My Conference Travel Tips

I've been to many conferences and conventions over the years and I learn something new all the time. Here are some of the best things I've spent thousands of company dollars while learning. These tips will save you money, time and hassle while attending your conference or business meeting.

Stay at the conference hotel

So the host hotel is the most expensive one near your conference? It's $40 more than this other hotel? Well, it is probably worth it. And it may even save you money. Are you going to take a cab to the conference each day? There's $10-$30. Are you going to wait for the free shuttle? There's an hour or more wasted. Add in that time you forget something in the hotel room and have to run back. You also have to set your alarm earlier to allow for the transportation versus sleeping in for a short and leisurely walk down to the conference. If the hotel is hosting the event or is right next door, you probably won't need a jacket like that other guy is stuck with all day. I arrive at the conference relaxed while other people look like they went through a airport security screening just minutes ago.

Drink and eat often

Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water. Bring a few snacks along with you if you can carry them. It's good to have something that you like on hand if the conference food is bad or if your energy is dragging. If the food is provided, it'll probably disappear quickly. I like to grab an extra banana or apple and also a juice or water to tuck in my bag.

Bring a little bottle of hand sanitizer

If you are drinking lots of water like you should, you also need to use those conference rest rooms. They are not always the cleanest with all the traffic they are getting throughout the day. I always use my own sanitizer after using a rest room, any public surfaces and before eating.

Know when to tip and how much

We have the AllStays guide to tipping here but it's important to mention here in brief. It's good to know how much and when to tip. I like to tip a bit heavier at the start of a week or on the first drink of the night. This tends to get you better service the rest of the time. You may not tip as heavily throughout the conference but they don't know that. And it may just benefit you in the end as well.

Keep a copy of your travel itinerary

Always print out information for your flights and your hotel and keep it with you the entire trip. You can leave it in your luggage while at the hotel but make sure you leave it where it could be taken as trash either. This helps if there is any problem with your reservation or rates.