PASS Summit 2010 Preview

Ahh - Summit is just around the corner. For those of you who have been before and taken advantage of the opportunities, you know what I mean. For those of you who haven't been, or didn't "fall in with the right crowd" - keep reading.
The week before Summit, I'll be down in Las Vegas at SQL Connections (thanks to Paul Randal (blog|twitter)) with some fantastic speakers, including another first-time Connections speaker Denny Cherry (blog|twitter). I've already "previewed" what I can about Connections - because I haven't been to one yet, so I can't give you the inside scoop on what to do, and when to do it.
But Summit - that I can help you prepare for. There are a great set of "get ready" blog posts out there - here's a sampling:
4-Weeks to PASS Summit 2010 Countdown – Lunch
SQL PASS Summit 2010 on a Budget
Here's a couple additional ideas you might want to consider...
Hotel
If you're not booked at all, or haven't yet finalized your hotel arrangements, you can lower your costs a bit by rooming with another geek.  Browse the PASS hotel forums, announce you're looking on Twitter, or reach out through your own network. Don't be shy about saying you're looking - you don't have to take anyone up on their offer, and you can always (discreetly) make sure anyone who offers isn't a total weirdo. But hey - you'll have to convince that someone that you're not either.
I'm taking my own medicine here - I'm bunking up at the Westin with Scott Stauffer (blog|twitter), my local chapter leader. He thinks he's taking advantage of me - but I see it the other way around. As a chapter leader (and all-around friendly guy) Scott has this networking thing down pat. I basically follow Scott around like a puppy dog, and he makes sure I bump into everyone who's anyone in the SQL world. That right there is another great idea - if your local chapter leader is going to PASS, find out where they are, and tag along with them.  (You don't have to go so far as to share a room with them!)
Regardless of whether you took advantage of the Summit block of rooms at the Westin or Sheraton, don't forget: Hang out in those two hotel lounges at the end of the day.  Both of them are at least half full with decompressing SQL nerds deciding where and when to go out to dinner.
Make Business Cards - and Use Them
I'm making mine.  Some vets use Moo or another provider - although you might be too late to get that done now.  Personally, I have access to a colour printer, cardstock, and a huge paper cutter - so I design and print my own just for Summit.
Now you may be thinking... "but you're a presenter, you need them!"  And yes, I suppose I do - but you do too!  How else are people going to remember you out of the sea of new faces they run into at Summit?  At the very least, bring fifty of your "regular" business cards - but if you can spend time making your own, or even writing some areas of interest on the back of each card - it's worth it.
And here's why you're going to go to so much trouble - they're going to help you connect memorably with other people at Summit. Say hi to the one person next to you at each session, and exchange cards.  You really should say hi to the person on your right and your left - but one will do.  And don't just say hi - wait a couple paragraphs here, and I'll tell you how to get a conversation started. 
Dinner
There is absolutely NO excuse to eat alone at Summit.  No - you may not be the "party" type, and don't let anyone force you to be.  But dinner is different.  Every night at Summit there are literally thousands of people who have to find something to eat after a long day of absorbing information.  They (just like you) probably have some questions and thoughts about what they spent all day hearing.
So how do you line up a friendly get-together?  After you've broken the silence handing your card to someone at a session (I'm getting to that) - you should feel free to ask if your new friend has any suggestions on where to go to eat.  Asking an open-ended question like that doesn't imply that you want to impose yourself on their plans - but it does inform them that you're open to the possibility.
If you're the shy type - then be a fly on the wall at the Seattle Tap House or any of the other places listed at Joseph Guadagno's PASS Summit event tracker until you can work up your courage.
And don't forget about breakfast!  Find a table - any table - and start a conversation in the morning.
Get the Conversation Started
First, I should probably say that if you think you have problems in this area, you should take advantage of Don Gabor's mini-precon.  I've only heard great things about that session.
As for my suspect advice... just don't forget that the person sitting there next to you is in the same room you're in, so you're guaranteed to be interested in the same thing.  It's pretty simple to start a conversation knowing that - but here are some openers that I've tried successfully, and would definitely work on me.  Of course - always start out with a friendly "hello," introduce yourself, then ask:
"What are you hoping to learn from this session?"
"What session are you going to next?"
"What's the best session you've been to so far?"
"What did you think of the Quiz Bowl on Monday night?"
Networking Events at PASS

If you didn't already know, there are tons of networking opportunities that PASS itself is providing during the Summit. I already mentioned Don Gabor's precon, but there are other (free) events that are perfect for making contacts in your area of interest. There's the Welcome Reception on Monday Night - a great time to stop by the Virtual Chapter tables.  One of my favorites is the MVP Birds of a Feather lunch... I dare you to sit down and not get involved in the discussion.  (Double-dog dare...)
Attendees Don't Bite!
Don't be too shy - sit down in some of the couches around the convention center and relax.  If you don't start a conversation, someone probably will for you.  Remember - they're probably in exactly the same situation you are.
Presenters don't bite either - so don't be afraid to walk up to one and tell them what you thought of their session.  Yes, you'll frequently find them talking to other presenters or perhaps Microsoft people - making them seem a little less approachable.  They know that - but can't help themselves - they're honestly just catching up with people they've met in years past at other events.  PASS is doing their best to remind speakers they can be perceived that way - so they'll be trying their best to be available and easy to talk to.
I'll be posting more on where you can find me during Summit - so stay tuned.