The Ultimate Packing List for Business Trips

With the vaccines finally rolling out, for all of us in the business industry we are likely right around the corner from being able to start attending meetings & conferences again soon.  The more business trips you go on, the more you learn what you need and don’t need. You tend to build a convenient list that you can use EVERY trip which makes packing quick and easy with also ensuring you don’t forget anything you may need.

When packing for business trips, really try to pack as light as possible. I suggest if you are doing a short trip, pack with a carry on that way you don’t have to take the extra time to check your bag and pick up your bag post flight. When you are on short trips you want to utilize the most of your time! I tend to go on longer business trips that are 4-6 days which requires me to carry more items with me, and due to having more time I don’t mind checking a bag.

In this business trip packing list, I add everything I would bring whether I am travelling with checked luggage or only a carry-on. If you would like a break down, please download my free printable checklist. I break down separately what to bring with only a carry on, or with checking a bag.

It is very important to know you should always travel with your laptop on you, not in your checked luggage bag.

Everything that is listed here in my laptop bag is my essential list of what I carry in my laptop bag every day to work! One day I hope that I can travel with just my laptop in my purse, but I have yet to find the perfect one I love! So if any of you have one let me know, I would love to check it out. Or if I come across one first I will for sure to update you all with the one I find.

• LAPTOP // You can’t get much work done without your laptop while you are away! While I am sitting at my gate or on the plane (if there is wifi) I will follow up with emails etc to keep myself busy. While I am at meetings or a conference I obviously try to stay off my computer as much as possible, but I still carry it with me incase of an important email comes through.
• LAPTOP CHARGER // Just as important as your laptop! You will not be able to work very long on your computer without it.
• MOUSE // This is not needed, typically all laptops have a trackpad. But I find it much more convenient to use when i’m in my hotel room if I am needing to work. I find I work a lot slower with only using the trackpad.
• DOCUMENTS FOLDER // Prior to going on a business trip, I do a lot of research and create a lot of different excel forms with important information of what I will need for the meetings or while at the conference. I ensure to make print outs of all those documents that way I can just reference my paper, and not pull out my laptop if not needed! Also great to have incase something goes wrong electronically you have something for back-up!
  I also ensure to print off all flight, hotel, rental car bookings; again, incase something goes wrong electronically you have some back up 🙂
• PEN & NOTEPAD // I usually like to jot things down in my phone if need. But a pen is important when you have to fill out customs forms.
• PORTABLE USB CHARGER // I like to carry this in my laptop bag, but while I am attending any meetings or conferences I throw it in my purse, in case of emergencies with needing to charge my phone while on the go.

• PASSPORT & ID // For business travel I typically always fly internationally so one of the most important things for me to travel with is my passport! You won’t get very far without it haha! But if you are just flying domestically any government ID will work. Also never travel without your health card!
• WALLET // Another obvious one. My favourite travel wallet is this one here it’s a really good price and can hold my boarding pass and all my receipts throughout the trip! It also comes in so many different colours. Don’t forget to bring your corporate credit card if you have one, along with extra cash for tipping, cab rides etc.
• AIRPODS // Long flights, short flights, waiting in an airport for hours. Listening to podcasts or music will make the time go by a lot faster. I also find airpods very useful while attending a conference, it is easy to pick up calls hands free then to be carrying all your things and without having to pick up your actual phone!
• PHONE CHARGER // This can go in either your laptop bag, or purse. I always have one in my purse so it just stays there. But you never know when you may need a boost!
• CHAPSTICK // Being on a plane for hours or attending meetings talking constantly really makes my lips dry. I always carry chapstick with me wherever I go.
• GUM // When taking off or landing, I always find it helps with the pressure. It’s also great to have to freshen up prior to a meeting or after a coffee.
• BUSINESS CARDS // One of the most important things to bring with you on a business trip! Having a business card to hand out during a meeting or a conference  1. Shows that you are a professional and; 2. Allows the clients you met with to follow up with you post meeting. I like to carry some of my business cards in my wallet to access easily. But also put my box of cards in my checked luggage incase I run out and need more.

The important thing to remember when you are packing clothing for your trip that you are on a business trip, not your personal vacation. You don’t have to be dressed in a business suit constantly but you never know who you will see when you are away from the meetings. Especially attending conferences there are thousands of attendees staying in the same area as you, and you just want to look professional as possible while you are there.

Always remember to again pack as light as possible. Most hotels have a dry cleaning service if required for freshening up of clothing! Over the time of attending a lot of conferences and work meetings, I have learned to make my wardrobe very versatile so my outfits can go with each other, to wear both during my meetings, but also during the events or dinners in the evenings.

