Bloggers, writers or just about anyone working as a freelancer can benefit from attending conferences in order to gain knowledge, make industry connections and network with fellow professionals. I just returned from speaking at the TBEX Conference in Huntsville Alabama and will be back on the road to attend BlogHer then speak at the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference in Milwaukee this August.
There are a number of things you should always bring when attending a conference. I know a thing or two about what to bring to make your conference experience successful. This is definitely not an exhaustive list of everything I pack but these are my top five must haves for every blogger conference!
1.The Perfect Carry-on Luggage
Luggage that makes travel simple is necessary. I personally love the Enkloze carry-on spinner. The TSA approved latch lock with keys and combination is a nice feature to this 21″, 100% Polycarbonate, aluminum frame bag. It holds everything you need for a few days in a tidy way. The front loading laptop compartment with space dividers and pockets are great for storing items securely while having them easily accessible.
2. Small, efficient laptop
A laptop that can do everything makes working on the go so much easier! You need something lightweight but multi-functional when attending a busy conference. I have found that the 14 inch Lenovo Yoga 710 is the perfect laptop for traveling. The 360° flip-and-fold design makes it easy to give presentations or watch videos while also having all the necessary capabilities to get your work done. Read my full, technical review of this laptop here.
3. Expandable multi-use tote
I need a bag that can hold my laptop, camera, gopro, business cards, notepad and more while also being easy to carry and travel with. I have had a number of totes and by far my favorite is the Swiss Gear Expandable Laptop Tote with Tablet Pocket. It fits most laptops with up to a 16″ display and has a detachable shoulder strap. The expandable main compartment holds so much and has an interior zippered pocket that many totes are missing. My absolute favorite feature is the pass-through trolley sleeve which anchors it quickly and easily to my luggage, making airport travel a breeze!
You will be tweeting, ‘gramming and taking pictures like crazy at the conference. This will have your phone battery in a dying situation frequently. There are typically charging stations set up at conferences but just to be safe it’s important to have your own backup battery. As a travel blogger, I am partial to the MyCharge Adventure Series because of its ability to withstand rugged environments. Plus it has two built-in USB ports and recharges about 50% faster than other brands I have used in the past.
5. Professional Business Cards
Don’t leave home without branded business cards! Be equipped with enough to hand out to every single brand, blogger, and speaker that you meet! Be sure your business cards include your blog name, blog logo, your name, email address, URL, and important social media accounts. Make sure to keep your cards consistent with your blog’s branding! Coming from a design background, I can be picky with paper and print quality. I find the Moo does a wonderful job printing my design. I just create the card design and upload it to Moo then send off for printing and within a few days I have high quality, thick business cards that get attention and share my info.
What is your must-have item for a blogging conference?
share in the comments below!
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