One More Reason to Employ Conferencing Services

As if you didn't have enough reasons to start using conferencing services already, I'll give you one more - germs.
An estimated one of every five working businessmen and women travel for work roughly five times a year, with trip lengths averaging three nights. While there is nothing wrong with business travel, (aside from the fact that it is time-consuming, expensive, and at times quite inconvenient) the hotels that employees find themselves in can often be a greater magnet for germs than you are led to believe.
Hear me out, there is no reason to panic - but there are some things you should know and remember the next time you find yourself in a hotel room. For instance, hotel maids launder bed sheets regularly, but the bedspread is generally not washed unless requested by a guest. Doctor and TV daytime show host Dr. Oz suggests removing the bedspread immediately upon entering the room. According to him, it is "full of bacteria from prior clients," and that removing the bedspread is a practical decision to make with no downside.
Next on the list of harmless looking germ traps is the remote control. That's right, the number one tool many people make a beeline for once they find a little free time. Arguably the most used item in a hotel room, your remote control has likely never been cleaned. Fortunately, there is a quick and simple solution to this problem: a plastic bag. Slip your remote into a small sandwich bag, such as Ziploc, and it's good to go (so long as you don't go and rest it on the bedspread).
Moving on to the ice bucket. Unfortunate as it may be that those tiny in-room refrigerators usually do not have their own ice makers, it might not be worth the trip down the hall to the ice machine. Ice buckets have been known to be used as ash trays, and the even less appealing barf bucket. If ice is something you really can't live without, ask the staff if they have a plastic bag - or five - to line the inside of the bucket.
Which leads us to our next item: the drinking glasses in the bar or bathroom. If the glasses you were provided are made of glass, chances are they have only been wiped clean with a towel as they are not often sent down to the dishwasher. If you don't bring your own drinking container with you, you're better off with individually wrapped plastic cups, or asking for a fresh one to be brought to your room.
Obviously audio and web conferencing eliminate all of these issues because they do away with the need for business traveling. But for those times when meeting in-person is a must, your choices are few and far between. You can take the above suggestions to heart, or you can opt to fork out more cash for a pricier hotel with the hopes that it will be cleaner - but that's not always the case. As many of my OCD friends will tell you, antibacterial/disinfectant wipes are an absolute must have, and should be used on any surface you come into contact with (but keep in mind how they may react to some clothing, jewelry, and wood furniture. It's best to read the manufacturer's label before using). Good luck and stay clean!

Andy Jacobs

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