Parents. If you have a family, make sure your partner can be relied upon to not just hold the fort temporarily but to really step up as a parent. Both of you need to be respectful of each other’s careers. If you value your career, your family and your relationship that requires an open and honest conversation. By having this clarity before you go away, you can really focus on the conference knowing your kids are being fed real food and having a lovely time at home with your partner.When I was a little girl my Dad would travel from time to time but when he did I got to spend special time with my Mum, we did things that my Dad wasn’t really interested in and my Mum who normally got stressed out about things somehow managed to make these times really special – not by spending a lot of money but by doing nice things together like having midnight feasts, having friends over for dinner or teddy bear picnics in the garden. We couldn’t really afford for him to bring us something when he went away but my Mum would buy something she knew I would like and pack it up in advance. I know because I find her secret hiding place in the hall once. Anyway slightly off topic let’s get back to the conference planning, shall we
Packing List: So what will you need to bring to the conference? For me, I still love business cards, you might also want to take some brochures or flyers if you have them or some branded pens, for those ‘Do you happen to have another pen?” moments but also practical things like chargers and a conversion plug if you are travelling overseas. If you have a business credit card make sure you know the number and it doesn’t harm to have some cash in the local currency.
Don’t make this mistake:
In my corporate days I was on business trips most weeks and once I got caught out without something formal, so when we were invited spontaneously to a smart dinner, I had to do a mad dash to find something in a completely new place with unfamiliar shops and brands. Even though I love shopping normally, in the 90 minutes I had to find something to wear, get back to the hotel and get ready, this was very stressful.
Instead: So now I always pack a formal red dress that packs small and doesn’t seem to need ironing with a bolero jacket and ballerinas. That way I’m ready for anything.
Another thing I do which is a bit Cocotastic perhaps, has to do with my hatred of hotels. To make it a bit more homely I put up pretty fairy lights in the bathroom, I leave them on when I go out so that I don’t have to go into a completely dark room when I get back at night. Maybe I’m more of a scaredy cat than you are, but fairy lights do it for me and don’t take up much space.