It is crucial to know some useful packing tips if you are going for a business trip.

I. What to pack

1. Important documentation & files

Prepare all the documents and papers for travel and business in binders, including passport, visa, driver's license, airline tickets, business files and papers. If you have electronic files, create a backup in your computer or in a flash disk or any storage devices in order to make trip and work more secure.

2. Electronics

Laptops

If you plan to take a laptop with you, please remember to bring the accessories, including a mouse, an earphone, a power adapter and an extra battery. Besides, it is advised to take along a telephone cord or internet-connecting wire in case the hotel or working place does not provide wireless access to the internet. And you need to obtain the local access number to get connected to the internet.

Communication

You are probably going to visit your boss, working partners or some important clients, so store in your cell phone or PDA all the contact methods of your business partners and other person you are planning to meet. A written copy plus an electronic copy are suggested in case you lost your cell phone or PDA. Make sure that you have fully charged these equipments before you head off for business activities.

3. Daily necessities

The choice of clothes depends on the occasions and people you are dealing with. You may bring along with you casual clothes or formal suit, sometimes both. A dark-colored suit is recommended for it can withstand bad weather and dirt during your travel. Some shirts, ties, shoes, socks and underwear are also needed. You may also want to check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly.

Contact your hotel to find in-room amenities - such as soap, shampoo, a hair dryer, an iron and board, etc. - so you'll know what to leave behind. As for the question of toiletries, travel kits are always the answer. If you won't stay at the destination long, you may bring only one bottle of all-purpose lotion instead of multiple lotions for hands, face and body to save the space.

II. How to pack

The lighter, the better! This is the guiding principle for business travel. Well packing indicates efficiency and provides the possibility to save time and prevent unnecessary troubles. Then how to pack light? How to include everything needed in as little space as possible? Here are some tips that might help.

Try to pack all your items into the least number of bags - if you can pack all your belongings into only one bag, that will be perfect. A wheeled luggage will do, with a garment bag, a compartment for laptop and a tote for toiletries. The best way to pack your clothes is to roll them tightly together or place them flat with little folding, which will help save space and avoid wrinkles. Make use of every tiny space, namely packing items within items, such as putting socks in shoes or rolling up your ties inside your shirts. And in your case the gaps between large objects can be filled with smaller items too.

Mark your luggage with distinctive sign from other bags to prevent yours from being taken by mistake. Label each piece of luggage, both inside and out, with your name and telephone number, put your office's address if necessary (but not your home address).