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BIZ Miami runs May 11–14 this year, and if you've never been, here's the short version: it's a sprawling, sweat-soaked, genuinely exciting industry conference where real opportunities get made, real friendships get forged, and real careers get built — provided you don't melt into the sidewalk first. Miami in May is not a joke. It is hot, it is humid, and the combination of open bars, pool parties, and relentless networking can grind even the most seasoned creator into dust by day two if you're not prepared. We asked veterans of the conference for their best survival intel. Here's what they told us.
Before You Even Pack
The creators who get the most out of XBIZ Miami are the ones who show up already ahead of the game. August Skye, attending her second year, has made pre-travel prep a non-negotiable ritual. "I typically do an IV drip bag filled with vitamins such as vitamin C and B12," she says. "I also do a lymphatic massage — it helps keep everything flowing, and who doesn't like a nice rub down?" She's not wrong that it sounds indulgent, but the logic is solid: you're about to spend three days in extreme heat, talking constantly, possibly drinking more than you planned, and sleeping less than you need. Arriving already optimized is not vanity. It's strategy.
Eila Adams keeps it simpler but just as intentional: "Supplements — especially vitamin C, B12 complex, and magnesium — plus wet wipes. Best way to stay energized and fresh on the go." Magnesium in particular is chronically under-appreciated as a travel supplement; it supports muscle recovery, sleep quality, and stress regulation, all of which become relevant about eighteen hours into a conference.
The Hydration Problem Is Real, and You're Already Underestimating It
Every single creator we spoke to led with hydration, and they were right to. Vanniall put it plainly: "You've heard it before but you're too busy to think, so you need a reminder — hydrate! You'll be trying to concentrate, talking a lot, wanting to look hot. It's Florida! Your body will thank you." The thing about Miami humidity is that it tricks you. You don't feel like you're sweating the way you would on a dry-heat day. You feel slightly damp and slightly uncomfortable, and you confuse that with being fine. You are not fine. You are losing fluids constantly.
August Skye echoes this with a note of poolside realism: "In Miami, because it's so humid, we think we drink enough water but typically don't. It's also poolside and it's nice to have a few drinks, so it's good to be hydrated." Liquid IV, electrolyte packets, or even just aggressive water bottle refilling will do the job. Sabien DeMoina goes one further and packs throat spray and lozenges: "I lost my voice every time from all the talking and it tends to be pretty loud everywhere." Your voice is your primary networking tool. Protect it accordingly.
Dress for Where You Actually Are
There's a particular XBIZ Miami first-timer mistake that recurs with reliable frequency: packing for a fashion moment when you should be packing for survival. Demora Avarice is direct about it: "Dress comfortably and bring bathing suits. It's not a fan event, so dressing up isn't as necessary. Pack sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a water bottle. It is insanely hot in Miami." Sabien DeMoina adds a note of pragmatic glamour: "Having not only a white outfit for the party but also a bikini underneath can be very useful — you never know where the night can take you." That's the right spirit. Be ready for the pool. Be ready for the party. Don't be ready for a fashion shoot at the expense of your own comfort.
August Skye's footwear advice deserves its own sentence: "Cute sandals and wedges are way more comfy than pumps or stilettos." You will be on your feet for hours, often on uneven poolside surfaces. The stilettos can wait for an event that isn't actively trying to defeat you. She also recommends a small fan and blotting papers for makeup touch-ups, because "no one wants to look oily for photos or interviews." This is correct. You will be photographed, and Miami will make you shine in ways that have nothing to do with charisma.
The Pool Is an Office
One of the things that catches new attendees off guard about XBIZ Miami is how much of the actual business happens in swimwear. Quincy, who has attended every year since her first in 2018, describes the scene with the authority of someone who has watched the conference evolve: "A lot of the real business actually happens by the pool. There are loads of cabanas where companies showcase their brands, which makes it a perfect icebreaker to meet people." This is the architectural genius of the conference format — it removes the formality that makes networking feel transactional and replaces it with a setting that just feels like a good time. Lean into it.
August Skye's tip for working the heat to your advantage: "Always find a shady spot or cool booth to hang out and possibly make a cool business connection." The people you find seeking shade are often the smartest people in the room. They're taking care of themselves and they're still there. Those are the ones worth talking to.
Go to the Seminars. Seriously.
The pool is irresistible, but don't let it eat your entire schedule. The seminar programming at XBIZ is genuinely valuable, and this is not a thing conference organizers often get to say honestly. DD White, a regular attendee, describes the information density in terms that should make anyone skeptical of conferences reconsider: "Just being there, face-to-face with other creators, you immediately start learning about the business. The seminars have legal advisors, website tech companies, social media companies — all of these are very informative. I have never walked away saying I didn't learn anything."
Quincy, who has watched newer creators hesitate at the seminar door and then regret it, is emphatic: "If you're a new model, I highly suggest attending seminars where experienced creators literally hand you years of knowledge on a gold platter. Take it." XBIZ releases a full schedule in advance. Read it, mark what matters to you, and show up.
Network Like You Mean It — But Protect Your Contacts
XBIZ Miami is a conference where the right conversation can genuinely change the direction of your career. Taylor Vixxen frames this as a mindset shift more than a tactical strategy: "My biggest lesson from my first year? Don't be shy — go up to people, introduce yourself, grab the photo. Everyone's there to connect, and the opportunities usually come from the conversations you almost didn't have." That's not inspirational poster material; it's just accurate. The default state of most people at industry events is that they also want to meet you and are also slightly nervous about it. First mover advantage is real.
Quincy adds a practical layer to this that is genuinely important and often overlooked: always exchange email addresses and phone numbers, not just social media follows. "We creators are constantly getting banned or shadowbanned on social media. I lost my Instagram right after an event once and lost touch with so many people because we had only followed each other. It took forever to track everyone down again." QR codes linked to your full social presence, printed on the back of a phone case or a single card, are now more useful than a stack of business cards that will get buried in someone's hotel room and never looked at again.
Awards Night: Pack a Bag
If you're attending the awards ceremony, Demora Avarice has earned the right to give you this specific piece of logistical advice: "If you plan to go to the awards, bring a bag with a drink, snacks, and comfortable shoes, because you'll be in line for a while." The awards are a full event within the event. Treat them accordingly. Comfortable shoes in the bag, heels on your feet for the entrance — this is not a compromise, it's called planning.
Pace Yourself, Because Miami Will Take Everything You Give It
Quincy's closing wisdom for every year's first-timers hasn't changed much since 2018, because it's still just true: "Hydrate, eat proper meals, take breaks, and prioritize your energy. Miami is very hot and humid, so bring sunscreen and drink plenty of water — not just gin and tonics." The creators who have the best weeks are not the ones who burn the hardest on day one. They're the ones who treat it like the marathon it is: fueled, paced, and smart about recovery.
Set your goals before you arrive. Know who you want to meet, what panels you want to catch, and what a successful week looks like for you specifically. Taylor Vixxen builds a loose daily plan — "who I want to meet, what events actually matter, and when I'm tapping out" — and finds that the structure makes her more present, not less spontaneous. XBIZ Miami rewards preparation. It always has.
XBIZ Miami runs May 11–13. Check their FAQs here
Catch Holly Randall live from the XMA Awards red carpet at 7:30 on May 13, streaming on Stripchat and on YouTube!
