As I write this, still in the boatyard, we’re just a few days away from the start of the Annapolis boat show - officially called the United States Sailboat Show (there’s a powerboat one too, the week before). It’s a fabulous event, filled with people and boats and STUFF. I’ve written before about why you might want to attend this (or any other) boat show. But once you decide to go, how do you make the most out of the experience?

This answer (other than “it depends”) breaks down into 2 distinct camps. Those who have an agenda and those who don’t.

No agenda? (And by this I mean visiting the show is a day’s entertainment, like going to a park or the movies. It’s a way to kill some time.) Your attitude will play a huge part in getting the most out of the day. If you go thinking it’ll be filled with high-priced jewelry and obnoxious people, that’s what you’ll find. If you go looking for the interesting, innovative, impressive? You’ll find it. I like to set a goal of some kind to help me focus my attitude. One spring show, I decided I’d find something I liked on every single boat. It worked; I came home with tons of pictures of cool ideas that might be able to be incorporated onto Calypso.

Got an agenda? (And by this I mean you have a specific purpose. You’re trying to buy a boat, maybe. Or you’re looking for specific gear for the boat you already have.)

• Have a sense of the show. Download the show map, figuring out where your target(s) are located. Even if you’ve gone to the same show in years past and think you know where vendors are, they may have moved. Doing a little sleuthing ahead of time can ease frustrations.

• Be aware of your own comforts. Take water and snacks. Sunscreen. Wear comfortable shoes that slip off easily if you’re planning on stepping aboard boats - many brokers don’t allow shoes on board.

• Price check gear. Boat shows are known for offering great deals, and sometimes you can indeed find good deals. But knowing what the regular price is from elsewhere is a great reality check; coming to the show armed with specific model numbers and prices (either on your phone or on a piece of paper) might just save you time and money.

• Plan your purchases. Think about where you have to go and what else is on the “BUY” list. That awesome SUP you came across in the first tent and bought because you didn’t want it to disappear? You either have to carry it around all day, make a dash to your car or airbnb to dump it, or (a stealth option) ask the vendor if you can keep it behind the table. Bring business cards or boat cards to make this last option an easier proposition!

• Be patient and flexible. Bring your sense of humor and a great attitude. If you find yourself getting short-tempered, slow down. Take a break. Find a spot in the shade (or inside for warmth), get a drink of water, people watch for a bit.

• Leave time to be surprised. Don’t be so laser-focused on what you’re there to BUY that you miss out on all the awesome other possibilities. Maybe it’s talking to the owner of the boat you’re looking at, and because you took the time to engage you come away with an invitation to go sailing after the show. Maybe it’s getting the backstory of how a certain piece of gear was invented. Maybe it’s striking up a conversation with someone else at the same booth and realizing you share cruising goals. Like cruising on a schedule, a tightly filled calendar at the boat show might not be the absolute best use of your time.

If you’ll be at the Annapolis show next week? Come find me! I’ll be hanging around The Boat Galley booth a lot of the time and I’d love to meet you. Fair warning, though - I am a hugger. :)