Tips for attending genealogy conference

I am attending a genealogy conference for the first time and
wondered if anyone had any suggestions on what to bring, what to
leave at home, what to pack, etc.

John...

Comfortable clothes (you'll be sitting a lot). Comfortable shoes,
especially if there is a large display area.

A PDA or watch with reminder alarm(s) - so you don't get lost in the
books/maps/whatever in the display area and miss a session ;-)

A spiral bound notebook with pockets, or some pocket folders
(depending on how you organize information). If there's a
conference guide book (usually large and heavy), you may want to
make notes about scheduled sessions of interest (subject, place,
time, presenter) and just carry one day's info with you.

A backpack - you can have your notebook(s), pens, pencils,
highlighters, PDA, phone (off during the sessions), water bottle,
etc and still have your hands free to open doors and examine items
in the display area. And it's a place to put the "stuff" you buy...

Take fewer clothes and more money - there WILL be items you want to
purchase ;-)

If there are time conflicts for sessions you want to attend (I found
a couple of instances of 3 at the same time at the NGA conference in
Nashville last year), check whether tapes are (or will be) available
for any of those sessions. If the presenters have sessions at
earlier times, sit in on them and see whose presentation style works
best for you.

John

John