Fair veterans also recommend hooking up with an expert who can quickly edit the fair for you, either an art advisor, a curator from your local museum who might be attending or even a specialist from one of the auction houses. "Arrange to meet them at a place where you can think and relax, like those phenomenal restaurant cafés that you find at the fairs these days," says Plummer, "or a fantastically curated video lounge, like ours at PULSE Miami, where you’ll also get inspired."

"The buzz, the noise of a fair can be stimulating and exciting," says Ferris. "Most museums are viewed in silence." But that din can be overwhelming in a brief visit. If you need more time to think through a purchase, "take a card," says Ferris. "A lot of business takes place once the fair is over."

MIAMI EVENTS
Aqua Art Miami, Dec. 5–9
aquaartmiami.com

Art Basel Miami Beach, Dec. 6–9
212.627.1654 artbaselmiamibeach.com

Design Miami, Dec. 7–9
305.572.0866 designmiami.com

flow, Dec. 5–9
216.990.3349 flowfair.com

Miami Beach Art Photo Expo, Dec. 2–9
305.407.2855 artphotoexpo.com

New Art Dealers Alliance Art Fair, Dec. 5–9
212.594.0883

photo Miami, Dec. 5–10
323.937.4659 artfairsinc.com

PULSE Miami and Geisai Miami, Dec. 5–9
212.225.2327 pulse-art.com

Scope Miami, Dec. 6–9
scope-art.com

The AIPAD Photography Show, Dec. 5–9
aipad.com/photoshow