40 things to keep in mind when travelling for a conference:

Another list I came across from my recent trip to Botswana:

40 things to keep in mind when travelling for a conference:

1. Remember people's names and learn how to pronounce them correctly; 
2. Take that selfie with new friends;
3. Pack your business cards, take many of them;
4. If you don't have business cards, be a business card collector and send an email with your contact details on as soon as you can to the person you've received a business card from;
5. Do research on the country that you are visiting (cover the basics: flags, capital, president);
6. Learn how to say 'hello', 'please' and 'thank you' in the local language;
7. Be humble;
8. Have a sense of humour; 
9. Be open to new experiences; 
10. Give someone a hug, but don't be over-familiar; 
11. Take a lot of photos; 
12. Invest in the local art and businesses; 
13. Be grateful; 
14. Be respectful of the culture; 
15. Respect local resources, use water sparingly;
16. Pack aspirins; 
17. Get sufficient sleep; 
18. Keep a diary;
19. Have an open mind; 
20. Share ideas; 
21. Explore non-touristy spots; 
22. Listen;
23. Ask questions; 
24. Leave the party while you are having the most fun; 
25. Make an effort to meet new people; 
26. Chat to the cab drivers;
27. See the sites, arrive a day or two early before the conference, or extend your trip by a few days;
28. Be on time for sessions;
29. Be ready for any occasion, just in case there is a last minute notice that there is a theme for an evening function;
30. Pack a pair of running shoes (shorts & a t-shirt); 
31. Watch the sunrise;
32. Try and see a view of the cityscape; 
33. Make sure you pack your phone charger and pack a power pack backup;
34. Pack an extra pair of contact lenses; 
35. Take a pair of flat comfortable shoes (especially if the conference is a few days long, high heels can become hell);
36. Dresses are great (someone once shared that dresses are the 'onesies' of the corporate world);
37. Be streetwise
38. Tip the cleaning team when checking out; 
39. Try new food, try the local dishes (and don't forget about the local beer!);
40. Have fun!