I’ve traveled quite a bit now to about 25 different conferences in the last three or four years. I’ve picked up a few things on the way, and I’d like to share them with you.
Always Get 2 Beds @ a your hotel
One of my favorite tips, is always get two beds in the hotel you’re staying at. It’s a pretty good tip, and it actually happened to me the first time on accident. The hotel was out of king beds, and I decided it was fine, and to just do it. It’s like having a huge extra table in your hotel room. Always do it if your staying by yourself, or with somebody, well actually probably only if you’re staying by yourself. It’s amazing because nobody wants two beds, so they are always available, and it provides an extra space to put all your stuff you got at the conference and also a place to lay out your clothes.
Take some food
The second tip is to pack food. Sure you can always get room service, but to get some chicken nuggets will cost you $40. What I do is pack protein shakes and protein bars, because I usually don’t want a full meal, I just need something in my stomach. I recently visited Medterra CBD where I came across some brilliant medical uses of cannabis, which I will be taking for my trips.
Get a fridge for that food
The third tip is in your hotel, request a refrigerator. Only one time I’ve had to pay for it, and it’s really nice to have one in your room. If you do get room service or if on you’re way out of the conference you grab three or four sodas, it’s so nice to have them available later. They aren’t in the regular bar fridge, where the hotel charges you $5 per pop. Also, bring protein shakes, I usually bring a case, and drink two to three a day. They are really filling and are filled with nutrients and vitamins and will also help to rehydrate you. Also another part about getting a free refrigerator, is tell them that you need it for your diabetic medicine or your wife’s breast milk. That works really well, they have tons of fridges, especially in Las Vegas. If they don’t have one at that hotel, they can go to another property and get you one.
Make sure you hydrate
This leads me to my next tip. More towards drinking. Some of you may know that I drink a little bit at these conferences. One of my favorite tips is while you are drinking, also drink water. So every time you order a drink also order a water. These conferences are fun and there is so a lot to learn, but a lot of times you’ll get drunk, and act like an idiot. So pace yourself, and never drink on an empty stomach. Right before you go to bed, I suggest, drinking a protein shake and/or a ton of water. Drink as much water as you can handle, wait 10 minutes, and drink some more water. Also, don’t try to mix drinks. I normally don’t drink mixed drinks too much, but my favorite drinks are “skinny pirate” which is a diet coke and captain morgan and my other favorite drink is redbull and vodka. Which is usually when I’m tired, most of the time at conferences I get about three or four hours of sleep a night, usually going to bed at 4 am or 5 am.
Just stay at the host hotel you cheap ass
Next conference tip would be to stay at the conference host hotel. I can’t tell you how nice it is to always come back to the hotel, or if you need to run something up to your room, you can. Lately I’ve booked too late to stay at the conference hotel, and most people think it’s a good deal to book a cheaper hotel that’s $30 or $40 cheaper a night. But here is the thing, you’re spending $20 to $30 on a cab each way, so you’re spending $40 to $60 on a cab a day, plus it’s inconvenient to get up earlier to get to the conference and make time to travel to the conference. You can’t just go up to your room and change, somebody tried to give me a bottle of wine, and I wasn’t staying at the conference hotel, so I’d have to lug it around all day and night until I went back to my room, and that sucks. So bite the bullet and stay at the conference host hotel even though it might cost you a little more. But, I’m just telling you that it’s well, well worth it. There’s a lot to be said about just waking up and going down to the conference. It’s really nice, in Las Vegas especially, to stay at the Conference Center hotel which is the Renaissance. It’s really, really nice, because otherwise people stay all over in Vegas, and it’s a pain in the ass to coordinate anything because everybody has to go back to their hotel and change. So just stay at the host hotel.
ShoeMoney hangover recipie
Next tip, would be my hangover recipe. Keep in mind this is what I do and I am a professional. This is obviously geared to those that may consume alcohol. Basically what I do in the morning, this is my little recipe ritual, I’ll take two Aleve, two Tylenol and a Gatorade if I have it. Dillsmack recommends Pedialite. I’ve never had that, but I should try it. I think Gatorade does a really good job replenishing your body after a long night of drinking. Also, water will work but Aleve will give you the good 12 hours of coverage and Tylenol will handle the short term pain relief to knock out that banging headache. So two Tylenol and two aleve, and call me in the morning.
