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Although it is one of the major travel shows, anything goes at TBEX, “the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, and new media content creators.” You’ll find clean-cut business types in svelte suits and dress pants, sitting next to nomadic, ethereal folks who may or may not use deodorant. Read these tips to find out what to bring!
What to Pack for Travel Shows
by Katka Lapelosová
How to Dress for Travel Shows
Dress in the way that expresses you the best, but above all, dress COMFORTABLY. This is going to be a long week and there will be little time to change – every minute spent in your hotel room is a minute lost for networking, pitching stories/press trips, and mingling with this intense travel blogging crowd.
A big part of TBEX is how you market yourself. You’re going to be making connections with people and companies from all around the world. This year, there are going to be over 1,000 attendees – how can you stand out amongst the crowd?
Check out our roundup of the best women’s business clothes for travel!
Think of your travel style, and go with that. If you’re a casual, laid-back traveler, don’t be afraid to wear what you’d normally pack for a trip abroad.
If you’re a luxury travel fan, show off your luxe duds! Love eco-tourism? I bet you’ve got lots of sustainable fabrics to share with your peers. Your travel style goes beyond what you write, so wear it proudly!
Wondering what to wear on a business trip? Follow this packing list for a five-day work trip!
Travel Show Essentials
You’re going to be doing a lot of walking/standing/sitting/
Itching, pulling at or adjusting your clothing will only detract from the invaluable information provided at workshops, and will make you look like an awkward wannabe travel blogger instead of a kick-ass blogging professional.
With lectures and meetings during the day and interactive experiences at night, you won’t have enough time to change from day to evening wear.
In order to choose these ten core items most effectively, follow these guidelines on How to Create a Capsule Wardrobe for Travel!
Tee | Sweater | Blouse | Longsleeve | Dress 1 | Dress 2 | Leggings | Jeans | Coat | Poncho | Blazer | Skirt | Heels | Flats | Scarf | Bag
What to Pack for Travel Shows
Better to bring pieces that can straddle both dimensions, like maxi dresses, blazers, scarves, sheer leggings and tunic blouses. You want to easily transition from professional networking, to cocktail chatting. Costume changes won’t be an option!
Can’t stand in heels for more than a few hours? Don’t bring them. From pre-conference press trips, to open marketplace browsing, and exploring the city of Toronto, this is a gathering of on-the-go folk.
These are the best leggings according to our readers!
Flats are your best bet, but make sure they are broken-in or else you’ll be hobbling to the next TBEX Speed Date. With all the business cards and press kits stashed into your carry-on, you’ll have little space for additional shoes anyway. Opt for convertible heels to bring versatility to your wardrobe.
And then there are the awesome travel blogger accessories you need when attending travel shows! Choose a tablet over a laptop, they are easier to transport and better for any business transactions you might encounter.
Here’s our top picks for the most cute and comfortable ballet flats for travel!
Want to make friends fast? Pack a mini outlet adapter to share outlet space with other bloggers needing to charge computers, Ipads, cell phones, etc. Every good travel blogger needs a stylish business card holder to whip out those cute Moo Cards and collect information for your Roladex. It’s even easy to make your own!
Picking the right kind of luggage is just as essential as what you choose to pack away inside of it. Rolling duffel bags are my favorite – they have the easy of a suitcase with the portability of a backpack, and most bags under 21’ are suitable as a carry-on.
Read this guide on How to Choose the Best Suitcase for details on the best sizes, wheels, materials, and more!
Another solid pick is using a messenger bag over a purse or backpack – it’s less strain on your shoulders, and you can easily access all your blogging essentials without constantly taking off and putting your bag back on.
You’re going to need room for all the professional paperwork you’ll soon acquire.
The best travel shoulder bags for women are cross body purses. Take a look on our top picks!
TBEX Shopping
If you manage to steal away a few moments of “me” time, there are plenty of places to shop in Downtown Toronto. The largest shopping center in the city is the Toronto Eaton Centre, with over 250 stores, restaurants, and services. For shopping tips, check out Toronto Shopoholic’s top five favorite shopping spots in the city.
To help you in your travel preparations, I’ve put together a list of the best online shopping sites!
Hope you enjoyed this informative post as much as I did! Check out Katka’s other post on TFG about Permanent Hair Removal and her travel blog too: Katka Travels. Thanks!
What are your tips on what to pack when attending travel shows? Please comment below!
For more tips and ideas for business trips, please read:
- How to Pack for a Business Trip
- Packing for a Business Trip in a Carryon
- Women’s Business Clothes for Travel and Sightseeing
- What to Pack when Traveling to Europe for Business
Hope you enjoyed this post on what to pack when attending travel shows. Please share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: Katka is a tour operator and travel writer from New York. She has helped build content for such start-ups as BakPak Guide, Where’s Cool? and Venus Zine, and currently contributes articles on Matador Network. Check her out on Twitter: @katkatravels and on her blog www.katkatravels.com
Great advice on the day to evening wear. I always find a wrap that transitions nicely from indoor to outdoor events too. You never know how low the AC will be in some places. So glad this event is in Toronto too!
Thanks!
It’s official, I’m leaving my heels at home.
That’s probably a good idea 🙂
Love this! Spot on, really! I look forward meeting you there!!
Love this! Spot on, really!
Thanks for all the great tips…hoping to have time to change 🙂
Good tips – sounds like anything goes at TBEX and comfort will trump stylishness. Don’t agree that uncomfortably dressed people are “awkward wannabe travel bloggers” – they are awkward wannabe fashionistas. : )
Thanks for an informative post. I LOVE that iPad case 🙂
This will be my first TBEX and I’m pretty excited to show off my new business cards/ snazzy iPad cover.
I will NOT look as stylish as I’d like at TBEX–but your list (and, particularly, your header photo) made me actually remember to pack two things I’d forgotten. So thanks!!!
I was also wondering about ‘time for wardrobe changes’; I packed things that would work for day and evening (in my less-than-stylish world) because I assumed that would be the case. Thanks for confirming it–and making me feel better about my minimalistic packing!