With so many educational, networking, and fun events to pack into your schedule, a little advance preparation can help make the eBay Live! experience more enjoyable and informative for you. Who better to ask about making the most of eBay Live! than members who've been there before?

The Chatter staff spoke to a few members as they prepared to pack for eBay Live! These veterans of eBay Live! shared their thoughts and suggestions on getting the most learning and fun from eBay's annual Community celebration.

perpetual-vogue urged participants to spend time on eBay's discussion boards, especially the eBay Live! 2005 board, before the conference begins. This will help them in making valuable connections with other attendees. Many regulars on the discussion boards plan informal “meet and greet” events the evening before eBay Live! officially begins. Some even get together during the conference for a quick break or meal. “These groups are generally thrilled to welcome other members – the more the merrier! You shouldn't feel shy or nervous, even if you come alone. If you're open and friendly you will find lots of like-minded people to spend time with and share ideas,” said perpetual-vogue.

eBay is legendary for being the best place in the world to find collectibles. Naturally, this feeling is reinforced every year at eBay Live!, where participants can pick up an array of eBay memorabilia, not to mention loads of educational material. At the end of a busy day, you can get quite tired carrying all your eBay goodies in a tote bag. giraffer advised investing in a small wheeled suitcase to take to the convention venue. “You don't realize how much stuff you're going to accumulate and how much stuff you will want to have with you,” she said. “Trying to fit everything into a tote bag just doesn't work, and then you're faced with the prospect of having to trudge back to your hotel room several times a day to unload.” northernearth agreed, adding, “ If you're pulling a wheeled case for ‘stuff,' then it's also a good idea to get a little soft-sided lunch tote that you can strap onto it. Don't forget headache or stomach medicine if you're likely to want those. Convention halls can get hot and noisy.”

Wondering which classes to attend at eBay Live!? When we asked perpetual-vogue, she recommended that members start planning their class schedules as soon as they register. “However, don't be afraid to modify your schedule later. If you get into a class that is more basic than you thought, look for another class with open seats that might be better suited for you.”

If you're a seller, picking the right classes also depends on the business objectives you have set for yourself. All our veteran members thought that eBay Live! is a great opportunity to solidify your short and long term business objectives. “Take a look at where you want to be a year from now,” urged perpetual-vogue. “Select classes that will get you there. Don't be afraid to attend even those classes that might seem too advanced now, because it's better to have the information on hand later than to suddenly realize you need help and not be able to easily find it.”

Another strategy is to attend some classes that may not seem of particular interest to you. “Sometimes we don't know what we don't know,” laughed perpetual-vogue. “For instance, a smaller seller may not have considered using Turbo Lister or opening an eBay Store, but attending these classes might show them how to streamline much of the work they're now doing manually.”

perpetual-vogue also suggested making use of group strength. “If you're going with or meeting friends at eBay Live! and several relevant classes are offered at the same time, split up and share notes with each other later. Take turns at attending classes, visiting the Solutions Center, and networking. Then you can share your learnings with each other over dinner.”

giraffer told us that at past eBay Live! events she found the Q&A sessions at the end of every class very useful. “You can use this time to ask questions specific to your business or hobby that you wouldn't necessarily write to Customer Support about,” she says. “And hearing others ask about things you've always wanted to know or didn't think to ask can be enormously enlightening.”

If you're mainly a buyer on eBay, you can enroll in classes designed just for buyers. With topics such as paying with PayPal, optimizing searches, online safety, and research tips for collectibles, these classes can help you take your collecting passion to the next level, and maximize your time spent on eBay.

All the eBay Live! veterans we spoke with agreed that networking opportunities are among the greatest benefits of the annual convention. giraffer urged attendees to make the most of the opportunity to meet and interact with as many Community members and eBay staff as possible. “Don't be afraid to talk to anybody – members and staff alike! We are all here for the same reason – to share our passions and learnings and to build the Community!”

Outside of the convention, there are plenty of opportunities for sight-seeing, fine dining, and relaxation in and around beautiful San Jose. As far as climate is concerned, it can get pretty warm in June. You can expect temperatures in the 80's during the day and in the 50's at night. eBay Live! veterans agreed that casual dress is the way to go at the convention – comfy shoes, shorts or jeans, and t-shirts are appropriate for all convention activities, as well as most sightseeing. “Unless it is a really swanky restaurant, you can dress pretty casually,” advised another member. However, a sweater or jacket is a must if you plan on making the 45 mile trip north to visit beautiful San Francisco, which usually lives up to its reputation as “Fog City,” and can get quite chilly during the summer.

The benefits of eBay Live! extend long after the convention ends. It's important to stay on top of what you've learned at eBay Live!, according to giraffer. “When you return home, take some time to organize and read through all the materials you've received, and file everything away for future reference. Drop a note to the new friends you've made, and commit to stay in touch, either by email or on the discussion boards. These friends can become your most valuable resource as you build your business.”

giraffer also recommended that members plan to take an extra day or two off work after returning from eBay Live! “You don't realize how exhausted you'll be,” she cautioned. “You need at least a day to come back to earth after all the excitement!” perpetual-vogue echoed this theme. “During the conference, build in some quiet time – go sit in a park and review your notes, run back to your room to take a ‘power nap,' or even treat yourself to a solo lunch to organize your thoughts. eBay Live! has a hectic pace, and you'll need this downtime.”

Thanks to all our veteran eBay Live! participants for sharing their experiences and suggestions. See you all in San Jose!