Southwest a-b-c seating tip
This tip is geared towards anybody that flys southwest airlines like I do from Omaha, it’s great. You can go nonstop to Las Vegas and other places in the South. The thing is with Southwest, is they don’t have assigned seats, they have this A,B and C thing. Everybody seats in these clusters. The A’s board first, and then the B’s and finally the C’s. So a lot of people don’t know this but you can check in at 12am the day before your flight online, and the order they assign those are the order that you check in at. So if you check in really early, you’ll get A, and that makes it nice for people traveling in groups so you don’t get separated for a long flight. I mostly fly by myself, so it’s ok, I don’t care to check in late, but if I’m with somebody I make sure to check in really early. Now on your way back, you don’t have a printer, so you’re probably thinking that won’t work, but on the contrary even though you can’t print it, it still assigns you to the boarding class. So when you get there you can just say I tried to print one, and it didn’t print, and they’ll be like oh cool, well I’ll just print you one.
Learn how the tipping works
Speaking of tipping – Here’s a funny story, this one time, it was the first conference I ever went to, and I had gotten like 40 free t-shirts. I had them laid out all over the fricken place, and it was my first conference, and I was just like this is incredible, I can’t believe they’re giving shirts out for free. Well I left the hotel and went out that night, and when I got back all of my shirts were folded and put away really nicely on the dresser. The funny thing was that I had $40 in ones laying on the bed that was missing. Well I didn’t know that if you leave money on the bed, that is the way you tell the maid that is her tip. Otherwise you could leave money anywhere and they would take it. So if you want to tip your maid in your hotel room, leave it on your bed, if you do not want them to take your money, don’t leave it on the bed.
Call your Room Number
As soon as you get your room number and you get your little card key, always call your room number. Even if it’s a three digit number, that way you will always have that number in your call log. I can never remember which room I’m staying at, especially when I’m talking numbers all day. I can just get out my phone and look through my call log to see what room I’m in.
Well these are my tips. Do you have any to add?
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerpt I’ve traveled quite a bit now to about 25 different conferences in the last three or four years. I’ve picked up a few things on the way, and I’d like to share them with you. [IMG] Always Get 2 Beds @ a your hotel One of my favorite tips, is always get two beds in the hotel you’re staying at. It’s a pretty good tip, and it actually happened to me the first time on accident. The hotel was out of king beds, and I decided it was fine, and to just do it. It’s like having a huge extra table in yo […]
nice tips. although most of the tips can apply for normal traveling too.
staying in the host hotel is definitely a must, at anytime when you are bored just go back to your room and rot.
Awesome tips and list. I can’t agree with you more on staying at the Host Hotel of a conference. It is such a bother to make the run over to the other hotel or lug around everything from the exhibits then bring them to your room and have to walk back. Not to mention most of the contacts at the event will be in that same hotel!
Another tip I recommend: If you are staying at a casino, get a players card… even if you only play a little, they can still help you. I just returned from BlogWorld at the Hilton and I had my whole stay and all charges comped.
if you happen to be sharing a room with multiple people, bring a surge protector or basic power strip. usually right before bed you’d all get in an argument on whose cell phone needed to be charged more… and there’s only that 1 annoying power plug on the base of the lamp on the desk.
[…] unknown wrote something that might interest you todayHere’s a brief breakdownBut here is the thing, you’re spending $20 to $30 on a cab each way, so you’re spending $40 to $60 on a cab a day, plus it’s inconvenient to get up earlier to get to the conference and make time to travel to the conference. … […]
solid
Thats another great one. I had that on my list but forgot it when I wrote the article. Nice tip
Awesome tips, Shoe.
