Field manual
The Pool Deck Manual.
Everything we learned the hard way. Written by someone on their fifth POSSIBLE, still sunburned from the last one.
Pack list.
- One nice pair of sneakersMarble lobbies are slippery when wet.
- Two collared shirtsOne for pool, one for panels. Same shirt is a red flag.
- Portable phone chargerThe Fontainebleau outlets are a suggestion.
- Reef-safe sunscreenMiami sun at 3pm is not a joke.
- A physical notebookBattery-independent. Also, looks great in photos.
- CashCoat check + valet + tips. $200 minimum.
The Fontainebleau Field Guide.
Every meeting spot, scored for acoustic quality.
Lobby bar, back left booth
Where the actual deals happen. Pre-4pm.
9
Acoustics / 10
BleauBar pool cabanas 7-12
Loud but the sightlines are unmatched.
6
Acoustics / 10
Hakkasan mezzanine
Empty before 8pm. Book a booth for coffee.
8
Acoustics / 10
Chateau tower elevator lobby
Only if you need 90 seconds.
4
Acoustics / 10
Pool deck cabana walk
Best for walking meetings. Bring water.
7
Acoustics / 10
Day 1, hour by hour.
- 6:45 AMBeach walk. Do it now. It won't happen again all week.
- 8:00 AMCoffee at Vida. Skip the hotel lobby line.
- 9:30 AMRegistration. Take the badge photo seriously — it's your headshot for three days.
- 10:15 AMOne keynote. That's it. One.
- 12:00 PMLunch at the pool, not the ballroom buffet. The buffet closed at 12:04 last year.
- 2:00 PMThe 'coincidental' pool deck. Your two best conversations happen here.
- 5:30 PMNap. Non-negotiable. You cannot skip this.
- 8:30 PMOne dinner. One. Not three drop-ins. One.
- 11:00 PMLIV, Basement, or bed. Choose one, commit.