A week from today, thousands of people who look like me will be traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana for the 2018 Essence Festival. I can’t believe this year has flown by so quickly, I can remember last year’s Essence Fest like it was yesterday.
As I prepare for what is likely to be the most packed Essence Fest ever, I thought I’d share five tips to help others prepare for this epic event:
Have a plan.
There’s so much going on at Essence Fest so if you’re thinking about just waking up and seeing where the day takes you, you’ll be playing yourself. I plan to sit down with a pen and paper to thoroughly plan my trip this year because I want to get the most out of it. I’ll be attending a dinner party, going to the concerts, and I definitely want to capitalize on the Path to Power portion of the festival as well. I will probably need a vacation after this vacation because I plan to jam pack my days with exciting activities.
You should also take some time to explore the city of New Orleans by taking a tour or give back to the community by participating in Essence’s Day of Service. Plan to try some of the popular restaurants but anticipate long wait times because you won’t be the only one trying to get your grub on.
Download the 2012 Essence Festival app to gain access to the schedule of events. This will be a huge help in helping you plan your day and I believe that if there are any last minute changes, they update the app to keep users in the know. It’s a must-have!
Prepare to spend some money.
I’m probably the most frugal person on the planet but I know that Essence Fest is not the place to be cheap. Last year there were tons of free events open for the general public to attend and there still will be. But this year I think Essence was smart to add a layer and incorporate some paid experiences because with the success of the film “Girls Trip” there are sure to be so many more people in attendance.
The E Suite presented by Coca-Cola is an exclusive networking hub to connect with entrepreneurs, business leaders and career-driven women. Tickets cost $75 and Karen Civil, Vanessa Simmons, Sherri Shepherd, Wuzzam Supa, and MC Lyte are among the group of experts that guests will have access to in the E Suite. All of the speakers are in the areas of entrepreneurship, career, personal finance, and technology so there are so many of us that can benefit from attending.
The Beauty Bungalow is described to be the ultimate beauty experience in which guests will be treated to a VIP experience and get a gift bag with over $200 worth of full-size products. Unfortunately, this is something that I won’t be attending with my poor self because I missed the $60 early bird tickets and the price has now doubled. I wonder if one of those beauty brands needs a volunteer or something because whew chile…
Don’t feel like you have to go broke to have a good time. There are several other free elements to the festival like the Beauty & Style and Entertainment areas in the Convention Center. But if you want the opportunity to experience VIP treatment or smaller crowds, prepare to pay. You’ll also spend at least $15-$25 per meal unless you’re eating fast food so bring some spending money and prepare to treat yourself to a good time.
Bring at least two outfits per day.
It’s hot and humid in those New Orleans streets. You’re likely to do a lot of walking and sweating during the day so you’ll want to shower and get dressed again for the evening activities. I personally don’t recommend you try going to any of the events wearing high heels unless they’re extremely comfortable because you never know how far you’ll have to walk or how long you’ll be waiting in lines. I understand that folks want to look fly so if you must rock heels, be sure to bring a pair of flats in your purse. Don’t say I didn’t warn you… Oh and there’s guaranteed to be at least one all-white party so pack accordingly if you plan to hit the clubs.
Speaking of packing, pack smart.
When packing your bags, don’t forget the small stuff. Bring your cell phone charger and if you can, get a mobile battery bank because you’ll want to capture so much footage throughout the day and if your cell phone is anything like mine, it’s gonna die. Bring sunglasses, sunblock (yes, black people need that), a camera, comfortable shoes, and whatever beauty products you may need. Last year, I saw a lot of folks complaining that their edges were sweating out so if you have a product that helps with that bring it or wear a protective style so you won’t have to worry about hair at all. Oh and pack your headscarf or bonnet. I recently went to Costa Rica and messed my hair up because I forgot mine. Don’t be like me.
One thing you don’t have to worry about packing is a large purse or bag. You really don’t have to bring a huge bag with you because so many brands will be giving free ones away. You can bring a fanny pack or something small to carry your personal items so you won’t be looking like a bag lady at the end of the day.
Come with an open mind.
The Essence Festival isn’t just about the concerts or seeing celebrities. There are so many opportunities for you to grow both personally professionally so come to the festival with an open mind and try not to stick to one area for the entire day. Do some research and walk around because you never know what you’ll discover. Attend the different expos and events as they can help you learn a lot. I suggest bringing a notebook and an ink pen so that you can take notes because gems are sure to be dropped on the many stages at the festival.
Another benefit of coming to the festival with an open mind is the fact that you’ll meet so many different types of people. Try not to prejudge folks or act shy because it’s possible to make new friends or ones who can help you reach your goals. Last year I had lunch with a lady who had traveled to Essence Fest alone and had the greatest conversation. I’m so glad I wasn’t my normal silent self because I would’ve missed out on meeting an awesome person. This year I plan to network like crazy so I’ll keep you updated on how that goes.