I too highly recommend staying at the host hotel (or the conference designated hotel). Having other people to join you in the cab or on the walk when you go back to the hotel after a day on the convention floor or after a night of drinking is valuable networking time and you get to meet others in the hotel when you’re attending the same evening events.
As for drinking… don’t mix drinks in a 5* W Chicago bar, then go back to the hotel and order room service at 2am, then phone the wife. I did that (bar the phoning the wife bit. That was my business partner). Oh the joys of HostingCon. You can’t beat a bunch of Web hosts for a good party. 😀
[…] jeff wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptOtherwise you could leave money anywhere and they would take it. So if you want to tip your maid in your hotel room, leave it on your bed, if you do not want them to take your money, don’t leave it on the bed. Call your Room Number … […]
ha ha. brilliant dude, i’m doing that next time.
Smart tips for every traveler… But, I wonder, should you be giving out medical advice about hang overs? (j/k)
Hi,
Take a look at the latest study about red bull and vodka: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/11/14/study_energy_drinks_alcohol_ri.aspx
You might consider stop drinking this combination…
I really like your tips, they provide some good things beyond just the convention circuit.
The tipping is pretty simple actually, I am a full time Hotelier, a Resort Manager actually tipping on our property as far as for maids is simple. A “Housekeeper” they don’t like being called “maids” anymore, a note left somewhere in the room with money on it, letting them know it;s for them, money on the pillow, or simply handing them a tip. I have heard about properties that allow Housekeepers to consider any money as a TIP on the bed but at our 896 and more opening properties. You should have spoken to Front Desk before leaving that property and letting them know what had happened, am sure that they don’t allow money to be taken like that.
My hangover tip is orange juice, and bacon sandwiches. The grease will curb the stomach shakes adn the vit C will give you a longer feeling of awakeness rather than gatorade or sugary drinks. If you’re worried about headaches, balance a chair on your bed with a bottle of water and two paracetamol on your bed. That way, when you come in, you have to drink teh water and take the paracetamol before you go to bed 🙂
I didn’t know, the bed is the place to tip huh?
Another tip is to bring extra support components for all you electronic gear and leave it in the trunk of your car. You never know when you may drop your laptop or fill up two dozen memory cards on your camera quickly. Having extras ready to go is important, especially if you run into Paris Hilton like Jeremy.
I like your fridge…. Full of unhealthy products.. where are the fruits !!!?? .. diet coke !!?! not good at all ….the rest was pretty fun to read 🙂
Tip: Don’t call your room number if you are on the 9th floor in the 11th room.
After you book your room, be sure to check the hotel website several times as the event draws near. If the hotel is not filling up, they will reduce the price as the event gets closer. If you call and tell them you are looking at a lower price at their website, they will give you the lower price. This happens all the time with CES – the prices are ridiculously high and then they tend to get lower the 3 weeks before the show. This also applies to the host hotel if they say they are sold out – be sure to call the week or 4 days before – that’s when most cancellations happen and you’ll find that rooms become available.
[…] Matt Hanson had some great ideas on this topic.You can read a snippet of the post here.Now on your way back, you don’t have a printer, so you’re probably thinking that won’t work, but on the contrary even though you can’t print it, it still assigns you to the boarding class. So when you get there you can just say I tried … […]
Good solid tips. I like the refrigerator one… never thought of that if one is not already provided.
Another tip that I have learned the hard way over and over again is to make sure you bring business cards and not to forget them in the room. I always bring cards but seem to always leave them in the room.
Don’t have to bring one, you can request one this is one of the things that hotels and resorts have plenty off, as long as you don’t take it with you.
I generally drink atleast 20 ounces of water right before i crash. that generally lets me wake up without a hangover. if i am really rough, i will do that will the asprin combo you have above.
$40 for a tip that wasn’t meant to be. Did you at least question it, or just let it go?
-find a little time to exercise. no need to put on weight during a conference.
-do you not have an AE card to get you in the hotel you want?
[…] Read the rest of this great post here […]
What kind of protein shakes are those?
How do I choose the best public stall to check my email in?
