#Tips4BETT

[GrumbleDook]

As stated in the thread about helping at the stand ...

 

I will be curating the #tips4bett hashtag this year (partly in memory of the late, great Dave Coleman) so feel free to add more in. Work are allowing me to do it so the tweets will be curated on my work blog and go from both mine and the work twitter accounts.

 

I have 80 and I'll post up the link of the blog article once it is posted tomorrow (should help cut out duplications) but the more the merrier.

 

I am presuming that if anyone responds to this thread with a tip it will be ok to tweet out. If you don't include your twitter ID I will give it out as a generic @edugeek attribution instead.

[elsiegee40]

1. Gel Insoles

2. Water

3. Snack food

4. Strepsils for those working on a stand

5. Layered clothing so you can cool down

[sted]

theres a tesco a short walk away that dosent charge an arm an a leg for food like the on site vendors

comfortable footwear (should be obvious but easily overlooked and people just pick up their work shoes)

[elsiegee40]

I missed

6. Hand gel

7. A supply of lemsip (other flu relief is available) at home for the inevitable dose of BETT-flu that strikes exhibitors the following week

[NeustroEduIT_Christine]

Maybe prioritise who you want to see before going to the show, then go and see them first. I have often wondered around without a plan and forgotten to go to particular stands before the end of the day.

[GrumbleDook]

Thanks for all these. I will be tweeting them out tomorrow as 'via @edugeek'

[IrritableTech]

Stickers with your details already printed on them - then you don't have to fill out so many forms for extra info or to enter competitions.

[jamesreedersmith]

Be at the Edugeek/Smoothwall stand at 12 noon for Pizza (assuming there are plans to do so again and edugeek are sharing smoothies stand again!)

[ITBadger]

Take a decent bag with padded handles to assist in lugging around all the booty. Make sure that you dump any literature that comes with said booty in the bins to avoid wasting valuable booty space. #bringingbootyback @itbadger

[witch]

Make sure that you dump any literature that comes with said booty in the bins to avoid wasting valuable booty space.

 

Um....

[ITBadger]

Um....

 

After reading, digesting and acting upon said literature of course...

[elsiegee40]

After reading, digesting and acting upon said literature of course...

 

Just photograph the important bits of said literature with your phone... then dump in the nearest recycling bin

[GrumbleDook]

https://adopt.lpplus.net/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=16 has the original list ... will try and update each morning from the day before.

Remember to give me your twitter name if you want it to come from you ... and keep it to 110 characters (hashtags to fit in too)

[GrumbleDook]

The list so far.

 

Anon If using an iPhone, take a backup battery device, USB charger and mains charger.

@4goggas - If an online app runs slowly during demo, you can bet it’ll do worse on a school network. Avoid, despite sales pitch

@GrumbleDook - Alternatively arrange for others to see sessions you can’t get to so you at least have some feedback on things

@merlinjohn - Be cool. Keep mind open/suspend prejudice so you get pleasant surprises. Avoid conflict and paper. Duck n dive. Weave

@GrumbleDook - Try to arrange with others you know to see similar demos so you can compare notes. Good to get different viewpoints.

@ianaddison - Change your avatar to a proper pic and/or add your twitter name to your badge so we know who you are

@GrumbleDook - Explain to colleagues that BETT is not a junket, but prep for the expedition to the south pole! Fun but taxing!

@deepexperience1 - Hide the barcode on your badge or face a barrage of phone calls every Friday afternoon

@orunner - Take photos not brochures

@orunner - Has anyone said bring your own sandwiches yet … or take out a loan in order to buy lunch

@chrisrat - I guess the most important thing is to try and enjoy it. If you don’t, Bett is a loooonnnggg show.

@digitalmaverick - Take lots of stickers with your details on them easier than filling in lots of forms with your tel no & email

@chrisrat - If you want to save your back, a small backpack!

@chrisrat - Along with a pinch of salt, take an open mind

@Lisibo - Fill pockets with raisins – they’ll fight off hunger pangs and work better than bread crumbs when finding way back out

@chrisrat - Plan, plan and plan again. If you don’t it can take days of wandering to find your way out!

@chrisrat - For exhibitors: stop staff members wearing perfume/ aftershave – if you are a large stand, it can be Boots

@Lisibo - If you fail to wear comfortable shoes + get blisters, there’s a chemist on the main road that sells blister plasters

@Lisibo - Wear comfortable shoes – your feet will thank you (with thanks to @chrisrat for the reminder of last year’s agony

@Claireashton - Drink lots of water, don’t wear much – it’s really hot in there, get some fresh air, exercise in the hotel at night

@iusher - Wandering halls aimlessly is either (a) exhausting & pointless or (b) serendipitous – frequently both (the best tip!)

@Claireashton - As a visitor avoid taking stuff off stands, other than pens, sweets and the odd mug. Bags of lit are dumped outside

@GrumbleDook - Don’t be worried if you don’t recognise folk. Not everyone looks like their avatar. Some would worry you if they did

@Lisibo - Meet up with virtual friends for moral support – helps you not to be freaked out by size of it – in my experience!

