STATUS: Yep, it’s late.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? THING CALLED LOVE by Bonnie Raitt
Tomorrow I’m off to the Surrey International Writers’ Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Yes, that would be Canada folks.
Now, I can’t just up and get on a plane and head north. I need to prepare. So what does an agent do to get ready for a conference (besides stocking up on the post all-day-pitch appointments Advil?) Just Kidding! Well, sort of.
Here’s my list from the day:
1. Clear off the decks (or desk for that matter) by handling everything that is urgent and can’t wait until I’m back in the office next Tuesday. (You can probably tell that this was most of my day.)
2. Locate Conference info folder. Even though everything is entered into my palm treo, I like to be anal and have the paper version handy as well.
3. Gather client books for the requested door prizes and give-aways.
4. Locate my conference business cards so people will actually know how to contact me.
5. Check my Powerpoint presentation to ensure it’s up-to-date and on my laptop (which reminds me, I really need to update that presentation background layout because the color scheme isn’t working).
6. Print out the submission instruction stickers so when I do request sample pages, I can paste the sticker directions on the back of my business card and the conference attendee will have an easy-to-use reference.
7. Email to the conference organizer the most recent, just updated handout that goes with the workshop I’m giving.
8. Get home and remember everything that I forgot at my office. Go back to the office and get it.
9. Remember to change my voicemail message to announce that I’ll be out of the office until next Tuesday (and I just remembered that I have forgotten to do this).
10. Pack. And what I have is what I have. What I’ve forgotten, well, I’ll wing it.
well, i hope you enjoy the conference, Kristin, even though BC weather isn’t the best right now, it’s all rainy… it’s my first year going, so i could be one of those people watching that presentation of yours 😉
>>6. Print out the submission instruction stickers….
Now, that’s NICE! I do trade shows and I always print my booth number on the back of my business card (which has pictures of my work on it) so people know what they kept the card for and where they can go to find me again. You’d be amazed how many people are pathetically grateful for such little things, so I am sure your stickers net you a very loyal following. (Even more loyal that it would otherwise be!)
>>8. Get home and remember everything that I forgot at my office. Go back to the office and get it.
It’s YOU! I knew someone had the other half of my brain!
Have a great time.
As a Canadian transplant, please say hello to all my fellow Canucks for me!
>>6. Print out the submission instruction stickers…
Not only nice, but BRILLIANT!
P.S. I’ve been to the Surrey con 3 times and loved it — if you enjoy it even half as much as I did, you’ll have a ball.
Doing ANYTHING all day would give me a headache. Definitely don’t forget that Advil(R)!
Heather
http://vtwriter.livejournal.com/
And don’t forget you now need a passport!
Oh and that your dollar is now at par with ours.
Sorry.
The Surrey con is one of the best I’ve been to!
You sound so very organized. But I like the winging part. 🙂 Have a safe trip.
I always forget number nine.
Have Fun! Vancouver is one of the greatest places to be this time of year (carry your funky umbrella with you… but think sunshine). I hope you have time for some relaxing stuff, too…
Have a great time in Surrey! My agent (Andrea Somberg) is going to be there and you should hang out with her because she rocks. Good luck!
oh, the umbrella is a must… it’s supposed to rain so much over the weekend… at least this isn’t an outdoor conference
Now I REALLY wish I’d found the time to get down there. It’s down for me. I live in northern B.C. Sent my novel as a door prize, though, so at least I’m represented! Sure would have been nice to meet you in person. Maybe another time. Have fun!
I wish I could have gone, but being on the other side of Canada makes it difficult. Have fun 😀
I’d love to go–it’s not that far from me. But, alas, it wasn’t in the cards. I have friends attending, however, and have been talking up your workshop. It’s really a gem.
jeez Kristin how many freak’n conferences have you been to anyway. You sound like a teenager who has been invited to the prom (oh I forget, you’re from Denver). It’s just a conference already. By the way, they have a fantastic seafood buffet on Friday nite so skip the crap the offer at the conference and do that–you won’t be sorry.
I hope you have a great conference and I agree #6 is brilliant.
I’m thoroughly impressed with number 6. I just imagine happy recipients rushing out of your pitch room like American Idol contestants who get the gold ticket to Hollywood. There must be a little fun in that. A little?
Have fun!
And… any plans to be in Toronto in the next year or so?
(I’m jealous of those Western Canucks)
If you have my luck, after all this prep work the blasted projector will have a burned out bulb 🙂 Best of luck and hope you enjoy it!
Do you set your email for an out-of-office reply?
I suppose you’ll accidentally on purpose run into Janet.
Have a wonderful time, eh?