Two weeks (ish) until the biggest fitness conference of the YEAR and one of the MOST FUN fitness blogger events! You’re excited and you’re putting off packing until the last minute. In order to make the most out of your BlogFest trip, here are packing and snacking plans you can begin to prepare/shop for now!
I’m too excited to think straight!
Just a reminder, make sure you check the to-do’s from Part 1 – (Business cards & researching attendees/exhibitors) because you still have time to do some of those things if you hurry.
1: The Packing Hack
Here is my advice on how to pack efficiently and smartly. See what you’re working with NOW so you have time to get things you may be missing. If you do these things the day before you leave, you may not have time to get what you need or want.
Lay It All Out
- Do all your laundry NOW, or at least this weekend, and lay out what you want to bring.
- Get out all your bags/luggage and see what you’ve got. Is it enough? Too much?
Clothes Tips: Set aside your favorite workout clothes and travel clothes. You’ll want your best, most comfy things at BlogFest. This keeps me from sweating up my favorite gear the week before I leave and then frantically looking for them as I pack the day before…only to realize they’re stanky and I don’t have time to do laundry. #firstworldproblems Still…do it now.
Luggage Tips: Make sure your luggage is in good condition. I might be the minority here, but even though you will collect a lot of goodies at BlogFest, I don’t believe it warrants a giant-sized roller.
Use a medium to small sized case (especially if you’re sharing a hotel room) with a folded down duffel inside. On your way BACK HOME, put all your stanky clothes/shoes in the duffle and carry it on, and put all your precious BlogFest/IDEA World goodies in your sturdy check-in luggage.
Outfits You’ll Need (not want, just need)
- TOPS: You will want to bring your favorite items because…photos!…but try to limit yourself to just one top for each day. There’s a good chance you’ll sweat through them and then sit around in them and then sweat in them again – so I recommend loose styles that you can relax in. Shown above is the Rosie Excel Built-In Tank, Wilde Excel Double Layer Tank, and C9 Champion High Support Bra.
- WARMTH: Convention halls get cold, especially when you’ve just left a sweat session and then head in to an air conditioned lecture hall to sit for 45 minutes. Bring something long sleeved you can throw on. Shown above is the Women’s Wrap Top.
- BOTTOMS: It’ll be hot outside so cropped tights or shorts will be ideal. When a session workout starts, most people set all their belongings along the side of the room, but bloggers MUST keep their phones on their person for those priceless action shots! Shown above is INKnBURN tights (all their stuff has giant pockets).
- DRESS: If you’re not a dress girl, that’s fine. The idea is that your travel outfit CAN double as your evening casual outfit (saves space) for the IDEA World Party & BlogFest Networking Party. Shown above is the Crochet Slubbed Dress which just look comfy and cute.
- PACK: A purse will be too small and your gym bag is probably too large. You want to find an easy to carry pack that is JUST RIGHT. Shown above is the Titanium Bag which has an insulated bottom (for your healthy snacks) and will feel easy to carry with double shoulder straps.
- SHOES: Again, sandals don’t have to be your thing, but if your travel outfit is the same as your evening outfit, find a pair of comfy/cute shoes with a small footprint. 😉 Shown above is the Croft & Barrow Beaded Footbed Sandal. Now, cross trainers are multi-purpose shoes that you can move do all kinds of movement in (dance, box jumps, lateral movements, etc), which is exactly what you’ll be doing. Shown above are Reebok Nanos. Running shoes because I plan on running...RUN WITH ME! Shown above are Brooks Glycerin.
Tools You’ll Need (The short list)
- PHOTO: There is much debate on whether or not to bring a proper camera. I say no. You’ll end up snapping in-the-moment photos with your phone anyway. Invest in a good camera phone and you’ll be more than pleased with the photo/video quality for your blog. I never came away from a conference like this wishing I had brought my DSLR.
