To See or Not to See: Ground Zero

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The question: Today’s question comes from Derek Overbey (@doverbey), If you haven’t been to NYC since 9/11 and you are visiting, would you go see ground zero?

#wwgwd?

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Derek, I understand where you are coming from on this question.  You want to see Ground Zero and the impact of the 9/11 attacks, but my guess is that you might be fearful it will put a sorrowful spin on your New York City experience.  While I know you want to live New York City to its fullest, if you haven’t seen Ground Zero, I think you absolutely have to go for a visit.

A visit to Ground Zero is likely to be extremely heart wrenching and sorrowful, but well worth the visit.  The events of September 11, 2001 have forever shaped the world we live in.  I know I will never forget the events of that tragic day and what I was doing when I heard the news.  I lived far removed in San Francisco at the time.  I was horrified, terrified, sad, angry, and yet,I was so far removed.  I don’t think you can understand and appreciate the magnitude of the attacks unless you have been there in person.

While I know you want to live it up on your trip to New York, you have plenty of opportunity.  Take some time to see the place where history was made, lives were destroyed and the political future of the United States was altered.

Bring tissues.

But what to wear? Conference Attire De-Mystified.

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The question: Today’s question comes from Poppy Dinsey (@PoppyD) in London:  Still not sure what to pack for #icny. Maybe @gingerw can advise? I have no idea how RE folk dress for conferences!

#wwgwd?

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My initial response back to Poppy was, “I usually strive to dress better than most RE folk at conferences.”  Packing for New York is quite an adventure for a California girl- we dress differently out west.  It is not so easy to look hot when it is freezing cold.

Today I will be busy trying on 75 different outfits and packing for my adventure.  This is how my packing begins:

Step 1- Throw all possible outfits on the bed.

Step 2- Try them on.

Step 3- Select winning outfits including shoes and enter the details in the trusty packing spreadsheet. YES, I do really create a packing spreadsheet (my inner geek).  Every good trip must have a complete spreadsheet, otherwise you inevitably forget the underwear and phone charger.

Step 4- Identify outfits/accessories you might need and make a list of any items that might need to be purchased or borrowed- you always need to buy something.

Step 5- This step is often the trickiest step- Fold and pack and fit it all in.  Don’t forget to leave a little room for any purchases you might make on the trip.

How to Dress for a Conference?

Traditional Conference- Women should plan to wear a nice dress or suit, men should wear a suit or dress pants and nice blazer.

Blogger/Social Media- Depends on the location.  If the event is at a nice hotel or convention center, slacks are a good idea.  At more casual venues, jeans are typically ok, unless you are speaking.  Speakers should always dress a notch up!

BarCamp- BarCamps are super casual, attendee driven events.  Jeans are a-ok!

Other tips:

• Conference rooms can seem cold when you are in a warm location like Las Vegas, but very warm when you are in a locale like New York in January.  Always dress in layers!
• Sweatshirts are always a no-no- even if they give you one with the conference name on it.  Repeat, sweatshirts =bad
• Tennis shoes should be reserved for sightseeing.  Repeat, tennis shoes and conferences don’t mix.
• When in doubt, overdress.

What about Post Conference Evening Attire?

Post conference evening attire often varies depending on the type of conference and where the event is located.

• Dining with big shots from the conference?  You may want to stay in your business attire.  Often this is the easiest plan of action and saves packing space.
• Heading out on the town or going to a fun club with the group?  A change may be in order, just don’t forget that you work with these people.
• Wear a decent pair of shoes!  When I say decent, I don’t mean comfortable.  That is always a bonus, of course, but make sure you have a decent pair of shoes!  Many restaurants/clubs may not let you in if you have tennis shoes. Reminder, save your tennis shoes for sightseeing.

And to very specifically answering Poppy’s question, here is my packing plan for the Inman Connect conference in a nutshell:

• Barcamp- jeans
• Blogger Connect- slacks/sweater
• Main Conference- suit for when I speak, dress on second day
• Evening- jeans/slacks & cute tops or skirts with boots.  It may be cold but I still want to dress cute!
• Nice warm coat
• Wool socks
• Gloves
• Tights
• Lots of layers and wool.

And that is what Ginger would do!

To take or not to take- traveling with the laptop

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The question: This question came via a retweet on Twitter from @tcar:  RT @PoppyD: Take the mac on weekend away…or try and have a proper break? Decisions, decisions. < a good question for @gingerw #wwgwd

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Bringing the laptop on a business trip is often a necessity, but should you tote it along to your next beach vacation?  I am certainly guilty of taking my laptop on one too many vacations.  So many excuses on why we should bring it along- I have to finish a project, I have to post a blog, I can watch a video on the airplane, the list could go on for days.  Unfortunately, if we bring our laptops, we often get tied to our laptops.

Let me just finish this one little thing, I am going to check my stocks, let me look up the restaurant on yelp.

I can recall being in Hawaii, being sucked into my computer for more than half the day.  Put the puppy away and get outside!

I often say my favorite (and most relaxing vacations) are those that take place in Mexico.  Why?  I refuse to carry a computer when I cross the border.  The first few days are often rough.  Cut off the crack cold turkey.  The adjustment of not being tied to that little computer is tough, but I find that after a couple of days, I forget about my email.  The thought of even popping into an internet cafe isn’t appealing.  True relaxation happens when you remove yourself from the daily grind …and the laptop.

Yes, you heard me. Cut the crack.  Try it. You might find your next trip is one of the most relaxing vacations you ever had…