Great tips! I never thought of the 2 bed tip. Also, if you’re going to be anywhere for a week or more and don’t want to drag a lot of food with you, try shopping at your destination. This was especially fun in Paris, where there was so much new stuff to try and it was the cheapest way to try all these new foods. This doesn’t always work in your favor, though. I bought a sandwich whose ingredients translated roughly to “brick of cow” and it was nasty, so buy a t least 1 backup meal.
Most of my advice can be found in my link, but here are the highlights.
– Keep printed copies of your agenda, reservations, flight numbers, etc. Your electronic copies will go away and your phone may die.
– Eat regularly and drink lots of water.
– Keep your devices (PDA, phone, laptop) charged and grab power when available.
– Let someone know where you are!
– Use the cleanest restrooms whenever available.
– Carry anti bacterial wipes or gel and use frequently. I shake hands a lot at conferences and trade shows and don’t want to bring anything home.
– Stay at a decent hotel for crying out loud. Skip steak dinner/cocktails to pay for it.
– Drink less alcohol – I chug lots of club soda at social occasions for instance.
I’ve heard got things about Pedialite as well from a friend that swears by it for hangovers. She got it from an ex who used to hang out with bands on their tour buses, where many bands would lug the stuff around by the case. Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes also swears by it on his long endurance feats.
I don’t think you’d go wrong with the Pedialite. Even though it is made for babies. hehe
Shoemoney, to prevent a hangover, before you go to sleep, drink let say 3 glasses of water, and consume 1-2 pinches of salt, this to restore your mineral and water balance. And you won’t wake up in that nasty zombie mode with an headache.
That or cosume what I call, drunk food (hamburger, fries whatever) + a lot of water and go to sleep.
[…] ShoeMoney wrote an interesting post today on Conference Travel TipsHere’s a quick excerptJust stay at the host hotel you cheap ass. Next conference tip would be to stay at the conference host hotel. I can’t tell you how nice it is to always come back to the hotel, or if you need to run something up to your room, you can. … […]
$40 a night tips, huh? If you visit Raleigh, you can stay in my guest room! 😉
For drinking, take a big spoonful of jam, or marmalade or something sweet. Won’t stop you being sick, but makes it taste a whole lot better. If you are speaking at the conference try not to get the 9am session. Even if you are on your own, get two room key cards and put one in your wallet, the number of times you forget a key in the room, saves you a trip back to reception. Get an iron in the room, nice to iron creases out of (or into if you can’t do it) your shirt/jeans. See you in Vegas btw.
Pedialite is awesome, it’s the secret stuff athletes drink to get hydrated again, it’s wild.
[…] continues at ShoeMoney brought to you by diet.medtrials.info and […]
keep 4 or 5 quart zip-loc bags in your luggage. when you get to the hotel room put 2 on the desk. empty your pockets and swag bags daily of [baggy #1) RECEIPTS for the taxman and (baggy #2) collected business cards.
When you get home, just mark the outside of the bag with the Date and Venue, zip closed and throw them in a file.
I might have to try that hangover recipe. I usually do two aspirin and that seems to work great, but not quite as fast as I’d like.
great tips on traveling and def on the hang over tips those are the ones that many need and i have tried that before and it works main thing is to keep hydrated since hangovers are a dehydration due to the alcohol
Those are some great tips. Although I never drink, I think most of the other ones were great ideas and will prove useful for the upcoming conferences. 🙂
Funny how ideas float around… I just wrote a post about the hows and whats to going to a conference as well, and none of the point you put in your article I had in mine 🙂
Thanks for some good tips on going to conventions, how about a list of those 25 you went to, I would like to know what you consider to be good conferences to go to. Maybe not all 25, but maybe your top ten list of conferences? Scott
[…] ShoeMoney wrote an interesting post today on Conference Travel TipsHere’s a quick excerptIt’s really nice, in Las Vegas especially, to stay at the Conference Center hotel which is the Renaissance. It’s really, really nice, because otherwise people stay all over in Vegas, and it’sa pain in the ass to coordinate anything … […]
You should change your post to *not* recommend taking Tylenol / acetaminophen after drinking. It’s very bad for your liver and can cause liver failure.
