A survival guide learned from personal experience and viewing the travails of others at Wordcamp 2009.

Tip 1: Don’t set off the fire alarm. It tends to distract the audience during a speech.

Tip 2: Don’t lose your badge, it identifies you and nothing says “cool cat” more then a lanyard.

Tip 3: Get the T-shirt, don’t forget to press in the beginning on where you can get it. How else can you impress your friends that you came and establish your cred as an industry “insider”.

Tip 4: just because there’s free coffee doesn’t mean you have to drink it all day. Bouncing off the walls does not help you. Side colliery: make sure food is involved in your daily choleric intake.

Tip 5: Avoid having a hangover. It can slow you down.

Tip 6: Always go to the party afterwards. You should never turn down a free drink or a chance to schmooze.