- Arrive extra early on day 1 — the best merch will go fast.
- Leave space in your luggage for all the merch you will score by getting there early. (Bonus tip: Consider not packing shirts and wearing the merch you get on Day 1 instead.)
- Only put your first name on your badge — people will think you’re important. (Like Madonna or Ronaldo.)
- Get to the booths early. There are tons of super smart people manning the booths, and they’re not allowed to leave, so they have to answer all your dumb questions.
- Sit near the exit for the panels just before coffee breaks.
- Eat a big breakfast — there are too many interesting people to talk to at the lunch break to bother eating lunch.
- If you’re at a 7,000 person conference, maybe don’t wait until the last minute to go find the bathroom. (There might be a looong line.)
- At the crowded after-party, tip the bartender $40 for your first drink — no one else tips at open bars, so you won’t have to wait for another drink all night. (Bonus tip: They take Venmo.)
Signs o’ the Times:
You know it’s a bear market when:
- The USDC t-shirts are the first to run out.
- You know it’s not a bear market when: Ray Bans (real ones!) are the parting gift at the yacht party.
You know everything will be OK when:
- The person sitting in front of you at the sessions is writing code.
- You know we’re just getting started when: Half the people you meet are attending on their personal account.
