Tips for a successful Internext trip?
 

For those of you who have been before, what would you suggest people remember to bring/do to make the most of their time?

I've only been once, Vegas 2004, and here's my short list off the top of my head:

* Business cards. I know, it seems so painfully obvious, but I didn't think I'd need them before since I'm not an aggressive networker.
* Snack foods and a water bottle. A few $1 Clif Bars or something could really come in handy if you want to skip going out to lunch, and water is always great to have on hand. Emergen-C powder is also a nice morning-after fizzy drink with high vitamins and minerals and stuff to restore your electrolite balance. Big drinkers might want some ibuprofen, too.
* For the ladies: decent shoes. I felt so bad for women doing all that walking in heels.
* A good comfy bag to carry all sorts of stuff around in so you don't need to make trips back and forth to your hotel room.
* A cell phone. I didn't have one two years ago, and I wish I would have popped for a pay-per-minute phone for staying in touch with others during the expo.
* Eye drops if you have sensitive eyes. (Smokey casinos and bars!)

set up your meeetings/ w/ ppl in advance and get everyone's cell #'s as well so that you can find ppl...I had the hardest time finding ppl that I wanted to see cuz my phone wouldn't work down there last year..:(

set up a schedule for the parties and dinners as well and find out who's going to each event if you can..makes for easier networking opps!

Only share a taxi/limo with people you really know and trust, I can not remember how many times we had a limo of 10-15 plp with everyone saying they will chip in and only 3-4 people paying for everyone, actually pretty sad considering who ended up paying and what "big names" got a free ride.

amen to that.. the goti party free limo for the girls.. cost betty and I 10.00 each and there was NO return ride.. so it was another 20+ for the cab back to the Luxor.

If it's really important then you get together with someone swap full names and hotel information. Me going to the front desk of a hotel and asking for Torn probably won't get me very far.

Plan on leaving the hotel way before you think you really need to in order to catch a taxi. A lot of others will be there too.

Don't feed Ramsters after midnight. I learned this one the hard way a few years ago.

Bring a coat, scarf and mittens! :-)

OK, maybe not quite. Coming from Montreal in January I always hope it is warm in Las Vegas. But between the a/c and the cold nights I am usually freezing. So I remind myself I have to bring something warm to wear over my slinky tops when I wait for those taxis. The heating lamps only do so much.

Always make sure that you are dealing with a licensed prostitute, and even if she looks and smells clean - shower immediately after.

Carry a pen and write down helpful notes on the back of each business card you receive. Sometimes it's tough when you get home to remember that Paul Smith from SoAndSo Cash is really 'cock addict' on the boards and you talked about exchanging blog links.

Actually, a really good point here: Prostituion is legal in all parts of Nevada EXCEPT Clark County (where vegas and the strip is located). The various houses (Like Sherry's Ranch, who usually appears at the shows) have limos and such to their locations where the action is legal.

Calling for a girl to your room in Vegas is not a good idea.

Alex

All good points. The pen is a good idea, much needed for notes.

Drink moderately. Don't overdo it. Last thing you need is to be slobbering all over someone you are trying to impress or do business with.

Don't be shy!! If you see a name you recognize from a board stop them and say hi. If only for a minute say hey I'm whoever from whatever board. Good to meet you. They may be in a hurry somewhere so it might only be a quick hello but you'd be surprised who remembers who once you've said hello face to face. Next show they could be your best buddy.

Take a show bag, empty out the advertising inside of it, and fill it up as you visit the booths.

If you're crossing borders, take notes on the important stuff and toss the rest prior to crossing.

...it makes things smoother.

And play roulette at the hard rock!

I was actually going to add that to my list, but I thought it would make me sound like a frail cold-fearing weakling. :) I didn't bring a real coat last time, and I wish I would have.

