Tucson Gem Show Travel Checklist

Remember:
• These shows (scattered across the whole town) are in the desert southwest. Dry air, dust, and at least one rainy day should be expected. Bring more body lotion than you think you need!
• Tucson tourist season begins when the shows start. Hotel and car rental rates will go up! Good hotels sell out fast, so try to make hotel accommodations 1 year in advance. Get a confirmed deal as soon as possible.

To do 6–12 months in advance

Book hotel: Confirmation # ____________

Book rental car: Confirmation # _____________

To do before your trip

Boarding reservations for pets

Drop off pets

Change your work email to your out-of-office automatic response

Hold mail

Pay bills

Remove perishables from refrigerator

Take out garbage

Turn off water

Packing

Dress in layers as you travel. Taxis, airports, and airplanes are all different temperatures and humidity levels. Assume that the layered clothing, shoes, and bag that you carry onto the airplane are all you would have in the event that your checked bag doesn’t arrive.

Hand sanitizer, (wet in your checked bag, and dry or sealed towelettes for plane)

Airplane ticket

Identification/Passport

Reading material, crochet or travel bead kit

Toiletry kit: Don’t forget to pack a small medical kit with antacids, painkillers, Chap Stick (does double duty for cheeks and hands), medications or prescriptions, and bandages and antibiotic cream for blisters and cuts.

A spare pillowcase. Cover the hotel pillow you use every day so that your face, nose, and eyes are touching your own fabric in case you’re allergic to the hotel cleaners.

Jewelry to wear: keep it simple if possible

Lint brush—travel size

Mini sewing kit

Ziploc baggies so you can bring your bead haul home organized

Cash set aside for shuttles, taxis, tips, and meals. This is not spending money! Keep an envelope aside with cash for traveling home.

Cell phone with charger

Getting into the show

Business cards

Show registration paperwork: pre-register if possible, as it can same time and money

Driver’s license or ID

Resale license or tax certificate if you plan to shop as a wholesaler

Shoulder bag: something that crosses your chest so it’s comfortable and easy on the back

Spending money

Surviving the shows

Breath mints

Camera: small, compact

Water bottle

Chap stick

BEAD SHOPPING LIST: Good stuff goes fast! Know what booths you plan to see first. Make a budget and shopping list before you go. You may likely go over budget, but if you have a plan to start with, you can shop more efficiently.

Three pairs of shoes: fold-away slippers for plane and hotel, walking shoes, hard-sole shoes (in case of bad weather). Try to rotate your shoes each day.

Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment

Day snacks: energy bars or trail mix

Pen and note pad

Travel tissue pack