Ask any planner what essentials they have in their go-to bag and the answers might vary, but there are many commonalities.
Check out the following must-haves for meeting planners:
Portable Power Bank
Wired has named the Nimble Champ Series 2 as Best Power Bank for multiple years in a row. At 6.2 ounces, it’s one of the lightest on the market and smaller than a deck of cards. It delivers 20 watts to charge two devices at once via a USB-C port on either end, and works with iPhone and Androids. The case, which comes in a variety of colors, is made of recycled plastic.
Why carry multiple tools if you can just carry one? The Leatherman is the original multitool and comes in dozens of colors and designs. This family company has been around for 40 years and manufactures its tools at its factory in Portland, Ore. Best of all, Leathermans are backed by a 25-year guarantee.
Portable Mouse
There are times when a touchpad is just not enough. The Logitech MX Anywhere Mouse (above) is compact, fast, and compatible with both PCs and Macs. It comes with a tiny unifying receiver that you can keep attached to your laptop or notebook.
Why carry multiple tools if you can just carry one? The Leatherman is the original multitool and comes in dozens of colors and designs. This family company has been around for 40 years and manufactures its tools at its factory in Portland, Ore. Best of all, Leathermans are backed by a 25-year guarantee.
Portable Scanner
To avoid having to run to the business center, Ricoh’s ScanSnap iX100 (above) is a wireless, compact, battery-powered scanner, equipped with both USB and Wi-Fi connectivity. Its compact profile measures 10.74 x 1.87 x 1.42 inches and weighs only 14 ounces.
Portable Router
Carrying a router is a smart backup plan for planners. Popular Mechanics named GL.iNet’s GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) portable travel router as Best Overall Travel Router for 2025. It uses the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology for increased capacity to connected devices and faster wireless speed.
Smart Power Strip
There are hundreds of power strips on the market, but the one chosen as Best Overall by PC Mag is the Kasa Smart Wifi Plus Slim. It works with all certified platforms, such as Google Alexa and Samsung SmartThings, and its compact design keeps it from blocking other outlets
Rolling Tote
The most efficient way to bring meeting supplies onboard is with a rolling tote. Hulken totes are foldable, have multi-direction swivel wheels, and are designed to stay upright and open.
Make-Your-Own Kit
You can also curate your own kit, complete with everything you need tucked inside a rolling case. A sample kit might include: a USB flash drive, chargers and cords, essential tools like a hammer and screwdriver, boxcutter, first aid supplies, dry erase markers, door stopper, zip ties, mini stapler, different kinds of tape (duct, packing, Scotch), door stopper, safety pins, Post-its, wipes, hand sanitizer, lint roller, instant stain remover, Altoids, tissues, Krazy glue, and Sharpies.
PC Mag, Popular Mechanics, Wired
