Legal Question in Business Law in California

Well, I'd suggest asking your employer's HR department........they are the ones who would know what is really meant and expected. Offhand, however, I'd say all three of the situations you mentioned probably come under the heading of "conducting business." While you're on a business trip, and putting the costs of transportation to the airport, staying in a hotel, and driving a rental car on your business expense account, you are "conducting business" in my estimation.