8 Tips to Make Your Seattle Business Trip More Efficient

Travel is a huge part of modern business, however, the market is changing thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic. With the market continuing to grow and grow despite the many challenges it faces, business owners and executives will probably have to travel on a more frequent basis in the future to attract new potential clients and to expand their audience.

If your role requires you to travel to cities like Seattle, there are lots of travel habits that you can adopt that will enable you to travel more efficiently, no matter the destination you’re heading to. To ensure your business trip runs smoothly, here are 8 tips for more efficient business travel.

Pack Light

Whether you’re heading to Seattle for a couple of days or a lengthy period, traveling light is key. The fewer items you pack, the easier you will find your experience. Going through security, waiting for your luggage, and getting from A to B will be much more straightforward if you haven’t got a ton of items to lug around. Traveling light means you can get in and out of airports with ease, meaning you won’t have to wait around for your luggage.

Keep the Essentials Ready

If you’re a frequent business traveler, you should already know how important it is to keep your essentials at your side. If you are waiting around in the airport because of a delay, having your laptop and charger at your fingertips will mean you can plug back into work and use your time more productively. As you’re going away on business, you’ll want to keep a close eye on emails, be it for follow-ups, sudden pivots, or travel related updates.

Plan in Advance

Thanks to technology, there are tons of booking apps and other tools that you can use, which will make your trip easier. Unlike in the past where you would have to visit a travel agent to book, you can simply head onto the internet or use an app on your smartphone to find the best deals. Booking in advance lets you enjoy better prices. What’s more, you will have more time to compare options before booking your flight. You can also easily find directions, look up places to eat, and much more, all with a few clicks on your smartphone, so there’s no reason not to be completely prepared.

Stay in One Place

If you’re heading to Seattle for 30 days or longer, it’s wise to book a furnished apartment, rather than a hotel. There are companies, like Blueground, who offer monthly apartment rentals in downtown Seattle and near major corporate HQs. When looking for furnished apartments, know that all are located in the most happening areas, meaning you can get to and from business meetings and conferences with ease. Additionally, you’ll be close to public transport and attractions when you find yourself with free time to explore the city.

Dress for the Trip

Each business trip will be different. While some trips may be filled with meetings from the moment you touch down, others may be more relaxed and give you time to explore. Regardless of what’s on your itinerary, it’s important that you dress comfortably for your flight. While you may think it’s best to wear a suit, you won’t be able to catch some rest during your flight if you’re in formal business attire. Many airports have shower rooms which can be a great opportunity to refresh at the airport, rather than wearing a suit during the flight. If you’re heading to a meeting straight off the plane, you will look more prepared and fresher too. For the rest of the trip, you’ll need to make sure that you have a wide range of clothes and everything you could possibly need to feel great and look professional.

Bring Entertainment

Although the main purpose of your business trip is to meet with clients and attract more interest to your company, that’s not to say you can’t have fun too. If you’re in Seattle for weeks or months, having some downtime in between meetings and conferences is crucial. Having some time for yourself to relax and unwind after a busy day will help reduce stress levels and keep you in check. There are lots of items that you can bring from home, which can be a great source of entertainment, such as a Kindle if you like to read, or a Nintendo Switch if you enjoy playing games.

Exercise

Between flights and meetings, don’t forget to factor in some form of exercise. We know how important regular exercise is for our mental and physical wellbeing, so if you’re away in Seattle for a considerable amount of time, keeping to your routine will help you feel more positive and upbeat. Whether it’s by signing up to a local gym, running around the block, or doing a workout from your apartment, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of health and fitness. Starting the day correctly is key, otherwise, you may lose motivation and find it harder to concentrate.

Plan for the Worst

No matter how much planning and prep you do for your Seattle business trip, things can and do go wrong from time to time. Whether it’s a delayed or canceled flight, losing luggage, or having difficulty finding the location for your meeting, try not to stress if things don’t go exactly to plan. Having a backup plan can add more security to your trip and help you stay relaxed and in control throughout your trip. Make sure that you have emergency contact details to hand, and can quickly alert everyone who needs to know to any changes in your itinerary.

If you’re about to head to the Emerald City on business, all the tips listed above can contribute towards creating a more efficient Seattle business trip.