Traveling to Convention this Summer

Is That Business Card Really Needed?

The summer months are typically when Direct Sales companies hold their annual convention.  After planning and saving for months when the day arrives to reach your travel destination, follow these simple tips to ensure a safe return.

Make sure you pack your business cards.  You’ll be doing lots of networking and making new friends with whom you’ll want to stay connected.  Many consultants tend to think that if they use their business cards are luggage identification tags perhaps some airpline personnel may see it and want to purchase their goods or better yet, become a consultant! Unfortunately, that thinking is where their personal security practices become flawed.

Points to consider: During travel to and from convention, your checked luggage is out of your physical control. It would be unjust to suggest that everyone that handles your personal property during this timeframe is unscrupulous, yet the truth of the matter is that one never knows for sure.

Business cards generally offer the holder’s name, business and contact information. However, the basic card information doesn’t seem to cut it for some consultants. More are including professional or academic titles, licenses and photographs. While this information may be required or help with branding yourself on a business card, it is excessive for a luggage ID tag.  Have you ever received your bags and found that the personalized luggage tag is damaged or missing?

As an alternative, consider a label that includes only your name and contact information while you are at convention. If the bag is misrouted, there is ample information available for it to be reunited with you.

For example:
Mrs. Sue Smith, (even if you’re unmarried, become a Mrs. for ID purposes)
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City UT.

If you are inclined to do so, a telephone number to the front desk may be included.

Once your convention is over and you prepare to return home, change out that destination card.

It now reads:
Mrs. S. Smith
Grand Rapids, MI
616.555.1234

If you feel the need to include more detailed information, place inside the suitcase.

You deserve opportunity to enjoy convention. However, announcing your degree of importance on your personal luggage is unwise and bad business. Also, while you are meeting with the girls after-hours, think twice about depositing your business card in that fish bowl at the bar or restaurant. The promise of a free lunch or souvenir Polo shirt is not worth the hassle. Have fun, learn much and be safe!