1. Packing. Packing always adds an element of angst—too little or too much! My friend, Heather, a seasoned business traveler, advised having a bag of “spare everything” ready to go at a moment’s notice. Traveling by car is so much easier than plane. None of those TSA requirements. But still, for one night, I planned to travel light. Everything should fit in a tiny carryon. But shoes and makeup left no room for clothes or books. The larger suitcase let me plan for 30-degree temperature shifts in the Florida weather but did not fit in the trunk of my Mustang.
2. Preparing. I was headed for a symposium concerning the Indian River Lagoon, a unique estuary on Florida’s coast. I did advance reading on the estuary itself, speaker credentials and abstracts. This meeting provided a chance to reconnect or network in a shared quest to find ways to convey scientific information to stakeholders so effective policies could be made.
3. Having fun. My conference was just south of one of my favorite beaches. And not surprisingly, my trip also coincided with an Argentine tango workshop.
4. Learning. The conference surpassed my expectations in terms of intensity, dialogue and new connections. Advanced prep helped. But many of my items I planned to pack never made it to the suitcase.
The follow up to the conference is as important as the meeting itself. The dialogue needs to continue. As for that bag of “spare everything,” well, I’ll be ready for the next trip!
I’d love to hear about your business travel experiences! And, if you have any packing advice. . . .
I get through a bit of the packing anxiety knowing that there are only two things that I cannot buy at my destination: my prescription and glasses. Sometimes it's fun to go shopping where ever you land. Although for business travel, not much leaves my bag (other than clothes).
ReplyDeleteGood point. One my trip to Nice (!) last summer, nothing arrived with me. I enjoy looking in stores. . . . But I always keep conference papers or essentials with me!
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