Turning Business Trips into Opportunities for Growth in 2025

Hi there,

As a CEO, business travel isn’t just part of the job—it’s an investment in growth, relationships, and staying ahead of the competition. Whether it’s meeting with clients, building partnerships, or attending industry events, every trip presents opportunities to elevate your business.

But let’s be honest: without a solid plan, travel can quickly become exhausting and counterproductive. Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my approach to make business trips not only productive but also enjoyable.

For 2025, I’m doubling down on strategies that turn travel into a strategic advantage.

Here's everything I’m doing (and recommend) to maximize travel this year.

1. Start with the Big Picture: Define Your Travel Objectives

Before anything else, align your travel with your business goals.

• Which relationships need face time? Prioritize high-value clients and partners who benefit most from in-person engagement.

• Which events truly matter? With SaaS moving fast, staying updated through key conferences and trade shows is non-negotiable. Look for events that directly tie into your growth strategies.

• Are there new markets to explore? Travel is a great way to test the waters in potential growth regions.

Tip: Create a master travel calendar for 2025. Block out known events, client visits, and exploratory trips. I use Notion to organize mine, complete with goals for each trip, travel timelines, and a space for post-trip reflections.

2. Budget Smart and Save Time

Business travel costs can escalate quickly, but with a proactive approach, you can save both time and money:

• Set a clear travel budget: Outline expenses for flights, hotels, transportation, meals, and unplanned extras. Build in buffers for last-minute changes.

• Streamline bookings: Use a corporate travel platform like TripActions or TravelPerk to manage everything in one place. They often provide discounts and support.

• Leverage loyalty programs: Stick to a primary airline and hotel chain to accumulate points for upgrades and perks like free nights or priority boarding.

Bonus: Consider travel credit cards with perks tailored to frequent travelers, like lounge access or points multipliers on business expenses.

3. Create a Travel-Ready Toolkit

Preparation is everything. I’ve developed a “go-bag” system that ensures I’m always ready to leave at a moment’s notice. (Check out my post on the Top 2 Travel Bags I always rely on.)

Here’s what’s inside:

• Tech Gear: Chargers, adapters, a portable power bank, noise-canceling headphones, and a travel Wi-Fi hotspot.

• Travel Toiletry Kit: Keep a TSA-approved, pre-packed set of essentials ready to go.

• Business Basics: A notebook, pens, and a few extra business cards (yes, they’re still relevant).

• Snacks & Wellness: Protein bars, hydration tablets, and a reusable water bottle are lifesavers.

Pro Tip: Pack versatile clothing that works across multiple settings. Think neutral colors and layers for day-to-night transitions.

4. Optimize In-Transit Productivity

Planes, trains, and waiting rooms aren’t dead time—they’re opportunities to focus. Here’s how I use that time effectively:

• Plan Ahead: Before any trip, I create a list of tasks to tackle during downtime, such as reading, brainstorming, or clearing emails.

• Offline Preparation: I download all the documents, reports, or podcasts I might need, ensuring poor Wi-Fi doesn’t disrupt productivity.

• Focus-Friendly Gear: Noise-canceling headphones are my go-to for creating a distraction-free zone.

For longer flights, I often reserve the first half for deep work or planning and the latter for catching up on industry reading or decompressing.

5. Make Every Meeting Count

Face-to-face meetings are often the highlight of business trips. Here’s how I ensure they’re impactful:

• Do Your Homework: Before any meeting, I research the person, their business, and their industry. Showing up informed makes a big impression.

• Set Clear Agendas: Every meeting should have a defined purpose, whether it’s to close a deal, brainstorm, or build rapport.

• Follow Up Immediately: Within 24 hours, I send a personalized follow-up email summarizing key points and next steps.

Pro Tip: Add value during meetings by sharing unique insights or resources they might not expect. This keeps you top of mind.

6. Prioritize Health & Wellness

Travel can be taxing, especially when you’re juggling multiple meetings and time zones. I’ve made health a priority to keep myself energized:

• Hydration: Always carry a water bottle and hydrate before, during, and after flights.

• Exercise: Many hotels have gyms, but even a short walk between meetings or stretching in your room helps. Apps like FitOn and Peloton are great for on-the-go workouts.

• Sleep: Adjusting to new time zones isn’t easy. I use the Timeshifter app to manage jet lag and ensure restful sleep.

7. Reflect, Refine, Repeat

Each trip is an opportunity to learn and improve. After every journey, I ask myself:

• What worked well? Was the schedule realistic? Did I achieve my goals?

• What could be better? Were there inefficiencies I can avoid next time?

How can I streamline the next trip? Small tweaks, like better scheduling or upgraded travel tools, can make a big difference.

My 2025 Travel Checklist

Here’s the roadmap I’m sticking to this year.

Feel free to borrow it:
✅ Block key events and meetings in your calendar
✅ Align each trip with clear business objectives
✅ Build a travel-ready toolkit for stress-free packing
✅ Use travel time for deep work and personal development
✅ Prioritize health with hydration, movement, and sleep
✅ Reflect after each trip and refine your process

Final Thoughts

Business travel isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about making every moment count. By planning strategically and staying intentional about how you spend your time, you can turn every trip into a growth opportunity.

What are your travel plans for 2025? I’d love to hear what’s on your calendar—and if you have any favorite travel hacks, hit reply and share them with me!

Safe travels,

Angelo

P.S. If you're interested in more insights from the SaaS world, let me know—I’d love to share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in future newsletters.