How to Get a Good, Free Meal at the MTT
 
Food at the  
MTT		 Food is one of the best deals at the MTT symposium. There is no need whatsoever for you to spend a cent on food at the MTT if you don't want to. Here's how to get the best free meals.
Get on the right mailing lists
    Join the IEEE, MTT Society, subscribe to the Microwave Journal, Microwaves & RF, etc. These guys supply some of the mailing lists used by vendors to publicize their hospitality suites. 
Register for the banquet
    But only if your company is paying. This way, you can bury the cost in your registration fee instead of having it come out of your per diem. The banquet costs about $50, but even at that price, it's subsidized. (The MTT cost is something over $100.)

    ARFTG has a luncheon that is included in the registration fee. 
     
Suck up to the vendors
    The vendors often have hospitality suites and parties for their customers. These are often surprisingly lavish. 
Take full advantage of the free meals at the symposium
    You can find free meals at the following places: 
    1. The attendees' breakfast.
    2. Speakers' breakfast (open only to presenters on the day of their presentation.)
    3. Exhibitors' reception.
    4. RFIC reception.
    5. MTT opening reception.
    6. Other specialized receptions (e.g., ham radio reception).
    7. Refreshments at the Interactive Forum sessions.
    8. Special functions (e.g., the Technical Program Committee luncheon, for TPC members only.)
    See the program for the locations of these events. Not all of these are real meals; many are hors d'oeuvres, wine and cheese, and so on. But, if you're an impoverished grad student, it still might be better than what you normally eat. 
The Hospitality Suite
    The Hospitality Suite is one of the best-kept secrets at the MTT. It is for the spouses, children, and other guests of the attendees, but (usually) no one will kick you out if you are a registered attendee and don't act like a jerk. (The qualification is in honor of the Boston steering committee, 2000 IMS, who should have called it the inhospitality suite.) It always has some kind of food, usually muffins, fruit, coffee, sodas, coffee, and similar fare. It's also a good place to relax and socialize a little in the midst of the MTT's hectic pace.