Dave Winer’s question, “What do I do?” is significant enough that it merits a more detailed reply.
First, the practicalities. On Thursday 27 January, sign-up for sessions starts at 8.30am (on Friday and Saturday it starts at 8am). Popular sessions will fill pretty rapidly. On Thursday, you can register for Thursday evening and all of Friday. Saturday sessions are available from Friday morning. The whole kit and caboodle is available from Saturday morning.
You use either the self sign-up facility on the Kiosks (terminals for email and information in the Congress Centre and quite a few hotels), or the assisted sign-up desks. The reason I start with this is that a lot of Davos newbies spend a lot of time on Thursday or Friday deciphering the programme — which is admittedly complex. When they get around to signing up, they find there is no room in their first or second choice. Veterans go to sign-up first, and then figure things out later.
I have given advice before on how to select sessions, but here’s a summary. There is often an inverse relationship between number of speakers and intensity (if not quality) of a session. Fewer people is good. Go for some unexpected things. You may discover something — and you will certainly find that the other participants who choose the unusual are interesting themselves. Pay attention to the Davos bush telegraph. If people are buzzing about a person, make sure you see him or her.
So, at last you have signed up for the sessions you want. What do you do the rest of the time. Davos is great for hanging out, and there are plenty of places to do just that. Within the Congress Centre, there is a lounge (see yesterday’s photo), a couple of café areas and a bar. All are good places to grab a few minutes with someone.
Most evenings, before dinner, the major hotels host numerous private receptions. If you have a participant badge, whether you have an invitation or not, you can generally stroll in. The Belvedere Hotel is where most receptions are held. Late at night, the bars at the Belvedere, Seehof and Post are the most active with participants catching up and chatting. There are some local differences: if it’s Russians you seek, head to the Sunstar Park, for example.
Rabbi Rick Block has asked for advice on clothing. As much as we would like it to be so-called business casual, most people do wear suits (or at least smart jacket and tie). There’s no problem if you don’t, but you have to ask yourself whether you will be relaxed about talking to a government minister, who will certainly be in a suit. Some people have the confidence to get away with it, others don’t. It’s your choice.
The one exception is the Saturday night soirée, when the standard is black tie, evening dress or national costume. Lots of men wear dark suits, but don’t say I told you.
The reception line at the 1999 soirée