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Tips for the Taste

Coming from experience - and from the advice of other veteran Taste of the Towners - these are a few things to keep in mind before you step foot in the door of the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Tuesday for the 25th Annual Taste of the Town.

Restaurant workers dish out samples at the 2007 Taste of the Town at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. –Courtesy Photo.
Restaurant workers dish out samples at the 2007 Taste of the Town at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. –Courtesy Photo.

• Bring cash. Sorry, no credit cards are accepted. And bring plenty of dough - this is, after all, a charity event. If you didn't squeeze in time beforehand to hit one of the many bank drive-thrus on Oak Street's "Bankers Row," you're in luck because Taste of the Town will provide two ATM machines. Remember, admission tickets are $5 at the door, food and drink tickets range from $1-$4, and tickets for the prize drawings are $5 each or five for $20 (to be announced at 9:30 p.m.).

• Time of arrival. As expected, the bulk of the crowd will be trickling in around dinner time and the after-work rush from 5 to 6 p.m., depending on quitting time and if they have to go home first to pick up the kids. Early birds will be have an advantage of beating the crowds, but miss out on any networking fun; latecomers will drink in the social and entertainment enjoyment. (Let's just hope the restaurants are well-stocked through 10 p.m.)

• Dress to impress. But - maybe it's the mom in me - don't dress to kill yourself either. Ladies, I'm all for keeping the suit on from the office; just remember that you'll be doing a lot of walking, so either slip on a cute pair of flats or bring a pair with you in a large handbag and switch into them later.

• Meeting place. Remember, this is an event to "see and be seen," so be sure you're seen with some sort of entourage or significant other - not by yourself in a corner inhaling a meatball. While cells, Blackberries and iPhones are important, it's sometimes difficult to receive a signal in the convention center; set up a meeting place in the lobby or outside the convention center before you arrive or carpool (and save gas).

• Parking. Spots go quickly at the convention center lot, so this year Taste of the Town has more parking available across the street at the former Myrtle Square Mall parking lot area.

• Go with the flow. Don't look down the entire time at the program and map; you'll miss out on a familiar face. While it may be helpful at first to sort things out, sometimes no plan or route is the best plan of all.

• Don't forget to stock up on business cards - this event is a prime spot for pressing the flesh, networking, informal promoting of your business, and an opportunity to prove to a potential date that yes, you are employed.

-Ashley Morris, for Weekly Surge