BookExpo America discussion
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(CLOSED) Things to bring for BEA
Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it.
Mod
I will probably bring a suitcase too, but I think I'm going to have a tote ..."
I think they give you a tote. Or ten depending on which publishers you chat up. But it may be a good idea to bring your own until you get your hands on one.
Publishers hand out tote bags like crazy, and I liked the one from McGraw Hill as it was pretty big. I'm going to bring a backpack for my wallet, water bottle, snacks and assorted odds and ends, and use a tote for any books I pick up. Definitely need a suitcase!
Alexia561 wrote: "Publishers hand out tote bags like crazy, and I liked the one from McGraw Hill as it was pretty big. I'm going to bring a backpack for my wallet, water bottle, snacks and assorted odds and ends, an..."That's a good idea. :)
Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering around the streets at 11 at night and need to call someone :P
Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering around the streets at 11 at night and need to call someone :P"
Or you need to call the police because some crazy lady bit you.
Andrea wrote: "Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering around the streets ..."
This just made me snort, a lot.
Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering around the streets at 11 at night and need to call someone :P"
LOL That, or when you are separated from the people you know in the convention center and feel like a 5 year old at the mall for the first time... Panicked and alone!
Mod
Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering around the streets at..."
Assuming when you call someone they pick up...::whistles::
I also suggest bringing along some sort of agenda. They give out the schedule when you pick up your badge, but it doesn't hurt to also have a plan ahead of time so you can go over it with your friends/roommates random cute guys in line who see you are so well organized and color-coded that they ask you to borrow your notebook and you stammer a 's-sure' while turning bright red and wishing someone was there to fan you...
Lexie wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering arou..."
Definitely bringing my good Notebook this time around ;)
Lexie wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be wandering arou..."
You picked up :P
Also, DO NOT BRING BACKPACKS to the exhibit hall floor. Just, don't.
And DO bring a laminated map of the exhibit call, with color-coded booths. Like this: [image error]
Wait... why no backpacks? what about totebags? & color coding is my best friend. I'm totally stealing that!
Mod
I'm okay with backpacks--I think its a matter of how much bruising you think your shoulder can take. If you do like my sister and I plan on, we swap out books to our luggage every few hours so it doesn't become unbearable (though I do still have...scars from the first year)
don't bother bringing your own tote bags. Seriously you'll get one from possibly every vendor at least twice (some are better than others). Heck when you're waiting to get into the Exhibit Hall they give you one.
Also totally stealing the colour-coded map idea!
(and I picked up OUTSIDE of the Exhibit Hall. Inside? bah can't hear anything, better to text)
I did hear about getting totebags, so that'll work. I think I'm just going to deal with bags, but my parents are coming with me too so they'll be able to carry some books :) I'm so overwhelmed already!
Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "I did hear about getting totebags, so that'll work. I think I'm just going to deal with bags, but my parents are coming with me too so they'll be able to carry some books :) I'm so overwhelmed alre..."Lucky... this is the first year my mother isn't accompanying me T_T I am 19 years old, but still she is so much fun to have around (plus reaaally helps!)
I talked my mom into going as soon as I found out about it (since it's my first time & my parents don't like NYC) & she asked if dad could come too so it's a family event :) I'm excited to have 2 people to carry books for me haha.
Lexie wrote: "Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "Wait... why no backpacks? what about totebags? & color coding is my best friend. I'm totally stealing that!"I'm okay with backpacks--I think its a matter o..."
That's true. Texting was our best bet.
Don't remember if this has been said already, but bring your phone charger! There's actually several places in Javits to charge up your phone :P
Mod
Don't remember if this has been said already, but bring your phone charger! There's actually several places in Javits to charge up your phone :P
yes! Just found (most of) the good places while at NYCC this past year.
Jessica - Book Slaves...that is friends and family are such a wonderful thing when it comes to book-carrying...
I'm new to this, this will be my first year going. So can anyone tell me what to expect?
