10 Things to Pack for a Day at CSM (and 3 Items You Can Leave Behind)
CSM 2023 will be held in San Diego, CA 😎
Note: this post contains a few affiliate links
CSM, or Combined Sections Meeting, is arguably the largest physical therapy conference in the United States, drawing around 16,000+ attendees. At this conference, there are educational sessions intended to share research, case studies, and other information relevant for physical therapy education, practice, and research.
There are also parties that take place throughout the evenings, from PT and PTA program reunions to a Diversity Gala.
My favorite part of CSM, though? Seeing my friends I haven’t seen in at least a year, in a totally new city. This year, we’re headed to San Diego and it’s the first year I’m presenting a poster. Last year, I presented a fast-paced, 5-minute, Ignite Talk, so I’m excited to try something new and much slower-paced this time around.
As I approach my 4th CSM (5th if you count virtual CSM), I finally feel like I’ve got a good handle on the optimal CSM packing list.
Here are 10 things I’ll be packing, and 3 that I’ll be leaving at home:
1. business cards
Not a bad idea to have extra copies of your resume and/or CV as well. Even if your intention is not to network at this CSM, you never know who you’ll meet. I’ve had post-doc opportunities nearly fall into my lap thanks to the networking I didn’t even know I was doing at CSM, and if someone you might one day want to work for asks you for an easy way to contact you, you don’t want to arrive emptyhanded.
Don’t have business cards? Not a problem. This is arguably the least important item on this list and I in no way am suggesting you spend money that you do not want to spend on business cards. I will say, I do better remember the students and clinicians who had business cards ready for me, but you will also have a fantastic experience without them.
2. comfortable shoes
Pack the heels if you must, but leave ‘em in the hotel room for the education sessions. It’s not worth it, I promise. Unless you are a superhero and do well in heels, boots, or other potentially uncomfortable shoe for long periods, I’d recommend going with a still-stylish but, more importantly, comfortable, shoe for CSM.
Does this mean you should bring only sneakers?
I don’t know.
I am a strong advocate for the idea that professionalism is all made up and is kind of an ableist and privileged way to create ranks within the PT world…but…
…not everyone feels that way. And we all have our subconscious biases. I would recommend a more stylish or “business casual” shoe for networking events, program reunion parties, and other nighttime events.
I might bring heels for my poster presentation, but tbh I’d be a lot more likely to pack them if I were presenting an education session or a platform presentation (if all of this sounds like a foreign language, you can find more information at apta.org).
My favorite comfy-yet-cute shoes are Rothy’s. Although these are at a higher price point, for someone with wide feet like me, these are the easiest to throw into a bag (they’re highly flexible and won’t take up space in the bag I take to the conference center in case I want to have options during the day) and can be thrown in the washing machine after the trip.
These are the two I have and plan to bring with me to this year’s Combined Sections Meeting:
I have both colors in this fit and I, someone with bilateral foot pain, do great in them during my long clinic days.
Get them for $129 from Rothy’s
3. snacks
-
Applesauce pouches (ex. GoGo Squeez)
Protein/granola bars
Almond butter pouches (ex. Justin’s Honey Almond Butter)
CLIF bars (crunchy peanut butter and cool mint chocolate are my favorites)
Premade popcorn, pretzels, etc.
-
Water
Cold brew concentrate (I get mine from Target - just add water!)
Instant coffee crystals (I like the Folgers brand, you just add hot water and boom - coffee)
Sparkling Ice
Mini soda cans
Tea bags
4. water bottle
Here’s the one I plan on taking (see this and more in my blog post, My 2023 Favorites):
Sursip 32 oz Glass Water Bottle
I have this one and use it nearly everyday! It seems slim enough to fit into most bags, and I have faith in the leakproof lid.
Get it for $17.99 from Amazon
5. a notetaking device
Examples:
Small notebook and pens
My favorite conference notebooks:
Rifle Paper Pocket Notebook // $12.00 for a set of 2 notebooks
Ruff House Print Shop Mini Jotter // $5.60 at Ruff House Print Shop
Cognac Hardcover Dot Journal by Artist's Loft™ // $7.99 at Michael’s, bullet journal style
iPad with Apple Pencil
Laptop
6. easily transported jacket (and a small umbrella)
Every CSM I’ve attended (Washington D.C., Denver, San Antonio) have been so, so, very cold. San Antonio was rainy, Denver was snowy, and D.C. was just cold and deserted (thanks, government shutdown).
CSM is in February every year, so please do not be fooled by the name of the city (I don’t know about you, but “ice storm” was not on my Texas CSM bingo card).
I even brought thick fuzzy socks to every education session with me because those rooms can get so cold, and if I’m uncomfortable, I’m not in a good headspace to learn.
7. comfortable bag
I say comfortable, because I have trialed various tote bags and they all end up hurting my shoulder after a while. Though I was resistant, I have become a backpack person (not just at CSM - I now take a giant backpack with me to work. My dreams of an aesthetic #corporategirlie tote are going to have to wait. I have too much stuff).
You also want to think about your luggage in general, and to leave room for freebies from the Exhibit Hall if that’s your thing! At National Student Conclave in 2019, people got free Theracanes!
Below are some backpacks I’m considering for CSM 2023:
KROSER Laptop Bag
VANKEAN Laptop Backpack
ECOSUSI Tote Bag
Commuter Backpack
Commuter Backpack
8. cash, in various bags and pockets
Wallets and bags get stolen, I’ve been with friends after it happened to them and the only thing worse than getting your stuff stolen (or losing it) is realizing everything you needed was in there.
I would recommend keeping your credit cards, ID, hotel room key, and other items like your health insurance card together in a wallet or bag that you use regularly, but I would recommend taking cash and putting it in a few different places, such as your suitcase, your carry-on, your CSM day bag, your pocket if you don’t have shallow pockets (looking at you, most women’s clothing), and the safe in your hotel room.
9. portable charger/power bank
I have a $10 one from CVS and it has work great for years. It’s slim, easily thrown into a pocket or a handbag, and a must when you’re away from your hotel all day - I’ve found that wall outlets aren’t always as readily available as you might think for a convention center.
You can find a range of power bank pricing and shapes on Amazon or just about anywhere else!
10. extra pens
You’d think this one would be self-explanatory, but I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve needed to sign something or jot an idea down only to realize there wasn’t a pen in sight. Take just a few - you’ll likely be able to pick up lots of free pens at the Exhibit Hall.
leave these items at home:
1. bulky jacket, large umbrella, anything that is ‘too big’ to carry around with you all day
Some venues have a coat check-in, but even those cost around $5 and you can’t go back and forth between having it and dropping it off without paying that fee over and over again.
Textbooks are fine for your luggage, but I would not recommend trying to bring them to the convention center to sneak in studying here and there. Your laptop or a small notebook might be best for this.
2. perishable items
I would not advise bringing fruits like berries or bananas that you are not going to immediately eat on the plane, anything dairy that could go bad, like yogurt - nothing that might have your bag smelling and drawing attention.
3. “heavy” perfurmes or colognes
Many people have allergies to, or simply may not like the smell of, perfumes and colognes. If you are going to wear something, make it light and keep it to just a small spritz or two (this is where deodordant can come in handy!). Be mindful that you will be in close quarters with thousands of people for an entire weekend!
Will I see you in San Diego?? Comment down below and be sure to say hello if you spot me there!
xoxo,
