PAX East is basically my first video game convention ever, and apart from trying to see the GB duders and shake their hand, I'm not sure what to do. For people who have gone to PAX before, what would you recommend I do

Streak.

goddamnit that's what I was going to say

Great minds.

I've never been to one either so my plan was to walk around and look at a ton of different booths. Check out some of the panels/concerts maybe even enter a classic tourney of some kind. High five random GB duders I see plus just overall enjoy the atmosphere. From what I've seen about it we won't have any issues finding something to do.

Shower regularly.

The show floor is great but PAX is so much more. There are freeplay areas to try out all different kinds of games from classic and current consoles, board games and the PC. When the panel schedule comes out the first thing you should do is realize that you will not see everything.

carry purell every where

I probably wouldn't touch anything.

Don't expect to play demos for big, triple A game titles unless you like waiting in line for 4 and a half hours.

Any reccomendations about where to go first? Food?

You're definitely not going to find food around the convention center unless you enjoy eating the overpriced shit they serve in it. Most of the places to eat are at least 20-30 minutes away from the center.

@morbid_coffee: Any recs? Apart from going to a chain restaurant

PAX East is my first too! Bar crawl with me?

First things first, check out @Marino 's fantastic PAX guide that he put together last year. A lot of the same information applies. You can check out that guide here.

1. Bring some hand sanitizer for meeting people and after controller use. No joke.
2. Wear deodorant. Please.
3. Go in knowing that there WILL be things you can't see because they conflict with other events. Plan accordingly. I recommend Guidebook, which is an app on iOS and Android that has a PAX guide you can use to plan your schedule for each day.
4. Don't waste your time waiting in lines for big, AAA titles, unless they are titles that you know you need to see immediately. PAX is great for the indie and XBLA/PSN scene, and there are usually shorter waits to see and play those games.
5. Get in line super early for the GB panel if you want a seat. Last year's line was around 2 hours.

Enjoy!

@walreese55: Here's most of everything you need to know in the brand new revision to my PAX guide.

http://www.giantbomb.com/pax-east-2013/3015-7348/forums/marino-s-pax-guide-v3-0-1427639/

Wash your hands and don't touch your face.