Company Travel: Don't Forget The Essentials

When you go on your business trip, you want it to be enjoyable and productive. You need things to go as smoothly as possible so you don't experience unnecessary stress which can have a negative effect upon the quality of your work. So plan ahead and don't forget any of the essentials.

Your Company Travel Itinerary

Be sure to plan your itinerary well in advance so you can select the hotel closest to your meeting place. Have all of your flight and hotel arrangements in place and do a little research into the city and neighborhood where you will be staying. Make copies of your itinerary and don't forget to take it with you! Place an emergency copy in your carry on bag and leave a copy with someone back at the office. If you will need to rent a car and drive from your hotel to your meeting place or if you want to explore the city, then buy a map beforehand so you can familiarize yourself with the street names and landmarks.

Pack the Appropriate Wardrobe

Be sure to check the weather forecast for the city in which you will be staying and pack clothing that is suitable for the season and weather. Select items of clothing that are multifunctional and wrinkle resistant. Don't forget your business shoes! If you travel to your location in casual clothing, double check that you have all items including business shoes packed in your luggage.

Don't Forget Your Medications

Put your medicines into your carry on bag so if your luggage gets lost, you will still have your medicine. Pack enough to last the whole trip with a couple of extra pills in case you accidentally drop one and lose it.

Consider Travel Insurance

You can purchase a one time travel insurance policy right before your trip. Also you should be aware that if you rent a car, you may also be required to purchase automobile insurance if your own personal policy or that of the company does not cover rental cars.

Make Your Luggage Identifiable

It seems like all luggage looks alike when they are buzzing by on the conveyor belt. Make yours stand out so you can spot it at a distance by tying on a fluorescent orange ribbon or affixing a brightly colored sticker. If you are traveling with a laptop, you may want to hide your laptop case inside of a generic bag so it is not obvious you are carrying a valuable laptop.

Plan Ahead and Allow Plenty of Time

When planning your itinerary, allow plenty of time for transfers and drive time. Try to arrive at your location well ahead of the meeting time so you have an opportunity to get rested up and get over any jet lag.