- POWER: If you don’t have a portable power bank/battery to recharge any electronic device, get one. There will be outlets in the BlogFest room, but they’ll be more difficult to come by throughout the convention center. Don’t miss a good photo because your phone died! [Affiliate link] Shown above is the Poweradd Pilot 2GS
.
- NOTES: If you must bring a laptop, fine. However, you won’t enjoy carrying it around the convention center. A tablet with a wireless keyboard is ideal. It makes live tweeting the sessions a breeze and you can sneak in a blogpost while you’re there. [Affiliate link] The Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard
works with iOS and Android devices and Windows/Mac/Chrome devices and allows you to toggle between connecting to 3 different devices at once.
- FRESH: Multiple sweat sessions in one day with no time for a shower can leave you funky. Bring something to freshen up with. ShowerPill is great but you can also grab a travel pack of baby wipes at Target.
- BACK UP: I’d rather take notes old school than bring a laptop. That aside, there have been many times in the expo hall I just needed to write a quick note and didn’t want to bring out my phone or tablet (saving battery).
2: The Snacking Hack
There will be many options for proper meals and you’ll be able to snack up a storm at the IDEA World Expo and Cooking Stage. However, you must still have your own plan for food SUCCESS, otherwise you may end up hangry, fatigued, or noshing on a no-no. Here are my recommendations but you can easily adjust based on your dietary needs or favorite brands.
- ELECTROLYTES: One Nuun Activte Hydration tube carries 12 tablets (enough for the whole trip) that quickly dissolve in water. Use your existing water bottle for your sports drinks and save space!
- POST-WORKOUT: After the hardest workout of the day, I’ll get a protein powder in quick because I know I have to last (mentally and physically) for several more hours. Any powder you like will probably do, but I’ll be brining the new Aria Women’s Protein Power by Designer Protein for it’s added nutrients.
- CRUNCH: A cooling, juicy carrot or apple (or any other fruit or vegetable) tastes really good, but also helps keep you hydrated and can be easy to store/carry with you all day without needing to be kept cool. You can also grab a TRU FLAVORS Ranch Dipper because it doesn’t have to be refrigerated and it’s super tiny.
- CHEW: One Mini Babybel cheese round and a handful of mixed nuts/dried fruit goes a long way. Trader Joe’s sells trek mix in individually packaged single serves. Keep the full bags of cheese & trek mix in your hotel and just bring one or two individuals with you each day.
- EMERGENCY: Whatever your feelings about granola/energy/protein bars, they can save you in a pinch. I like Luna and Lara bars because you can get super small ones.
- BOTTLE: If you’re like me you probably have a bazillion water bottles. Pro-tip: Bring one that can handle both hot and cold liquids so you aren’t carrying a water bottle + coffee cup + sports drink. [Affiliate Link] Hydro Flask
makes the BEST bottles for this and they come in many sizes/colors.
Of course there will be options for food in the Convention Center. Be forewarned, these little cafes will have long lines and limited options. Then there are places to get FULL meals at L.A. Live. They may not all be cheap, but hey…what’s travel if you don’t spend a little extra on a nice dinner out?
3: RSVP for the Fun Run!
If you haven’t already, you should definitely RSVP for the Fun Run hosted by myself and Linzie Starr of SharpEndurance.com. We will have PRIZES – but it will also be a good way to meet your bloggie besties IRL before all the madness gets rolling.
RELATED POSTS:
How to WIN BIG at BlogFest Part 1 (Things you can do NOW to maximize your opportunities)
Interview with Jamie King of FitApproach
Interview with Kelli Davis of IDEA World
Interview with Alyse Mason Brill of FitApproach
Meet my BlogFest Buddy Tara
COMING SOON:
How to WIN BIG at BlogFEst Part 3 (How to make the most of BlogFest WHILE YOU’RE THERE!)
Thanks for all of the helpful information, Tiffany! This is going to be my first BlogFest and I have no idea what to expect, which means I’ve had no idea what to pack. Glad to have some insider tips on what I need to bring. And I just registered for your run! Can’t wait to meet you!
