SXSW may be two weeks of the hottest tech and music, but you'll still need to keep your cool as you attend sessions and events. Luckily, we know exactly what you'll need to have in your bag to get through this -- and any! -- conference in one piece!
Long-lasting Makeup
You don't need to wear makeup to make a good impression. But if you decide to, you're definitely going to want to get something that lasts into the night. Something like Loreal's Infallible lip color or eyeliner stays put for up to 16 hours and is truly a lifesaver!
Mini Power Strip
There are way more people than outlets at any big festival, so you'll definitely want to bring your own mini power strip. Not only will you be able to charge your electronics, but you'll also make friends when people ask if they can plug in! You also might consider bringing a surge protector or a multi USB wall charger, depending on what devices you're using.
Notebook And Pens
After a long day at panels and events, your phone, iPad and laptop are bound to run out of juice, and you may not have time to power them back up before the next session. That's why it's smart to go old-school and have a notebook and multiple pens in your bag. Just make sure they're clickable pens—no one wants spilled ink or lost caps.
Breath Mints
Don't be that person. Just don't be that person with the terrible breath at a networking conference. Keep a supply of mints on you at all times so you don't blow your 42 seconds in the elevator with the CEO of your favorite startup.
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Conferences and festivals tend to have events that are spread waaaaaaaaay out, which means lots of walking between sessions. But you might be wearing heels that match your I'm-the-best-entrepreneur-around dress, so what should you do? To avoid feeling like you want to cut your toes off, just bring a pair of comfy shoes that you can slip on as you navigate the events. A pair of flats will do, if you want the "'80s businesswoman in white sneakers" look isn't for you.
Maps and Schedules
Before you leave your hotel, you should download all city, transit or conference center maps and schedules that you might need. You may even want to print them out in the hotel's business center and keep them in your tote bag or backpack. After all, you just never know when wifi will be unavailable or when your battery will die, and you don't want to be late to your favorite panel!
Water And Snacks
Will you be able to grab a bite between festival acts or tech panels? Not always. Keep your stomach happy and your energy up by packing a few healthy snacks such as granola bars, almonds or dried fruit. Staying hydrated during the all-day affair also is important, so be sure to bring a refillable water bottle.
Cash
Yes, the world runs on the card, generally, but you'll need some cash for networking over dinner or calling a cap. And you just never know when a random emergency will pop up!
Bobby Pins and Ponytail Holders
We all know this lament: your hair looks great when you leave the hotel at 7:30 a.m., but by 5 p.m., everything's looking a bit droopy. There's no time to head back to the room before your happy hour networking event, so you'll just have to make the best of things with some bobby pins and hair ties. Stash a supply in your bag to tame the mane!
Baby Wipes Or Hand Sanitizer
You'll be shaking hands with EVERYONE, but you only want their business cards, not their germs. Make sure you have a mini bottle of hand sanitizer with you. It'll keep the "ewwwws" at bay and will come in handy when no washroom's available. Baby wipes also are handy for wiping away germs or when you're trapped in a stall without toilet paper. It happens!
A Light Foldable Bag
Juggling all the freebies you're bound to get — the pens, the flash drives, the t-shirts — can be such a hassle, and there's just not enough room in your laptop bag for everything. That's why you need to shove a thin foldable bag into your tote; you can use it for all the goodies without loading down everything else!
Business Cards
Yeah, it's a throwback action, but people still collect business cards, so make sure yours are up to date with your title, email address and social media accounts. But before you hand out the last one, snap a photo! If you're unexpectedly empty handed, you can always text or email it to your new connection!
Backup Battery Pack
With all the livetweeting and note taking you do, your poor phone is bound to die. Instead of going off the grid for the rest of the day, bring along a backup battery pack! Most battery banks can fully charge your phone up to two or three times a day and some even allow you to charge your iPad at the same time. You can get them for pretty cheap, too!
Your Elevator Pitch
You might only have 30 seconds to convince someone why you and your company are awesome, so you'll need to work on your "elevator pitch" (what you might tell someone during a short elevator ride). Nail down exactly what you do as well as what your company does or what you're currently working on, and then PRACTICE it and BELIEVE it! You never know when you'll talk to someone who could lead you down an exciting new path!
Mini Deodorant
It's stressful meeting your tech and music heroes! Stay fresh by bringing along a mini deodorant stick and applying in the restroom between sessions. This is way better than toting along sprays and perfumes, which can spill in your purse or offend sensitive noeses.
A Reliable Cab Number
Even if you're renting a car or taking a hotel shuttle, you still should save a good cab number to your phone and notebook in case something crazy happens. Many taxi companies have apps these days, so download one to make it easy on yourself. And since taxis can become overloaded during big events, it couldn't hurt to save a ride-sharing app like Uber, either. Always have a safe way home!