Preparing a Meeting Go-Bag

With hybrid working now commonplace, many workers split time between home and office. Some meetings will be virtual, others in-person. To stay hyper-productive, you need to be able to transition without scrambling. A well-organised go-bag lets you grab your essentials and walk out the door, ready for any meeting.

Why a Go-Bag Is So Important

When all goes smoothly in meetings, you don't get noticed. But when something small goes wrong—no power cord, wrong adapter, missing charger—you're the one left apologising. That can affect perceptions of your professionalism. Preparing a go-bag means you minimise those risks. It means you're always ready, always looking competent, always functioning.

What Should Be in Your Go-Bag

The exact contents depend on your work style, tech, and types of meeting. But here are core items almost everyone should consider:

• Laptop power cord
• A set of cables and adapters (USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, VGA etc.)
• Cable organiser pouch or bag
• Portable power bank
• Screen wipes / cloth
• Notebook and pen
• Deodorant or mints / chewing gum
• Backup USB drive or external storage (if relevant)

Cables & Adapters: What You'll Need

Check the ports on your laptop, tablet, phone and any other devices you regularly use. Some guidance:

• If your laptop uses USB-C, carry a USB-C to USB-A adapter, since many peripherals still use USB-A.
• Bring HDMI (for presentations) and ideally VGA as a backup, especially if you don't know which display ports a meeting room offers.
• If you use an iPhone (Lightning) or other special connectors, make sure you have the relevant adapter(s).
• Consider a combo adapter or hub that offers multiple outputs in one unit—it can reduce clutter and improve flexibility.

Portable Power Bank: How Big to Go

A power bank is essential. Key considerations:

• Know what devices you'll need to power and how long you'll be away from an outlet.
• For phone use only, ~10,000 mAh may suffice. If you also need to charge a tablet or light laptop use, ~20,000 mAh is more reliable.
• Remember that real usable output is less due to losses (heat etc.), so buffer your estimates.
• If planning to charge a laptop, ensure the power bank supports sufficient wattage output (30W, 60W etc.) depending on your laptop.

Also, keep the power bank always charged. Store the go-bag in a place near a power outlet so you don't forget to top it up.

Choosing the Right Bag & Organisation

Your go-bag should protect what's inside and help you access it easily:

• Pick a bag (satchel, backpack, messenger) with padding especially for your laptop or tablet.
• Internal dividers, pockets, or external compartments make it easier to separate cables, accessories, personal items etc.
• A slim cable organiser helps avoid digging around for the right adapter when a meeting starts.
• External pockets for smaller items (gum, keys, deodorant) let you grab them quickly.

Time and Effort Saved

Here's where the benefit shows:

• You avoid last-minute rushing to check what you need. This saves prep time.
• You reduce meeting delays caused by missing cords or mismatched adapters.
• You impress more often because you arrive ready.
• Although a second set of essentials (in your go-bag) has upfront cost, it pays off in saved frustration and more polished performance.

Getting Started: How to Build Your Go-Bag

1. Make a checklist of what you often forget.
2. Assemble those items into a bag you can carry easily.
3. Test: go to an external meeting with the bag. Notice anything missing? Adjust.
4. Keep the go-bag stocked and charged. Regularly check you still have everything, and that batteries / cords still work.

Keeping everything you need ready means no more worrying whether you've packed correctly. Your go-bag becomes part of your professional confidence: prepared, capable, and seamless.