Okay, we’re closing in on Conference. If you’ve done all the things I recommended in my previous post about preparing to get the most out of NARTS Conference in San Antonio, here’s your checklist for 3 weeks out.
- Decide on clothes. Remember 2 things about your clothes: Layers (rooms can start out chilly, warm up once we get all fired up!) and pockets. In your right pocket you will carry your business cards to hand out; in your left, you will stash the card of people you meet. Don’t be shy about offering and asking. After all, this is a business Conference, not a tea party. You want to make as many contacts as you can. One more thing: peppers for Thursday night….
- Gather up your resources to share. On Sunday there will be InfoShare, a NARTS tradition started way-back-when by you-know-who. Bring anything tangible you have: extra coupons (even expired ones), surplus postcards (even used ones), bagstuffers and handouts and so on. During Infoshare, people can pick up and take a look at what you’ve done. They can even take it home, if it will be useful to them.
- Practice with your digital camera. You’ll want it along to record ideas in the Bus Tour shops, to commemorate new friends and fun times, and of course to capture all the fun and excitement, so you can add a page to your web site and show your clientele how you’re always learning to make your shop better for them. (Oh, that reminds me. I did promise to share with you the wording to put on your shop door, in case you’ll close to attend Conference. Check it out at our Fun page on Too Good to be Threw.)
- Leave room in your suitcase for things you’ll buy!
Okay. See you in three weeks!
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Auntie Kate HELP!!!! Got the flight, got the roomate, got registration taken care of, but now I have to leave my baby at only 6 months old in the hands of someone else. Although I have trained this person well and have several other shop owners to watch out for her I can’t get myself to start packing my bags. I have questions and I’m sure you will think I’m over protective, will the gentlemen show up to clean her glass? will my person remember to turn the air on to cool her off during the day? will someone pick up the lunch left overs from her floor & make sure the open sign is off when it’s time for her to sleep? her emergency kit is ready to go along with all the phone numbers she could ever need while I’m away yet we have so much fun together I hate to be away. So I promised we’d have a great big JEWELRY SALE when I get back, ya think she’ll forgive me for leaving her to go to conference?
OK, I am way behind on getting ready for conference. I did book my flight, reserved my room and found a roommate. I have some of my outfits ready, complete with the layering affect, but that is about it.
I have always been a last minute person when it comes to conference. I am not sure why. Kate just keep reminding us, (me) that time is a wasting and we (I) need to get my butt in gear.