5 Essential Packing Tips for Corporate Travellers

Travelling for business can be a demanding task, requiring meticulous planning and organization. However, with the right approach and preparation, you can ensure a smooth and productive trip. Whether you’re a seasoned business traveller or new to the corporate travel scene, these five packing tips will help you stay organized and efficient on the go.

1. Pack Versatile Clothing

Business trips often require you to move swiftly between meetings, dinners, and possibly even casual outings. Packing versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched for different occasions is essential. Consider these tips:

• Neutral Colours: Stick to a colour palette of neutrals like black, white, grey, and navy. This allows you to create multiple outfits with fewer items. Pack items you can mix and match and wear a couple of times during your stay.
• Layering: Bring items that can be layered to adapt to different settings and climates. A jacket, for instance, can dress up a casual outfit for a meeting, as well as keep you warm at night for dinner.
• Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics: Opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics to keep you looking sharp without the need for ironing. Alternatively, bring a portable steamer with you so you can quickly steam the wrinkles out of your clothes before wearing them. Make use of the wardrobes in your room and hang anything that wrinkles easily. Just don’t forget anything hidden away when you check out!
• Don’t forget your Shoes: Choose shoes that you can mix and match with several different outfits. If you’re a woman, a pair of flats won’t take up as much room as heels, and can be worn with both a business suit, as well as jeans or a dress for a more casual look.
• Workout Clothes: If you are planning to exercise during your trip away, don’t forget to pack some workout gear as well as appropriate footwear if you are planning on visiting a gym or going for a run around the local area.
• Glasses: Don’t forget to pack your reading glasses if you wear them, as well as your sunglasses, in a sturdy case so they don’t get broken in transit.
• Jewellery: A watch and accessories are important styling options when travelling. Choose in-expensive items for your trip and not something that is highly valued in case you loose it.

2. Organize Your Electronics

Your gadgets are your lifeline during a business trip, so it’s crucial to pack them efficiently. Here’s how to stay organized:

• Essential Devices: Make a list of all necessary electronics, including your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and chargers for each of these. Pack a portable charger to ensure you stay powered up on the go.
• Cable Organizer: Use a cable organizer or a small pouch to keep all your cords and accessories neatly arranged. This prevents tangling and makes it easier to find what you need.
• Adapters and Converters: If travelling internationally, pack the appropriate adapters and converters for your devices.
• Headphones or earbuds: Sound cancelling headphones are helpful for working on the go in noisy places. They can also be used for enjoying entertainment during break or transit times. If you have cords on your headphones, make sure to wrap them properly and pack them into a small bag so they don’t get tangled.

3. Keep Important Documents Handy

Travelling for business means you’ll likely need access to various documents. Here’s how to manage them:

• Digital Copies: Save digital copies of important documents such as your itinerary, hotel reservations, and meeting schedules on your smartphone or cloud storage.
• Travel Wallet: Use a travel wallet to keep your passport, boarding passes, and business cards organized and easily accessible.
• Google Wallet: Rather than carrying all your bank and credit cards around everywhere with you, opt for the contactless tap and pay option, which you can set up on your mobile phone. * see hotel tip below
• Notebook and Pen: While most information can be stored digitally, having a notebook and pen on hand is useful for jotting down quick notes or ideas during meetings.

💡 *Hotel Tip: Some hotels require a security deposit or pre-authorisation for each booking. Often you will need a physical credit card to do this.

4. Prioritize Comfort and Convenience

Long flights and extended periods of sitting can be exhausting. Packing with comfort in mind can make a significant difference:

• Suitcase with wheels: Avoid the hassle of carrying a heavy bag through the airport by opting for one of the many wheeled travel cases available on the market today. Your shoulders will thank you for it later.
• Comfortable Footwear: Bring a pair of comfortable shoes for walking through airports and exploring your destination. Don’t forget to pack a pair of warm socks if the nights get cold as well.
• Travel Pillow: A compact travel or neck pillow can make long flights more bearable. Choose one that you can deflate after use if you are short on space in your luggage.
• Hygiene Essentials: If you are going on a long flight, pack a small toiletry bag with travel-sized hygiene products to freshen up during your journey. No one wants to sit next to someone who smells bad.
• Water Bottle: Make sure you pack a water bottle when you’re travelling, so you can stay hydrated during your trip.
• Snacks: Even if your motel provides food, you may want to pack a small stash of snacks, in case you need to wait a long time between meals, or are feeling a little peckish and don’t want to pay inflated prices at the airport.

5. Utilize Business-Friendly Amenities

Southern Cross Motel Group properties are designed with corporate travellers in mind, offering a range of amenities to enhance your stay:

• Meeting Rooms: All our motels feature well-equipped meeting rooms, perfect for hosting presentations, discussions, workshops or interviews. Make sure to utilize these spaces for any business engagements during your trip. We can also provide personalized catering options for any conferences or events as well.
• Work Desks: Every room in our range of motels are furnished with a dedicated work desk, providing a comfortable and productive workspace while you’re working on the road.
• Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi available at all our properties. Whether you’re catching up on emails or video conferencing, our reliable internet service ensures you stay productive.
• Smart TV’s: Our rooms are also equipped with smart TVs so you can connect your laptop to another screen if needed. You can also cast shows from your mobile device to the TV so you can catch up on your favourite episodes while you’re away.

With these packing tips, you’ll be well-prepared for your next business trip. Southern Cross Motel Group is committed to providing exceptional accommodation and amenities tailored to the needs of corporate travellers. From meeting rooms and work desks to free Wi-Fi, we’ve got you covered, ensuring your stay is both comfortable and productive.

Whether you are travelling to Queensland, New South Wales, or the Northern Territory, book your stay with us today and experience the convenience and hospitality that make Southern Cross Motel Group the perfect choice for your business travel needs.