• DRESS PANTS // I typically rotate between two pairs and sometimes wear a dress on the middle day if need be! My favourite pair of work pants are the High Waisted Soft & Sleek Barely Boot Pant from Express clothing. They are the perfect dress pant and come in plenty of different colours!
• DRESS OR SKIRT // I am not a skirt person, but I always pack 1 dress. I dont always end up wearing it, but I like having the option if I have the room.
• DRESS SHIRTS // I typically like to pack a couple extra dress shirts because if you know me, I am the biggest clumsiest person ex: spilling coffee down the arm of my white dress shirt the moment I walk into a conference show.. Dress shirts can go very cute with a pair of jeans as well if you are attending a dinner.
• BLAZER // If I only plan on wearing 1 suit, I will only pack 1 blazer. I find blazers perfect for work trips, because if you attend a cocktail party or a casual dinner – you can wear jeans with a blazer which is a perfect outfit. My favorite blazers are from RW&CO
• SWEATER // Something to throw on if you are a bit chilly that is still nice to go with business wear. A cardigan would be perfect as well!
• PAIR OF JEANS // Jeans are a perfect wear for everyday while not in a meeting, team dinners etc. NO RIPS, NO BRIGHT COLOURS! Remember this a work environment and try be as professional as possible.
• PAIR PJS // 1 pair of pajamas will be fine, you are only sleeping.
• UNDERWEAR/SOCKS // Bring 1 pair for everyday if not a couple extra!
• SNEAKERS // Typically I always travel with my comfortable shoes while travelling so I don’t have to pack them.
• HEELS // I  only pack 1 pair of heels and where them when my feet arent hurting ahah
• FLATS // Let’s be real girls, you can only wear heels so long. I always have a dressy pair of flats for when need if my feet start hurting. If you have ever attended a conference, walking around for 8 hours of the day constantly, your feet FEEL BROKEN!

A reason I like to bring a checked bag, is so I can just pack my full bottle items and not have to take the extra time to fill the travel size of everything! But it is important to ensure if you are travelling with only a carry-on that you are abiding by the max liquid allowed while travelling, or it will be thrown out! The nice thing about toiletries is if you don’t have the room in your bag everything on this list, are very accessible items. So, if you for forget something typically all hotels have items they can bring up to you if you call the front desk or you can just pick them up at the closest drug store.

• MAKEUP // You do not need to pack anything crazy for makeup, just a few things. You don’t want to be in a professional setting with blue or bright pink eyeshadow. Keep it very neutral.
• SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER // If you need to make space, you can always use the hotel items! I find a lot of the shampoos dry my hair out so I prefer to bring my own.
• FACE WASH // This is something I will never travel without. I will use hotel shampoo and soap if need, but I most definitely need my own face wash.
• TOOTHBRUSH & TOOTHPASTE // You do not want to have stinky breath while speaking in your meetings!
• RAZOR // In case of wearing a dress!
• PERFUME & DEODORANT // Just remember if you are packing perfume to ensure you don’t over spray yourself. A lot of people have reactions to perfume on other people. It’s best to wear something very minimal, or even just deodorant.
• HAIRBRUSH // Some people don’t have to brush their hair, which I am super jealous about but my tangly hair NEEDS to be brushed constantly!
• FACEMASK // When I am travelling for business, I always bring a face mask. One my first night I typically use that night to relax and prepare for the busy week ahead. It’s also great due to the plane really drying out my skin, it brings the life back into it!
• BANDAIDS // The amount of walking you do while attending a conference, bandaids are super helpful for blisters.
• LINT ROLLER // I have a cat and he tends to travel all across the world with me (well his hair does haha). If you do forget this you can ask you hotel for tape, that’ll work just as well.
• STRAIGHTENER OR CURLING IRON // Its best if you find travel sized items of these. But they do not take up to much space if need.

*Ladies don’t forget tampons if needed

TOWELS // All hotels have towels that can be used. Some people are picky with this and bring their own. But I am someone who is totally fine with using the hotels.

HAIR DRYER // If you are someone who needs a blowdryer, just ensure prior to booking your hotel that the rooms include one!

IRON // Again, just confirm the hotel you are booking comes with one in the room.

If this is your first time attending a business trip, do not stress so much! You will do great. Business trips truly are a lot of fun and I hope this list really helps you on planning for your trip for it to go as smoothly as possible!

Is there anything not on this list that is a must have for you!? Please comment below I would love to hear.

Stay Safe and Healthy!

Kenzie xx