Packing for a Conference

Packing for a trip is challenging under normal circumstances. Deciding whether to simply carry-on a bag, or to check one, size restrictions on liquid containers, making everything fit, trying not to forget anything, deciding what to wear; the challenges seem innumerable. I can safely say that I have traveled enough that I have packed well for trips, and have packed poorly for trips, and have learned a few lessons along the way. In this series on packing, I want to give a few of my tips for different types of travel, so that my readers hopefully will not make the same mistakes that I have already made. So, without further ado, packing tips for traveling to a conference.

Typically when I travel to a conference, I don’t check a bag, as I’m not there long enough to need a large suitcase. I usually pack in a shoulder bag (like this one, although mine came from a cruise on Carnival), and a 31 rolling duffel (similar to this one from 31, but with wheels; or similar to this one), as it has a surprising amount of space inside. This gives me plenty of space for slightly more dressy clothing and casual items, as well as all of the other things one takes when traveling, and whatever I might purchase and need to get back home.

Here is a list of the items that I pack I my suitcase:
– Swimming suit and cover up (as many hotels that host conferences have pools)
– Clothing (I tend to wear business casual to the conference, and then casual clothing when visiting sites in the city)
– Appropriate undergarments
– Sleepwear
– Jewelry
– Toilet articles, with liquids in a quart sized bag in the outside pocket of my suitcase, to include:
• Makeup
• Facial care items (such as cleansing cloths, moisturizer)
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, floss
• Q-tips
• Detangler
• Hairbrush and comb
• Flat iron (I never take a blow dryer, as hotels always provide them)
• Hair care products
• Shower items (such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor)
• Deodorant
• Lotion (because I’m allergic to most lotions, so I can’t use the hotel stuff)
• Prescription medications
• Vitamins
• Small first aid kit with a few OTC medications inside as well

This is the list of items that I pack in my shoulder bag and purse:
– ID
– Credit/debit cards
– Cash (including smaller bills for tips for shuttle and cab drivers)
– Chapstick and lip gloss
– Tissues
– Sunglasses
– Boarding passes
– Hotel confirmation (although lately I just pull it up on my phone rather than printing it)
– Smartphone
– Kindle
– iPad
– Battery charger
– Charging cables
– Paperback book (for takeoff and landing, as not all flights seem to allow for reading on a kindle during these times)
– A sweatshirt or light sweater (I get really cold sometimes on flights)
– A coat, gloves, and scarf (if the conference is during the winter)
– Shoes (I generally pack these in the bottom of my carry-on shoulder bag, as they’re lightweight, but don’t always fit well amongst my clothing and toiletries)

What items do you leave off of your list? What items do you take that I haven’t listed? And if you’d like more packing tips, check out Packing for a Scuba Diving Trip, Packing for Kaaboo Del Mar, and Packing for a Camping Trip.