Conference Hack

Business and travel tips for people attending conferences, tradeshows, conventions, and meetups

Travel Hacks

Traveling Overseas? Get a Power Adapter Kit

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If you are traveling outside of your home country, you should pick up a power adapter kit, so you will be able to plug in your laptop, phone, tablet, etc.

My travel power adapter kit

My favorite is the Poweradd Travel Power Adapter Kit, which provides you with two outlets, dual USB ports, and worldwide adapter kits.

It comes with five international plugs: UK (Type G), US (Type B), AU (Type I), EU (Type E/F), JP (Type A) plug.

This makes it great for cross-border traveling, but note that it is not compatible with Italy/Switzerland/Brazil/Chile/South Africa 3-prong outlets.

The adapter comes with a little bag to carry the plugs you are not using, and it’s a small, sleek design.

You’re probably thinking you just need it for your hotel room when you travel, but be sure to keep it in your carry-on luggage, because you will likely want and need it in the airport, as well as on your flight.

In the past year, I went on long flights to and from Singapore and Amsterdam. If I wasn’t able to plug in on the flights, my phone, tablet, and laptop would have been dead when I landed.

Instead, they were all fully charged when I landed.

Take SuperShuttle To and From the Airport

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SuperShuttle can be an awesome option for traveling to and from the airport.

Super Shuttle

You probably recognize their blue shuttle, which is available as a shared ride or you can get a non-stop ride for more. They also off a premium sedan and SUV service.

They offer a AAA discount, so be sure to add your number when you create a profile.

You can book SuperShuttle one way, but you get a break in the price if you reserve a round trip ride. And you can cancel up to 2 hours before your ride at no cost.

SuperShuttle services nearly 100 airports – check if SuperShuttle is available for your next trip.

How to Avoid the Conference Flu

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Every time I return home from Affiliate Summit my Facebook is lit up with people complaining of the conference flu.

Sick as a dog

Let’s be real… it’s the too little sleep, too many drinks have beaten you down flu.

That’s not to suggest that some people don’t pick up a bug at conferences. I am regularly appalled at the percentage of guys who go straight from the urinal to the exit and continue shaking hands.

Guys: wash your damn hands.

Anyhow, while there is no flu shot for the conference flu, I’ve managed to avoid it over all of these years of attending conferences.

My secret has been to mostly be back in my room and in bed by midnight, guzzle down a big bottle of water and a bottle of Gatorade, and wash my hands a lot.

Go to Concerts and Sporting Events When You Travel to Conferences

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If you have extra time the days before or after a conference, or even during an evening, check out StubHub for events in town.

English Beat in Las Vegas during Affiliate Summit

This is something I regularly do in cities I am visiting for work. Earlier this month for Affiliate Summit West 2019 I went to an English Beat concert in Las Vegas.

And last summer for Affiliate Summit East 2018 in NYC I caught a Yankees game.

New York Yankees game after Affiliate Summit East 2018

Back in January 2018, I got tickets to see the New York Rangers play in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights during Affiliate Summit West 2018.

New York Rangers at Las Vegas Golden Knights during Affiliate Summit West 2018

Anyhow, you get the idea. You never know what sort of concert or sporting event is happening in a place you are visiting, and often it might be something you couldn’t see at home.

So check out StubHub the next time you travel.

Flying is So Much More Pleasant with Airline Status

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I got my packet in the mail today with benefit information for United MileagePlus Premier 1k Status – this will be my third year with it.

United Premier 1k status for 2019

The package includes some luggage tags, drink coasters touting various destinations, drink tickets, a note from United CEO Oscar Munoz, and details about the benefits.

In the past, I had to cram in some mileage runs at the end of the year, but I traveled the most I ever have in 2018. I have traveled a little more than 130,000 “premier qualifying miles” this year, and you need 100,000 to qualify (plus a spending minimum).

Some of the perks I enjoy with Premier 1k Status:

  • Pre-board before group 1
  • 3 complimentary checked bags up to 70 lbs
  • United Club membership discounts
  • Complimentary Economy Plus seating for me and up to 8 companions (very nice since I have 4 kids)
  • A free Choice Menu food item and one free alcoholic beverage when flying in economy
  • Complimentary Premier Upgrades, as well as Regional Premier Upgrades and Global Premier Upgrades received with the status
  • Priority baggage handling

Now if they’d just comp the WiFi for Premier 1k I’d be super extra happy.