Hopefully you already have your ticket to MIX08 as it is SOLD OUT! I have been fortunate to be a part of the “MIX Core Team” since the first MIX conference back in 2006. I started out as a Next Generation Browsing Experience content track owner and today it has been given over to better hands. I now focus on strategy and logistic issues as well as co-owner of The Signal and Show Off with my partner in crime, Mike Swanson. Thought you might like to know some more about the conference.

MIX08 is run by a “volunteer army”. Currently MIX is not someone’s full time job (although it tends to be as we get closer). The MIX Core Team is a group of 10+ folks who drive a lot of what you see from the keynotes to registration. We begin meeting not too long after the last MIX event. There is also another group of 20+ people who are the Virtual Team but still have great amounts of responsibility from The Sandbox to The Pit. Everyone is critical to the success of MIX. This does not include all the product teams, marketing teams, non-Microsoft speakers and more who make the magic happen.

MIX08 has a good Twitter back channel. At the event, we all keep an eye on Twitter. In fact, we have a person whose sole purpose is to be on Twitter during the event. This allows us to see real-time what issues may pop up (“at mix08, social network panel audio is staticky”) and we can help to resolve them quickly. Also, it gives us an idea of what you like and what you don’t like. Make sure to follow http://twitter.com/mix08 and of course we will be checking Tweet Scan. Feel free to follow me as well at http://twitter.com/tommylee.

MIX08 will host its first ever MIX UX, a three-day user experience track that debuts at MIX08 which is dedicated to exploring and evolving the practice of user experience. Some folks have gotten confused thinking you must have a black turtleneck and horn-rimmed glasses to get in. On the contrary, anyone can check it out. I suggest you listen to Episode 9 of The Signal and you will hear a lot about it.

You can have your own session at MIX08. We have Open Space which gives you an opportunity to talk about whatever interests you with a group of folks. You will need to sign up so do it early when you get there.

MIX08 has the official parties (like the Tao party) but you can also find more after-parties. Keep an eye on the social networks and event hubs, but also keep your eyes open during meals, when walking around etc. because some cool companies will probably be handing out invitations.

The MIX08 team mentioned above has an after-party. After the event is done, chairs are put up, stages are disassembled and everyone is beginning to head home, the MIX08 team will have an event of their own to celebrate a great MIX08. The interesting part about this after-party is that only 1 person on the team knows what we will be doing. Last year one of our stops was to see Big Elvis (you should totally go check him out, he was awesome and we had a great time; but show up early as seating is first-come, first serve).

My MIX08 Gambling tips. I hope not to shock you dear reader, but there is gambling in the building we will be at. I am not a hardcore gambler because I have an accountant as my significant other and they demand a good ROI. I have been to Vegas 6 times and I have only lost once (due to not following my rules). I win between $150 and $300 each time. These rules work for me but may not work for you so be warned!

• Only play slots or roulette.
• Don’t play old school slots with the Bars and big number 7’s, play the ones with video screens and some kind of cheesy gimmick like “Faerie Forest”. These tend to have special bonuses where if you get 3 frogs in a row, you then get a screen with 5 lily pads and you pick one and there is an additional amount of credits you receive. You would be surprised at how quickly they add up.
• Play the 5 or 10 cent slots, that way losses are kept low.
• When playing such slots, don’t cheap out on 1 line bets, make it 15 or 20 lines.
• When you win big at the slots, cash out. If you are losing, only go $5 in the hole.
• If your significant other is next to you, give them a kiss on the cheek and hand your winnings to them.
• Play roulette at a slightly busy table; if it is empty, keep walking.
• Always know how much you are willing to lose, never find yourself at the ATM.
• Always play one chip on 0 and/or 00 or between.
• Pepper the board, you gotta hit a number (32 to 1) or you won’t make traction.
• Stay clear of the drinks (or you will find yourself at the ATM).
• DO NOT just play to “kill time”. You will more than likely go up and then go back down.
• Watch the board for patterns, I know that it really just gravity that decides it, but somehow the patterns of the numbers it hits help me to pick the right #’s.
• Once you hit big, only go down 2 times and then cash out. It is better to walk out with fewer winnings than go back to $0.
• Pay attention to the game, not the people sitting there who may be pleasant on the eyes. I have seen guys go from having $300 in chips to nothing because they were talking up the person next to them.
• Smile. This is supposed to be fun. If you find you can’t sleep at night, come downstairs in your jammies and watch pour souls with scowls on their face as they chase the dragon. Don’t be that guy!

Hopefully you learned something from this. I am totally stoked to be going next week and I hope to meet some of you there. Enjoy!