Attend the entire conference! Don't waste a minute! Try to do everything! (it's not possible, though). Attend the Plenary. Attend as many tech sessions as you can, 4 each day plus offerings by ESRI and vendors in the exhibit hall. Major tip: bring your lunch with you so you don't have to waste time in crowded restaurants, instead you can eat on the patio overlooking the harbor at the convention center, then use the remaining lunch hour time to study the maps in the map gallery, seek out information you need in the Exhibit Hall or attend a lunchtime SIG meeting. Make lists before you go of things you want to learn. I keep a list all year round and add to it as issues arise during the course of my work. Ride the trolley to the convention center. Don't waste time and money trying to park your car in downtown SD. I don't even bring my car. I park it at LA Union Station and take the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner down, then I buy an MTS pass and use the trolley or bus to go anywhere I want.
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