No hookers in my room & comfy shoes....got it |thumb

Important point about the water and snacks - you would be amazed how much this stuff will cost you at the hotels - usually 5 times as much. So if you can bring it, definitely do. This applies to anything that you would normally run to the store for - alcohol, food, cigarettes etc.

Ramster - good point about the moderation - I had one night where I just couldnt stay awake and had to beg off from a really important dinner party - and all because I had a little too much around lunch that day.

Walking shoes definitely - remember the walk to the convention center is over a mile from the hotel inside - or at least it sure seems that way and if you have to go back and forth it can get pretty tiring.

Extra disposable cameras - you never know when a great opportunity will come along and your dig camera just died - or for that matter - if you see any just lying around at parties it is perfectly ethical to use them in camera wars :)

Bring Kassy to keep you organized and out of trouble :-D

some good tips here. This is going to be my first Internext.

my first one as well, thanks for all the info, i'll be checking up on this one a lot

I wish it was as easy as that!

I bring a coat that keeps me warm even if Im more bare chested that Seska!

Ah, but Seska and I are both vegans, so I don't think we're interested in snuggling into your fur coat.

That coat aint all thats furry hahaha!

Oh my!

I can tell you that it is not a pretty picture (trying to find one right now) - but that coat and the pink underwear are just too much :)

What underware?
I go freeballing like my hero Far L!

I was probably remembering the pink boa????

I don't know which is more disturbing. Knowing that you don't wear panties, or that you know Farrell does not |pokefun|

Good points here. Well many people have sound points.

To add to Odie's point, Now, before you go, think about what you NEED in your business. Content? Sponsors? Traffic? SMS processor? etc

Make a list begining with MUST HAVE, ending with "maybe if a better deal" items.

Having that list will of course help you make the list Odie talked about - WHO do you want to seek out.

And YEAH, the party list |headbang| Nothing like having that party list in your back pocket. Especially the ones that need invites and or are unlisted in the offical directory.

Other thoughts:
VEGAS gets cold in January. a 'short walk two casinos down - not worth waiting in the taxi line - can be a bitch of a walk when you are dressed for the hot crowded suite party you are heading to, if you are sans a sweater |banghead|

A pen and maybe a small pocket stapler so the guys business card can be attached to that flier with the show special. You put those two items in your bag without a staple and good luck matching the 12 cards with the 10 fliers when noones mother company on the cards matches the product on the fliers.

Harry
Hey if you have room for a charismatic guy like myself at your unlisted party - by all means send me a email or pm :D

Is Harry having an unlisted party?

hehehe. Harry is ALWAYS up for a party. I just need the right group of women to talk me in to it. Should take all of 5 minutes..........I do plan on having a GREAT time on the 4th watching the Rose Bowl likely someplace in Harrah's.

its a 5pm kickoff and SC will be kicking ass. Where/when the after party happens TBA

Orange TicTacs... Keeps yer breath fresh and provides easy excuse to start convo with someone...

I can see that conversation:
hey cool Tic tacs
Yeah - hey ya wanna send me a million surfers?
OK
Here have a tic tac
Nahh - off to smoke another rock

lol... pretty much...

Bring a small bottle of hand cleanser or wipes... you don't want covention crud.

Drink lots of water.

Smile.

Ask the person you're talking to for a business card and then write down what you talk about on the back.

The Internext site has a floor layout with booths... look at it now and get an idea of where people are located. When you get on the floor it's more confusing.

Be courteous, professional and friendly. You never get a second chance at a first impression.

Look out for flying tits on the last day ;-)

Have you ever seen "Monk"? :)

Bingo, there's the two big ones for feeling good while in vegas.

Purell hand cleaner requires no water and using it before eating anything helps fight off the crud.

And even in winter, it's still a desert and very dry. Grab a bottle of water every opportunity you get, especially if you're also planning on drinking alcohol.

Yup..

Have you ever been to a convention? or worked at a booth? you'd be happy to wash your hands ;) LOL I know I was !!

One year a sponsor was giving away those little bottles of Purell...