Here’s a fabulous & practical tip for your next overseas meeting: rent local cell phones to save time and energy!

Susan Rosen of In the Event… is the winner of our June Stellar Tip Contest for this tip:

“When traveling outside the US, we’ve found it imperative to rent a local cell phone to keep in contact with the DMC and hotel staff. For internal communications we use our walkie talkies, but hotels do not use them any longer & most hotel staff are using cell phones for communications.

Our guests could find us no matter if we were at our desk or not… well worth the investment.”

For more great tips, visit the Stellar Tip Archive…you can even search by keyword to find the most relevant tips from your peers.

Avoid extra travel fees and packing excess clothing with these carry-on luggage tips - packing smartly is sure to help ease some of your airline stress.

Here’s some advice from experts that I read about in an msnbc.com article:

-Bag size: standard rectangular bags keep clothes flat and less wrinkled.

-Organize with platic bags: extra compartments add weight - using plastic bags also makes it easier to remove objects if your bag is searched.

-Pack neutral colors: everything will match, and you can eliminate articles of clothing meant for one particular outfit. Colorful scarves, which take up very little space, are a good alternative to bulky sweaters.

-Limit your shoes: no more than 3 pairs for women; no more than 2 for men. Shoes are heavy and take up a lot of space.

If you’re traveling soon, check out the msnbc.com article for the rest of the tips. Don’t get stuck paying more money for a heavy suitcase, or overpacking and having to check your bag.

What packing tips do you use? Let us know!

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If you are traveling to the Middle East for a meeting, understanding some Middle East customs can make communicating easier. Here are some tips from Harold Formstone of Richard Lewis Communciations, taken from his speech at IMEX last week…

When speaking with Arabs:

• Use more emotion when you speak
• Personalize your comments
• Interrupt others when you like
• Thinking aloud is encouraged

These tips can help to avoid communication blocks and allow you to have more productive meetings.

If you have any advice or tips for communicating internationally, let us know! First hand experience is a valuable resource. For more Global Tips, check out ConventionPlanit.com’s Global Meeting Tips.