Book Expo America Tips and Tricks!

It’s almost that time again!  BEA is just around the corner and if you haven’t already seen all the posts about it, well, where have you been?  This will be my third year attending the conference so while I don’t consider myself an expert, I do feel like I have some knowledge to share with you guys.  Here are my personal tips and tricks for surviving BEA!
Pack a variety of clothes!


The weather in NYC is very fickle.  One moment it will be hot and sunny and five minutes later you’ll be freezing your butt off in the rain.  Pack for any type of weather!  This is also helpful because the Javitz Center is also really hard to predict.  Some days you’ll be cold, other days you’ll be sweating.  Just be prepared for anything.

Clothes I’d suggest:
Bring food!


Yes, you’re in NYC and there are tons of food options but that’s outside the conference center.  If you don’t plan to leave the Javitz for lunch, bring something to eat because you don’t want to pay the ridiculous amount of money they want for a salad or burger.  I packed snacks in my suitcase from home and just brought those with me to the Javitz.  I also brought a bottle for water.  It saved me a lot of money since I think I ate in the food court just once.

Check your bag!


There is the option to check a bag at the Javitz Center and I highly recommend doing that.  It costs $2 or $3 and  you can go back to your bag throughout the day and drop off your books.  It’s completely safe (I’ve never had anything stolen from my bag) and it saves your shoulders a lot of pain.  I have a rolling bag (pictured below) which I use (it can be purchased at TJ Maxx for $19.99) and it holds pretty much all the books I get in a day at BEA.

Share transportation!


If you know someone who is going to the same location as you, share a cab.  If you know more than one person going to the same place, even better.  Cab fares add up so try not to take a cab if you don’t have to but if you do have to, don’t go alone.  (It’s also kind of creepy to take a cab by yourself but maybe that’s just me.)

Ship from the post office!


Try not to ship your books from the Javitz center unless you absolutely have to.  There is a post office only a few blocks from the Javitz and it’s a lot cheaper to ship from there.  You can ship media mail and you can buy all your supplies right there at the post office.  

Have a schedule!

There is so much stuff to do, both in NYC and at BEA, that you really need to have things planned out in advance.  Plan things ahead of time so you know exactly what you will have time for.  The BEA website has an awesome show planner which allows you to plan all the signings you want to go to.  It’s really crazy trying to get from signing to signing but it’s easier if you have a schedule and know where you need to be and at what time.  Also, don’t forget to give yourself time to eat! If you’re planning something outside the Javitz, don’t forget to include travel time!
I know I haven’t managed to cover everything in this post but feel free to leave questions in the comments and I’ll reply to them there!  
Pinterest

Pinterest
fb-share-icon
EMAIL
Twitter

#sfsi_plus_floater .sfsi_plus_twt_tool_bdr .sfsi_plus_inside{margin-top: -18px;}

Visit Us
Follow Me

Tweet

Facebook

Facebook
fb-share-icon
INSTAGRAM
RSS
LINKEDIN

Share