9 Tips for Conference Travelers

International conferences are definitely the matchless experiences for academicians, students or business people both with regard to educational and networking issues. However, travelling frequently for these conferences or other kinds of business or academic events may cause you some inconveniences that can even turn out to be a nightmare in the long run. However taking some precautions will help you overcome these unwanted situations. Take a look at these tips to save time and money before your next travel.

Be Prepared for Lost Baggage

Loss of baggage happens. To anyone. Anytime. So you are absolutely wrong if you think it will never happen to you. But fortunately, there some vital steps you can take against this problem. First, make sure your baggage doesn’t have any other stickers from your previous flight as they may cause misunderstanding. You should also have your life saving clothes and stuff with you in your carry-on bag in case of a lost baggage.

Guarantee Your Dinner

If you’re travelling abroad, you can’t risk missing the chance to eat the best local food at the best place. But the trouble is, a huge amount of people will also try to do the same especially near the event venue, and you have to get into the act far in advance to secure your seat at that reputable restaurant. Never fail to make a smart research before picking your restaurant, of course.

Have an Offline Map App on your Phone

Who doesn’t want to explore a foreign city when they have the opportunity? We know, everybody craves for it. However, always bear in mind that discovering the city on your own will definitely be much more profitable especially if you have an offline map app on your smart phone. You can find the best restaurants, most attractive shopping points or the popular landmarks in the city easily without annoying roaming expenses. Pinning your hotel and event venue to your map will also make things even easier. Curious for other apps that will save your life during a business trip? Check out our other blog post on Must-Have Apps for Business Event Attendees.

Arm yourself with Technology

During a conference travel, you will need your technological equipment badly. You will take your phone, tablet, laptop or chargers for sure, but also consider taking a power strip or extra batteries with you as well as extra converters that are suitable for the country you’re travelling to.

Go Incognito

While it may not be the gospel truth, it is possible that airlines show different rates depending on your location or your browsing activity. For example if you have visited the airline’s website before, it’s probable that you see different prices next time. So browsing the flight or hotel booking sites through incognito tabs may make you get lower prices.

Study Hard before the Conference

You may hardly have time to breathe before travelling for the conference but if you go there unstudied, your attendance will not be as fruitful as you expected. So before you arrive, make sure you know the agenda and the program well and you get adequate information about speakers. Besides, knowing your aims for attending the conference is a must and planning your “off” times before your trip will also save you time.

Don’t Forget the Medical Aid

If you’re traveling, you know that you’ll be affected physically. Long haul flights, disturbed sleeps or not eating properly are only a few reasons why you may feel bad during a trip. To prevent this, it’ll be wise to take some vitamins, immune system boosters or pain killers with you, just in case!

Check yourself in as Attending

If you make your contacts know that you’re attending that conference, it will help you to create your own community before the event both to feel yourself more comfortable and to enrich your experiences together.

Upgrades are Cool

Your budget may be limited while travelling for a conference your hotel room may be moderate. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to stay at that room and feel yourself uncomfortable. If you simply ask the reception for an upgrade, they’d definitely help you if there’s any availability. So never forget to ask for it when you check in at hotel.

For more smart tips and real experiences about travelling for conferences, you can also visit Jeremy Schoemaker's blog, Shoemoney.