Planning for any type of trip can be quite stressful. If planning for a leisure trip is stressful then planning for a business trip is even more so. Business trips are for business, after all. There will be things you absolutely have to do and you won’t be able to relax by the pool. There are many factors that you need to consider and events you need to be prepared for that are different from when you’re travelling for pleasure.
What Is The Purpose Of Your Trip?
Be aware of what exactly it is you’ll be doing on your business trip. You probably create an itinerary of sorts when planning a vacation and you should have a similar list of activities on a business trip as well. You need to know where to be, when to be there and what you’ll be doing. Will you mainly be attending meetings? How many meetings? Will you be going to seminars? What about business-related social functions?
Pack Clothes For Your Purpose
Once you know what you’ll be doing on your business trip you can begin to pack accordingly. If you’ll be engaging in professional functions make sure you have a suit and everything that goes with it: shoes, jacket, etc. If you’ll be attending multiple events make sure that you have a variety of shirts, blouses and ties if they are applicable.
Don’t Overpack
Overpacking is the biggest mistake that business travelers make. You don’t need a whole new suit for every different meeting. You simply need to learn to optimize your accessories. This is where having a few different shirts and ties comes into play. You can bring a single pair of slacks and a single blazer whether your trip is a day or a week. Other small and light accessories you can bring along are things like scarves, cuff links, stockings and more. Don’t forget to consider the weather and climate of your destination when adding accessories. You don’t want to accessorize with a scarf during the summer in Florida.
Don’t Forget Your Casual Clothes
It’s important to also pack some casual clothes for when you’re not attending business-related functions. You don’t want to overpack with your casual clothes either. You’ll want to be comfortable on the plane, so unless you have a meeting immediately when you arrive at your destination you can wear one casual outfit for the ride. Like with your business clothes, you really don’t need a new outfit every single day of your trip. Just bring a pair of jeans and a few polo shirts, as well as a pair of shorts or lounge pants and a t-shirt for your hotel room.
Utilize Your Resources
If wearing the same clothes irks you then don’t forget that you can take advantage of laundry and dry cleaning services at your hotel. Many hotels offer these services for a small fee to their guests. Most hotels also offer guests irons in their rooms, free of charge so you can keep your clothes looking nice.
