• You are able to register for pre-conference sessions, hands-on labs, or trade show floor access without being a conference attendee.
• You can register for both weeks at a discounted price.
• Pre-conference sessions this year offer the ability to take a deep dive into SQL 2008 and BI.  Two SQL-centric pre-cons are offered each week of Tech-Ed.
• Though early registration has passed as of May 3, 2008, you can still receive a free t-shirt for registrations made through May 23, 2008.  Who out of you wouldn't trade your family pet for a free t-shirt.

• A big topic of discussion is "Should I rent a car?"  It really depends upon what you plan to do at night once sessions wind down for the evening.  Each of the "Conference Hotels" are a designated stop for the shuttle buses running to and from the Convention Center.  Even if you do not end up staying at a conference hotel, odds are you'll be within walking distance to one.  It's common practice to simply hop the shuttle bus at the nearest conference hotel.  These buses typically run into the early evening.
• Parking is not cheap in Orlando.  Take your company's reimbursement policies into consideration when deciding to rent a car.  The average cab fare from the airport is around $25.00 and cab fare to various sites around the Convention Center is not too expensive.  Restaurants abound around the hotels and with the various vendors hosting parties odds are you'll not need to go far from your hotel in the evenings looking for something to do.

• Make plans for sharing cab or shuttle rides from the airport.
• Plan evening recreational activities.
• Get recommendations for classes or speakers.
• Get the details on vendor-sponsored parties and meetings.

• Pre-Conference Seminars - These sessions give you a full day of learning on a single topic.  They are a great way to take a deep dive into a topic that interests you.  You can not get this level of education and detail in a regular 75 minute classroom session.  The pre-conferences are not included in the full conference price however, and they are filling up.
• Microsoft Resources Zone - Microsoft brings their MSDN, TechNet, and Microsoft Learning staff to Orlando along with their virtual labs. 
• Technical Tracks - there are 19 different technical tracks for this year's event.  SQL Server is just one of those tracks and within the Database Platform track there are over 70 sessions! 
• Technical Learning Center - The TLC is comprised of Microsoft product demo stations, Interactive Theaters, Hands-On Labs, Instructor-Led Labs, and Community Lounges.  These are the more-interactive sessions that Tech-Ed has to offer where you can work through new technologies or current, unresolved issues with Microsoft professionals on the computer or whiteboard.  You also have the ability to demo the latest software (Katmai anyone?) with Microsoft representatives standing by to answer all your questions.

• Clothing - Expect temperatures in the upper 80's to low 90's outside, with cool, comfortable evenings.  It is quite chilly in the convention center so take that into consideration.
• "Swag Bag" - you will not leave Orlando without a few new t-shirts (if you're lucky.)  Odds are you'll be able to clothe a small Midwestern American town and provide them each with a new Frisbee or screaming code monkey.  Travel light to begin with, and pack an extra bag in your luggage to take all the freebies home to your User Group or kids.
• Laptop - yes, these can be a distraction in the breakout sessions, but how many of us really don't plan on taking a laptop?  The Convention Center offers many opportunities for connecting to the available Wi-Fi or charging stations.  Wi-Fi reception was sketchy in some of the breakout session rooms last year however.  If you leave your laptop in the hotel, there are many community terminals available for use outside of the breakout sessions as well as on the vendor expo area.
• Footwear - you will not believe how much walking you'll do.  Flip flops are great for lounging, but not for miles of walking and hours of standing. 

Besides this event, Microsoft sponsors a private Influencer party for Microsoft Certified Professionals, User Group Leaders, and MVPs.  There are a multitude of other vendor-sponsored private parties on the other nights as well.