My Ignite TechBugoutBag

Rick Claus (@RicksterCDN) tweeted a photo of the contents of the tech gear he is taking to the Microsoft Ignite conference in Chicago. He also blogged about it and challenged the rest of us to post pics of what we’re bringing. Here is a photo of the gear I’m bringing. It isn’t half as interesting as Rick’s with all his camera and A/V gear, but what can you do.

In the photo (and in my bag) you will find:

• Microsoft Surface Pro 3 w/power adapter
• Microsoft Arc Mouse
• Microsoft Band
• Anker Ultra-Slim Wireless Charging Pad
• Anker 40W 5-Port High Speed Desktop USB Charger
• Verizon MiFi
• Lumia 520 (music player)
• Kindle Paperwhite
• 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
• Mini power strip
• Various portable chargers
  • Anker Astro Slim2 4500mAh
  • Anker Astro2 8400mAh
  • Microsoft Portable Power
  • RAVPower Element RP-PB07 10400mAh Portable Charger
• Several Micro USB charging/data cables
• Misc AC Adapters

What you won’t find see in the photo is my Jawbone ERA Bluetooth headset (because I didn’t find it until after the photo) and my Dell Venue 8 Pro (because I left it at the office). I’ll need to stop by the office in the morning before heading to the airport.

One thing to mention regarding the bag. I always travel out with one bag (usually the previous year’s bag from TechEd), then pack it to come home and carry the new bag.  For the last two years I’ve been using the TechEd 2013 bag nearly everyday. The bag was much maligned with people receiving new bags from the manufacturer when their bag developed problems. I must have had a fluke because it stood up to all sorts of abuse until recently. Now with the zippers not closing properly and the handle starting to fray, I figured it was time to retire the 2013 bag. So for this year I’ll be travelling with the 2014 TechEd bag. It’s not my favorite, but it’s in good shape and was close at hand. I’m looking forward to trying out the new bags for Ignite.

I’m twelve hours away from Chicago and Ignite. See you soon!