Packed and ready for #alamw13

I’m all packed and ready to board my flight to Seattle! I packed lightly in order to be efficient with my full weekend schedule.  (I also included an extra empty bag in case I need more room on the way home.)  I made sure to bring a rain jacket and umbrella since it looks like it will be a wet weekend.  Anything is better than the frigid temps in the Midwest!

Pictured here is my black roller bag filled with comfortable and professional clothes, included layering options since convention centers tend to be chilly.  My purple shoulder bag is my conference day bag–large enough to hold a few galleys but light enough not to weigh me down as I run around between the conference center and hotels for my meetings.  I also packed some snacks and a water bottle since I don’t like to be hungry or wasteful.

The green folder is my personal conference planner.  I rarely pick up the big conference guide because I generally know my schedule ahead of time and I don’t want to carry around a mini phone book. I created a grid listing my meetings, events, sessions I’d like to attend, and exhibit opportunities.  I included the room numbers and a map of the hotels so I know at a glance where I need to be and when.   You can also utilize the ALA conference planner and conference app but I’ve been happy with my homemade version that I can tailor to include official and unofficial events.  Also in my folder is my plastic name badge holder that I like to use from conference to conference.   I’ve also got a copy of my flight information and the public transportation schedule for downtown Seattle.   All this fits in a slim pocket folder!

My boarding passes are stored on my mobile phone, so as long as I wake for my 4:15am alarm, I’ll be Seattle bound in just about 12 hours.  ALA Midwinter, here I come!

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
Caldecott 75th Anniversary Task Force Member