Obele Brown-West on What’s In Her Travel Bag: It’s Not the Bag. It’s the System.

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.

People love to ask what bag I travel with.

The brand. The size. The one thing that makes it all easier.

But the truth is, the bag isn’t the point.

The system is.

I use a Halfday garment bag that converts into a duffel as my personal item, plus a carry-on suitcase. Once it’s zipped up, that garment bag holds my work bag, laptop, and clothes—everything I need in one place. I’m not juggling five different things through the airport, and that alone has completely changed how I travel.

It takes a little finesse to pack. A bit of Tetris. But once it’s done, I’m set. I can travel for eight days, sometimes longer, without checking a bag.

And once you get used to that, it’s hard to go back.

I’d Rather Be Prepared Than Perfect

If you open my bag, the first thing you’ll probably notice is that it looks like a pharmacy.

Allergy medicine. Advil. Tylenol. Dramamine. Hand sanitizer. Lysol wipes.

It might seem like overkill, but when you’re constantly on planes, in hotels, and in packed conference spaces, something always comes up. I’d rather handle it in the moment than let it derail my day.

There are also the small things that make a difference. Chapstick. Hand lotion. Usually more than one of each. Travel is dry in a way that feels personal, and I refuse to be uncomfortable because I didn’t plan ahead.

Even though I live in a very digital world, I always carry a notebook and a few pens. Writing helps me retain things faster, especially in conversations that matter.

And yes—people make fun of me for this—but there’s almost always a GoGo squeeZ applesauce in my bag.

Conference days are long. You get pulled into conversations. Suddenly it’s mid-afternoon and you haven’t eaten. That applesauce has saved me more than once, and I stand by it.

The One Thing I Don’t Actually Need (But Always Bring)

Not everything in my bag is about efficiency.

I carry a small lucky charm that my oldest gave me years ago on a family trip. It’s easy to miss and completely unnecessary, but I never travel without it.

When everything else is moving fast, it’s something that keeps me grounded.

If I could fit anything else in my bag, it would be my kids and my husband. No question.

My Travel Rules

I’m carry-on only. Always.

I’m also a window seat person. Never aisle. I have absolutely changed flights over this.

I like to get to the airport early-ish. My husband would get there hours early. I aim for about an hour. I don’t love waiting, but I really hate rushing.

And because I don’t check bags, overhead bin space matters. Pre-boarding isn’t just a perk—it’s part of the system.

I’m also very loyal when it comes to travel. Marriott Bonvoy, United MileagePlus, Hilton Honors.

I like knowing what I’m walking into. The points and upgrades are great, but the consistency is what really makes a difference when your schedule is packed.

I Don’t Pack Light—I Pack Options

People assume that because I’m carry-on only, I’m packing minimally.

I’m not.

I’m packing intentionally.

You never really know how you’re going to feel the day of a meeting or an event, so I always bring options. Different outfits. Different shoes. Even if I’m traveling in loafers, there are heels somewhere in my bag.

That’s actually why the garment bag setup works so well. It gives me structure without limiting me.

What Comes Back Matters Too

The best swag I get isn’t really for me.

It’s for my kids or my husband.

I love bringing something back for them. It’s part of the ritual of being away and coming home.

And I’m not someone who leaves things behind. Most things make it back with me, even if I have to ship them.

Coming home empty-handed just isn’t my style.

My Reset Before It All Starts

Before I go on stage or walk into a big meeting, I reset with music.

My playlist is all over the place—Depeche Mode, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Alice in Chains, Billy Joel, Kylie Minogue, Fela Kuti, Young Dolph, Anita Baker.

There’s no real logic to it. I just love good music.

Some days I’m walking into a meeting to one vibe, the next day it’s something completely different. It just depends on what I need in that moment.

What Actually Makes This Work

At the end of the day, it’s not really about the bag.

It’s about having a system that removes friction, keeps me prepared, and gives me options without overcomplicating things.

That’s what makes travel feel manageable—even when everything around it is unpredictable.

Once you figure that out, everything else gets easier.