Whether it’s your first time or your 15th, and no matter what you’re looking to get out of the experience, everyone at Winter Music Conference in Miami should hit the ground running with the basics. Don’t fret-you don’t need a Blackberry, even though you’ll see tons of them during the week. Some of these may be incredibly obvious, but using street smarts and making sure you’re equipped with these 10 things will get the job done:

1. BUSINESS CARDS. You’ll meet scores of people all week, many just once. Whether you bump into someone poolside or at a club at 3 a.m., exchanging business cards is a must. Giving someone your card is often the easiest way to become part of his or her database, and is way more professional than jotting your email down on a bar napkin. Cards don’t need to be fancy: your name, company affiliation (or job description if you’re self-employed), snail and email addresses, and phone number are the priorities. If you still need to order cards, it’s not too late. Visit VistaPrint, which even prints cards for free (just pay shipping) and, if you’re really crunched for time, have them shipped to your hotel. You should also have something to store cards you collect from others. A small notepad and pen are a smart investment, too-you never know when they’ll come in handy (and they’re useful in keeping a list of the parties you want to hit each day).

2. CASH. You’ll be on the go, and navigating the streets of South Beach on your Amex alone isn’t going to cut it. Taxi fare is a given-the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort, site of the WMC panels and seminars, is way more than a walk from the bustling nighttime club scene. Don’t forget money for food, drinks, tips (even at parties with open bar) and whatever you “have to have” at 5 a.m. Many clubs will be packed, and paying cash instead of credit is much less of a hassle. Bring cash for cover charges as well, even if you’re “certain” you’re on the guestlist. The promise of your name being left at the door, and even free passes you walk up with in hand, don’t always translate into an automatic entrance. The best strategy: set a daily budget and take that much cash with you when you start your day-exorbitant ATM charges add up quickly.

3. CELL PHONE AND CHARGER. Coordinating with your posse among the chaos of WMC is not always as easy as it should be, and any number of snafus-people being held in lines outside clubs, missed appointments, etc.-will keep you on your toes. Communicating via cell phone and charging your battery often are vital to keeping the pace.

4. SAMPLES. No matter how you’re involved in the creative process, WMC is some of the best exposure your product can get. If you’re an artist, producer/re-mixer or label representative, promo copies of your work can create instant buzz. Format diversity always helps-vinyl purists will always clamor for exclusive 12″ but most people now accept (and many prefer receiving) CDs. CD-R’s (burned CDs) are inexpensive and easy to tote around. DJs on the hunt for club bookings should come armed with a demo mix on CD as well. The graphics don’t have to be pretty, but make sure your contact information (name, phone number, email address and, if you have one, Web site address) is included on the CD/12″ or sleeve.

5. BATTERIES. Your camera and portable music devices will be used extensively during the week, and chances are you’ll need to replace your batteries at some point. Hotel gift shops and convenience stores may run low or charge you the cost of a night’s bar tab, so it’s a good idea to stock up at Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc. before you leave home.

6. SUNSCREEN. The forecast is for sunny skies and low ’80s temperatures all week, and whether chilling poolside at the Wyndham, hopping from barbeque to barbeque, or strolling Ocean Drive during some downtime, being prepared for tropical-intensity UV rays is a necessity. Take sunscreen with you wherever you go-you may not be able to get back to the hotel in time to reapply when you need.

7. AN EXTRA BAG. One thing is for sure: you’ll be coming home from Miami with more than you left with. Running out of room can be disastrous, especially if you’re flying, so take an extra bag with you to collect the new records, t-shirts, and assorted swag you’ll acquire during the week. Make sure it meets FAA and airline requirements for checked or carry-on luggage, whichever way you get it home.

8. CLOTHING VARIETY. WMC is not a fashion show, and t-shirts and shorts are more than acceptable at the Wyndham and afternoon parties, but it never hurts to show some style at night. You never know who will be taking your picture and where it will end up (especially if you run into our own DJ Ron Slomowicz along the way). For the guys, jeans or lightweight pants are fine for the clubs and go a long way when paired with a comfortable but classy shirt. Most venues don’t have dress codes, but dressing to impress has been known to ease entry into some self-important nightspots. Bring at least one pair of non-sneakers, but make sure they’re comfortable enough to power you through long nights.

9. TWO FORMS OF ID. It is quite possible that you might lose one in the heat of the night (another good point as to why you should bring cash and not carry your wallet when you hit the clubs/pools/mansions/hotel lobbies/bars/restaurants/etc.) and you’d be stranded outside the party explaining the bouncer at the door that you are really an immature looking 35 year old to no avail. So have a back up and leave it in your hotel room where it will be safe from your own mindless ventures.

10. COMFORTABLE SHOES. If you’ve been on Ocean and Collins Ave at night during the WMC you might have noticed that it is a bizarre version of a car show. Everybody and their mom are showcasing their just-washed and polished rides and they are going nowhere fast. Bumper to bumper, people hanging out of car windows, trying to pick up girls who are walking by and the like. So taking a cab on those streets is not always the best idea in peak hours. After 3am different rules apply. So look outside before you rush into the night and assess the situation. Walking, at least out of the area, might be your best bet. Don’t wear anything besides flip-flops at Ultra-you want to be able to dance for hours and hours and hours! *kp*