BETT Essentials

[vikpaw]

Any one going for their first time?
Been before but planning what you need?

Here is a list of things i was coming up with that might be useful. I'm sure it's been done before and there are oodles of blogs and tweets with all sorts of things on, but we haven't had it come up yet this year, so here's my little list.

If you have your own list or additions to mine, post them up.

No particular order:

1) Comfy shoes - you'll be on your feet a lot, and lots of walking to do. Consider some bubble wrap in the bottom if doing multiple days.
2) Bottle of water - stay hydrated, you'll be talking and walking a lot. Some lip salve could also be handy.
3) Cereal bar - you can buy food there (bit expensive), or go out, but it's a big place so some handy energy is wise.
4) Hand sanitiser - there'll be plenty to touch, feel and play with, and you'll shake many hands, so when you do stop to eat - keep 'em clean
5) Light weight rucksack - to carry all your freebies/handouts and essential items - paper gets heavy, and swinging mugs around in a paper/carrier bag is awkward and dangerous.
6) Mobile - who leaves home without it? Turn off non essential features to save on battery life, it can be a really long day, especially if you travel in and out on the same day.
7) A pen - just in case you can't find a freebie when you need to fill out that all important iPad competition form!
8) USB charging cable for the phone - just in case, you might not find a socket, but there will be plenty of computers and you may find a nice stand where you can chat and charge
9) Compact camera - snapping shots of cool things and make short videos to show colleagues; much better than a handout. Also, you don't want to wear the phone battery down.
10) Lightweight waterproof - just in case it's wet out, nothing too bulky as you need to carry it. Also handy to have thin but warm inner layer, so it's light. Travel shop sort is good.

[FN-GM]

USB Pen maybe handy. You may meet someone or a company that has a few tools you may want.

[vikpaw]

USB Pen maybe handy. You may meet someone or a company that has a few tools you may want.

ooh, yes, that can swap out for regular pen, i mean, how unlucky must you be, not to find a pen, at the BETT show!

[jamesreedersmith]

A stack of business cards - easier to hand over and share your details

[elsiegee40]

Layers of clothing. It gets very warm in there, even when there's snow on the ground outside!

[HTCIT]

Number 6, I nearly did last year and I had to walk back from the station to get it. But on the other hand I managed to arrive early. So it does happen guys. LOL

Any one going for their first time?
Been before but planning what you need?

Here is a list of things i was coming up with that might be useful. I'm sure it's been done before and there are oodles of blogs and tweets with all sorts of things on, but we haven't had it come up yet this year, so here's my little list.

If you have your own list or additions to mine, post them up.

No particular order:

1) Comfy shoes - you'll be on your feet a lot, and lots of walking to do. Consider some bubble wrap in the bottom if doing multiple days.
2) Bottle of water - stay hydrated, you'll be talking and walking a lot. Some lip salve could also be handy.
3) Cereal bar - you can buy food there (bit expensive), or go out, but it's a big place so some handy energy is wise.
4) Hand sanitiser - there'll be plenty to touch, feel and play with, and you'll shake many hands, so when you do stop to eat - keep 'em clean
5) Light weight rucksack - to carry all your freebies/handouts and essential items - paper gets heavy, and swinging mugs around in a paper/carrier bag is awkward and dangerous.
6) Mobile - who leaves home without it? Turn off non essential features to save on battery life, it can be a really long day, especially if you travel in and out on the same day.
7) A pen - just in case you can't find a freebie when you need to fill out that all important iPad competition form!
8) USB charging cable for the phone - just in case, you might not find a socket, but there will be plenty of computers and you may find a nice stand where you can chat and charge
9) Compact camera - snapping shots of cool things and make short videos to show colleagues; much better than a handout. Also, you don't want to wear the phone battery down.
10) Lightweight waterproof - just in case it's wet out, nothing too bulky as you need to carry it. Also handy to have thin but warm inner layer, so it's light. Travel shop sort is good.

[rad]

If you forget your lunch, go to the Tesco opposite (if you are watching the pennies) it is on the main road about 2 minutes walk. Also a good place to get a drink before doing in.

[Iain.Faulkner]

A stack of business cards - easier to hand over and share your details

I take pre-printed labels, even easier as then you can stick one straight onto their contact information form :-)

[rad]

USB Pen maybe handy. You may meet someone or a company that has a few tools you may want.

I'll rephrase it as USB storage device!! (not a writing tool)

[FragglePete]

If I get hungry I'll just float to the Edugeek Stand at lunchtime for pizza!

Pete

[GrumbleDook]

More advice available at Tips for The BETT Show 2011 - SharePointEduTech » SharePointEduTech and Ian Addison's Blog » Blog Archive » Bett for Beginners #bett2012 #bett_show

[Millgate]

My first time at Bett but imagine business cards will be quite handy if you have them. Enter competitions and hand them to vendors you're interested in

[salan]

First time at BETT's this year and only there for Thursday afternoon.
Still better then nothing!
Thought about notebook then decided that I can manage with smartphone and spare chargeing stuff (plus batteries etc).
going by train (hense only half a day as only allowed to go off peak for cost!). It's quite a while since I have been to things like this (dif lifetime!!). In those days I was on expense accounts so never thought of the cost.
So good tips about the food etc and water.
going to be a long day but looking forward to it.
Alan

[Millgate]

I have a question. Are there lockers or anything at the event? I normally take my iPad on long train journeys but i dont want to be carrying it around all day!

[nephilim]

Not lockers as such, however I am sure the geek stand can look after it if you put a label on it or something.

Speaking of labels, use one to cover the barcode on your badge, I have had companies (mentioning no names impero) that did "drive by scanning" - I was walking past and they scanned my badge atleast 7 or 8 times over the 2 days. Quite a few companies employ that tactic and its frustrating with the amount of junk mail received!