• A circuit tester — to make sure that the outlet you plan to use has been properly grounded. You can get them at The Home Depot for about $10. (Note: Your technical director will have a multi-meter to test voltage, etc.)

• Make sure that your remote control is an RF — not IR — model.

  The remote should be a newer, smaller one that can fit inside your presenter's hand. The RF kind will work for 75 degrees in any direction, and you don't need to point the remote control at the projector. (The IR remote controls are only good for 15 degrees, and you have to point it toward the projector.)

• A laser pointer — You'll need this if your remote control doesn't have one built in.

• Spare batteries — especially AA and 9 volt.

• A small roll of white gaffer's tape (use for highlighting step edges, etc.)and black gaffer's tape (use for taping things down that don't need to be highlighted.)

• A ground lifter — That's a two-prong adaptor for a three-prong outlet that you can use to remove a 60-cycle buzz if necessary. You can also use it if your three-pronged power cord needs to be plugged into an older outlet.

• A hum eliminator — This is a small black box that allows you to lift ground hums. This will need to be purchased at a professional sound store.

• A piece of wood, about 24 inches by 3 inches by 1 inch — Use this to raise the front or rear of your data projector when the adjusting legs won't quite do.

• Two surge-protected multiple outlets — It seems as if you never have enough of these, and the hotel will charge for them.

• A small tensor light that can be dimmed — This is to use when you have a darkened room, but still need to read a script, etc., or when the reading light on the lectern doesn't work.

• A small set of screwdrivers, and a couple of pennies — to be used to open battery compartments, etc.

• A roll of drafting tape and a black Sharpie — This is for labeling mixer channels, etc. Because drafting tape will stick but not leave a residue on anything, you can use it for hanging flip chart pages, etc.

• A small bag of audio adapters for any possible audio configuration that you might experience.

• A 25-foot cable for hooking your laptop to your data projector. Most come with a 6-foot cable, which is fine if you are using the RF remote control. However, if your speaker needs his or her laptop at the lectern, you will need the longer cable.

• A first aid kit with extra Band-Aids.

• A list of cell-phone numbers for key technical people involved with the show, including local AV shops. Invariably, the one time that you need to reach them will be after hours.

• Projection-distance calculator

• Small flashlight

• Tape measure

• Some blank and some pre-printed thank-you notes and envelopes for use with cash gratuities to your AV crew (if they did a great job). Pre-printing your message and your name will save you time, and you can always add a personal note or signature.

• A cigar cutter and wine bottle opener so you will be ready to celebrate the conclusion of a great meeting in the style that it deserves.

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