Fifteen Tips for a Great BEA Experience

I have been to three Book Expo Americas – otherwise known as BEAs: 1 in Washington D.C. (you can read about it here), 1 in New York (since I moved as soon as I got back, I did not post a blog on this), and 1 in L.A. (which is lengthy, but might amuse here). BEAs are THE place to see and be seen if you are involved in the book trade. You should go at least once, if only to see how the whole silly shebang looks.

Herewith are the tips:

1. Pick a hotel very close to the event. It’s so much easier to walk. Then you don’t have to worry about exact change for buses or understanding what the HECK the taxi driver just said. But if you can’t find anything close by, stay in a “package” hotel where there will be shuttle buses to the event. Also, there are more book people at these event-linked hotels – which means even more chances to meet and schmooze. Sharing a room is a great way to cut your expenses, but pick a roomy with similar sleeping habits (early to bed & you are a night owl will end in tears).

2. Plan out what you want to see. There is so much going on that you will miss stuff and then be mad at yourself for missing it. But try not to spend all of your time in the autographed books lines. The BEA event booklet will have all the speeches, seminars, meetings, press events and autographs in it. This is your bible for the event!

3. That said, don’t over-plan. The best part of BEA is just wandering around and letting serendipity happen. You’ll meet the most astounding people, or folks you really ought to know, just in the exhibit halls. Yes, even in the lines at the bathroom (women’s especially).

4. Talk to everyone. This is no time to be shy! You never know who you’ll meet. A friend of mine met an agent in line at the bathroom, and she eventually sold my friend’s book to Random House!

5. Have business cards made up – you’re a business person. VistaPrint does a nice job. Name, address, e-mail, site name, maybe area of interest, phone. A color image or logo linked to either your blog design or your area of interest are easily obtainable via places like iStock photo. Give your card to everyone you meet. Keep your cards handy; put them in the back of your event badge for easy access.

6. Take other people’s business cards, too. Don’t just snatch them and put them in your pocket. Look at them and understand who you’re talking to (it might be a VP or CEO!). After you talk and have stepped away, jot down a note on the back what you chatted about, and get back to them 2 weeks later (if appropriate). I promise you, after 3-4 days, you won’t recall who any of these people were unless you do this last step.

7. Dress professionally from the ankles up. I am a slob who dresses in t-shirt & jeans, or sweatshirt and warm-up pants on an average day. But at BEA I wear a pantsuit every day. Don’t think it matters? Twice, just to see, I showed up on the last day in t-shirt & jeans. No one would talk to me. I had a heckuva time just getting a galley. But when I was in my suit, reps and all sorts of people were only too happy to talk to me, offer me samples and food. This is an event for professionals. YOU are a professional. Look it.

8. Wear comfortable shoes! I suggest walking shoes, orthopedic sandals or other shoes with great foot support. You’ll be on your feet for 4-5 hours on concrete. Your feet will swell to unnatural size! Do not, do not, do not wear those cute strappy spike-heel sandals unless you want to be crippled for a week. Going out later? Keep them in your backpack for easy slipping on (but my bet is you won’t be able to get your feet in them).

9. About that backpack: Keep it light. After 6 hours, you’ll feel as if you are carrying a hod of bricks – and you probably will be as you pick up books. But here are some essentials:

• Phone (if you have a Bluetooth, take it. It’s very noisy & you’ll never hear your phone ring, let alone whoever’s on the phone.
• Camera (if your phone camera kinda sucks or is as broken as mine)
• Breath mints. Seriously.
 
• Water
• More business cards
• Pad of paper
• Six or seven pens (attach 1 to your exhibit badge. You’ll want it close to hand)
• Small wallet with ID, 1 credit card and about $100 cash
• A snack, like trail mix or something easy to eat by hand. Food on-site is pricey and then there are the lines
 
• Brush/comb
• Lipstick for the ladies (you never know if you’ll get invited to a little party…)
• Maybe those sandals.

Yes, that’s it. I said keep it light!

10. Scope out a quiet place to eat, go to the bathroom or just talk with someone (it’s so noisy, you’ll want to find a place to lower the sensory overload). In the Javits, there is a third floor with a food court sort of place (only open for lunch). There are meeting areas (some speeches are given up there. I saw Walter Mosely speak there), bathrooms, and an unbelievable view of the harbor. A great area to have a quiet chat with someone or just sit and read for a while.

11. Carry water at all times. If the bottled water seems too expensive, buy 1 bottle, then refill with tap water as needed. New York is justifiably proud of its drinking water.

12. Yes, there are books! And they are giving them away! Thousands of books! Whoo-hoo! Book Nirvana! It is really, really easy to go hog wild. But consider this: you have to get them home somehow. If you are flying, there is a 50 lbs max on bags before they increase the per bag fee from $20 to $35. You can only have 2 carry-ons, 1 has to fit under the seat & one has to go overhead (how bulky & heavy are those bags?). Not to mention how your arms get stretched out dragging bags full of books across the convention (2 floors!) or JFK. They do have a shipping area. You pack the books, and they will ship (for a rather high price) via UPS. Either hand-carrying or shipping, you’ll have to figure in the additional price and hassle-factor. Try to use restraint when grabbing galleys. I try not to bring any home (I get them other ways) and still manage to bring home 10-12.

13. Bloggers, take note: There are still some idiots in the publishing business who don’t understand the value of bloggers. Don’t get mad. Think of it as a teachable moment. The more calm, clear-headed and professional you look and act, the better for every blogger (and the stupider the “industry professional” looks). Most publishers DO get the importance of bloggers and will be interested to find out your tastes. Be prepared to sign up to get direct mailings from them. And hey, they are in the business; why not interview them? Bring a tape recorder, pen and paper (yes, I AM old-fashioned. Why do you ask?), use your video function on your camera, or prepare to be really fast on your netbook. And make sure you get their business card so you can send them a link to the blog they are mentioned in!

14. Keep your ear to the ground – there are loads of parties each night. You may get invited. You may be able to crash some. Not invited to anything? Make your own with the folks you meet that day. New York has food for everyone, so the only hard part is finding an affordable place where you can hear everyone. Many people party all night and then do the convention. All I can say is, you MUST be young!

15. Some believe this is the last BEA. You’ll be able to say you were there for it! Stay in the moment and enjoy what is there. Have fun!