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The Trade Show Must Go On!

Viruses are hitting hard this cold & flu season. Even though the sick season is among us, the trade show must go on!

Trade shows and conferences are great for meeting potential customers and in a setting like this you shake lots of hands. So what do you do if you happen to be exhibiting at or attending a trade show this season and you have the fear of sickness looming over you?

Wash your hands thoroughly, and as much as possible. If you are unable to get to a sink, keep some hand sanitizer handy especially when you’re on the showroom floor. You never know when you may have to shake someone’s hand.

Stock up on immune boosters. Vitamin C and Zinc are oldies but goodies. Take it before you head out for the initial immune boost and then throughout the duration of your trip. Adding elderberry to the mix is also a good option. It has been used for centuries and in more recent times has gained a lot of popularity and for good reason. Elderberry is believed to reduce the severity and duration of the cold and flu virus.

Sleep. Between setup, clean-up schmoozing and post event parties, it might be hard to catch an adequate amount of zzz’s when you’re at an event, especially if the show lasts a few days. However, getting enough rest is crucial to keeping a strong immune system. A new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, shows that people who sleep less than seven hours per night are three times more likely than those who sleep at least eight hours to catch a common cold after being exposed to a cold-causing virus.

Stay hydrated. General good health practice includes drinking plenty of fluids. It helps you fend off germs and if you happen to already be sick, it helps loosen the mucous.

Limit alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol inhibits your sleep and dehydrates you, which goes against recommendations #3 and #4.

Get moving. Time can be limited when you’re traveling for trade shows, but squeezing in the time for a quick workout at your hotel gym can be well worth it. Exercise makes you feel good and gives your immune system a boost. If you’re already feeling a little under the weather, Lewis G. Maharam, MD, a New York City-based sports medicine expert suggests you “do what you can do, and if you can’t do it, then don’t.”

Eat healthy. Everyone seems to know this one, but not everyone follows it. Eating healthy foods helps fight sickness. Sometimes traveling for business has us not making the best decisions when it comes to eating. We tend to eat what is convenient because of a lack of time and options. Plan ahead for your next trade show. Look up healthier restaurants beforehand and pack healthy snacks such as fruits and nuts so when the time comes to go out to dinner you’re able to make better food decisions because you’re not ravenous.

Sanitize common areas. If you’re an exhibitor, make sure to have sanitizing wipes handy. Wipe down surfaces regularly. This not only keeps germs from spreading, it will help keep your booth workers and visitors at ease.

Yes, the cold & flu season might be going strong, but don’t let that keep you from having a good trade show experience. Follow these precautions to help prevent the cold & flu from taking you down because the trade show must go on!

Packing List for the Business Traveler

Whether you travel a lot or not for work business travel isn’t always easy. In the rush to get out the door things can be forgotten. Having a good checklist in hand will save you the headache of realizing you are forgetting something important when you are already at cruising altitude 38,000 feet in the air.

When packing, you will need to keep in mind all the things you may need on your trip—anything from appropriate clothing to work related items that you’re carrying on instead of shipping ahead. But, before you can even think about packing, make sure you choose travel luggage wisely.

Luggage

Think function over fashion when picking out a bag. It’s all about efficiency! Will you be gone for a short period or will you be gone for a long duration? Definitely an important detail to consider. Longer business travel may require you to check a bag versus just carrying on.

Find suitcases suited for business travel here: “3 Best Suitcases for the Business Traveler.”

For female business travelers, it’s nice to have a carry-on bag that can also function as a computer bag and purse. For male travelers, business backpacks make a great option. These backpacks have room for your clothes, computer and other electronics.

Once you have picked out the appropriate luggage, you can move onto filling it with business travel essentials. Filling your luggage with essentials means choosing items wisely and taking things you will really use.

Travel Wardrobe

When packing clothes, you may need to be creative. First establish how many different outfits you will need and the weather forecast for the area you are visiting. Account for dinners and meetings you may attend while away. Once you’ve determined how many looks are needed, it’s time to be creative. Figure out how to mix and match articles of clothing so that you can create multiple looks with a minimal amount of pieces. This goes for men and women.

Read more on business travel wardrobe for men & women in, “Wardrobe Checklist for the Business Traveler.”

Once you have settled on outfits to pack, folding each article of clothing into little packing cubes will only add to your efficiency. If you have has seen the Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” then you know the KonMari method of tidying up. This same method can be applied to make packing easier. Folding your clothes KonMari style and placing them so they’re stacked side by side instead of on top of each other can help to eliminate wrinkles and provide more room for other business travel essentials. Plus, you can see everything at a glance. See the KonMari method.

Toiletries

Stick to the travel size essentials and be sure to follow TSA regulations when packing toiletries:

Items must fit in 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less per container.
Make sure the bag is easily accessible; it must be placed in a screening bin at security.
1 bag per passenger.

