Tips for getting the most out the INTA annual meeting.

Its spring! Must be time for the INTA Annual Meeting

10,000 black and blue suits, with nametags, in your city’s downtown?

Must be INTA AM. 

 

As I work out my schedule for INTA AM in Dallas, Texas May 5 - 8, 2013, I offer some tips on getting the most out the annual meeting.

Location, Location, Location

One of the first decisions you will have to make regarding attending the INTA AM is where you will stay. INTA provides a bunch of conference hotels but before you can book into one of these you must be a registered attendee. There are many reasons to put off registering but if you do, be forewarned your hotel choices will be severely limited.

If you find that the conference hotels are all booked or you don’t like being at a conference hotel, in some cities, it is remarkably easy to find accommodation. Just hit the google trail, armed with a city map and a public transportation map. However, from my attempts, I don’t think Dallas is one of those cities so I’m giving up and sticking with the conference hotel.

This is the little Inn I found in Washington DC last year.

There are many advantages to staying at a conference hotel. Usually they are close to the conference centre and if they are not, there will be shuttles going back and forth. The shuttles usually run very frequently but can often get stuck in downtown congestion. Be prepared to use alternative modes of transportation: taxis, subway, and yes, feet (those boots were made for walking). By the way, INTA attendees are notorious taxi users so be prepared to wait awhile.

The Early Bird gets …

The Conference officially begins with the Opening Reception on Sunday evening. However, there are receptions throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday as well as the INTA Gala (a rather stuffy black tie dinner and dancing affair - best avoided imho) so arriving on Saturday is the norm. When I am in INTA town on Saturday night I’ve always found myself a dinner party to attend.

You may also want to arrive early to do a little sightseeing or shopping or catch a sporting activity.

This year, INTA has arranged for attendees to have exclusive shopping at Neiman Marcus (Downtown Dallas 1618 Main St.) on Sunday, May 5 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

In May baseball has started and basketball and hockey are just wrapping up. There is usually at least one team with a home game during the week of INTA AM.