[…] You’ll find more useful tips from the author here Author: Lana Time: Wednesday, November 14th, 2007 at 4:29 pm Category: Useful Information […]
Even though it might be a great tip to call your room number, be careful when going to higher numbers. Don’t call 911, if you are in that room number 😉
And when in the Netherlands, don’t decide to call 112. (however, it seems unlikely you come over here).
Always pack extra underwear. I can wear a shirt 2 days in a row but not my draws/
I like the last tip the best. I use my phone like that for all sorts of numbers.
two beds? that might be a good idea for little people like yourself, but us 7 footers need a king at the minimum!
These are helpful tips. Many hoteIs, actually every one I have stayed in since online checkin began, has allowed me to print my boarding pass for free in their business center or using their printers. Being able to use the hotel’s printer is often very helpful.
Wow, that is another great tip!
This happened to me just recently. So much so that I ended up charging my phone in a friends room! Lol…
pedilight is the drink. While playing sporting events, we’ll load up on pedilight the day before, then we hardly get thristy running aorund in the sun.
Very nice. I have hit one conference and wish I could hit more.
I think itd be pretty impractical to bring fruit on a plane.
You would dial the hotels number before you dial *911 😉
What on earth would anybody do with forty, 1 dollar bills? 😉
Any Scot will tell you the best hangover cure is a miraculous soft drink called Irn-Bru. It’s not widely available in the US, but it might be useful for anyone visiting the UK for a conference.
I totally agree with the two bed thing. It is nice to spread stuff out. Also I like to not have linen service, when I am in the room I just call for extra towels only. Looking forward to meeting you in Las Vegas.
He talked about this in one of his radio shows, I think it was with Neil Patel as a cohost.
repost 😛
I think it would be great to write an article on tips for networking at a conference. I have noticed quite a few people haven’t figured out that you don’t have to be the loudest or prove you are the smartest. How about some polite tips for inviting conversation and being respectful to people at conferences!
Wow, these are really useful tips. Not just for conference but for general travel too.
I am not sure about the tipping thing. In Asia, I don’t think the cleaning lady will take your money, you leave on the bed. They will fold it nicely and leave it on the table, like your free t-shirts.
I guess it is due to different cultures.
not going to put shoes adsense check on it, but i would bet myoplex.
[…] read more here […]
I fully agree with “Just stay at the host hotel you cheap ass”. I have had many problems due to this.:D
It depends how you bring your fruit .. I was always able to bring fruits 🙂
Kill two birds with one stone – take an IV with you..lol. That will keep you hydrated and best of all it will cure a hangover REAL QUICK. We used to use IV’s to cure bad hangovers in the Marines – they’re great! I’m sure Dr. Shoe can get you one. ;D
We do this on skip trips. It works.
my tip really isn’t a tip, but i like to travel real light. even if it’s for a week, i’ll pack boxers and socks and that’s it. this will force me to my clothes of my trip which i never regret down the road.
Someone was searching for Ms Danielle on google :p
Don’t get a high end rental car. Get something low profile that doesn’t say “tourist” all over it. Less likely to get broken into or messed with. I’ll always take the Kia over the Mustang Convertible when i’m on a biz trip.
First of all, these are very nice tips, but you have to think about the other side. Not everyone has the money to obtain all these things. I mean you would probably think that if there is money to get to Vegas for the conference, there is money period. For the past time I’ve went to Vegas, I’ve NEVER taken a taxi no matter how hot it is. My family does drive down there, but we don’t always take the car since there is almost no use for it. Although it’s hot walking down the strip, we’re saving a lot of money.
Also…you might want to calm down on those shakes 🙂 They’re not as good as you think (for your health).
-Mike
Any money in view or can be found easily by the maids = TIP to them. Trust me, I know.
-Mike
Nice tips man… is that Myoplex I see?
