What's Love Got To Do With Conferences, Part 2by Barbara Gale The following first appeared in the May 2006 issue of From The Heart Romance Writers' Words From The Heart. Permission to reprint is granted to sister RWA Chapters with full credit to author and chapter. The unspoken *does and don'ts* of attending the National Conference, as they trip from my fingers: 1. Check the local weather report for an idea of appropriate attire. 2. Pack sunscreen; a hat, if you wear one, ditto sunglasses; and a bathing suit (see #13). 3. Print your business cards YESTERDAY. It is sooo unprofessional not to have a set. And do carry them at all times, easily accessible, so you don't have to rummage (sooo unprofessional) through the dirty tissues in your bag. 4. Pack a large valise, but leave a little space for all the free books you will pick up. 5. Pack an *empty* valise/bag for all the free books you will pick up. 6. Bring comfortable shoes or sandals. If you are buying new, do it YESTERDAY, to break them in. 7. Bring Band-Aids for your feet, when those comfortable shoes are not quite so comfortable; flip flops for the room; dress shoes for the Saturday night banquet, if you are going formal. 8. Many, many people really do go in dress slacks on Saturday night, so do not be overly concerned about what to wear. Many people also wear gowns. Just find your comfort zone. 9. The coolest thing is to arrange to meet friends for drinks after the banquet, or any evening, in the hotel lobby. People are up late, and it's a great way to feel like a pro. (see # 17) But puleeze, do not bring your manuscript. 10. If you arrange to meet for food/drinks with your editor/agent, they usually will pay (it's a business expense for them,) but do offer to pay, and be prepared to ante up if they accept. 11. Keep all your receipts for next year's tax deductions. 12. Carry Altoids, okay? (Don't ask.) And do not order anything
made with raw onions or raw garlic, okay? And don't opt for gooey
finger food. 13. I personally travel with my own coffee and filters, or tea bags, as the quality in your room can be iffy. On the other hand, room service in the privacy of your room at 6 AM is wonderful, and less expensive than you think. 14. If you are signing, call National headquarters two weeks ahead of time to make sure your books were ordered. I was bereft when mine did not arrive, a few years back. BUT, I put up a sign-in big red letters-that said I was *SOLD OUT*. You have no idea how many people congratulated me. 15. So, if you are snagged (in any way), figure out a way to unsnag yourself. No one will be the wiser-if you don't tell them. 16. Bring glittery pens to the signing (more fun); also, labels that say something on the order of SIGNED COPY or SIGNED BY AUTHOR; some extra books so you will at least have something to show if your books don't arrive; a mock up of your cover, again, in case the books don't show; bookmarks or postcards; chocolate, or whatever freebie you have chosen; a small, pretty book if you want visitors to sign for a future mailing, etc. 17. Bad hair day, too humid? Bring hair spray, a pretty barrette or two, or pins, so you can put it up. 18. If you forget any sundries, the concierge keeps a box behind the counter, even razors. So ask before you buy anything of that nature at their over priced gift shop. 19. Feeling cranky, or over whelmed? Find the pool and chill. It's free, and it's usually a beautiful place to be. (There is sometimes a fee for the gym-this info is on the hotel website-but bring your sneakers and a cover up, if you think you might want to use it.) I usually go alone because I need lots of down time, but be warned, there will be other attendees there. On the other hand, you don't have to talk to them. They are there for the same reason. You can just smile and keep walking. Or, if you want, go to the pool with friends and have the hotel deliver a pizza there. Yes, they can do that. Fancy hotels live to please you-*yes, you!*-so. 20. Treat yourself like a queen. Remember, it's only for a few days, and you are no doubt returning to: your job; your kids; your spouse; your parents; a hamper of dirty laundry (not yours); an unfinished manuscript. 21. Take lots of pictures to get you through the winter, or to share with your chapter, or to share with your office, or to put on your website, or to send to your mother-in-law, or to show your kids or significant other that you have another life. 22. Bring your cell phone, *already* loaded with the necessary 23. Do not gossip. 24. Do not gossip. 25. Do not gossip. 26. Smile at everyone and say thank you. If you are unable to do that, see #14. 27. Even if you are attending alone, you will never be alone, I promise. No one will let you, so don't worry on that account. The attendees are super friendly, and it is totally acceptable to ask if you can join them at any time, even in the bar, maybe especially in the bar. If this is beyond you, find the conference hospitality desk and ask to be connected. Or get a room mate. I myself have often attended a panel just to be alone, even though I'm in a roomful of people! I can zone out and no one is the wiser. 28. Mostly, have a great time. Barbara Gale lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family, and most of her books take place in upstate New York. She likes waving the east coast flag, she guesses. She has attended many, many conferences, so everything she learned for the article was first hand. Conferences are fun, but primarily business, so she owns many suits. The fun part is in dressing up for the evening parties, so she owns quite a few gowns, also, but they only come out of the closet once or twice a year-for conferences! Check out her website: www.barbaragale.com.
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