Federal Conference is probably the best fun that you will ever have in your life. You will thoroughly enjoy every exhausting moment. If you’re new, it can be a bit overwhelming until you get used to the sensory overload. I had a long break from going to them and when I returned, three years ago, I spent the first day wandering round like a child in a toy shop.

So, with that in mind, I thought I’d throw together a fairly random list of tips and hints for getting the best out of the annual cornucopia of Liberal Democracy. If you have any other Conference survival tips, let me know.

1. Plan your days

The Conference day starts with breakfast fringes as early as 7 and goes on until the small hours. There’s a comprehensive training programme alongside the debates in the hall. There are ministerial surgeries. There are 20 or 30 separate fringe meetings in every fringe slot. You can guarantee that you will never be bored and that several things you want to see will be on at the same time. If you want to go to the big events like the New Statesman or Channel 4 events, you are best advised to get there early because they fill up quickly. Be aware as well that you can eat quite well for free by choosing the right fringe meetings. The NUT’s fish and chip supper on Tuesday is one such example. Get your ticket early from their stand. But it’s much easier if you sort out your diary in advance. The best laid plans will always be subject to a better offer or meeting someone you haven’t seen for years randomly in a corridor, but it’s best to at least try to get some order into the proceedings.

2. The Liberal Democrat Voice Events

I wouldn’t be abusing my editorial position properly if I didn’t put in an almighty plug for the Liberal Democrat Voice events at Conference. First of all, there’s the Awards, Castle 3, Crowne Plaza on Saturday night at 10 pm. Dress code imaginative. And on Sunday, we have our own unofficial Presidential hustings between 1 and 2 pm in Castle 2 of the Crowne Plaza.

Stephen, Joe, Nick, Mary, Paul and I will all be around at Conference. Come and say hello.

3. Make time to do the Exhibition properly

Organisations pay the party a small fortune to have a stall in the exhibition. It’s therefore only polite for us all to take time to visit their stalls. But it’s not just about manners. They are actually really interesting. You have a mix of companies trying to sell you things, voluntary organisations wanting to tell you things and book stalls that are just far too tempting. It’s a good opportunity to sign up for some of the many Party groups – the Humanists and Secularists, or ALDC, or Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform to name but a few. If you’re going to do it properly, it’ll take you a while, probably a good couple of hours, but it’s really worth it. You learn loads, meet lovely people and pick up some good freebies.

4. To Glee or not to Glee?

You either love or hate The Glee Club, the raucous end of Conference singathon. I’m firmly in the love it camp. Singing the traditional, funny or downright rude songs that make up the Liberator Song Book is a great way to end Conference on a high. There are regular guest appearances by the likes of  Tim Farron and Paddy Ashdown. The day after the event a couple of years ago, there was a very funny interview with Alistair Carmichael on the World at One where Martha Kearney played a recording of us singing “The 12 days of Coalition. He talked his way out of it admirably. I thoroughly recommend that you give this madness a go. It is unique and nobody laughs at ourselves like we do.

5. Don’t assume you’ll bump into your friends by accident

Last year, some of my best friends were there and I never saw them. Conference is a big place. If you want to make sure you catch up with people, organise in advance.

If you’re there on your own for the first time, we are a pretty friendly bunch, so don’t be shy. Speak to the person next to you in the coffee queue whether it’s a government minister or another activist.

6. Try and get out and see some of Glasgow – and sample some fantastic restaurants

It is a fantastic city of greenery and culture.  I suggested some things you could do in my guide for AD LIB last year. And you can get a train from the Exhibition Centre to Bearsden where Jo Swinson’s office will give you some leaflets to deliver in amazing scenery. And remember that Scottish fish and chips is a million times nicer than any fish and chips you’ve ever eaten anywhere else. And if you are in a fish and chip shop, don’t make the mistake of assuming that a white pudding is vegetarian. Talking of vegetarian and vegan cuisine, you might find this list helpful. I love Mono – great atmosphere and what’s not to love about a restaurant that has books in it? Here are some other lovely places to eat:

• India Quay, opposite the Hilton Garden Inn where Liberal Democrat Seekers of Sanctuary enjoyed a sumptuous buffet last year. Delicious, piping hot and a lovely variety of dishes.
• Fanny Trollope’s, where the Social Liberal Forum are having their second sellout dinner on Sunday night. Last year my hot smoked salmon with horseradish and creme fraiche was perfectly balanced, my shin of beef with dauphinoise potatoes and mushroom fricasee was rich, tender and delicious.
• Roastit Bubbly Jocks in Partick. Bring your own wine and enjoy contemporary Scottish cuisine. I am told that  the venison stew and creamy mash is amazing.

If you fancy going to the theatre, you can go and see The Full Monty at the King’s Theatre on Friday or Saturday nights. If you are looking for a bit of Scottish culture and decent whisky, Oran Mor is the place to go. They do a Pie, Play and Pint thing at lunchtimes so maybe something to do on Friday or Saturday?

7. Go outside to get between auditorium, hotel and exhibition. Seriously, it’s easier

The bulk of the Conference takes place in 3 separate buildings, the Clyde Auditorium, affectionately known locally as the Armadilo, the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the exhibition hall in the SECC itself. They are connected by disorientated, identical labyrinthine internal corridors. My advice – don’t bother with them. Going outside and walking between them is actually a lot easier and quicker.

Another wee tip is that there is a whole corridor of nice sofas and places to charge your phone upstairs in the SECC on the way to the Leven room. It was pretty quiet last year but it might not be now that I’ve publicised it.

Have a fantastic conference and enjoy your stay in Glasgow.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings