No matter how much I prepare each year for the Ad:Tech tsunami to hit San Francisco, I’m never truly ready. Weeks before the conference, I begin meticulously making out my schedule for each day – what companies I’ll meet with, what sessions to attend, which booths I promised to stopped by; and of course, which parties and events I need be at.

I also try and get my real work done in advance knowing that I’ll be out of pocket for three days. That means prepping the weekly newsletter, having some blogs ready to roll out, changing my voicemail, letting my fellow podcasters know I won’t be available for our weekly shows, and wrapping up lots of little things so that coworkers aren’t stalled in their efforts waiting for my contributions.

And since Ad:Tech is in my own backyard, I also try and make sure that all my personal stuff is well out of the way. I don’t need the added distraction of picking up items at the cleaners and remembering to buy dog food.

Adding to the stress of this year’s Ad:Tech is the fact that our company is moving to a new office this week. While, I stopped in on Friday to help with the massive packing up effort, I won’t be there as my colleagues settle into our cool new digs. And naturally, there are always so many logistics associated with moving – our new phone system is being set up, our corporate Exchange server was moved over the weekend (I’m still not positive that I’m getting all my emails), and a thousand other little details. I’m sure my co-workers will manage to iron out everything – even without my presence.

I’m hoping that by the time the Giants take the field at AT&T Park tonight and I am fully ensconced in a swanky suite courtesy of the good folks at KowaBunga – beer and Sheboygan in hand – I’ll forget about all the nagging little details and relax before the show starts on Tuesday.

Although Ad:Tech has grown to huge proportions and can be overwhelming while I’m in the thick of it, I just need to remind myself that after each show I always return to the office filled with new ideas, armed with a mountain of great connections, and totally jazzed about a new technology, innovation or trend that is emerging. That makes all the craziness along with the preparation (and worrying) well worth my while in the long run.

Let the games begin!