@GrumbleDook - Use a vidcam/phone to make 30 seconds comments to listen to later. You could also send yourself SMS about stuff!

@GrumbleDook - Use a camera to photograph things that excite you. Get the stand name/number as more stand details from show mag

@GrumbleDook - Don’t be scared to leave space in your plans. Many stands have great demos so that you may decide on the day!

@rayfleming - Make sure you’ve spread your seminar viewing schedule to last the day. Better than all AM sitting and all PM walking

@rayfleming - Don’t wear new shoes. Better old, scuffed and comfortable than new and shiny – and painful by day

@billgibbon - Try at least to smile at the stallholders, even if not interested in what they have to offer. They’ve got a hard job

@deerwood - Don’t take a bag of any sort. If you see anything good, note details on your phone and get back to them afterwards

@dannynic - Forage for food amongst the stands. Can last the day on mints, sweets and some stands even gave away water last

@billgibbon - Don’t think you can see it all in 1 day. Plan what you want to see, but allow time for some surprises

@billgibbon - Don’t rely on hearing your phone if you’ve arranged for a contact – put it somewhere where you’ll feel it vibrate!

@dannynic - Grab as many free pens as you can to last you the rest of the year

@dannynic - Coordinate with friends to find out who’s giving away the best freebies

@billgibbon - Carry a bottle of water – talking a lot at a louder level (it’s very noisy) will do your throat in.

@billgibbon - Wear your most comfortable shoes – the floor is really hard

@Theokk - Bring a wifi dongle and corkscrew

@dtester - Take a sturdy rucksack to put the brochures + info THAT YOU WANT in, know why you are going and focus on that when there

@iusher - Better to come away with a couple of good, useable, ideas for use at school than 2GB memory sticks. Seek the former out

@dannynic - Don’t grab every single flyer and brochure you are offered. You’ll end up weighed down

@iusher - [1] pre-register so you can get your badge mailed to you [2] bring a chair [3] bring lunch so you don’t get ripped off

@GrumbleDook - if you get to @Bett_show early then tweet a pic of the times of demos from certain stands for others to see.

@will789gb - why only 30 sec for a BETT video pitch? post direct to Youtube? or Vimeo for an edit? creative commons assumed

@GrumbleDook - When arranging to meet others also send link to the map from the @Bett_show site. Some stands move from year 2 year.

@ianaddison - Book a ticket. It helps to have one as you get in quicker. The Bett website is here so go on, go and sign up.

@ianaddison - Plan your time. Why are you there? What do you want to see? Who do you need to go and speak to?

@ianaddison - In ‘£ tough times’, what will you take back to school? £xx covering your class, so go back with something to show

@ianaddison - Plan rest stops. Coincide with seminars. Listen to folk like @ICTEvangelist, @trees2066 and @lanky_boi_ray

@ianaddison - Research. There are some wonderful show-only deals but you need to know normal price to negotiate the best deal.

@ianaddison - Check with your staff. If you are going for you, consider the whole school. Lit coordinator? SEN? Ask for ideas

@ianaddison - Look at the seminar list for the Learn Live and Arena. Some are great and well worth it.

@ianaddison - Check out what seminars are running at key stands such as Microsoft and the Microsoft Village.

@ianaddison - Make business cards. Perhaps old fashioned but a handy way to share name, position, school, blog and twitter name.

@ianaddison - Your phone will run out. Have charger, power banks, etc. Some stands allow you to charge your phone whilst chatting.

@ianaddison - Check tube trains. The DLR is 'fun' to make changes on, but getting onto it in the 1st place can be as insteresting.

@ianaddison - Food is available outside in the main corridor, but to save popping out have a ready snack / drink.

@ianaddison - Display name/twitterID/avatar so people can spot you. On badge, jumper like @dughall or face paint like @GrumbleDook.

@ianaddison - If you need a friend arrange to meet at certain stands. Some gravitate to @Brainpop, 2 simple, etc.

@ianaddison - Get your bearings. Bett is big/can be scary. Walk round and use the map/app to see key stands, e.g. Microsoft Village

@ianaddison - It can be like a theme park. At lunch the café's are busy. Snack means you can eat a bit later/earlier - avoid rush.

@ianaddison - Sensible clothes. Unless with important people, presenting, sales you can be comfortable + still be professional.

@ianaddison - Wear shoes that you can walk in for 8 hours. Take a jacket you can carry when you get hot. Cloakroom means queue/cost

@ianaddison - Don't get offended by Twitter. You will meet people who follow you + you don't know them and vice versa. Don't worry

@ianaddison - Don’t worry if you miss people/don’t get to chat. Can't see everyone. There is next year, other events or twitter.

@ianaddison - Don't worry about pushy people. Politely take leaflet or tell them you are not interested/move on.

@ianaddison - Sit down for 5 mins and empty bag of things you don't need. There is rubbish out there but also hidden treats.

@ianaddison - Don't worry about not following plan. Things will catch your eye or you joined a competition for classroom kit.

@ianaddison - Don't worry about not tweeting everything. More important that you see things. Tweet/blog afterwards instead.

@ianaddison - Enjoy yourself. Yes, it is big/overwhelming but enjoy it. This could be due to meeting people, but it is all fun.

@ianaddison - Attend at least one LearnLive session if you can.

@ianaddison - Freebies available, but don't go crazy. Don't take *all* the pens. Take one, look at products but don't take all

@ianaddison - Tweet people to say hello in your free spots. Use the hashtags. You will find new followers and they will find you.

@ianaddison - Follow up on any free trials you have. Chat with companies if you need a bit more time.

@ianaddison - Look up about the TeachMeet, and go back and look again at materials mentioned in the presentations.

@ianaddison - Blog afterwards. It gives you a good record to help with going again in future years.

@GrumbleDook - Plan your travel once you get into London. Getting to the DLR is half the fun, then working out the right train.

@GrumbleDook - Get on DLR at Tower Gateway or Stratford for no changes to Custom House. If at Bank, swap to Beckton train asap

@domnorrish - Important supplier? Arrange to meet off deafening show floor so you can hear what they're trying to tell you about

[john]

@GrumbleDook your DLR from Stratford is wrong they changed the Timetable last year so only Woolwich Arsenal DLRs go from Stratford now nothing ever to Beckton. I believe they are running the Prince Regent to West Ham shuttle however so if you come from Stratford you go to either West Ham (if its running and it will be off-peak running only) so best go to Canning Town and then change to the upper level platform for Beckton.... however would suggest if you come from Stratford you go on the Jubilee Line to Canning Town as your right by the escalator for the Upper Level DLR Platforms

[BKGarry]

if you see @witch and @elsiegee40 make sure you give an obligatory hug and bow. She is a great a wise one for BETT and

[witch]

...and what???

 

I'll take the hugs though

[Dos_Box]

We shall have free pizza on the EduGeek stand (E300) at 12pm (approx) each day so you don't have to buy food. First come, first served!

 

We also have a couch on the stand if you need to rest your weary bones without being pushed to buy something

 

If you do need to find a stand (it's easy to lose your bearings) come and see us and we shall point you in the right direction

 

If you are stationary or walking slowly please do not do this in the middle of the walkways, stick to the sides as you often can't see the chaos you have building up behind you!

Edited January 9, 2016 by Dos_Box

[dry]

We shall have free pizza on the EduGeek stand (E300) at 12pm (approx) each day so you don't have to buy food. First come, first served!

 

We also have a couch on the stand if you need to rest your weary bones without being pushed to buy something

 

If you do need to find a stand (it's easy to lose your bearings) come and see us and we shall point you in the right direction

 

If you are stationary or walking slowly please do not this in the middle of the walkways, stick to the sides as you often can't see the chaos you have building up behind you!

Are there any forum freebies this time, like the AFK badge from last year?

[asc]

Putting this here as I can't see a better place (mods can move if needs be).

Does anybody know whether Site-wide wifi will be provided at BETT? I don't pay for 3G and want to use the apps!

[GrumbleDook]

@GrumbleDook your DLR from Stratford is wrong they changed the Timetable last year so only Woolwich Arsenal DLRs go from Stratford now nothing ever to Beckton. I believe they are running the Prince Regent to West Ham shuttle however so if you come from Stratford you go to either West Ham (if its running and it will be off-peak running only) so best go to Canning Town and then change to the upper level platform for Beckton.... however would suggest if you come from Stratford you go on the Jubilee Line to Canning Town as your right by the escalator for the Upper Level DLR Platforms

 

If you can assemble that into a suitable tweet (with hashtag, etc) ... ?

;-)

[snagrat]

Putting this here as I can't see a better place (mods can move if needs be).

Does anybody know whether Site-wide wifi will be provided at BETT? I don't pay for 3G and want to use the apps!

 

I believe so.

 

Powered by Ruckus I think.

[elsiegee40]

Putting this here as I can't see a better place (mods can move if needs be).

Does anybody know whether Site-wide wifi will be provided at BETT? I don't pay for 3G and want to use the apps!

 

There is wifi on site at Excel.

[Dos_Box]

Are there any forum freebies this time, like the AFK badge from last year?

 

We have bigger AFK badges this time (we thought the old ones were just a tad too small once we'd taken delivery) with a new colour scheme (as well as lanyards and VeryPC socks)

We decided it would be good to do one for each year so we have a new topical colour scheme and we'll see who will be the first to work out what it is will be

Edited January 9, 2016 by Dos_Box

[GrumbleDook]

@GrumbleDook your DLR from Stratford is wrong they changed the Timetable last year so only Woolwich Arsenal DLRs go from Stratford now nothing ever to Beckton. I believe they are running the Prince Regent to West Ham shuttle however so if you come from Stratford you go to either West Ham (if its running and it will be off-peak running only) so best go to Canning Town and then change to the upper level platform for Beckton.... however would suggest if you come from Stratford you go on the Jubilee Line to Canning Town as your right by the escalator for the Upper Level DLR Platforms

 

I had a look on the TLF site and could see no sign of that originally. Off to hunt again. Thanks for the heads up. Trying to avoid changes at Canning town as they can get mental when things are busy.