I’ve never done so much preparing before going on a trip. Then again … I never went to such a conference 🙂
Nice, I picked up a few good tips there 🙂
i work in the hotel. i have some tips
1. become a member of that hotel chains. for example became a member of priorityclub.points.com(good for 7 hotels brand any where in the world) to join free, point never expire. if you are a member you could ask for free upgrade
2. if you are a member of AAA let the clerk know. ask for discount.
3. leave a tip for housekeepers. 2-5$. they usually under pay.
4. when check in to the hotel ask front desk for quite room. they know better than you.
1. become a member of that hotel chains.
2. ask for AAA rate
3. tips the houskeeper
additional tips are:
1. become a member of that hotel chain. http://www.priorityclub.points.com(7 hotel brands around the world). to join is free, every dollar you spent get 1 point, point never expire.
2. ask front desk if they have AAA rate. usually 10% discount
3. tips the houskeeper
[…] ShoeMoney added an interesting post today on Conference Travel Tips.Here’s a small reading:But here is the thing, you’re spending $20 to $30 on a cab each way, so you’re spending $40 to $60 on a cab a day, plus it’s inconvenient to get up earlier to get to the conference and make time to travel to the conference. … […]
Even though it might be a great tip to call your room number, be careful when going to higher numbers.
I love having two beds even if I’m with someone. If I travel with the wife the extra bed is a good one to “mess up” while keeping the other clean for watching TV in and sleeping.
I stayed at a hotel other than the conference at at:tech last week because it was cheaper. That was a total pain in the butt.
Excellent Tips.
I always use the 2 beds technique, however, you’ve added a cuople of decent tips in there too! 🙂
Thanks for the tips. This will be my first conference (Pubcon Vegas 2007) so the info was very helpful.
Thanks for the hangover tip, I’ll use that even if I don’t go to conferences
Lol how can you handle all those cards 🙂
[…] you guys don’t follow Shoemoney’s blog, then you probably missed his recent post on his travel tips. I definitely think they are worth reading and sharing with others. Some of them may not apply to […]
Nice tips…I’d ad one amazing recipe to your hangover cure…2 midol + 1 can of coke…I swear by it…you’ll feel like you slept 8 hours and never drank at all the night before. It’s Magic…but only for those who are realllly secure with their unit-status. 😉
I used to manage a southern rock band, and several times a year would join them on tour. We stayed in everything from the most filthy flea bitten motels you can imagine, to first class resort-style hotels (depending on how much the venue was willing to spring for accomodations) No matter WHERE I stay, the absolute FIRST thing I do when I get to my hotel room is (gingerly) remove the bedspread or bedspreads, and pile them in the corner. You do NOT want to sit on the bedspread, sleep on the bedspread, or even set your luggage on the bedspread. I’ve read several articles about the hotel industry, and how they change the sheets every night, the blankets every few nights or week, but the bedspreads? It can be MONTHS. Me, I prefer my own DNA, thank you very much – or maybe one other person’s – but that’s IT.
You can now check in to Southwest on their mobile site with your iPhone, cell phone or PDA. The mobile travel site Travelosa.mobi has the link to Southwest. Travelosa also provides airport delay and closure information from the FAA, flight delays, and gate information. You can check it without hauling out your laptop – in an airport bus, a moving car, or even a restroom stall. You’ll know more than the gate agent.
Shoe, would love to see more Road Warrior tips. Thanks.
People who drink regularly should never take Tylenol- it can cause liver failure…
Shoe, even though you rejected (actually you didn’t even dignify) my SEO Rockstar entry, feel free to crash at my place. Yes, I’m actually paying to go. I’m staying at the Las Vegas Hilton which has a closed walkway to the convention center. I have an in with a waiter at the Wynn and know some locals if you want to party like a real Rockstar. Who knows, maybe we’ll shave off all my lovely lochs in some feeble attempt to become a super successful affliate guy (See link and find out what I’m talking about). http://www.jaygeiger.com/index.php/2006/04/18/bald-equals-successful/
[…] Academic , TechEd Tags: Academic, Conferences, Students, Tips At breakfast this morning I read Conference Travel Tips on ShoeMoney. It inspired me to make my own tips (I’ve visited way less conferences than the author of […]
I’ll definitely keep these tips in mind. When is BlogWorld Expo 2008 lined up for?
