I love Top 10 Lists or Top Whatever Lists. While standing in line at the grocery store, I usually cannot help myself from perusing Us Magazine’s 25 Things You Didn’t Know About Me list. I live for December when all the Top 100 Lists are revealed from the past year. Therefore, it seems only natural to turn some of my blogging opportunities into Top 10 List opportunities. I’m not sure I have 25 interesting things to say about myself, so instead, as I prepare for the next ITS Heartland Annual Meeting at the end of April, how about…
Top 10 Items Every Event Planner Should Bring to an Event
Drum roll please…
#10
Tape. Multiple rolls and multiple kinds.
#9
An energy bar or two. You plan the food and you order plenty, but often you are too busy to actually eat the food. And gum, don’t forget gum…if you forget to eat, you will need the gum.
#8
Scissors. One pair will do. Remember to pack them in your checked luggage, not your carry-on.
#7
Extra laser pointers and batteries. If you have speakers, you will need these. Everyone wants one, but no one remembers to bring one.
#6
A printer. A simple, small printer will make last second changes a breeze. “I know I registered as William, but everyone calls me Billy. Can I get a new nametag?”
#5
Extra agendas. In the not so distant future, printed agendas will be obsolete. Until then, bring a few extras, but keep them under wraps. If they are available without asking, you will get cleaned out in no time.
#4
A pocket knife. Another checked luggage item. Great for breaking down boxes and a lot of miscellaneous, unexpected situations. If you have extra room, throw in a multi-tool too!
#3
Extra Flash Drives. Just one. OK, maybe two. They should be cleared of the 3rd grade Valentine’s Day performance pictures (or anything else) and will probably be used to avoid last second, totally unexpected presentation disasters.
#2
Pockets. Event Planners will not buy pants or tops without pockets. I’ve seen an Event Planner with what looked like a modified tool belt. She could attach just about anything to herself. Dresses or skirts with pockets would work as well, but with all the bending, lifting, and jumping through hoops that go along with the job, you are better off in slacks.
#1
Extra Money. After the conference is over and you have packed up, take advantage of the hotel spa and book yourself a massage before catching your late night flight home. You deserve it!
About the author:
Amy Lucke decided long ago, she would never stray far from the mountains and rivers of Montana. She loves sharing the outdoors with her two kids and spends most summer weekends in a 3-person tent with her four person family. She feels fortunate that she gets to write, create and collaborate with the smart and talented women of Meetings Northwest. Little known fact: She once traveled for 4 months on an around-the-world plane ticket.
