What should be in an event kit?

Planning a successful event requires careful organization and preparation. An event kit contains useful items to help everything run smoothly before, during, and after your event. This article explores what to include to create a comprehensive event kit while providing valuable information to attendees.

Why Have an Event Kit?

Event kits facilitate event organization and create positive experiences for all participants. Benefits include:

    Efficiency – Event kits consolidate necessary items in one place, saving time hunting down supplies. Kits also aid volunteer training.

    Preparation – Kits prompt early planning, ensuring you order items with enough lead time. You can also confirm quantities needed for your attendee count.

    Consistency – Standardized kits mean all staff use the same helpful resources. This creates consistent experiences across attendee touchpoints.

    Contingency Planning – Kits store backup supplies onsite for quick solutions if issues arise.

    Risk Mitigation – Components like directions, schedules, and emergency info help events operate securely.

    Elevated Experiences – From name badges to giveaways, kits boost engagement and satisfaction.

Assembling comprehensive event kits is an impactful way to deliver smooth, rewarding events.

Event Kit Checklist

Successful event kits contain a wide variety of items spanning categories like administration, signage, attendee materials, and more.

Administration

    Contact sheets

    Staff schedules

    Run of show/detailed event schedule

    Venue maps

    Vendor contact info

    Emergency procedures

Signage

    Directional signs

    Room/area signage

    Parking and entrance signs

    Registration signage

Attendee Materials

    Lanyards and name badges

    Programs/agendas

    Evaluation forms

    Giveaway items

Technical Equipment

    Radios/walkie-talkies

    Batteries

    Chargers

    Extension cords/power strips

Office Supplies

    Pens, markers, highlighters

    Sticky notes, page markers

    Clipboards

    Tape, scissors, staplers

First Aid

    Bandages

    Medications

    Ice/cold packs

    Medical gloves

Tailor your kit contents to your specific event needs, customizing quantities for expected attendees. Establish a master packing list to facilitate fast, consistent kit preparation for future events.

Event Kit Ideas and Recommendations

Dive deeper into key event kit components with creative ideas and tips:

Name Badges and Lanyards

    Choose lanyards in your brand colors.

    Include name badge holders with neck straps or pin attachments.

    List first names in large, bold font.

    Add organization names and role titles below.

    Leave space for customization like social media handles.

    Produce badges double-sided so info shows front and back.

    Order sustainable options like recycled badge materials.

Signage

    Place signs at all key junctions and decision points.

    Use large, readable fonts on signs.

    Create signage with high-contrast colors.

    Specify room numbers and directional arrows.

    Use shapes, symbols or colors to code sign types.

    Make signs weatherproof if used outdoors.

Evaluation Forms

    Solicit structured feedback on content, speakers, logistics etc.

    Leave space for open-ended commentary.

    Create online version for electronic distribution.

    Incentivize participation with prizes or giveaways.

    Provide pens with forms so attendees can immediately provide input.

Giveaway Items

    Source useful items like portable chargers, notebooks, water bottles, and hats.

    Brand giveaways with your event name/logo.

    Choose environmentally friendly products when possible.

    Offer items useful long after events end for extended branding.

    Provide extras so all attendees receive giveaways regardless of turnout fluctuations.

Radios and Walkie-Talkies

    Confirm units have sufficient range for your venue(s).

    Program radio channels ahead and mark clearly.

    Use external microphones for better sound.

    Have backup batteries and chargers available.

    Test equipment and train staff on use pre-event.

Comprehensive event kits account for critical components across administrative, attendee engagement, staff coordination, and contingency planning realms. Use the ideas above to enrich your event kit and optimize experiences.

Key Takeaways

Event kits are vital tools facilitating seamless event execution. Key takeaways include:

    Consolidate critical event-day items like schedules, signage, giveaways and emergency plans in event kits for organization and efficiency.

    Build master packing checklists covering administration, materials, logistics, and contingency planning to inform kit preparation for all events.

    Personalize kits using branded and customized elements like lanyards, name badges, signage, and giveaways to boost event experiences for participants.

    Equip staff with important coordination tools like schedules, maps, contact lists, and radios within kits to enable collaboration.

    Prepare contingency supplies like first aid essentials within kits to allow rapid, effective response if issues emerge during events.

Investing in comprehensive event kits drives success through careful planning, engaging experiences, coordinated teams, and contingency response preparedness. Kits are indispensable tools for smooth event operations.

Conclusion

Event kits are integral strategic assets revealing thoughtful preparation and enabling flawless event execution. Complete kits store critical items across categories like administration, signage, staff coordination supplies, attendee engagement giveaways and contingency first aid components. Compiling materials into consolidated kits lends efficiency through organization and standardization while boosting experiences through personalization and interactivity. Build master checklists to compile consistent baseline kit materials applicable across events. Then customize key elements like name badges, branded signage and fun giveaways to delight attendees. Carefully curated event kits integrate products facilitating seamless coordination for teams and enriching engagement for participants, driving event success.

FAQS

1. What should be in an event staff kit?
   Some key items to include in a staff event kit are a detailed schedule and run of show, venue maps with emergency exits marked, radio/walkie talkies, notepads/pens, power bank chargers, meals/snacks, and a small first aid kit. Having consolidated resources helps staff stay on track handling event tasks.

2. What should be in an event manager kit?
   Critical components in an event manager kit include master contact lists, staff/vendor schedules, detailed timelines, venue specification documents like room capacities and equipment inventory, attendance estimations, emergency procedures, budget tracking paperwork and contingency plans. Thorough documentation aids managing overall event oversight.