Great tips! I am going to attent my first conference in a year and will def. read this again before I go!
I thought the Renaissance was great when I stayed for BlogWorld. Excellent service and very convenient. Good tips!
And for goodness sakes, don’t overpack. There’s nothing worse than lugging an overstuffed bag around an airport. Really, it’s only a couple of days, just pack enough for those two days and something for the party. That’s the main lesson I learned.
I think I’m going to take your advice next year about the hotel. I made the mistake of staying at the nasty cheap ass Excalibur hotel which was a step below a motel and then I had to pay for cabs and the monorail and leave early to get to the conference. Next time, I stay next door!
Good tips!
Deb
Really great tips. If you plan to drink make sure you hydrate with plenty of water beforehand, really lessens the hangovers.
awesome tips. i think the one about staying at the conference host hotel is right on. i stayed at the monte carlo which was a pain in the ass when it came to touching home base and coordinating.
another tip i’d ad is don’t bring your laptop into the conference unless you’re ABSOLUTELY SURE you’re gonna need it. lugging mind around sucked big time and was pretty useless
Dont forget to pack comfy shoes, especially if you are the exhibitor
Thanks for the tips, very smart ones, especially the two bed thing – would ahve never thought of it! I am not yet a conference goer but if I do I will remember to buy you a drink for these! 😉
[…] recent post about conference travel tips was pretty spot on. It was also quite the coincidence, as I was planning on writing one of my own. […]
Great Tips!
Comfy shoes – yes, dont forget those – and new inserts. Your feet will love you.
Definitely two beds. Check the whole room out before you unpack anything because the room may not be up to your standards. I found a whole stack of p0rn in a room at a doubletree in boston. I got the feeling the room was used for more than just guests, so I had them move me. Second-hand p0rn is not something I’m comfortable being in the same room with!
Call Log !
Now thats one I haven’t heard or tried before.
I’ll (try) to remember that one 🙂
[…] has compiled a list of his favourite Conference Travel Tips he recommends while on the road. It’s a very useful guide and be sure to check out the […]
I just flew Southwest yesterday, so I thought I’d clarify a point in your post. You can check in 24 hours before your flight, not at 12am the day before. They’ve now instituted a number system (So if you’re the 50th person to check in, you’ll be A 50), and they now call you in groups (“Now boarding Group A, 1-25”). It’s a little more organized than it was before.
“Well these are my tips. Do you have any to add?”
Yes. Quit drinking. I have a terrible hangover today….reading all about hangovers there worsened my hangover.
The gatorade and pills won’t fix the worst problem : the mind. Sharp mind, good memory, good sleep…none of them achievable with drinking.
Just my 2 cents, from a social drinker(not too heavy, but beer and friends mostly).
Regards, Ze
Clean the ice bucket if you should use it – regardless of plastic liner. People like to vomit in it and then just rinse it out. Bed bugs have been reported in Vegas, so check hotelchatter.com for the latest reports. Learn how to detect for signs of these nasty, nasty little buggers. If your really a germaphobe or love CSI, bring a small blacklight and question whether you should stay in hotels at all period.
On the flipside, have you been out drinking all night? Keep the ice bucket handy for tossing cookies.
Bed bugs part deux : “Concerned travelers may also want to elevate suitcases off the floor (e.g. on a luggage stand). Inspecting or vacuuming luggage upon arriving home is less useful since it is hard to detect bed bugs inside a suitcase.” –> http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef636.asp
myoplex FTW!
Nice idea. Having two bed in a room, don’t you think it will make room bit crowded. I mean u rent it for yourself why another creature (bed) should sleep next to you.
Kidding, like ur idea’s though
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptThey aren’t in the regular bar fridge, where the hotel charges you $5 per pop. Also, bring protein shakes, I usually bring a case, and drink two to three a day. They are really filling and are filled with nutrients and vitamins and will … […]
Very good tips. I see you was in many conference travels.
