Surviving IFB Con: Tips for Next Season

I can’t believe that just over a week ago I was in New York at the Independent Fashion Bloggers conference, Evolving Influence (aka IFB Con). It seems so surreal…I can’t believe it has already come and gone!

Although I would love to be back in New York meeting new and fascinating people, the great thing about IFB Con is that it’s growing steadily—so I’m quite sure next fashion season (September!), it will be held again. That said, here are some words of wisdom to help future conference-goers.

Tweeted Tips

I asked attendees on Twitter if they had advice to share regarding the conference, and got these responses, which are explained and expanded in the list below.

@HouseOfJeffers: “Bring business cards with your website and contact info! They come in handy later when trying to remember faces & websites!”

@meccanuri: “2nd that RT @cubiclechicblog: Less down time between panels (so more panels?) and water for attendees!”

@cubiclechicblog: “Less down time between panels (so more panels?) and water for attendees!”

@LibertyLndnGirl: “wear Uniqlo heat tech!”

@everyday_runway: “arrive early, bring chargers, multiple devices, business cards, sweaters, water, aircard for wifi on computer! xo”

IFB Con Survival Tips

1. Jen (of House of Jeffers) is absolutely right. Be sure to take business cards with your blog address and Twitter handle on them (at minimum). Better yet, make sure your gorgeous mug is on those cards to jog people’s memories later! I love my Moo Mini cards…they’re easy to make and fun to collect.
2. I don’t know if water needs to be provided or what plans there are for scheduling, but take what Mecca Nuri and the ladies of Cubicle Chic and have said to heart and bring your own water.
   
3. What Ms. Liberty London Girl meant by her tweet is dress warmly. This advice may or may not apply in September, so wear layers in preparation for heat or cold.
   
4. On the subject of what to wear, the most important piece of advice, ever, for IFB Con, or fashion week: WEAR YOUR MOST CREATIVE, OUTRAGEOUS STUFF! This is one of those events where the more original and creative you are with your sartorial choices, the more you will be noticed, revered, and photographed! Let your freak flag fly! Well, you know what I mean. And of course, rock your wildest/sexiest/highest heels. They will be appreciated.
5. Everyday Runway covered a lot in her 140 characters, but let’s start with this: In New York, you can never predict traffic, so leave early to arrive early.
   
   

   Image via kingsruletogether.com.

6. Charge your devices fully before heading to the conference. Even my battery went dead after spending hours attempting to connect to wi-fi and tweeting. Hence, #7…
   
7. Bring the chargers for your devices. I’m a total iPhone lover, but its battery power became frighteningly obvious when walking around between the third and fourth panel looking for an outlet, I noticed scores of little iPhones plugged into every available receptacle. But thank goodness for the juice, right? Have the chargers for any device(s) you intend to use—phones, laptops, or cameras—just in case.
8. Speaking of devices, how I wish I’d had an iPad. Or some sort of PC tablet. Tweeting from the iPhone is OK, but not the easiest. I’m glad I didn’t lug my laptop with me because that’s just too much to deal with all day long. An iPad would have been perfect. If the fairy godmother of technology is paying a visit to you this year, and you’re already stocked with a PC and camera, I’d go for a tablet.
9. Most of you know to tweet with the #IFBCon hastag, but here’s a little tip: after you tweet the first time using the hashtag, select and copy “#IFBCon” on your device and use the paste function to add it to your tweets on the fly.
10. Don’t be afraid to talk to bloggers you don’t know. We’re all just people! The only way to make new friends, network, or meet a blogger you’ve really been wanting to meet is to politely approach them and introduce yourself. They won’t bite. I promise.
11. Another important one: register early! This season’s conference sold out, and the workshops booked up in no time. As soon as registration opens, sign up to be sure you don’t miss out.
12. If you aren’t familiar with New York City, take that little freebie map from your hotel with you! I can’t tell you how many times I wish I’d had it. Sometimes you can’t get your bearings (or a signal) fast enough through Google Maps on your phone. One time my group and I (because we were sans map) took a cab ride around the block to get from one destination to another. If we’d had a map, we could have seen that it was walkable. Duh.
13. Pick up after yourself! This is what clean, Zen, MAC & Milk Studios looked like after they cleared away the chairs and bloggers departed for the day. Ew! We’re supposed to be stylish and refined, people! The floor is not a rubbish bin.
    

    Trash—and someone's abandoned swag bag!— on the floor after IFB Con.

Do you have other tips to add? Please leave them in the comments below so others may benefit from them as well!

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