​Before you judge me...here's the definition of 'binge drinker'

"Binge drinking or heavy episodic drinking is the modern epithet for drinking alcoholic beverages with the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. It is a kind of purposeful drinking style that is popular in several countries worldwide, and overlaps somewhat with social drinking since it is often done in groups. The exact degree of intoxication, however, varies between and within various cultures that engage in this practice. " WIkiPedia

Yes that's right...so anyone drinking more than 4 alcohol drinks is a binge drinker! ;-) Which is probably going to be most of the people at any of the social events with FREE drinks in two weeks in Anaheim!

There are plenty of events going on over the week and our very own SharePoint Community Calendar has a list to them all with registration links if required.

I have just got back from the BUILD conference at the same venue, where I was a little alienated surrounded by Windows, Web, Azure and Windows Phone Developers! The SharePoint community is unique in having not only Developers, but End Users, IT Pros and all sorts of other walks of life! Usually a lot more social a mob than developers.

I actually was relatively well behaved and was even asleep in bed by 10pm one night, albeit I was in Las Vegas the weekend before the event with my wife. This actually showed me that going to a conference and not going out on the sauce every night is actually a good thing and means that you feel fresh every morning and can eat breakfast and attend sessions with 100% concentration!

I'll be honest with you, this is unlikely to happen for most of you next week as much as it is about the learning it's also about the social aspects of a conference and catching up with old friends and ones you've stalked on Twitter for years! and heck...there's free booze and you have a week long 'pink slip' from your partner to go out every night.

As a well seasoned conference speaker/attendee and party goer, I figured I'd share some pearls of wisdom based on some good life lessons at these events.

Survival Rules

• PICK YOUR BATTLES - don't think you're gonna survive being out Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs night until 2am drinking without missing the entire days sessions.
  Strategically pick a few nights to go home early, just not Monday or Tuesday. Remember, you're not at college anymore!
  Not many can stay out and not drink and be bubbly the next morning...Joel Oleson doesn't drink so don't be fooled by his hyperactive stone cold sober antics and spritely morning appearance ;-)
• EAT - we've all been there...straight from work benders...not a good idea. Conference food tends not to be the best food to try and fill yourself up with either. I'd recommend a good feed before starting out for the night. Late night kebabs afterwards may save you from a fate worse than death though!
• WATER - It isn't 'cheating'...drink water between each of those FREE alcohol drinks.
• SAY HELLO - if you're there on your own, don't be afraid to come say hello. You probably recognize faces from blogs, videos and status updates...we may be busy catching up with old friends, but we'll certainly introduce you to people to make you part of it all.
• MORNING KIT - after you've slapped on the aftershave and just about to walk out the door of your hotel room...make sure you have a bottle of water by your bed, some aspirin and a breakfast cereal bar.
• SOCIAL NETWORKS - remember pretty much everyone there will have smart phones with cameras on them...fortunately some won't have ROAMING data...but they'll be lots being pushed online. Just saying. ;-)
  Announce on social networks which events you're going to the afternoon of the event. The amount of times after the fact I've gone "<such and such> was there? no way, I still haven't met him".
• AVOID TROUBLEMAKERS - defined by anyone lining shots up at the bar...usually these people are invincible and know it...it just isn't worth being friends with the porcelain office for the morning when you could be at sessions if you can't handle shots! JUST SAY 'NO'!
• LEARN THE 'HOUDINI' - the houdini is well worth learning for those people you know just aren't going to let you leave the bar without a bundle of abuse ;-)
• UPDATE YOUR PHOTO - Putting a photo of yourself you took 10 years ago on your Twitter account really doesn't help anyone identify you at conferences! Update your photo the week before you come to SPC11 on social networks so people can start to recognise you at the event!
• GET YOURSELF A FREE T-SHIRT - Yes that's right people...it's not too late to get yourself a free personalized t-shirt with your name on the back. Makes identifying people so much easier at these events.

I'm hoping some people will be thanking me for such diamond advice by the end of SPC11...everyone enjoy and stay safe people!

If you have other advice...feel free to add it in the comments...keep it friendly people!