As the summer season quickly approaches, many people are gearing up for days of fun in the sun and family vacations. Unfortunately, for countless business professionals, summer also means a schedule filled with trade shows and business travel.
Although traveling for work can be a challenge with summer crowds, you can follow a few guidelines to ensure your business trip is smooth. For your next business trip, keep in mind to:
Plan ahead - If you're planning to attend a trade show, be sure to book your hotel room well in advance. Hotel rooms often sell out quickly when a trade show is scheduled nearby.
Make a list - Create a list of the items you'll need for your trip. This ensures you won't forget important items while avoiding last minute impulse packing.
Maximize space with mini items - Buy travel sized toothpaste, shampoo, soap, etc. You'll be amazed at how much suitcase room you'll save with smaller toiletries.
Go wrinkle-free - Pack clothes that don't wrinkle easily, such as polyester or wool blends, microfibers, silk and rayon. If you pack all 100 percent cotton or linen clothing, you most likely will end up spending too much time ironing.
Stick with a color - To avoid packing more than one pair of shoes, decide which pair of dress shoes you want to wear, and build your wardrobe around them. For example, if you choose black shoes, pack clothes and a belt that color coordinate.
Take advantage of hotel perks - Call the hotel before your trip and ask if they supply an iron, hair dryer and other personal items. You can save a lot of space in your suitcase by not packing items readily available.
Carry on the essentials – When flying, be sure to carry your most important documents, toiletries, medications and a change of clothes with you. This way, even if your luggage gets lost, you can still function.
Get suit creative - Pack just one suit along with some pieces to change its look. No one will notice if you pair a different shirt and tie with the same suit during a three-day trip.
Flexibility – By allowing some flexibility in your travel you can avoid stressful situations. For example, when flying during the summer months, consider switching seats to help families sit together.
Be kind to your feet - Make sure to pack your most comfortable pair of dress shoes — especially if you're attending a trade show that will involve a lot of walking or standing. Nothing ruins a trip faster than sore feet.
Keep only the important things - You'll pick up a lot of information over the course of a three-day trade show — some useful, some not. Before you travel home, take time to sort through all the brochures and promotional items you've collected, and throw away the unnecessary items.
With these valuable tips, you can avoid common travel annoyances. Who knows, you might even actually enjoy getting to and from your destination.
