October 21, 2024
Brokers and insurance professionals from across the country will be traveling to Toronto to attend IBAOcon again this year. Wherever you’re coming from, our six tips will make your trip wrinkle free.
1. Heavy Bottom
Shoes, jeans and toiletries should be packed near the end where your suitcase’s wheels are, working your way up to socks at the top to prevent your stuff from getting crushed. It’ll also make your suitcase more stable and easier to maneuver. If your suitcase is bottom heavy enough, try riding it down any slopes for a quick break (but no injuries before conference please).
2. Dump Rumples
When you’re packing, pay attention to which fabrics you’re bringing—some will wrinkle worse than others, like linen or linen-cotton blends. Polyester, denim, wool, knits and nylon are all luggage friendly. And if you’re wondering about corduroy specifically, here’s a great option—packing it in the garbage can.
3. Propped Collar
It’s a popular tip for a reason—coil your belt and set it inside your shirt collar to prevent the collar from getting squished. It’s also a great space saver. You’ll want this right at the top of your bag so if you open your suitcase in front of someone they’ll see the clever arrangement and you can give them a knowing look while tapping your temple.
4. Liquid Less
This is more important for those flying, but whenever you can, swap liquid for solid toiletries, including soaps and deodorant. Carry-on-only flyers will have fewer liquids to account for in security, but everyone can benefit from a reduced chance of having something leak in their luggage. The only thing worse than liquid in your luggage is… well there are lots.
5. Extra Charge
Buy an extra phone charger that permanently lives in your suitcase. This way you’ll never forget to pack one and if you accidentally leave it in a hotel, you’ll still have your everyday charger when you get home. Four bucks at Dollarama and you’ll avoid finding yourself with a dead phone and no charger, the stuff of nightmares.
6. Dirty Laundry
Pack a small bag—pillow cases work well—to store dirty laundry and keep it separate from the clean stuff. This also makes it easier if you need to take anything to the drycleaner. Or when you get home you can just dump it on top of your closed hamper lid. Just like you never left.