Con-Cough
I work in live events, which means by the end of the calendar year I’ve spent a quarter of the year on planes, living in hotel rooms, working in convention halls, often with a casino between the two. I’ve lived off Starbucks, Grand Lux and twizzlers. I’ve been in the industry for almost 6 years now and over time I’ve compiled a list, a way to protect yourself from what I’ve labeled “Con-Cough,” or the sinus infection you get when you work conventions. Find my treatise below.
Hydrate- Water: chances are the layout includes some bubblers- which is convention speak for what my family calls “water things- the water machine, you know from Poland spring?” So there’s water and tiny little cups sprinkled throughout the convention/show floor. But you need to keep that water with you at all times— invest in a unique water bottle so you know it’s yours. Get something that brings you joy when you look at it, because why not? Because when you need to pee 500 times during the day you can’t be angry at that adorable water bottle for doing that to you.
Lip balm: between the airplane, hotel and convention air conditioning you will be so dry. I keep one bedside (I can’t sleep with dry lips, anyone else?) and carry one in my pocket AT ALL TIMES.
Saline Spray: your sinuses are screwed. They’re dry, they’re congested. Help them out with some saline spray- unlike Afrin or other nasal sprays saline spray can be used for a longer period of time without negative consequences. It will give your sinuses some needed moisture, and encourage your sinuses to clean themselves out (read: sneeze). And help wash about allergens and germs before they lead to inflammation.
Vitamins - Boost your immune system - vitamin c, try and find a vegetable. Gummy vitamin C is always a blast. Throw-back an airborne (I actually really like them, kind of like orangina— anyone else?). Maybe add an airborne to your end of day ritual with your colleagues— airborne and vodka— can we name that the “Event Producer”?
Additionally invest in some probiotics. Flying and new places and weird food schedules can really mess with your stomach. This can throw off you whole body balance. Probiotics will help keep you regular and feeling 100%.
Eat- You’re probably in some sort of hotel-convention center badlands where fresh vegetables are at a premium. But you need to do this: you need to find a vegetable and you need to eat it. You need to ingest a fruit sometimes. You need fresh food. You cannot live on room service club sandwiches, twizzlers, Kind bars and Diet Coke alone. Trust me— I’ve tried. Order the brutally pricey, probably awful steamed broccoli and think of it as medicine. You’re fighting ConCough, it’s your second full time job.
Clean - hand sanitizer: this is obvious. Everyone in the world is disgusting (kidding) (not). Chances are 70% of your team has flown in to join you at the show site and picked up god knows what. Everyone is touching everything — you’ve got to keep your hands clean. I like a hand sanitizing spray. Less chance of leakage. I procured a card shaped one from a dentist once and it’s my favorite. But any hand sanitizer is good to have on hand. Additionally don’t forget some nice hand lotion because sanitizer is brutal on your skin.
Clorox wipes are your friend. Wipe down the plane tv, arm rests, your hotel remote, etc etc. just gives you that small sense of non germy peace.
Nature. However you can— breath in some non circulated air and get some vitamin d. Convince your colleagues to have an in person sync poolside. If there’s an outside route to where you’re walking, take that. If you plan to be on the phone for more than 5 minutes, jump outside — even if it means you’re standing on the loading dock.
Sleep - just kidding. This was in here to see if you’re paying attention. Sleep isn’t an option, get as much as you can but we all know it’s a luxury on site. But to help the few precious hours of sleep be most beneficial I invested in a small usb/battery powered fan. Hotel rooms usually get pretty dark, so a sleep mask feels redundant but I can almost always hear everything happening outside the room and in the hallways of the hotel. The fan created a tiny oasis from constant noise.
Clothes- layers, layers, layers. Convention centers and hotel ballrooms are as a rule freezing cold. Except during load in when the exterior doors are open— when they can be quite warm depending on ambient weather. You’ll never know exactly what the temperature will be, so come prepared. My team and I have found loose layers are the best with a soft top layer and a scarf in your bag— no matter the season or locale.