So I'll be attending my first NHC this year in Seattle and would like to get everyone's tips on making it out alive. I already have a Pre-Conference Tour booked on Wednesday and I'm planning to go to BNA7 (if the tickets ever go on sale ).

Besides the "it's a marathon not a race" advise or drink plenty of water, what do the seasoned professionals do to avoid those blinding hangovers?

Also, for the banquet on Saturday night, is it a rush to the tables when the doors open, like when there's a big sale at Penney's (Airplane! reference), or is it more subdued? Does everyone try to get the table near The Brewing Network because everyone wants to sit next to the cool kids?

I'm actually looking forward to some of the talks and seeing the voices in person.

36 days and counting!!

Thanks!

0) Get your BN name tag from BrewTa2 so we know who the fuck you are.
1) Pace yourself. It's a marathon not a sprint
2) Drink a lot of water. There are going to be water stations all over the place, so make use of them.
3) Thread a bunch of pretzels on a string and make a necklace out of it, just to have something to munch on.
4) The dinner isn't that much of a rush. Most clubs tend to congregate together anyways.

The hotel is on the corner of the 2 busiest streets in Bellevue.
Diagonally across the street is one of the best malls in the area.
There are plenty of places to eat within a few block radius.
There's also the Taphouse Grill (130 taps) and a Rock Bottom that brews some excellent stuff (Including GABF medal winning beers).
3 blocks away is the King County Metro bus stop.

And don't forgot to sleep. It's a total sensory overload and you'll want to stay awake forever, but if you don't get your Z's, you'll crash.