Mod
In a condensed version:
Good:
- Meeting fellow bloggers
- Meeting authors you wouldn't normally get a chance to
- Finding new books to wishlist in the future
- Learning about upcoming trends, publisher news and industry factoids
- Making business contacts, meeting business contacts
- Books as far as the eye can see in every genre the mind can think of
Bad:
- Long lines/waits (especially for *really* popular authors)
- Seeing your future paychecks and savings go down the drain as your 'must check out' wishlist goes from 10 books to 100 in a hour
- Seeing the clique-ish nature of bloggers first hand (last year felt like HS, I had to calm my sister down after someone made her cry)
- Your feet/shoulders/back/hair hurts after a while (even if you're in good shape)
If you're going with friends, its a fun atmosphere. If you're not going with friends, its a fun atmosphere because you're almost guaranteed to make new friends. And a lot of authors will be moseying around the show floor themselves so you may just spot someone you really like and get a chance to meet them.
Or make a seventeen year dream come true (I got to meet Kevin Sorbo!! and take a picture! My sister was crying because she's adored him since she was in diapers).
Lexie wrote: "Shanese La'tia wrote: "I'm new to this, this will be my first year going. So can anyone tell me what to expect?"In a condensed version:
Good:
- Meeting fellow bloggers
- Meeting authors you woul..."
Thanks. This really helped. Man HS sucked. I'm going alone but I'm sure I'll meet people.
Do you get books there too?
Shanese La'tia wrote: "Lexie wrote: "Shanese La'tia wrote: "I'm new to this, this will be my first year going. So can anyone tell me what to expect?"In a condensed version:
Good:
- Meeting fellow bloggers
- Meeting au..."
Yes, you do. Be sure to take a suit case girl, you will need it =]
Mod
Do you get books there too?
Yeah XD sorry I thought that was implied. More books then you could ever read (if you're not picky). And yeah! I mean all the people I've been hanging with the last couple of years I met at Book Expo (except my sister obviously) and we're stayed connected (so much so we're rooming together XD).
Lexie wrote: "Shanese La'tia wrote: Thanks. This really helped. Man HS sucked. I'm going alone but I'm sure I'll meet people. Do you get books there too?
Yeah XD sorry I thought that was implied. More b..."
We even bother each other by text ;)
Lol. That was dumb, I know we get books I said that wrong. I meant are they free, do we pay? No one I know has ever went to one so I don't have all of the details.
Mod
They are free, however BEA does (strongly) suggest that you donate a dollar for each book you get in the autographing area. There are donation boxes set up every few lines to this effect.
Normally I tend to just stick $40 or so (depending on how many authors I think I'll see) in there the first day to cover me for all the times I'd be getting into the lines so that if I forget its not big thing.
Or you can get one of those "tax deductible" passes that cover your donation for the whole time, and they come with perks :) one is $45 and one is $90 I believe.
Mod
I was thinking of doing that, then looked at my bank account and realized I couldn't afford it until May anyhow ('sides my accountant says I don't 'earn' enough from my blog for it to be worthwhile tax wise anyhow).
Ta§chima wrote: "Lexie wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Amelia, the pragmatic idealist wrote: "Ta§chima wrote: "Fully charged cell phones with all the numbers of your roommates in it."Yeah! You never know when you'll be ..."
Amelia - I LOVE your map! Is there a way we can see it any bigger? I would love to know how you organized it!!! :)
Megan wrote: "I've heard some people carry about $100 worth of cash. In case you want to eat there, or if you need to hail a cab, etc.I will probably bring a suitcase too, but I think I'm going to have a tote ..."
There will be plently of totes back to pick up on the floor. They give you some as you enter. :)
seriously don't take a cab. They charge way too much. Subway is cheaper and faster. Or walking.
Mod
If you split it two or three ways its not so bad, and trust me when you're lugging around about 70-80lbs of books, its sometimes NOT a great idea to walk that.
Also the subway doesn't go to Javits, I think it let's off two or three blocks away (someone correct me if I'm wrong).
It's actually 2 or 3 avenue blocks to the Javits, not the shorter blocks. It's not a bad walk if you won't have books, but I could see the need for a cab afterward.
Mod
I do the shipping instead of bringing a second suitcase just for books. I find I can get more home that way. It ends up being about $50 a book, but it doesn't take long to arrive and it saves me a ton of stress.
