Inside Carolyn Cohen's Travel Bag

About this article:
Take a peek inside the work-travel adventures of marketing leaders who spend a good amount of the year on the conference circuit. Whether you’re heading to your tenth event or prepping for your first, what you pack—and how you travel—says a lot about how you show up.

Our What’s in My Travel Bag? series highlights the must-have gear, routines, and mindsets that make conference travel feel more fun and rewarding.

The Unexpected Realities of Conference Travel

Let’s start with the real MVP: the bag. I rely on my Dagne Dover All Day Backpack because it perfectly balances classy and functional. I’ve tried traveling with a leather tote, and it just doesn’t get the job done. Where does my water bottle go? What about zippered pockets? These are important questions my travel bag needs to answer.  

There are a few things that never leave my bag between trips: hand sanitizer and lotion, Kleenex, a phone bank, pens, and mints. Then there are my other standards—my Owala water bottle, AirPods, laptop, phone charger, and snacks. Always snacks. Do I still buy Cheez‑Its and nerd gummy clusters at the airport? You bet I do! 

Flying Habits I Will Never Break 

I’m notorious for booking a 5:55 a.m. flight and immediately regretting it. Sometimes that means my straightener and makeup bag live in my carry‑on, and I become deeply grateful for a good lounge bathroom. 

I also have no shame. I will fully straighten my hair and do a full face of makeup at the airport. I’ve even done it mid‑flight at my seat. You do what you have to do to get across the finish line—just like any other day on the job. 

I don’t dislike flying, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel a twinge of anxiety every time. When I was about 15, after a particularly rough takeoff, I decided to keep my eyes closed until the “ding” at 10,000 feet. I still do this on every flight—usually while letting Taylor Swift take the wheel.  And yes, I’m a proud Swiftie—and I’ll happily shout it from 10,000 feet in the air. 

So to any coworkers I’ve flown with: I’m sorry for being anti‑social during takeoff. I’ll also be chewing gum during ascent and landing, despite once breaking a tooth on gum on the way to a vacation. Lessons were not learned, but a routine is a routine. 

My Airport Rules 

If I had a Mary Poppins bag, I’d bring multiple cozy blankets. Why are planes so cold?! 

I’m a die‑hard aisle seat person, and I like getting to the airport with just enough time to grab an iced coffee (iced only on a plane), a snack, and walk up as boarding starts. I strive for carry‑on only—one of my proudest accomplishments is pulling off an eight‑day trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam, including a wedding, with just a carry‑on.  

You never feel more powerful than walking through the airport in your work fit and heels (the louder the clomp, the better). That said, I’m a sweatpants‑at‑the‑airport girl at heart. If I’m traveling alone for work, I’m absolutely changing into my comfies for the flight home and praying I don’t see anyone I know. 

A Very Humbling Travel Story 

In a former role, a personal trip and a last‑minute work event collided, and I ended up traveling to the event with my kids, who were two and four at the time. I’m in sweatpants, my toddlers are being chaotic—and who do we pass while boarding? My CEO. 

Three days later, exhausted and heading home with the kids, we grabbed bags at baggage claim at the exact same time. While deeply cringe‑worthy, it actually became a great connection point. From then on, he always asked about my family. A good reminder that the most human moments tend to stick when traveling. 

My Favorite Event City (Yes, Really) 

Controversial take: my favorite event city might actually be Las Vegas. Sure, it's a headache for many reasons, but I love that you can walk everywhere (although the Wynn is ALWAYS further than you think), there's never a shortage of things to do, and unexpected happenings around every corner. 

A few favorites: 

• Truth & Tonic in the Venetian for a healthy breakfast 
• Carbone in the Aria for a bougie dinner 
• Best Friend in Park MGM for chill drinks 
• Something random with coworkers: the New York‑New York rollercoaster or karaoke in the Venetian 

What Makes a Conference Experience Actually Work

My biggest pet peeve at large‑scale events is misrepresented sessions. I choose my schedule carefully, and there’s nothing worse than settling in only to realize the session is way more narrow, broad, or self‑promotional than advertised! I keep this in mind when writing my own session descriptions—attendees are trusting you with their time. 

I usually leave behind shirts (sorry) and those phone‑charging cables we all know are going to overheat and potentially fry your phone. 

What I Listen to When It’s Go Time 

Before I speak, there’s one song that always gets me pumped: “Hunter” by Galantis. I listened to it daily during a difficult stretch in my career, and now it’s my “I can do hard things” anthem. 

On travel days, my music depends on my stress level. Some go‑to artists are Chappell Roan, Remi Wolf, and Taylor Swift—specifically a playlist I made combining evermore, folklore, and The Tortured Poets Department. 

Preparing for the Unexpected

Conference travel isn't about showing up perfect—it's about showing up ready for whatever happens next. It’s often messy, exhausting, energizing, and that’s what makes it deeply human. It’s early flights, carry‑on wins, awkward run‑ins, and unexpected connection points. 

What’s in my travel bag helps me stay prepared—but what really matters is staying present. When I let myself be comfortable, flexible, and a little imperfect on the road, I show up better everywhere else. 

And honestly, that’s the real travel hack.