TOP TIPS FOR A FABULOUS UK MEET

 

LANYARDS AHOY!

Don’t be shy about going up to your favourite cover artist/author/blogger/reviewer and telling them you love their work. Chances are you’ll make their day!

We’re operating a simple system to help delegates tell if it’s a good time to go and say hi: Lanyard on = up for a chat; lanyard off = taking a breather.

WHITE LANYARDS

Not all of us can afford to be ‘seen’. As in previous years, we’re using an opt in/opt out scheme, with a coloured lanyard for people to wear if they’re happy to be “snapped” and a white one to wear if they’d rather not. If you’re using a camera please don’t feature white lanyard wearers in the shot, not even in the background. This includes social events. And please, please double-check any photos before uploading to social media.

DITCH THE BAGGAGE

Bear in mind we’ll be giving you a fabulous goodie bag chock full of swag. So when choosing what to bring for the day, you may want to leave the kitchen sink at home to avoid ending up feeling like a pack mule. Unless you enjoy feeling like a pack mule. Whatever floats your boat.

KEEP THE “PRO” IN PRONOUNS

Not everyone is comfortable with using binary he/his or she/her pronouns. And how a person presents is not necessarily how they identify. If you’re not sure what a fellow delegate’s preferred pronouns are, just ask them! We also encourage everyone to indicate their preferred pronouns by writing them on their lanyard badges.

BE KIND TO THE PANELLISTS

Writers & other artists are sensitive souls. If you go to a panel, please don’t leave halfway through—it’s disruptive for everyone else and can throw a speaker off their stride.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

If at any time you don’t fancy any of the programmed panels, feel free to go and have a coffee and a chat in the break-out areas. Our delegates have told us in previous years how much they enjoy free time in itself, and a dedicated place to sit and enjoy it.

HAPPY TO HUG?

We’ll have “happy to hug” badges available—if someone isn’t wearing one, please don’t assume they’ll welcome physical contact. Remember: just because someone likes tea sometimes doesn’t mean they want tea now. (And some of us never want tea, but that’s in a more literal sense – Jamie *g*).

AND FINALLY…RESPECT!

We value each one of our attendees and expect our delegates to treat each other with appropriate kindness and consideration, irrespective of: race, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability or any other characteristic. Let’s keep this space safe!

 

~~~J L Merrow