As I get ready to head to another conference next week, my mind starts racing with all the things I need to pack. The length of the trip usually determines my packing priorities—what’s essential versus what I can live without. These days, forgetting something isn’t the end of the world since you can usually buy what you need at a store wherever you go. When I start planning, I tend to group my items into three main categories: clothing, tech, and snacks.
Clothing
Most of the conferences I attend are pretty casual, leaning towards business casual. My packing list usually includes the essentials: socks, underwear (obviously), jeans, a few nice polos, three t-shirts (one for working out), a long-sleeve pullover, and shorts. If I’m speaking at the event, I might dress up a bit more and throw in a pair of khakis, but it really depends on the audience and the vibe of the conference.
Tech
Chargers, chargers, chargers. It’s easy to find a phone charger these days, but tracking down a compatible laptop charger can be a hassle—and often expensive. I tend to travel with a fair amount of tech: my iPad, MacBook, Bluetooth speaker for white noise, and, of course, my phone. I also sleep with a CPAP machine, which takes up quite a bit of space in my bag.
Food and Snacks
I’m all about snacks when I travel. I usually pack a mix of sweet and salty treats. If I’m flying, I try to grab snacks in advance, but sometimes I end up paying those crazy airport prices. My go-to snack is always some kind of trail mix with chocolate, peanut butter M&Ms, Pringles or chips, and soda. I don’t typically drink a lot of soda, but I make an exception when I’m traveling. Also, I tend to get more dehydrated on travel days because I don’t want to drink too much and have to keep getting up on the plane or making extra stops when driving.
In the end, packing for a conference is all about finding the right balance between practicality and comfort. With my essentials packed, I’m ready to focus on the experience and make the most of the trip ahead.