Business Trip in Your Future? These Tips Help You Pack with Confidence

Most of us have experience packing for vacations and other pleasure trips: Throw a few items of comfortable clothes in a suitcase, toss in a few toiletries and we’re done. But packing for business requires more thought and planning with an aim not necessarily of being comfortable, but of looking polished and professional throughout your trip.

To make sure you always look your best, here are a few tips to make packing for your next business trip a breeze:

Planning Basics

• Know your itinerary. Will you be spending all your time in an office or other indoor venue, or will there be outings like dinner meetings or other social occasions? A lot of business travel offers the opportunity to network outside of the normal business setting, so you want to include those when planning your packing list as well.
• Have a single folder or pocket for tickets and car and hotel reservation information as well as a list of phone numbers and addresses for business contacts and meetings. Yes, having them stored in your phone or other device is great, but having printed backups is important in case you find yourself in an area where online connections aren’t possible.
• If you’ll need a coat at your destination, be sure to carry it on when you board.

Packing your suitcase

• Keep bags light by investing in travel-size toiletries, bearing in mind current airline size and weight restrictions. Don’t forget to pack a power adapter for foreign travel.
• In general, pack a pair of socks and underwear for each day you’ll be travelling.
• Include two pairs of shoes: One for business and one for more casual wear; pack one and wear the other on the plane.
• Choose neutral pieces that coordinate for ease of mix-and-match dressing. That goes for business as well as casual items.
• Include a laundry bag for soiled items; a waterproof bag can safely stow wet swimsuits and damp gym clothes.

Packing your briefcase

• Carry your work materials and your itinerary in your briefcase or carry-on bag.
• Make sure electronics are well padded, even when carrying them with you.
• Consider including a digital camera for impromptu pictures at the airport or on your way to your hotel or meeting.
• Pack a book or other reading material or download a movie or book to your laptop, tablet or phone before departure. Don’t forget reading glasses – pack a spare pair in your suitcase n case of loss or breakage.
• Always carry medications in your briefcase – never in your checked luggage, which can be lost.

Packing for business trips doesn’t need to be complicated or difficult; following these tips will help ensure you and  your clothes are ready for any occasion.