Attendee Resources

September 7, 2026

What’s In Our UNBOUND Bag? The 2026 Onsite Essentials

This is everyone’s first UNBOUND.

So while none of us can claim to be seasoned UNBOUND pros just yet, we have spent a lot of time thinking about what three big days in Boston require.

Naturally, that led us to one very important question: What’s going in our UNBOUND bag?

We trust you’ve got the toothbrush situation handled, but we’re talking about the things you’ll be very glad to have within arm’s reach when you’re bouncing between sessions, meeting with other attendees, and capturing new ideas you don’t want to forget.

We did the packing for you. Here’s what made the cut.

Shoes We Can Actually Walk In

Technically, they’re not in the bag. But comfortable shoes might be the most important thing we’re bringing.

UNBOUND days are full days. You’ll be moving between sessions, exploring what’s happening onsite, grabbing coffee, meeting people, and heading into whatever you have planned for the evening.

Your shoes need to keep up.

Think comfort first, then build the rest of your look around it. Layers are also your friend when you're moving between different spaces and temperatures throughout the day.

Before you leave, check the Boston forecast and adjust accordingly. If rain is on the agenda, a compact umbrella or light rain layer could be a very smart addition.

And if you're still staring at your closet wondering what “conference style” actually means, we've got you. Check out our What to Wear to UNBOUND guide for more inspiration.

Pro tip: Whatever shoes you choose, make sure you've actually worn them before. UNBOUND is not the time for a footwear test run!

The Emotional Support Water Bottle

We’re bringing it everywhere.

Pick a reusable bottle that’s easy to carry and won’t become a burden by mid-afternoon. Bonus points for a bottle that fits easily in your bag or has a handle or carabiner you can grab on the go.

And while we’re talking about keeping yourself fueled, throw a couple of reliable snacks in your bag, too. Think portable, mess-free, and capable of surviving a few hours at the bottom of a tote: granola or protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, or whatever keeps you going when hunger hits between meals.

Because there’s a lot to take in at UNBOUND and doing it hungry and dehydrated is playing on hard mode.

The Portable Charter

Possibly the hardest-working member of the UNBOUND bag.

Your phone is going to be doing a lot over three days: accessing the mobile app, schedules, maps, messages, photos, notes, LinkedIn connections, and all the other things you somehow need it for the exact moment your battery decides to turn red.

So, pack:

Your phone (this sounds obvious, but we’re adding it just in case ;) )
A portable charger or power bank
Charging cables
Headphones or earbuds

One important reminder: charge the charger.

There are few greater betrayals than reaching into your bag for your trusty power bank only to discover that it, too, is at 4%.

The Notebook We Swear We’re Going to Use

Yes, we know you have a Notes app; bring the notebook anyway.

You’ll want a place to quickly jot down the thing that makes your ears perk up during a session, the new idea that comes to you on the way to the next one, or the name of someone you absolutely want to remember.

You don’t need to transcribe everything you hear (we’ve got AI session summaries for that!). Try this instead. After a session that gets you thinking, capture:

1 idea to remember
1 new thing you want to try.
1 person, company, or topic you want to follow up on.

By the end of three days, you’ll have a running list of ideas, experiments, and follow-ups ready to take home with you.

The Tiny Emergency Department

We’re thinking about the long haul, here. Conference days come with little surprises, and having a few just-in-case essentials on hand means you can handle them without missing a beat.

Consider making a little room for:

Band-Aids or blister patches
Lip balm
Hand sanitizer
Tissues
Gum or mints
Any medications or personal essentials you need throughout the day

None of these take up much room but any one of them could make you feel like a genius for packing it. And if someone else needs a Band-Aid? Congratulations. You just made a friend.

The Things That Don’t Actually Go in the Bag

We’ve covered the physical essentials. Now for the things that won't fit inside your tote but are just as important to have ready.

The UNBOUND Mobile App

Download it before you arrive so you can phone it in when the going gets busy. Get yourself logged in, start getting familiar with what’s happening, and make sure the information you’ll want onsite is easy to find.

Your 3-5 Must Dos

There will be a lot happening at UNBOUND. Trying to do all of it is a very effective way to spend three days feeling like you're missing something.

Instead, pick three to five things you absolutely want to experience, whether that be a speaker, a session, someone you want to meet, or something on site you can’t wait to explore.

Those are your anchors. Build around them, then let the rest of the experience unfold.

Some White Space

Try not to over-schedule yourself! There’s a lot to see and do and as equally important as all the programming is taking a few minutes between sessions and experiences. A packed schedule can help you see more, but a little breathing room gives you the chance to follow what’s interesting in the moment.

Bag Packed, Let’s Go.

Portable charger? Packed. Water bottle? Ready. Comfortable shoes? On. UNBOUND app? Downloaded. Extra suitcase room? Hopefully.

This is everyone's first UNBOUND. There’s no perfect way to do it and that's part of what makes this year exciting. Pack what you need, pick your must-dos, and leave a little room for everything else.

We can’t wait to see you in Boston!