Your Ultimate IMEX Packing List

By: Shelly Archer, President

When it comes to packing, are you a “night before the flight” or a “48-hours is too little time” type? No judgments here! Whatever your vibe, you don’t want to be hunting down essentials at the airport or stalking the aisles of the 24-hour pharmacy at 3 AM the night before an essential meeting. Trust us, we speak from experience. To ensure you have everything you need (and then some), we’ve put our decades of IMEX expertise to work for you with the ultimate packing list so you can prioritize self-care and feel extra prepared. Your carefully curated carry-on will thank you!

Keepin’ it Fresh

Let’s be real: Even in October, Las Vegas can feel like the surface of the sun. This desert destination is notorious for leaving even the most moisturized among us searching for an oasis. Add in three (or more) days of meet-and-greets, cocktails, and cruising the floor, and your hydration game might be in for more than you bargained for. Here’s what to pack to beat the heat and keep things crisp and clean.

• Travel Humidifier: Put a little moisture back in the air; your skin and sinuses will thank you.
• Reusable Water Bottle: If you aren’t prepared, you’ll have cracked lips and a desert cough in no time. Hydrate like a hero while avoiding single-use plastics!
• Liquid IV/Electrolytes (LMNT, ZipFizz): This is our secret potion to prevent dehydration. The trick is to get ahead of it, so drink one of these packets first thing each morning to give hydration a head-start!
• Emergen-C/Airborne: You’re going to take home some stellar swag and life-long memories… don’t add germs to the list! Load up on vitamin C and other essential nutrients to keep your immune system on point. (After a particularly late night, add tomato and pickle juice to the menu. It’ll have you bouncing back in no time!)
• Portable Steamer: An essential for when your clothes look like they’ve had a rough night or a cross-country flight. Freshen them up in minutes!
• Mini USB Travel Blender: Forget the jam-packed juice bar. Instead, blend breakfast on the go or even concoct the perfect hangover cure. 
• Lip Balm: Dry, cracked lips are never a good look! Bonus points if your lip’s BFF contains sunscreen ingredients like zinc or titanium dioxide.
• Keep Your Hands Clean: We love these sanitizers from Touchland! They’re slim enough to fit in any purse, hydrating (unlike most, which will dry you out with repeated use), and come in a range of delicious yet subtle scents. 
• Stay Easy, Breezy: It may be tiny, but this portable, USB rechargeable fan packs a heck of a punch! 

Start (and End) IMEX on the Right Foot

No matter how you choose to spend your time at IMEX, one thing is a given—you’re going to give your step tracker a workout! If you want to walk the walk without setting your dogs barking, you’re part of the pack. Here are some essentials that will keep you light on your feet… or at least help you feel like it.

• Comfortable Shoes: Sneakers are your best friends, and supportive flats aren’t close behind. But if you have an undeniable zeal for heels, choose platforms, block heels, or wedges, which provide stability and distribute weight more evenly. Oh, and DON’T break in new shoes at IMEX! It’s a recipe for disaster.
• Band-Aids & Blister Patches: Prepare for battle and get your feet what they need to recover. This foot spray is a godsend, too!
• Foldable Flats: Do your footsies a favor and invest in some purse-ready flats so you can take a load off if you’re determined to step out in power pumps.

Charge Ahead with Tech Confidence

Nothing makes your heart sink faster than a notification that your battery is about to kick the bucket in the midst of an amazing session or pivotal meeting. Even if you typically like to live on the edge and leave your battery on red, IMEX is not the time for a power failure. Here are some essentials that will keep you empowered on the go.

• Portable Charger: Power up on the go with a portable charger or power bank. You can even put the bright Vegas sun to work for you with a solar-powered version! Just ensure you have the right cables so you aren’t trying to stick a Lightning connector in a USB-C port.
• Long Extension Cord with Phone Plug: Wall sockets are never where you need them!
• A Power Strip: When multiple devices need power, don’t let them battle over one socket.
• Keep Your Personal Battery Full: Vegas never sleeps, but you’ll definitely need your rest. Pack a portable white noise machine or invest in a pair of sleep-friendly, noise-blocking headphones. These also come in clutch if you’re sharing a room with a snorer. A sleep mask is also critical to block out those over-bright Vegas lights.

TLC FTW

While we’re sure you have a lot of goals for IMEX, none of them can happen if you burn out. So, prepare to practice self-care like it’s your job! A little pampering goes a long way to keep you looking and feeling your best.

• Eye Drops (Lumify and Refresh Plus): Combat red eyes from late nights or headaches from staring at screens all day (you might also want to invest in some blue-light blocking lenses!). Keep your eyes sparkling with these hydrating goodies. The Refresh drops we linked to are single-use, so you can share them to keep your whole team’s eyes smiling.
• High-Protein Snacks: Forget the carb crash and keep your energy up with string cheese, nuts, or protein bars. IMEX’s sessions may be swoon-worthy, but only in the best way!
• Treat Yourself to IV Therapy: Vegas hotels have your back when it comes to partying like a rockstar or days spent crushing caffeine. Have an IV drip delivered right to your room for an immune boost, a hydration multiplier, or a banana bag after a night to remember. You can find plenty of private, convenient, and affordable options in Sin City.
• Stock Up on Travel-Sized Essentials: Toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant are a must. No one likes BO or bad breath!
• Overpack Makeup: Touch-ups are good, but avoid a full makeover in the middle of the day. Less is more–especially when you’re trying to beat the Vegas heat. Keep it demure; keep it mindful. Oh, and try a spritz of this!

Like they say, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” and that’s definitely true when it comes to the event professional marathon that is IMEX. These packing tips will have you stocked up on everything you need to survive and thrive at this year’s conference. We can’t wait to see you there (find us at booth F431 or book an appointment here).