minutes before it
starts, or you'll find yourself standing in the back (if they let you)
or hovering in the hallway, hoping someone will walk out so the
door monitor will let you in.
- When you go to Hall B
for a meal, do EXACTLY as commanded by the shepherding food people.
You'll recognize them as the hundreds of people excitedly gesturing and
telling you to go “this way, please.” If you stray from the herd, you
will be given a nasty electric shock. Do not stray.
- If you have a laptop, bring your own bag and use it instead of the
one you'll get at the conference. If you do use the provided bag,
at least bring something you can attach to it (a “Windows ME is for
ME!” button, a framed picture of Jeff Richter, etc.) to make it
distinguishable from the 10,000 other identical black “TechEd 2005“
bags that will be there.
- Microsoft is very good about putting drinks out.
Do your body a favor and go nuts with the water. Grab a bottle to
drink and a bottle to shove in your bag. Heck, grab a few to
bring back to your hotel room.
- Microsoft is also VERY good about putting snacks out.
In the past two years, however, they really have gotten better about
putting snacks that don't require a defibrillator. Fruit, baked
chips, etc. There are even tables with sugar-free food. Be
strong. Resist the siren's song of the Mountain of Pastries and
Frozen Goodies. Well, okay, maybe just one Dove bar... oh, and what's this, Krispy Kreme?...
- Bring business cards. Even if you never actually talk to
anyone, they can be fun to fling around the session halls during long
talks.
- A grand tradition of TechEd is trying to fit a mountain of
plastic gadgets and t-shirts into your bags the night before
checkout. Some swag is Great and Good, but most of it will go
completely unused once you get it home. TechEd goes by much too
quickly to waste time obtaining such trinkets, so choose
carefully!
- The weather will be warm, so wearing shorts will be de rigueur.
A friendly tip - wearing knee-high black socks with shorts is generally
something best reserved for trips to Bermuda. However, if you
elect this style of dress, you will find plenty of company.
- While the weather will be warm, inside the convention
center is normally super air-conditioned and can be pretty
frigid. If you chill easily, bring a sweatshirt or light jacket.
- If you're interested in something at the Microsoft Store and
don't mind taking a chance, you can wait until the store's last day
(Thursday or Friday) and hope it is still in stock after they've marked
down the prices.
- Finally, don't forget to bring your conference badge for the
attendee party on Thursday. I've seen people turned away, having
to return to their hotels to get badges and losing valuable “partay”
time.
I'm very much looking forward to next week! I hope to meet you there!
-Chris