If you take a glance at OTC’s official website, it’ll give you a wealth of information about the conference’s history, location and benefits.
What it won’t tell you, however, is a few key actions to avoid during your first outing at the show. Luckily, Rigzone has you covered.
Don’t forget where you park your car
Seems easy, no? You park your car, remember where it is, and come back to it. Things aren’t so simple at OTC though. Not only does every parking lot look identical, they’re also enormous. Factor in trade-show tiredness, jet-lag and the alarming level of vehicle similarity too and it’s easy to see why there’s always a spate of attendees hopelessly searching for their vehicles. If you want to avoid problems, take a quick note/picture to help you remember.
Additional tip: Try not parking in the sun. Unless you want the inside of your car to feel like a sauna, that is.
Don’t wear a thin shirt
With Houston’s warm weather, it’s easy to be fooled into thinking you need to wear a light shirt around OTC in order to remain cool. In actuality, the inside of the NRG Park is stuffed with air conditioning units that pump out freezing cold air like it’s going out of fashion. A few hours in and you’ll be reaching for a knitted scarf and woolly hat. You’ve been warned.
Don’t pick up freebies too early, or too late
It’s undeniable. There are a lot of great freebies at OTC shows. Something you need to consider when picking up these items though is timing. Grab them too early and you’re lugging them around all day. Go to pick them up too late and there’s nothing left. It takes a fine balance to come out top trumps in the freebie collecting game.
Don’t wear a new pair of shoes at the show
Anyone that’s tried breaking in a new pair of shoes will tell you it’s about as comfortable as wrestling a polar bear. Play it safe and go with trusted gear that’ll see you home in one piece. Trust me, this is coming from experience.
Don’t overstep your mark at the breakfast table
Some events at OTC happen early in the morning, which means the organizers lay out a breakfast spread. If you’re attending one of these early-bird events, you’re free to grab some food and line your stomach before the session. What you’re not free to do though, is overflow your plate and take the last remaining packets of butter, peanut butter and jam. No matter how hungry you are … I’m looking at you, unidentified OTC participant from 2016.
source: http://www.rigzone.com/news/oil_gas/a/149771/Rookie_Mistakes_to_Avoid_on_Your_First_OTC_Trip
