Arriving EarlyWhy should I be arriving early you may ask? Well, you never know when problems will arise. Of all the presentation tips, this one should never be forgotten. My mother is always early for everything. I remember as a kid, taking the train to visit my relatives in Montreal. We would arrive 2 hours ahead of time, only to sit for 1 hour and 55 minutes after we checked in. It used to drive me crazy. But we never ran into problems.
The following items can be taken care of by arriving early. They are in no special order. What to do when early.• Find your contact person or liaison. Speak to her or him about the room, expectations and if there has been any changes.• Unpack your materials. Set up the projector, visual aids, your notes. Many people, (me included,) prefer to use a checklist. This aids in packing before the presentation and helps with unpacking too. • Check out the equipment. Computers, projectors, etc. should be checked prior to leaving for the public speaking event and when you arrive. Spare bulbs, a backup copy of the presentation (either on disk, or pen drive,) and a hard copy (paper.) Worst case scenario, your computer and projector don’t work. You can use your notes. I always bring my own overhead transparencies. That way I can make photocopies of the slides or quickly write something on them. (If you are doing a PowerPoint presentation.) • Have water close at hand. Ask for a pitcher and a glass. But don’t expect to get any. I always carry my own water bottle. Room temperature is best as cold water can stiffen your voice muscles. • Check the lighting in the room. • Sit in a few of the audience seats. See how you and your visual aids will be seen. • Check the microphone. Bring extra batteries with you in case the venue doesn’t have any. (Most venues will have everything you need, but I speak from experience when I say, be prepared for anything!) • Speak with some members of the audience before you start. It is great to know what their expectations are. Also, it may trigger some additional material or stories you may want to include that will make the presentation more memorable. 
Finally, go through your relaxation techniques to help calm those nerves. By following these “arriving early,” presentation tips, you can be certain that your occasion will start off on the right foot.Besides, you don't want to get a speeding ticket on the way to your presentation! Return from Arriving Early to Tips on Public Speaking
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