Greetings from conference land! I have been attending a work conference this week and while I was packing it got me thinking, there are so many common items that are helpful to have during a conference. These must-haves make traveling and hours spent in a convention center so much more comfortable. So I rounded up my top 5 conference must-haves, check them out. Which one is a must-have for you?
1. Professional Tote
A professional tote is the first step in getting everything together and can make for a good presentation. For conferences a purse during the day never cuts it for me because there isn’t enough space. With all of the things you need to bring with you: business cards, notepad, etc., a professional tote is the way to go. It also comes in handy if they have give-aways or hands-out, you can stuff it in your bag and be free to shake hands and network. The tote I use is this Longchamp bag because it is so versatile and is a simple look which coordinates with all of my conference looks.
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2. Padfolio
It’s like a Trapper Keeper for adults. I’m a notebook and pen kind of gal but I feel like pulling out a spiral notebook from my bag might not look the most professional so a great solution is a padfolio. Most are large enough to hold a legal notepad for notes and such. My padfolio always has a sleeve because you know there is going to be a paper handout somewhere at a conference.
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3. Water Bottle
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. At a conference you will most likely be in a different city and networking with so many people you are going to need a water bottle to keep in tip top shape. You will mostly like be off of your normal routine too and with sessions happening back to back it will be easy to forget about water intake. My Swell bottles are my favorite because they have a screw on top, they don’t leak and can be placed in my tote so I don’t have to carry it around the whole time.
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4. Cardigan
If I’m not already wearing a cardigan I can guarantee you there is one stashed away in my bag. In most places and rooms at a conference the A/C tends to be on full blast so carrying a cardigan or light jacket around is a great way to be comfortable, especially during sessions. I usually carry a simple black or beige cardigan so it matches a lot of my outfits.
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5. Extras
Is it not the worst when you have a meal, get something stuck in your teeth and floss is no where to be found?! I lot of the extras I add to my tote are mostly because I’ve been in a bind and needed these items, ASAP. Some of my classics are: hand sanitizer, floss, chapstick, a tide to-go pen and perfume. But the two things I ALWAYS have with me are sunglasses and a umbrella because you will definitely need one or the other at all times.
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