5 Insider Tips for Print09
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Tip 1: Pre-show Planning and Research
Now that Print09 - "MyPrint" is less than a month away, it is time to form a game plan for attending the show. A great place to start with any research is to go to vendor specific websites and industry news sites. After you determine the types of products and technology of most interest, plot your trip using the online tools provided by the GASC. The site is packed with features for finding the exhibitors, products, and seminars, that speak to your interest. The site allows you to organize all of the dates and events into a virtual day planner.
GASC MyPrint Planner
WhatTheyThink Print09
GraphicArts Online Print09
m-Bossed Print09 Tweets
Tip 2: Transportation
To/From Airport From either O'Hare or Midway airport, transit options include shuttle bus, taxi, rental cars, and mass transit. For $2.25, you can take the CTA rail line into downtown Chicago from either airport. Use the Blue Line from O'Hare aiport or the Orange Line from Midway. To plan the exact route needed to specific hotel, use the CTA website trip planner. The next best option is to catch the flat rate GO shuttle bus. The fare from O'Hare to any downtown destination is $27 one way or $49 round trip. The rate from Midway is slightly less because of the closer proximity to downtown at $22 one way and $39 round trip. Save $2/$4 dollars by making an online reservation. A one way taxi fare is more than the round trip bus shuttle. Daily Show Transportation Taxis are the most expensive, and more importantly time consuming, way to get to and from the city. Depending upon the rush hour and special event traffic the commute time in a cab can be significant. Also, the taxi queue at the end of the show can easily take over an hour. On the days of the show, the show company provides free shuttle buses that pickup at various points around downtown. The buses stop near all sponsored hotels. The GASC provides a PDF of all bus routes and schedules or you can view it interactively via Google Maps on m-Bossed. The buses pickup in the afternoon from the South Hall around the corner to the right of the taxi line. The CTA train lines do not run directly to McCormick Place, but a combination of CTA and Metra (regional rail) can get you there. The easiest transfer points are from the Randolph/Wabash CTA stations, then walk east toward the lake, and catch the Randolph Street Metra at the north end of Millennium Park. The Metra fare is an additional $2.15 over the CTA fare to McCormick Place. Note the Metra runs frequently during commuter hours, but is not nearly as frequent as CTA. Check Google Maps Transit for the best use of trains and buses from your starting point.
Tip 3: Easiest Way to get a Demonstration
In many cases it is easy to request a demonstration, even prior to the show, by locating your salesperson. For the suppliers or companies where you do not have a working relationship, locate the receptionist or information booth. The attendant will ask to swipe your entry badge and direct you toward the staff that can handle your request. Although sales people are often viewed as a last resort, they can usually schedule the best time and person for your demonstration since they are intimately familiar with the staff. To get the best results, remember to be clear in communicating your needs, intention, and time frame for implementation.
Tip 4: Best Demo Days and Times
If you are willing to miss the air of excitement and anticipation generated by the first days crowd, the remaining days offer more opportunity for quality time with each vendor. The last day of the show, "student" day, is dismissed by most attendees as a wasted day. On the contrary, most show staff (at least in the morning) are looking for anything to combat the boredom of standing around. The best time of day for demonstrations is in the morning when the staff is fresh and there is plenty of time to spend on any topic. The experience for the booth staff is opposite of the attendee in most respects which translates into standing on a concrete floor and demonstrating the same software or equipment for 10+ hours. Get to the show early rather than later.
Tip 5: The Simple Things
A shoulder bag, briefcase, or backpack, will help to carry all of the product literature and giveaways from the show.
The best food is the food you bring - the lines can be ridiculously long.
Restrooms are in every corner of McCormick Place but the ones on Level 3 in the South Building (main entrance level) are the busiest = dirtiest.
Use that shiny iPhone (or any trusty mobile) to post interesting show buzz to Twitter with #print09 in the post, then follow it on m-Bossed.
