How to Have a Devil of a Good Time at CES
by Pamela Kleibrink Thompson
I’m sure you’re familiar with the scene where a devil and an angel hover over the head of a character, offering conflicting advice. Here are some tips from the guy with the pitchfork and horns for CES, the Consumer Electronics Show which takes place January 6-9, 2015 in Las Vegas .
“Don’t bring any business cards with you. If they can’t remember your name and number, who needs them?”
“A convention is a great place to break in a new pair of shoes. Try the spike heels so you’ll be able to see over the crowd.”
“Party all night. You can sleep during the day.”
“Don’t bother with a plan or floor map. All the exhibits look the same anyway.”
“Skip the keynotes and other presentations, but collect the free t-shirts.”
“Don’t bother researching the companies before you go. You can find out everything you need to know by hanging out in their booth for two or three hours. Better yet hang out in their hospitality suite. Find the company with the best free food and drinks. That’s my kind of research.”
“Blow off appointments with companies they’ll never miss you in the crowd.”
“Buy lots of heavy books and lug them around all day. Then if a stranger sits next to you at lunch or waiting for a class to begin, you can read instead of talk.”
“Go with people from the office and stick to that group. Your contact manager program is too full already.”
“Lose your inhibitions at the hospitality suites. Companies are looking for people who know how to enjoy a martini.”
“Why bother following up with anyone you meet? What can a person at a different company with a different job do for you anyway?”
“Take time off from the show for sightseeing. After all, when is the next time you’ll get to?”
“Remember you’re out of town at a convention. This is your chance to paint the town red. You’ll probably never see these people again.”
Remember these tips and you’re sure to have a devil of a time.
Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a career coach, recruiter and hiring strategist. She frequently speaks at colleges, universities and conferences. Her advice: prepare yourself well, wear comfortable shoes and clothes, bring more business cards than you think you’ll need, meet lots of new people and follow up with them, and if you want to stay up and gamble the night away, do it after the show is over. You can reach Pamela at [email protected]
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