It can sometimes be a little confusing packing for a conference as it’s usually left pretty last-minute due to other commitments. So, we thought we’d make it easier and give you a list of conference must-brings and things you REALLY need when attending a conference, specifically SQLBits!
Notebook and pen
Bringing a notebook and pen to a conference seems like something so obvious you could never forget it but trust me, been there. Or even worse, the pen you’ve brought doesn’t work. Even though at SQLBits we hand out notebooks and pens in our swag bags, it can never hurt to have a spare, plus bringing your own means it won’t look the same as the thousands of other attendees who are also using our very cool (?) SQLBits notebooks. They also aren’t just useful for taking notes during sessions and presentations but to jot down any on-the-go information you might get – room changes, a new friend’s contact details, or even a random genius invention idea that pops into your head!
Laptop (and a charger)
A laptop can come in handy, especially at a tech conference, as it can help you stay productive as typing notes is clearer and quicker than handwriting them nowadays. It’s also helpful to bring it along (make sure you backup your laptop beforehand in case of a worse-case scenario!) as you can follow along the speaker slides, and demonstrations, or perhaps take a scroll on social media.
Let’s not forget if you are attending as a speaker, you NEED a laptop. Although presenting without slides can be cool, when you spend all the time crafting some PowerPoint slides and perfecting them, it can be devastating to have to switch this up. Oh, and don’t forget your laptop charger as well as any adapters.
Power bank / Phone charger
It’s somewhat important to stay connected on social media to make the most of the event. You may be on your phone a lot during the SQLBits, getting new leads, connecting with friends, or perhaps just zoning out during a break. This comes with the consequence of the phone battery slowly creeping down and draining, and we can’t have that!
Water bottle
If you don’t want to be dehydrated at a conference, be sure to always keep a water bottle on you. You may be sitting watching talks for a while and staring at screens, we want to reduce you feel groggy and full of headaches as much as possible. Bringing a water bottle doesn’t just help with your health, but the planet. Most conferences will have refillable water stations and maybe even offer their own reusable water bottles too. It may be bulky and a pain to take around with you as it adds some weight, but you won’t regret it in the moment. Promise!
Comfy shoes
You may not think attending a conference comes with a lot of walking but, boy you’d be wrong! There is so much ‘unknown’ walking that happens during a conference. Walking around getting food at lunch, trips between sessions across a huge venue, trips to the toilet, and a step outside for fresh air – it adds up!
Medication
If you’re comfortable, it is a shout to bring medication that can help reduce headaches and achy backs as it’s not uncommon for these to occur at a conference. Sitting down all day with eyes drawn to the screen for an hour or so at a time can cause strain, so it’s important it’s dealt with so you don’t need to miss out due to feeling down or uncomfortable.
Snacks
Need a pick-me-up? Snacks. Mid-morning belly rumble? Snacks. You need them, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and when it comes to being hangry, safe is the only option! Learning on a full belly can help you keep focus and concentrate more. It’s also a great idea to bring snacks from your hometown and share them around as attendees from around the globe would most likely love the diversity in food and taste.
Well, we hope you are feeling more prepared now after reading through our SQLBits must-brings!