Need a notebook/organizer recommendation for a conference

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I’m heading to a technology conference at the end of February. It’s been so long since I’ve had to take notes and be mobile that I don’t really have anything suitable.

For my day to day, I use a Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook A5 Hardcover Dotted Medium Black with a double pen quiver attached for organization/tasks roughly using the bullet journal system. Then I take notes either in MS Note or on a notepad. I scan the notes to PDF and then file them away. I don’t want to take my main notebook in case I loose it. And working off of a notepad/legal pad probably won’t work at the conference. I do have a Surface Pro 3 for work, but I’m not sure that the battery will last if I take notes on it and still be available for work use between seminars/shows etc all day.

So I’m looking for something with a rigid back incase I have to write in my lap or while standing. Maybe something spiral bound or that I can other wise open so the covers touch and comfortably write on both sides of a piece of paper. Ideally I’d like it to have a folder/pocket to put materials/handouts in which I could then transfer to something else at the end of the day. I’ll probably be getting a ton of business cards so something I could slip those into would be handy. I’d like to be able to attach a pen to it so I can cut down on what I’ll have to get in and out of my bag.

I’m not too picky on paper, I figure I’ll make a day planner in the first few pages to cut down on cluttering up the calendar on my phone. Then I’ll copy in my tasks from my main note book and have a few pages to track those and new tasks (I figure I’ll have to do some work or at least not let any work slip by while I’m there) and then copy those back into my notebook when I get home. Then use the rest of the pages for notes.

I figure I could get a notebook cover, if I can find one that will take a hard backed notebook or is rigid itself. I don’t want anything over the top either tactical/tacticool or high end (fancy leather etc) as I don’t want to stand out or spend a ton of money on something I may only use occasionally.

Any ideas/recommendations?

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