3. What should be in a stage manager kit?
   Recommended items for a useful stage manager kit include production schedules and critical timings like stage cues, crew and performer contacts, layout diagrams marking cable runs or equipment positions, gaffer tape, batteries, glow tape, torches, and headsets enabling prompt communication with other teams handling lighting, sound, video etc.

4. What should be in a meeting kit?
   Helpful items to include in a meeting kit are printed agendas, name badges and table tents, pens and notepads, mints and water glasses, audio/visual adapters, disinfecting supplies, extra batteries and bulbs for remotes or pointers, and feedback forms or minutes templates to record discussion outcomes.

5. What should be in a conference kit?
   Key components of effective conference kits include schedules and room assignments, property maps with dimensions and capacity details, vendor specifications, master contact sheets, agreed contracts, audiovisual requirements by session, speaker details, directional signage, branded conference banners, drop-in giveaways like notebooks or water bottles and evaluation forms.

6. What should be an event budget include?
   Comprehensive event budgets account for all elements like venue rental fees, catering, programming, marketing promotions, staffing/contractors, decorations, audiovisual rentals, insurance, permits and licenses, transportation, printed materials, contingency funds and more. Build line items for every attendee touchpoint.

7. What should be in an event proposal?
   Solid event proposals convey key details on goals, event components, attendance, scheduling, implementation plans, staffing, promotion strategies, vendors, budgets, metrics and ROI projections. Sections highlight purpose, requirements, logistics, programming, execution tactics, evaluation methods and expected business impacts.

8. What should be in a stage manager’s prompt book?
   A stage manager’s prompt book contains critical show documents like cast lists, rehearsal schedules, blocking notes, lighting and set designs, prop lists, costume specs, sound and music cues, scene changes, emergency procedures, actor entrances and exits and show run times to provide comprehensive production oversight.

9. What should be in an event program?
   Informative event programs list detailed schedules and track sessions, organizer/speaker bios, descriptions of activities, floor plans, sponsor acknowledgement, event locations/addresses and contact details. Programs guide attendees planning schedules and facilitate event navigation.

10. What should be in a theatre production book?
    Comprehensive theatre production books compile all vital information governing shows including scripts, set/prop/costume designs, lighting and sound plots, blocking maps, prop lists, rehearsal notes, actor contracts, choreography outlines, cue sheets for effects, strike plans, emergency procedures checklists and more in great detail.

11. What should be in an event approval package?
    Event approval packages contain proposals summarizing goals, components, logistics and resources required for realistic executive signoff. Include detailed budgets, attendee projections, implementation plans, promotion strategies, contingency options, staffing, yardsticks assessing impacts and ROI estimates. Convey preparation levels signaling smooth execution.

12. How do event kits engage attendees?
    Event kits boost engagement through personalized, interactive elements like branded lanyards, customized name badges, creative conference materials/giveaways allowing self expression, gamification via activities and contests, digital integration via event apps and sentiment tracking by distributing evaluation forms.

13. Why are contingency plans important for events?
    Contingency plans mitigate risks if unforeseen issues emerge, from venue snafus and speaker cancellations to accidents/emergencies. Solutions show preparation levels, preventing irrecoverable problems through rapid response. Plans identify backups, empower quick decisions and calm stakeholders during crises.

14. How do event kits impact event teams?
    Consolidated event kits with core supplies like emergency policies, schedules, contact lists, program details, maps and radio systems better coordinate teams. Standardized information and consistent gear facilitates collaboration. Kits also boost efficiency minimizing redundant supplies and enabling self sufficiency handling various tasks.

15. What key items facilitate positive event experiences?
    Critical items elevating event experiences include signage guiding seamless venue navigation, event programs building schedules, relevant and engaging content via knowledgeable speakers, reliable technology, strategic room layouts supporting activities, prompt issue resolution by proactive staff, inclusive community spaces fostering connections and surprise/delight moments via giveaways or gamification.

16. Why are schedules and run of shows vital for events?
    Detailed event schedules clearly sequence all activities down to the minute, assigning staff roles. Schedules facilitate coordination across vendor teams handling staging, decor, catering, A/V and more. Run of shows ensure seamless speaker transitions, tech checks and strict timing needed to execute multifaceted conferences.

17. How should post-event evaluation be conducted?
    Effective post-event evaluation surveys satisfy rates across attendees, organizers and stakeholders. Queries assess program relevance, networking effectiveness, logistics and coordination, food quality, A/V tech reliability, staff responsiveness and safety. Qualitative feedback also informs venue layout and new activities to better achieve event purposes.

18. What makes signage effective at events?
    Successful event signage uses large, readable fonts in high contrast colors placed strategically throughout venues marking key areas like info booths, restrooms, emergency exits, breakout rooms and more. Shapes, symbols and colors code signs helping international guests understand types and directionality via arrows. Signage guides seamless traffic flow.

19. Why is event contingency planning vital?
    Thorough contingency planning mitigates risks from unanticipated issues threatening event quality, safety or continuity from weather problems, accidents, technical glitches, absence of key personnel or logistical failures. Backup infrastructure, decentralized command structures, procedures-based responses and clear crisis communications demonstrate preparation.

20. How should event emergency plans address inclusivity?
    Inclusive emergency plan accommodations include wheelchair evacuation policies, visual alarm systems, braille signage of emergency exits and protocols, detailed guides for assisting disabled attendees, and diversity policies for response teams. Accessible plans ease egress, ensuring unified safety procedures protect and empower all attendees equally.