Annie's convention survival guide: Part 1

Earlier this month, I had a blast at South by Southwest Interactive, a huge technology conference. Having been the year before, I knew a few things going in that would help me survive...well, more than a few, to be honest, which is why this is a multi-part series.

In the spirit of full disclosure, despite my best efforts I still came down with the "con crud" following the event - a nasty cold that is still lingering as I type this, nearly two weeks later. There's only so much you can do when you're surrounded by that many people and that many germs - despite our best efforts, even the airborne stuff gets some of us in the end. But I do contend that by following these tips, you'll not only stay healthier, you'll have more fun and be more productive.

Before you go:

• Clarify your goals
  Why are you at the conference? Just for fun? Because your work sent you to network? Because your work sent you as a continuing education opportunity? Figure out what's most important before you get there, as it'll determine how you plan your days. In my case for this particular conference, my work sent me there to network, so I knew that the most important parts would involve meeting people and talking to them, and as a result spent less time in panels and more time in the various lounges, on the exhibit floor, and at parties. I still went to several of the panels, but I didn't hesitate to skip one or two sessions if I needed to work or if my time would be better spent meeting people.
• Pack herbal tea
  Even if you're not big on it, it's a lifesaver after an evening of talking loudly over music. Keep your voice in good shape, and help cleanse any nasty chemicals out of your system after a rough day of eating unhealthy food and having the occasional alcoholic beverage.
• Pack clothes that set you apart
  Especially if you're shy, having a funny t-shirt or two in your arsenal can make the meet-and-greet scene a lot easier. Or, in my case...a rainbow lightsaber. But that's another story.
• Pack vitamins
  And actually take them, every day. Even if it's just a multivitamin...though I recommend extra supplements of Vitamin D and C as well.
• Leave room in your suitcase, or bring an additional bag within your suitcase for swag
  More on swag later, but this is always a good plan.
• Pack a comfortable tote or backpack you can carry around during the day
  Usually you'll get a tote bag at these events, but they're not often built for durability or for comfort. Bring a bag that fits all your essentials with some room to spare for swag you pick up along the way.
• Pack comfortable shoes
  You'll be on your feet. A LOT. Even if you're comfortable wearing heels around the office, bring sneakers. Trust me, the slight decrease in stylishness will even out when you're comfortable and confident meeting people, as opposed to having "Man, do my feet hurt" going through your head in a loop.
• Sign up for Foursquare
  It's the best way to find out where the parties are, where your friends are, and more. Being on Foursquare made South by Southwest party hopping so much easier, because I could find my friends at a glance.
• Consider buying a netbook if you don't already have one
  You're probably going to be carrying around a lot of gear (chargers, etc. - we'll get to that later), so anyplace you can lighten the load, take it. If your laptop is heavy, either leave it in the hotel room or consider getting a small, lightweight netbook to carry around. This goes double if your hotel is far away and you can't easily drop off your bag before parties.

Stay tuned for more tips tomorrow!