ICML 2009: Tips for 1st timers

Welcome to ICML2009 – we hope you have a great time and will attend many more ICML conferences.

This is the 10th ICML – click here to read the history of ICML.

Planning Your Time – the conference, the exhibition and the CE program:

• Make the most our time – think about your program a few well in advance – as there are six concurrent sessions it is important that you decide what presentations to attend. All the abstracts will be on the ICML website.
• Review your schedule - sit down with the conference program each evening and review the following day's schedule, especially the programs that interested you ahead of the meeting. Remember that you can move from one paper session to the next, catching the first presentation in one, the second in another and the third in another!
• The exhibition - make sure you know when the exhibition is open and aim to schedule time there. If there is a particular vendor you want to see visit them of day one and arrange an appointment – this way you can be guaranteed time with them. Don't forget to attend the Exhibition opening on Tuesday evening
• Posters - check out the abstracts of the posters and make sure to visit the ones that are of the greatest interest to you. Full details will be on the ICML website.
• The CE program – make sure you take advantage of the many CE programs that are on offer – they are inexpensive and wonderful opportunity to take part in sessions conducted by the best trainers in their area of expertise.
• Networking -  don't forget to bring plenty of business cards with you as these are a great way of providing your details to colleagues – they are a great help as many delegates will use these to get in contact with you after ICML.
• Don't forget to schedule alone time - it can be a bit overwhelming with everything going on and everyone networking.
• Pace yourself - if you try to be everywhere in the first day or two, you will run out of energy (and interest) by the end of the meeting.

Travel, what to wear and the social program:

• Research your destination: There is plenty of information on the internet. Take advantage of being somewhere new and do something you might not have had a chance to do otherwise. Check out the ICML website for information about Brisbane, Queensland and Australia.
• What can't you bring – Australia has very strict quarantine rules – check this site for more details it is very comprehensive and it is worth the time reading it.
• Check the weather forecast for Brisbane before you leave, then adjust your wardrobe plans. It will be winter in Brisbane – but it's not that cold! Layering is the best strategy.
• What to wear? Australians dress casually but smartly – wear what you feel comfortable in and that you would wear for work - don't forget to bring something black, gold of silver to wear at the conference dinner. Make sure you bring some comfortable shoes with you.
• Getting around - if you are not in the conference hotel, map out the quickest route from your hotel to the conference site as well as a more sheltered alternative in case of inclement weather, or consider how easily cabs may be available at certain times of day and in bad weather.
• How much to tip - Tipping is not generally expected or practiced in Australia. At first-class restaurants, however, it is customary to tip food and drink servers up to 10 percent for particularly good service. It is not expected to tip taxi drivers
• The social program – check out the extensive social program and make sure you take advantage of the range of activities offered.
• Library tours – no conference is complete without library tours – all of these are provided at no cost.