Electronics

Do not forget to pack the key items needed to perform your job. Yes, you packed your computer but did you remember the charger? Same goes for your mobile devices. Consider packing a portable USB Battery Pack. When traveling you may not have the time to plug into a wall outlet. A battery pack can help ensure you are fully charged while on the go.

USB flash drives, and headphones are also things that may come in handy on your trip.

Miscellaneous

Items that don’t fall under the previous categories listed include: boarding pass, passport, business cards, notepad and pen, an envelope to hold receipts for expense reporting, a compact umbrella, a water bottle, and a healthy snack (just in case you don’t have time to grab one in between travel and appointment times.

Here’s your business travel packing list summary:

Business appropriate clothing
Shoes
Pajamas
Workout clothing
Jewelry
Outerear (jackets, hats and scarves if needed)
Travel size toiletries
Laptop/tablet
Mobile phone
Chargers and/or battery pack
USB flash drive
Headphones/earbuds
Boarding pass
Passport
Business cards
Notepad
Pen
Envelope
Compact umbrella
Water bottle
Healthy snack

Wardrobe Checklist for the Business Traveler

You’ve picked out the luggage that checks off all your boxes for travel convenience.

Find luggage that best suits you in “3 Best Suitcases for the Business Traveler.”

Now it is time to fill it with work trip necessities. But, before selecting your wardrobe for your next business trip, you need to consider several things. First off how many days will you be away? Next, you want to consider the climate of the city you are visiting (be sure to check the weather forecast). You will also need to keep in mind what types of meetings and events you’ll be attending. Do you plan on utilizing the hotel gym? Will you be going straight to a meeting once you exit the plane (this will determine if you need or want extra comfy travel clothes)?

Male and female business travelers will obviously require different guidelines. Below, we listed awesome packing recommendations from Packsmith.

Checklist for the Female Business Traveler:

3 tops; 2 dress tops and 1 casual top
1-2 bottoms
1 dress
1 blazer
3 pairs of underwear
3 pairs of socks
2 bras
PJs
2 pairs of shoes: 1 dress and 1 athletic/casual
Workout clothes (optional)

Checklist for the Male Business Traveler:

2 collard tops and 1 casual t-shirt
2 pairs of pants and/or jeans
3 pairs of socks
3 pairs of underwear
1 dark-colored blazer or suit jacket
2 pairs of shoes: 1 dress and 1 athletic (optional)
PJs: 1 lightweight shirt and 1 athletic pair of shorts

With whatever items you end up packing and whatever suitcase you end up picking, folding your clothes using the KonMari method is, in our opinion, one of the best and most efficient use of space when packing your clothes and it also helps prevent wrinkles that can occur during travel.

Are these items part or your packing list? Please share any packing pearls of wisdom below in the comments.

3 Best Suitcases for the Business Traveler

When traveling for business it’s all about the essentials—function vs. fashion. Although, with so many different options for suitcases on the market, you’re sure to find at least one piece of luggage that meets both your design aesthetics and your functionality requirements.

Your travel bag of choice needs to be convenient, comfortable and be able to carry your work travel essentials. With so many suitcases to choose from we decided to make a list. After researching the web, we’ve come up with recommendations for the best bags for the business traveler based on functional and efficient travel.

The Stylish Suitcase

If style is still a number one priority when picking out luggage, the Terminal 1 Carry-On by Mark & Graham is the perfect blend of style and functionality. With 10 color options to pick from you are sure to find one that strikes your fancy. The Terminal 1 Carry-On happens to be Mark & Graham’s best-selling luggage collection and we think that is for good reason. This collection is sure to set you apart from the crowd with its luxurious leather detailing and personalized monogram. Made from durable and lightweight polycarbonate the Terminal 1 Carry-On features a TSA approved personal lock, an easy-telescoping handle and oversized wheels that can spin 360 degrees to help you navigate the airport with ease.

The Overnight Bag

If you’re going on a quick overnight business trip the Brentwood 15” Hardside Under-Seater Carry-On Suitcase created by London Fog for Macy’s is the bag for you. From a quick business trip to an overnight getaway, the Brentwood suitcase gives you hardside protection and easy mobility. Its compact profile fits under most airline seats and there’s enough space for all your essentials including your laptop.

The Space Efficient Suitcase

The Rollux 2-in-1 Expandable Suitcase from Joyus allows the business traveler to use space efficiently. With this expandable suitcase you can pack your things in a carry-on bag or full-size check-in suitcase. This is perfect for the business traveler who may not be leaving a destination with the same amount of items he or she came with. For example, if you’re attending a trade show you may depart carrying marketing materials to distribute but on your return flight you no longer have those materials and therefore don’t need the extra space.

With any of these suitcases, swivel wheels seem to be a must when it comes to convenience and ease of navigating through the airport. What is your must have when it comes to luggage for business travel? We would love for you to share your recommendations below in the comments.