Going to GDC?

Conferences are good for making connections and getting business contacts.

Bring a box of cards, they are conference currency. Give a card to get a card. Chances are they'll throw yours out, but you can use theirs.

Don't bring resumes unless there is a recruiting fair. Exchange cards and follow up with a resume after a few days.

This will be my 1st, and I was only able to afford an expo pass.

Are you going to be in town the entire week?

Bring a box of cards, they are conference currency. Give a card to get a card.

I think this is declining fairly rapidly (the odds of your card just getting a weird look while someone pulls out their phone to enter your info directly or trade via NFC are increasing) but it's definitely still good enough advice for now. I give it to 2020 before cards are a complete relic. :P

I might be biased though because my company's cards are garbage solid-black affairs that you can't scribble notes on and I end up using maybe 1 or 2 every GDC. Which reminds me - anyone printing custom cards, always leave the back entirely/mostly plain white. The blank space is as valuable (if not more so) than everything else on it. :)

Going to GDC on an Expo pass is a tough call. My personal opinion is that it isn't worth it, but YMMV.

One of the biggest gains I get from GDC is networking with people immediately after a session is over. I like to hang out and talk to the speakers of good sessions, if only to thank them for their time. Others may have pertinent questions or other feedback and also linger around after the session is over. This is such a big trend at GDC that they officially have "Wrap up rooms" that the CAs will send you to if you're running into another session's prep time.

If you're not attending any sessions, it becomes much harder to justify talking to complete strangers. Maybe you can pull it off; I don't think I'd like to try it.


The main site has a scheduler feature that lets you see every session's details in advance. If you want a taste of how much is there, I highly recommend checking it out.

This will be my 1st, and I was only able to afford an expo pass.

Are you going to be in town the entire week?

Yes.

I actually live in the area.

I never went before since I didn't have anything to show back then...

I was also at school most of the time, so didn't have he money, and was too busy to.

Should I still tern up the other days, even though I don;t have a pass?

I guess I could lounge around the hotels, restaurants, and such near the conference....some of the other days.

Going to GDC on an Expo pass is a tough call. My personal opinion is that it isn't worth it, but YMMV.

If you're not attending any sessions, it becomes much harder to justify talking to complete strangers. Maybe you can pull it off; I don't think I'd like to try it.

Ya, I'd expect so....

What is the "Summit, tutorials & boot camps" pass?

If I stretch it, I might be able to get that...

Yes. I actually live in the area.

Well, want an All Access or a Main Conference pass instead on behalf of GameDev.net? You can't get a refund for the Expo unfortunately, but you can get more out of GDC.

What?!

Are you serious?

I can't say no to that.....!!!!

Wow....

And I thought I knew what above and beyond meant....

What? Are you serous?

Serious. All Access+VRDC (5 day) or Main Conference (3 day)? Pick one.

ummm...

wow.. my face is red....

All Access then...

I don't know how to thank yall...

I am humbled.

Check your PM Inbox.

We have an article with some GDC social tips that might be of interest. There's a spreadsheet floating around online with a list of many of the unofficial parties on this year - have a search, check out the list, and see if you can attend some to meet more people.

Try to look for ways you can help people, even if there's no immediate benefit to you; it'll help build good relationships that will be beneficial in years to come.

Bring a box of cards, they are conference currency. Give a card to get a card.

I think this is declining fairly rapidly (the odds of your card just getting a weird look while someone pulls out their phone to enter your info directly or trade via NFC are increasing) but it's definitely still good enough advice for now. I give it to 2020 before cards are a complete relic. :P

I might be biased though because my company's cards are garbage solid-black affairs that you can't scribble notes on and I end up using maybe 1 or 2 every GDC. Which reminds me - anyone printing custom cards, always leave the back entirely/mostly plain white. The blank space is as valuable (if not more so) than everything else on it. :)

Tbh, I'd not treat someone collecting data via NFC as highly as someone asking/giving business card , so business cards rulz and are timeless :P Just that I have an impression that in USA fancy cards involve some process like press lettering so might be rather costly to distribute simply everyone.

If they need extra contact details, let them get from QR code on card, I mean come on what's the point if you won't have a fancy card? :P

Check your PM Inbox.

That's super cool :)

We still have a Main Conference pass (3-day) available. No strings. Anyone interested?

Edit: Gone. :)