Mod
Question, these suitcases everyone is talking about, are they being filled DAILY? I am commuting via train every day and was planning on just relying on 3 tote bags (me & my parents will each have one)... Am I insane for thinking this will work?
Mod
I think it could work ... but try carrying around 10 books in a bag for an hour around your house. It gets heavy QUICK. You guys might want to consider just bringing one rolling suitcase?
Hannah wrote: "Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "Question, these suitcases everyone is talking about, are they being filled DAILY? I am commuting via train every day and was planning on just relying on 3 to..."I survived carrying around 30 books (in 3 totes, by myself) around Washington DC for like 1/2 a day during their book fest... that was really good practice for this I think :) I might try to talk my parents into the rolling suitcase, maybe for Wed & Thurs., we'll see how Tuesday goes first. I feel like a suitcase on the train would just be annoying (though, totes are probably not much better lol)
I just Google mapped from Penn Station to Javits, walking is .8 miles, so it's a pretty good hike with books. I'm thinking suitcase is looking better and better.
I am going to be honest, if you are conservative you will have just three totes a day. They are literally handing you free books as you walk around. Then there is the swag: posters, bags, pens, paper, buttons, random promo stuff. It gets really heavy really quickly. Add that to the packed isles of people with just as much stuff as you. The suitcase or the shipping is necessary for your own health.
Mod
Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "I just Google mapped from Penn Station to Javits, walking is .8 miles, so it's a pretty good hike with books. I'm thinking suitcase is looking better and better."Last year BEA had a free shuttle that ran from Javitz to Penn Station during select hours, such as at the end of the day. That way, you don't have to walk.
The suitcase is sounding better, I hadn't thought of weather, and of course with my luck there will be a thunderstorm during one of the days. Suitcase it is! (I'm thinking one that'd carry like a 4 day weekend's worth of clothes/stuff would work right?Shuttle sounds awesome, I hope I'll be catching them. I'll have to look into that closer to the day of to see if they have schedules up for them to plan accordingly.
BBC (or whatever BEA is calling it now) isn't something where I'll need a bag right? Just my laptop will be okay for that day I hope.
Mod
@Jessica: My sister and I bring a suit case that you'd normally check for an airplane--but we share that together for a day. When I went by myself I just brought my carry over roll on suitcase.
@Lexie - Yup, I took the shuttle from the hotel, too. So convenient! I had no issues with the shuttle whatsoever.
Mod
But it was still better than walking from the Javits XD
@Lexie last year the librarians were up in the 4-star hotels (Waldorf-Astoria) and the bus ride took forever. Just crossing 42nd street takes 20 minutes.
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Here's a list of what seem to be considered the "must-haves":
1.Business cards
-These are to hand out to authors, publicists, publishers, fellow bloggers, and anyone else you think should know about your blog.
2. Comfortable shoes
-I am amazed at how many people put this. Since you will be walking for 9 hours, go for comfort over style.
3. Snacks/bottle drink
-If you've ever been to a convention of any sort, you know the food is ridiculously overpriced. $3 for a bottle of water? Get real. Plan on bringing some of your own things to cut down on costs.
4. Rolling suitcase
-These can be stored at the Javits center and you can make trips to routinely drop off the books you collect. It costs $3 a day, and there is someone guarding the room to avoid theft. Still worried? Buy a lock for your suitcase.
5. Cell phone
-Fully charged with all necessary contact numbers in it (i.e. roommates, people you plan on hooking up with on the show floor, etc.)
6. Clothing
-While you obviously don't plan on coming naked (at least I hope not), it's recommended you look somewhat business casual. Leave the holey jeans and T-shirts at home and go for a professional look.
7. Money!
-Always keep some emergency cash on you in case you just want to grab a cab back to your hotel or buy some food.
8. A Plan
-You get a schedule of all the BEA events when you get your pass, but do your research ahead of time and make a gameplan (what author signings you want to hit, where booths are you want to visit, etc.), and bring copies - yes plural - of that gameplan.
What else do you recommend people bring? I'll update this list as people add to it.