Beth @ Running with the Sunrise recently posted…Change Your Mind, Change Your Life
Beth! You are going to love it and I’m so glad you’re joining us for the run! 😀
Great tips Tiffany!
jill conyers recently posted…10 Ways to Stay Healthy on Vacation
Love these tips! Thanks for sharing, I have a slew of conferences coming up and these are very applicable. Have fun at BlogFest!
Becki recently posted…The Unattractive N word
Your welcome, Becki and thanks for stopping by!
I was just looking at keyboards for my iPad yesterday! 🙂
And knowing there’s a TJ’s close-ish?! This Canadian might have to make a stop…….
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…What the Eff is Snapchat?
Definitely worth it! We me be organizing a group grocery store trip. 😀
Wow what a thourough post. Great tips. I really want to go to Blogfest but since I just did fitBloggin I don’t know if I can. Thanks for sharing.
Ivanna recently posted…Portable Workout Equipment Every Fitness Lover Should Own
Maybe you can join us at BlogFest next year?
Love all of these tips Tiffany!! Hope I get a chance to meet you at BlogFest!
Saving this post for packing time!! Yey!!!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…4th of July Recipe Roundup
Wow, I had no idea there was so much planning to put into attending blogfest! I’d love to go, but I feel like I’d be so intimidated by all the pros!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Runfessions for June
Great list that will be handy for any conference. Never been, but it sounds like a great event! Maybe…one day.
Artney @ My Pretty Brown recently posted…NEW Run/Walk Strategy from Jeff Galloway
All great tips, thanks for sharing! I would love to go to BlogFest one year.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…15 in 2015 Update
I so wish I was going to blogfest! Have fun!! And thanks for the tips 🙂
Lara recently posted…Healthy Java Chip Frappuccino
Sooooooooo much information! But great tips. It’s easy to be under prepped and overwhelmed going to any kind of blogging event!
And obviously running shoes 🙂
steph recently posted…Thule Sapling Elite Child Carrier Review
OMG right? I figured I’d provide as much as I could and folks could use it as much or as little as they needed. Lol. Obvs running shoes.
I am super excited about this event… I am having a hard time containing myself. I am nervous about the packing especially because I will be staying an additional 7 days after blogfest is over! This has helped. What do people wear to the networking events/ dinner after the day is over?
Hollie recently posted…Total Body Run Workout for ALL Levels
YAY Hollie! Okay, so people wear ALL KINDS of things to the evening events. Some folks (like me last year) just stayed in my workout clothes because I had no time or place to change. Then other folks (like Kelli Davis) will be in nice, cocktail casual dresses and some guys will upgrade their gym shorts to khaki’s and throw on a collared shirt. It’s all very casual and totally up to you, but this year I will definitely change from my sweaty workout clothes into a summer dress or skirt or something. 🙂
Great list and definitely something to use for my next trip! Thank you for the great information!
I am so jealous and so wish I was going! I am definitely going to pin this for next year though. Cant wait to read about all the fun!
Jessica recently posted…What We Wore and Weekend Recap
What a great informational and PRETTY post, Tiff!! I won a ticket to go to BlogFest… but couldn’t swing the travel/hotel cost… plus arrange hubby/kids activities while I am away. It is a bummer because I would have LOVED to gone this year.
rachel recently posted…Sweet Treat: Ice-cream Cookie Sandwich
SUPER SAD FACE! 🙁
This is really wonderful. I hope you have the best time – can’t wait to read all about it!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…May Blog Stats and Income Report
Wow. I’m not even going to Blogfest and I love this post. Pretty sure you didn’t forget a thing!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bites Giveaway + WIAW
Great post! I think you covered everything I need to do at my next blog conference.
Toni recently posted…Weekly Workout Wrap-Up, K-Fit 6 Challenge Week 6
Happy to help. 🙂