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptNext conference tip would be to stay at the conference host hotel. I can’t tell you how nice it is to always come back to the hotel, or if you need to run something up to your room, you can. Lately I’ve booked too late to stay at the … […]
Excellent advice, I always request a refrigerator, the only way to go. Pedialite
or water is a must before bed after a night out! … Great Tips…..
Great tips. I cant’ believe that you didn’t realise the maid would take it if you left cash on the bed though! Just as well you didn’t leave more.
I usually put mine in an envelope marked housekeeping so they know – or put it on the pillow.
[…] been inspired by Shoemoney’s Conference Travel Tips, so I thought I would add some of my own. As you can see by my photo, I’ve attended a few […]
I have been inspired and added my own tips along with picture – Vermilks Travel Tips . Based on my picture and amount of conference bling that I am sporting, you must declare me “Conference King”!
Call your room number! Ingenious. Going to start doing that from now on.
Very useful tips. I’m attending some conferences later next year. I’ll remember to come back to this post!
~ Dave
yea, that’s the thing.. I’m always on time. I’ll never forget something because I needed to rush to the airport or something… but that 1 time I am late, that’s when I’d end up stealing the damn power strip by accident.. haha
LOL. That was great. Kief post.
additional tips:
1) for hangovers, eat mcdonalds cheeseburgers, grease is good for gut-rot.
2) save receipts for everything, so you can later write-it off.
3) bring tons of business cards to hand out.
4) ask for an upgrade, they don’t know you’re a bigshot…tell them!
5) treat yourself to cabs and limos…no shuttle buses!
6) tip and act as if you are a baller, you will be remembered
I attend 6-10 trade shows and conferences a year.
A couple other tips:
Have a super Shuttle pick you up at the airport you landed at. It can save big$
Eat lunch! – Otherwise you will hit an afternoon slag that will slow you down. And eat it early. Eating at 11:30 will get you through the lunch lines in 5% of the time. Also that way when others are eating you can be working the floor!
i guess the good part about me going to conferences would be i dont drink so i dont have to worry about hang overs and such.
[…] city that never sleeps. I added my two cents in his comments…noting ShoeMoney’s tip to stay at the conference hotel. Thanks, Andrew and […]
[…] Travel Tips – If you like this post you might also want to read my post on Conference Travel Tips and Rebecca Kelley’s post on Conference Travel Tips Redux: The Directors […]
[…] ShoeMoney: Conference Travel Tips […]
[…] ShoeMoney: Conference Travel Tips […]
[…] ShoeMoney: Conference Travel Tips […]
[…] ShoeMoney: Conference Travel Tips […]
[…] ShoeMoney: Conference Travel Tips […]
I know this is an older post but wanted to comment that there are some great travel / conference tips in here. When heading out to the internet conferences and UFC’s I tend to do the same thing – stock up on bars and drinks for the room. I also usually get a litre of JD for the room from Walgreens on the strip (when in Vegas).
… Even fast food in Vegas can get very expensive.
I tried to follow you on twitter, but i couldn’t find it what is it?
[…] remember Jeremy posted some tips when traveling to conferences. The one tip I will look forward to try is the ShoeMoney Hangover Remedy! ShoeMoney hangover […]
Woohh..I really love to travel…I like this blog. Thanks for the tips
[…] location, location: Assuming the conference is not in your home town – take advantage of the change of venue. Is there a prospect you’ve been romancing from a […]
[…] location, location: Assuming the conference is not in your home town – take advantage of the change of venue. Is there a prospect you’ve been romancing from a […]
[…] location, location: Assuming the conference is not in your home town – take advantage of the change of venue. Is there a prospect you’ve been romancing from a […]
[…] location, location: Assuming the conference is not in your home town – take advantage of the change of venue. Is there a prospect you’ve been romancing from a […]
[…] location, location: Assuming the conference is not in your home town – take advantage of the change of venue. Is there a prospect you’ve been romancing from a […]