At Sequence, producing events around the world means more than just hopping on a plane; it means navigating tight schedules, unfamiliar venues, long days on-site, and the constant hustle of making things happen in new cities.
Before hopping on a plane to produce an activation at next week’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, our team took a moment to swap their best travel strategies—not just for packing, but for staying productive, healthy, and sane while working on the move.
Whether you’re gearing up for an international conference or a multi-city roadshow, these hard-earned tips will help you travel smarter, work better, and maybe even sneak in a little sleep on the plane!
Working Internationally
- Learn local traditions.
International events come with their own etiquette and considerations, like start times, safety, holidays, labor laws, tipping, and even how you hand out a business card or format a name badge. Lean on the locals, suggests SEQ CCO Lizz Torgovnick: “Ensuring we're bringing in reliable local resources to ensure language or quality barriers are addressed is critical!” CEO Adam Sloyer agrees: “Ask venue staff what they do in emergencies—you’ll get the real answers.”
If you have some downtime, take advantage and explore, adds production manager Julienne Bilker. “I download a travel guide on Kindle so I don't look like a tourist when I'm reading it in public,” she says with a laugh. - Plan ahead for customs and shipping.
“Customs and storage can be a major issue when working internationally,” says Lizz. “Source as much locally as possible, arrive early to check quality on local printing or fabrication, or prepare to check many oversized suitcases.”
Production manager Lindsey Michelle Gradwohl (“LMG”) suggests finding an excellent storage facility that will accept packages on your behalf. “This was a lifesaver on recent events we’ve produced for Faire [in Canada] and CreatorIQ [in London], where we needed to coordinate massive amounts of deliveries pre-event, but couldn't ship to the venue super far out,” she says.
- Check travel requirements regularly.
“Keep an eye on visa and travel requirements, as they may change during your planning process,” advises LMG. “If traveling internationally, make sure you have copies of everyone's passports in your event bible.”
Adam’s biggest tip? “Always check the Uber/Lyft situation in advance,” he says. Plus, “Learn three phrases in the local language: ‘Where is the bathroom,’ ‘Thank you,’ and ‘Wi-Fi?’”
Working on the Road
- Bring the right tech.
Portable monitors are another team favorite, especially in makeshift war rooms at events. “Never pass up the opportunity to have a second screen wherever you go,” suggests LMG. Adam also recommends power banks and mini power strips—especially “when you’re running a tech table in an old venue with two outlets.”
LMG even travels with a printer when she can: “It has saved me on multiple occasions, and having the peace of mind that I can print whenever is more than worth it.” - Keep your cords organized, and never forget your universal adaptor.
“I have a dedicated zipper pouch for cords and adapters, and I have a universal adaptor which works globally so I never have to worry about having the wrong one!” says Lizz, Also, remember that reliability of WiFi—particularly abroad or in older venues—isn’t always a guarantee, so consider items like an ethernet adapter.
Packing Like a Pro
- Start with a system.
For Lizz, packing starts with a templated list in her Notes app and an app called Stylebook, which helps her visualize and assign outfits by day. “The app has a visual packing list feature, so I can gather all the specific outfits and items I’ll want and then narrow it down as I go,” she explains.
Event producer Lily Waldron takes a more analog approach. “I use sticky notes for each outfit (Wednesday a.m., Wednesday p.m., etc.) and place them in order in my bag,” she says. “Yes, this is neurotic, but when you’re working crazy hours, it’s very helpful not to have to think about what you’re going to wear at 5 a.m. on event day four!” - Use packing cubes!
Just about everyone on Team SEQ swears by them. Some organize by day or outfit; others by function. “What I need for a travel or setup day is very different from an event or meeting day,” points out Lizz. VP of business development Liz Kamiel recommends packing cubes with mesh or clear tops so you can see what’s inside—no need to unpack everything. “It makes living in a hotel so easy!” she says.
"Packing cubes forever!" agrees Julienne. "It helps me organize my needs while I'm packing. I also bought a cheap label maker years ago: I love it for labeling my small toiletries, random items I may bring onsite, and adding info to new luggage tags so it's super legible." - Bring the right shoes—and a backup.
“You’ll never regret packing a second pair of shoes that aren’t black sneakers,” says Adam. LMG recommends Doc Martens: “I have flat feet, so ankle support is critical for me for those long days onsite. A good pair of boots goes a long way,” she says. “I am also a proponent of steel toes, if possible, because I can't tell you how many times I've dropped scenic on my feet!”
Lily suggests a carry-on backpack with a shoe compartment: “It’s super useful if your suitcase is overweight or if you’re traveling between climates,” she points out. “I usually put my sandals in the bottom of the backpack so I can change my shoes without opening my suitcase once I land.”
- Layer up and stay skin-conscious.
Weather changes—and so do HVAC systems—across different states and countries. “No matter the weather or climate you’re flying into, pack in layers,” suggests Lily. “Different countries rely on different cooling or heating systems. Everything in Britain is broiling (very little AC), yet every inside space in Portugal was cold!”
And don’t skimp on skincare. “I will die before I leave my skincare at home,” jokes LMG. “Climate shifts are no joke; you gotta keep that face moisturized and protected!”
- Think through “just in case” scenarios.
Noise-canceling headphones, travel pillows, portable phone chargers, wrinkle release spray, swimsuits, extra business cards, and meds like Pepto, Tylenol, and ginger chews are all a good idea, according to our team. “Always pack for one extra day—something will spill,” adds Adam. His go-to move for long stays? “Ship large items in advance to the hotel with a ‘hold for arrival’ tag.”
Staying Healthy
- Snacks and sanitizers go a long way.
Julienne’s go-to travel stash includes Gatorade packets, protein bars, salted almonds, and sour gummy candy for the plane. “I am that lady who wipes down the tray, seat belts, etc.,” she adds. “I have a bulk amount of these so I'm always happy to share with a stranger who asks for one!”
Lizz, meanwhile, brings fresh fruit and veggies on flights, and sticks to her morning green juice routine at hotels. “In some cases, I'll pack dehydrated juice powder, or single-serve packets of my favorite Pique matcha to have some elements of health while onsite. It really helps balance out the daily lunch-dessert from hotel catering!” - Improve your sleep setup.
To get some Z’s on the plane, our team swears by travel pillows and foot hammocks. And don’t forget that hotel rooms themselves can be noisy. Lizz likes an app called Rain Rain, a customizable sound machine. “It works great for noisy cities and hotels without having to pack or plug in another item,” she says, adding: “I always ask for my room to be away from the elevators since people tend to forget their manners when coming back from late-night social events!” - Stay hydrated.
“Flying, long days of meetings, and social cocktails are all dehydrating,” points out Liz. In addition to drinking tons of water, she swears by Patchology’s bubbly eye gels. “Put these on ice in your hotel room or put them in a cup of ice on a long or overnight flight. Place it under your eyes for 10 minutes, and it provides a cool and refreshing fix! I won't leave home without them now.”
Want to see where all this advice took us? Keep an eye out for our behind-the-scenes look at our work at Cannes Lions!