Great Burlesque Expo 10

Words of wisdom from the Great burlesque expo 10
Hello Burlyfam, 
It’s me Lottie!
I’ve been holding on to this ever since my return from the Great Burlesque Expo in Cambridge Mass. and I am so excited to finally be able to share. While I was there I took the time to jot down a few words of wisdom and advice. These tips are valuable regardless of what festival you are attending so get comfortable cause I’m about to lay it on the line. 
• Plan in advance – look at the schedule and map out that you want to do. Take ALL the classes!
• Talk to ALL the people – especially the ones you admire on facebook!
• Take good notes – 
o in class some of the stuff you will remember, some, you will need later, and some stuff you will want to share.
o at the show take notes on things you like things that inspire you and things that were awesome. You will have so much stimuli coming at you it will be difficult to filter out what is important.
• Dress the part – if you are taking a movement class dress for it, if you are volunteering the at registration table, dress the part. Cary multiple outfits for each day so you can change as necessary.
• Drink water!
• Pack fruit during the festival you will find yourself running from place to place, you will need to have real food, chips & Cheetos are not breakfast food!
• Add people to your social media and tag them, everybody likes to feel special!
• Fill out the evaluation forms – festivals need feedback so that they can get better, suggest classes, topics or whatever you think would make the festival better. No guarantees that they will do it but it doesn’t hurt to ask. 
• Engage in casual conversation you are surrounded by the best creative minds in the industry, you may not meet the headliner but never discount the value of your fellow performers. You may be sitting next to the next king of Burlesque.
• Exchange business cards (if you have them) and make a note on the person’s card that you got so that you will have a frame of reference when you contact them. Follow up! Shoot a brief email to the person who you exchanged business cards with and use that note you wrote on their business card as a starting point. 
• Volunteer to staff or help out at the festival, it’s a great way to meet people and learn about the festival. 
Festivals are wonderful and every time you attend a festival you should come back a bigger, better, more sparkly version of yourself!!
XOXO