Another year, another dmexco. Given we’re stalwarts of this celebration of all things advertising, we thought we would share some of the hints and tips we’ve picked up along the way.
Travel
Flights (and hotels for that matter) get booked up a long time in advance, but if you can’t get a flight to Cologne, Dusseldorf will work just as well. Another option is to make like us and jump on the train; at least you won’t have to worry about sorting your liquids into a clear bag. And if you need to stretch your legs, you can wander around the train a lot easier than if you were on a plane.
Planning
If you have a demanding schedule – and who doesn’t – planning is a must. Decide in advance who you want to meet with and make sure you leave enough time to walk the show floor and familiarise yourself with the layout, particularly if your destinations are located at opposite ends of the venue. Leaving intervals between appointments is a good idea as sometimes the floor plans aren’t the most helpful.
Where’s the Wi-Fi?
It can be challenging to keep on top of emails while at events, especially if you don’t have access to a reliable Wi-Fi connection. But there are things you can do – ensure your data plan is large enough to cope, use the free venue Wi-Fi, or ask exhibitors if they don’t mind you accessing theirs for a couple of minutes.
What to pack
Check the weather and pack as light as possible so you can avoid having to wait for baggage reclaim and just use a carry-on. Mobile battery life tends to drain when you need it most, so a portable phone charger – or two – is a must. Some exhibitors might also have somewhere to charge your devices, but you can’t always rely on that.
Another great idea is to pack a couple of snacks as queues at the food stations are always busy. Although having said that, in previous years a number of exhibitors had catering on stand – perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat and chat before a meeting.
Queues
Arrive early on the first day if you don’t want to spend the majority of your time in a very lengthy queue. If you get there after 10am on the first day be prepared for a long wait to scan in your badge and get access to the show.
Towards the end of dmexco, the queues for the train and taxis are also heaving (many visitors tend to start making their departure post 3pm). Another handy tip – pre-book your transfer to the airport from your hotel rather then from the exhibition – you’re more likely to get a cab that way.
Finally, drop us a line at hello@gingermaypr.com if you’ll also be attending, we would love to see you there!