Inside Sheena Hakimian'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.

Why Conference Travel Fuels My Creativity

I’ve learned something about myself over the years: I do my best thinking when I’m traveling. 

There’s something about conference travel—the airports, the hotels, the in-between moments—that puts me in a completely different headspace. I’m out of my usual routine, away from my desk, and suddenly my brain has room to wander. That’s usually when my best ideas show up. 

I love the feeling of rolling a carry-on. It takes me right back to studying abroad in Florence, running through cobblestone streets to catch weekend trains to cities I’d never been to before. Sometimes I was sweating, anxious I’d miss my ride, but there was so much excitement in that chaos. Every time I’m pulling my suitcase through an airport now, I almost feel like I’m back there again, and it makes me smile. 

I usually pair it with one of my Condé Nast totes. I work on the subscription acquisition 
side of the business, and our tote bags are a big part of our marketing life. Lately, I’ve been carrying this beautiful maroon Architectural Digest tote. It’s practical, easy to carry, and honestly a great marketing play for me and for Condé. But I also genuinely go nowhere without it. 

What I Never Travel Without

There are a few things that always make it into my bag.  My AirPods are essential. I actually love traveling alone to conferences. It’s when I feel the most creative. I can tune everything out and focus inward.  

But my most important item isn’t work-related at all—it’s my non-work notebook.  When I travel, especially alone, that’s when my biggest ideas tend to come up—ideas for my coaching business, creative projects, or long-term goals that don’t usually come to me during a busy workday at home. 

I do keep a separate notebook for conference sessions, and I genuinely love sponsor-provided notepads. But if I don’t transfer those notes later, they disappear. My non-work notebook is small, fits easily in my bag, and it’s where the real thinking happens. 

I also never travel without face masks. I’m on “vacation mode” even when I’m working—and if I’m speaking, self-care isn’t optional. Feeling good physically helps me feel more confident mentally. 

What I Wish I Could Pack 

My bathrobe. Always my bathrobe. Especially when it’s cold out, I just want my robe.

One of my biggest through lines when traveling is using it as an opportunity to really relax and practice self‑care. On conference nights—especially as a speaker—I want to be as calm and comfortable as possible. 

I practice my presentation at least once the night before and again the morning of. 
That’s non‑negotiable for me. Getting into that calm, Zen mindset means being at 
maximum comfort, and for me, comfort directly impacts confidence. 

Travel Hacks I Live By 

Here’s one I swear by: I take the complimentary hotel slippers from everywhere I stay. 
On long flights, I’ll even switch out of my shoes mid‑air and wear those slippers. It’s a 
game changer. 

But my bigger travel philosophy is this: use airport time to be present. Airports used to stress me out. Now I actually see them as creative spaces.

I try not to rush. I’ll get there at the recommended time—two hours domestic, three 
international—knowing I’ll have time to spare. I was just in Paris for my best friend’s 
wedding, and I was definitely there three hours early!

I like to sit at a coffee shop, people-watch, journal, or just observe. There’s something humbling about realizing how many people are passing through, all with their own destinations and stories. Being in that environment pulls me out of my own head in a good way. The airport is such a  good place to spark creativity because you’re so outside of your norm. If you’re on the creative side, tap into that. It feels very Parisian, even when I’m at JFK. 

The City That Keeps Me Coming Back

My favorite conference city? Miami. Hands down. 

If I could choose one city for conferences, it would be Miami. I go a few times a year with family, friends, or alone. It’s warm, energizing, not too far from New York, and the vibes are unmatched—Bad Bunny playing everywhere doesn’t hurt. I have favorite spots: DOMA in the Wynwood/Midtown area and Chateau ZZ near South Beach. If I’m extending my trip past the conference, I stay at the Cadillac on Collins. The coffee shop inside overlooks Collins Avenue, and it’s perfect for meetings—though honestly, I prefer to be on the beach. 

If there’s a weekend involved, I extend the trip. I love going to Shabbat dinners in Miami—there’s a great community through Chabad. That balance of work and personal time makes a huge difference in how I show up professionally. Miami checks all the boxes for me. 

What Drives Me Crazy at Conferences (and What Saves Me)

I have a real pet peeve when conferences schedule sessions back‑to‑back with no 
breathing room. I know organizers want people in seats—and I want people in my 
session too—but not having time to grab water or even use the restroom makes 
everything feel frantic. Those few minutes to reset make a much bigger difference than 
people realize!

Because of that, I’ve gotten very intentional about the little things that help me reset while traveling.

I live in New York City, so I don’t love clutter. I don’t bring much swag home. But hotel 
notepads? Gold. When my non‑work notebook runs out of pages, those simple 
notepads save me. Music and podcasts matter too, and Bad Bunny is always my go‑to travel playlist.

When I’m practicing my speech and need a break from marketing entirely, I’ll listen to Call Her Daddy. For work‑mode inspiration, I’m into Jay Shetty, Mel Robbins, Lewis Howes, and Marketing Happy Hour. 

Small Moments That Make It Worth It

If you’re nervous about attending conferences—especially alone—remember this: most 
people there don’t know many people either. If they’re there, they want to connect. 
Even one conversation can boost your confidence—not just at the event, but when you 
go back to work. 

As a speaker, I like to walk around the room before I go on stage and introduce myself. 
I’ll say, “Hi, I’m Sheena. I’m speaking in a second on this topic—what are your 
thoughts?” It gives me people to anchor back to while I’m presenting, and sometimes I 
even bring them into the conversation. 

Travel, for me, is about being present, staying creative, and building those small moments of connection that make the chaos worthwhile.