The Freeloader's Guide to Web 2.0 Expo

So, you want to go to Web 2.0 Expo, but your startup can't afford the $1,895 registration fee? Never fear. This year, conference organizers O'Reilly Media and TechWeb have embraced the proudly (or needfully) scrappy, and lobbycon energy is no longer restricted to the hallway salmon swim. Here's how to register for free, and a schedule of options accessible to free registration.

1. Register for Web 2.0 Expo. The $100 Expo Hall Pass can be had for free with one of the discount codes posted online. Here's one from the good folks at Web2Open: websf08opw . Since online registration is closed, you'll have to register onsite. Make sure to bring the discount code with you. Don't expect Moscone's booth staff to know it.

2. Plan your schedule. Once you've registered for the Expo Hall Pass, a world of free offerings opens up to you. Some events require advance registration to be free, so make sure to sign up online. I've culled a list here. (And if you know of other good sessions or events available to Expo Hall Pass holders, please share them...but only if they're still taking RSVPs. Promoting a sold-out party or conference badge-only event is not helpful. :)

Monday, April 21st

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM   Pownce Brunch, Daily Grill, 347 Geary Street
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM    Flickr-Moo MeetUp, Kate O'Brien's, 579 Howard Street
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM    Web Monday Silicon Valley, Citizen Space, 425 2nd Street, #300

Tuesday, April 22nd

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM   GAB/Blogtropol.us Launch Party, Gray Area Beacon, 1515 Folsom
6:30 PM - 11:30 PM   Digg MeetUp, Mighty, 119 Utah Street
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM     Ignite SF, DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street

Wednesday, April 23rd

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM     Blogtropol.us Blogger Lounge, Moscone West
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM     Web2Open, Moscone West
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM     Web 2.0 Wednesday Keynotes/Plenary Sessions, Moscone West

(Note: I'm not including the South Park Pub Crawl here, because the conference web site has it marked for conference badges only - no expo hall badges.)

Thursday, April 24th

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM     Blogtropol.us Blogger Lounge, Moscone West
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM   Web 2.0 Thursday Keynotes/Plenary Sessions, Moscone West
10:30 AM - 4:30 PM   Web2Open, Moscone West
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM     Web 2.0 Launch Pad
4:40 PM - 6:00 PM     Web 2.0 Booth Crawl, Moscone West
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM     Women 2.0 Networking Evening, Marriott View Lounge, 55 4th Street

Friday, April 25th

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM     Blogtropol.us Blogger Lounge, Moscone West
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM   Web 2.0 Friday Keynotes/Plenary Sessions, Moscone West

I'm sure there are more conference hacks and free events available this week, so post 'em up. One item that came to mind: sponsored sessions. Many conferences will open these up to expo hall badge holders. Access to these hasn't been offered on the Web 2.0 Expo site, but it's worth asking at the door.

Comments

[Charlene Li]

Great post Christine! Note that there are three conference sessions that are open to Web2Open pass holders, including mine on creating a social strategy at 9:40am on Wednesday (yikes, tomorrow!). And definitely check out the Blogtropol.us Lounger -- it's where many top bloggers will be hanging out.

[Sarah Milstein]

The volunteer passes are single-session. Sorry I wasn't clear about that!

[Christine]

Thanks, Sarah! That's a great offer. Just so folks know, are the individual passes to full-fare sessions valid for a single session, a day, the whole conference?

Everyone else - contact Sarah and volunteer for Web2Open!

[Jay (Twitter @qthrul)]

I already paid my $100 on the off chance I'd be able to free up my week. Alas, this is not to be. I look forward to the coverage.

[Sarah Milstein]

Thanks for the excellent write-up on Web2Open, Christine. Here's another tip for your readers: we're offering individual passes to the Expo sessions (otherwise available only to full-fare registrants) in exchange for volunteer help--mostly staffing the Open info desk in approximately one-hour shifts on Weds and Thurs. We'll post a volunteer schedule and more details Monday night, and if anybody has questions in the meantime, just shoot me an email: sarah dot milstein at gmail dot com.

[Christine]

Hm. I've tweaked Snap to run off the thought balloons instead of the the links. Let me know if it's still annoying. (I don't make $ off any ads they post, but some $ will go to Habitat for Humanity.)

[Angsuman Chakraborty]

Nice guide.
BTW: Your web snapshots are very distracting when browsing over links, even accidentally. Unless you are financially benefiting from it, consider removing it.