Tips for CES visitors

Sunday is the first time the public will be allowed to (legally) explore the International Consumer Electronics Show. As I mentioned before in this space, people who signed up as Technology Enthusiasts with the Consumer Electronics Association and paid an annual fee of $49 could get a Sunday pass for the show floor.

If you’re going for the first time, the experience can be fun but overwhelming. So here, in no particular order, are some tips for rookies:

— Leave your roller bags at home.
Sure, these bags make it easy to lug around your show swag, brochures and laptop. But they're also mobile tripping devices. I lost count of how many times I had to wait while Joe the Showgoer lollygagged through the CES aisles, dragging his overloaded bag. These bags are fine for an airport, but not for a convention center where you share the walkway with thousands of other people.

— Be prepared to pay premiums for everything.
CES is a convention with convention prices. There are no value meals. Even the combos that feature a sandwich, chips, apple and drink will set you back about 10 bucks. Get used to it, or pack your own snacks.

— Taxi lines are long.
Enough said.

— Find alternatives to taxis.
I park at the Palazzo and take the free shuttle bus to the Las Vegas Convention Center. The lines to board the bus are usually long, but they move fast on both ends. The buses run every 10 minutes, but they can get snarled in traffic. My bus ride Friday morning from the Palazzo to the convention center took about 45 minutes. That's what will happen when a projected 150,000 people head to the same place at the same time.

You can drive, but be ready to pay $20 or $30 to park near the convention center. It's supply and demand. Pay the fee, or have someone drop you off.

— Map out what you plan to see.
The show floor is massive. There are two floors each for the North, Central and South halls. The booths are numbered and the signs are helpful, but it still helps to at least know the general areas you want to visit. Even then, you'll be dog-tired by the end of the day.

— Drink lots of water
It's easy to get dehydrated in the desert, even in January. Carry a water bottle, or be ready to pay $3.25 for a fresh one. Your body will thank you for it.

—  Have fun.
You'll see a lot of things that will never make the shelves at the local big-box shop. You'll also see lots of things that will. Drink it up.

We officially live in the future.