How to Prepare When Speaking at An Event – Video

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Introduction: How to Prepare the Room and AV Setup Before You Speak at an Event

This video explains why visiting your venue early and checking the AV setup is one of the simplest ways to improve your performance on stage. You’ll learn how early preparation reduces stress, how to work effectively with the AV team and how to make sure your sound, lighting and cues all support a smooth, confident delivery.

What you’ll learn: Preparing Your Event Setup for a Strong Presentation

• Why arriving early helps you feel comfortable and in control
• How to build a good relationship with the AV team
• Why checking lighting, sound and equipment matters
• How to run through cues for videos and other materials
• How to clarify your introduction, opening and ending
• How technical preparation improves your confidence on stage

Summary: Check the Room, Test the Tech and Reduce Stress Before You Speak

A successful presentation doesn’t start on stage — it starts with preparation. Visiting the venue early helps you get comfortable with the room, the sound, the lighting and the equipment. Building a friendly relationship with the AV team goes a long way; they can fine-tune the sound for your voice, adjust the lights and make sure your materials run smoothly. A short run-through gives you clarity on how you’ll be introduced, how you’ll begin and how you’ll finish. When you handle these details in advance, you walk on stage feeling calm, prepared and ready to deliver your message without distraction.

Mini FAQ: Preparing Your AV Setup Before an Event

Why should I arrive early?
It reduces stress and gives you time to fix any technical issues long before you speak.

Does the AV team matter?
Yes. They control sound, lighting and cues — being friendly and clear with them helps everything run smoothly.

What should I check before the event starts?
Lighting, sound levels, any videos or slides, and how you’ll be introduced.

Why rehearse your opening and ending?
They’re the moments that shape how your audience judge the whole talk.

Transcript (edited)

When you’re going to speak at an event, always go beforehand to check out the equipment and the lighting. It’s really about helping you feel comfortable. If you get on with the AV team, they’re more likely to help — adjusting the sound for your voice, making sure the lighting doesn’t dazzle you and sorting out any small issues.

Always arrive early and run through things. If you’ve got any videos or materials, talk them through with the AV team: what the cues are, how you’ll be introduced, how you’ll start and how you’ll finish.

Suggested Links

• Prepare your AV setup for a smooth presentation
• Build confidence with a pre-event venue check
• Work effectively with AV teams
• Rehearse your opening and ending before you go on stage

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