--- title: "Event Survival Kit: Must-Haves for Planners | MeetingSigns" description: Explore simple pickleball sponsor activation ideas that boost attendee participation, increase brand exposure and create memorable event experiences with ease. image: https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/Event%20Planner%20Survival%20Kit_Thumbnail.jpg --- NEW- SMARTsigns® | EDGE [![](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/MDSN/orange-white_logo.svg)](https://www.meetingsigns.com) - [301.470.1500](tel:301-470-1500) - [Contact Us](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/contact-us) - [Upload a File](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/upload-a-file) - [Login](https://meetingsigns.com/account/login) - - - [Signs & Graphics](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics) - [View All](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics) - [SmartSigns®](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics/smartsigns) - [SmartSigns® | Edge](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smartsigns-edge) - [SmartSigns® | AIR](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smartsigns-air) - [SmartSigns® | ECO](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smartsigns-eco) - [SmartSigns® | FOAM](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smartsigns-foam) [Specialty Signage](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics/specialty-signage) - [Smarttopper™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smarttopper) - [Smarttent™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smarttents) - [Signup+ ™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signup) - [Podium Logos](https://www.meetingsigns.com/podium-logos) - [Handheld Signs](https://www.meetingsigns.com/handheld-sign) - [Golf Signs](https://www.meetingsigns.com/golf-sign) - [Floor & Wall Graphics](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics/floor-wall-graphics) - [Floorcling™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/floorcling) - [Wallcling™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/wallcling) - [Versicling™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/versicling) [Sign Shipping Cases](https://www.meetingsigns.com/signs-graphics/sign-shipping-cases) - [Smartcase™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smartcase-hd) - [Smarttote™](https://www.meetingsigns.com/smarttote) - [Sign Portfolio](https://www.meetingsigns.com/portfolio-sign-case) ![](https://www.meetingsigns.com/media/catalog/category/AIR-Arrow_optimized_1.jpg) - [Banners](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners) - [View All](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners) - [Retractable Banners](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/retractable-banners) - [Mediascreen](https://www.meetingsigns.com/mediascreen-1) - [Pronto](https://www.meetingsigns.com/pronto) - [Vision](https://www.meetingsigns.com/vision-banner) - [Aura](https://www.meetingsigns.com/aura-banner) - [Vision+](https://www.meetingsigns.com/vision-plus-banner) [Multipurpose Banner Stands](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/multipurpose-banner-stands) - [Sprint](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/multipurpose-banner-stands/sprint) - [Compass](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/multipurpose-banner-stands/compass) - [Economy](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/multipurpose-banner-stands/economy) - [Outdoor Banner Stands](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/outdoor-banner-stands) - [Mediascreen 2 AWD](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/outdoor-banner-stands/mediascreen-2-awd) - [Streamline](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/outdoor-banner-stands/streamline) [Large Format Banners](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/large-format-banners) - [Wall Banner](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/large-format-banners/wall-banner) [Banner Shipping Tubes](https://www.meetingsigns.com/banners/banner-shipping-tubes) ![](https://www.meetingsigns.com/media/catalog/category/category-image_banners.jpg) - [Tradeshow Displays](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays) - [View All](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays) - [Portable Displays](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/portable-displays) - [Pop-ups](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/portable-displays/popups) - [Tension Fabric Displays](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/portable-displays/tension-fabric-displays) [Exhibit Kits](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-kits) - [10 x 10 Booth Kits](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-kits/10x10-booth-kits) - [10 x 20 Booth Kits](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-kits/10x20-booth-kits) [Exhibit Rentals](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-rentals) - [About Rentals](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-rentals/about-rentals) - [Custom Displays](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/custom-displays) - [About Custom Displays](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/custom-displays/about-custom-displays) [Exhibit Accessories](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-accessories) - [Exhibit Shipping Cases](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-accessories/exhibit-cases) - [Table Coverings](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays/exhibit-accessories/table-coverings) ![](https://www.meetingsigns.com/media/catalog/category/Displays-Header.png) - [Promotional Products](https://www.meetingsigns.com/promotional-products) - [About Us](https://www.meetingsigns.com/about-us) - [Our Clients](https://www.meetingsigns.com/our-clients/) - [View All](https://www.meetingsigns.com/tradeshow-displays) - [Corporation](https://www.meetingsigns.com/our-clients/corporate) [Association / Non-profit](https://www.meetingsigns.com/our-clients/association-non-profit) [Meeting Management Company](https://www.meetingsigns.com/our-clients/meeting-management-company) - [Contact Us](https://www.meetingsigns.com/contact) [Upload a File](https://www.meetingsigns.com/upload-artwork/) [Blog](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/) ![Event Planner Survival Kit\_Blog](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Event%20Planner%20Survival%20Kit_Blog.jpg?width=2000&height=583&name=Event%20Planner%20Survival%20Kit_Blog.jpg "Event Planner Survival Kit_Blog") **The Event Planner Survival Kit** ***The Must-Have Gear to Solve Unexpected On-site Problems*** [Back to Blog](https://blog.meetingsigns.com) Jul 25, 2024 One of the many things event planners excel at is planning for and expecting the unexpected.  Most of us have seen it all, from last-minute room changes to delayed event supplies and anything in between. Anticipating and adapting to unexpected obstacles on-site can be the difference between a memorable event for your attendees and a painful learning experience.  As the mastermind behind the meeting, your staff and attendees alike will turn to you to help solve problems in a pinch, both big and small.  While quick, creative thinking and flexibility can help to jumpstart a solution, a craftsperson is only as good as their tools.   You likely already have your own, but enter the event survival kit.  This event planner’s arsenal is typically stocked with all the right equipment designed to help overcome whatever technical difficulties, VIP requests, last-minute venue changes, and anything else your event might throw at you.  In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the most popular items event planners say they include in their kits.  You may already be using your own version of a survival kit - (a strategic assortment of tools you’ve assembled based on past experiences and anticipated obstacles) but you just might be able to borrow some ideas to take along to your next event. **Staff, Attendee, & Speaker Necessities** From morning coffee spill mishaps to hitting the dance floor a little too hard and splitting a seam, people are just as accident-prone on-site as any other time.  Having these handy items in your event kit can not only help you cultivate the peace of mind for your attendees that’s necessary for a successful event but also help you with some potentially embarrassing situations: - Hand sanitizer or hand wash - Lint roller - Hair ties and bobby pins - Safety pins or double-sided tape - Travel brush - Mini sewing kit - Stain remover pen - Sunscreen and bug spray - General First Aid kit (Band-aids, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, bandages) - Floss, toothbrushes, and travel-sized mouthwash - Breath mints or gum - Water bottles - Portable food (granola, protein bars, trail mix, other emergency snacks) - Feminine products **Tech Necessities** Tech plays an important role in every event, and its function continues to evolve. Streamlining registration, optimizing speaker presentations, and even changing the way we network - chances are there’s an app for that.  And while most venues offer some type of AV assistance, it’s never a bad idea to bring a few of your own tech tools for surprise last-minute needs.  Here’s a quick rundown on the most popular additions to your emergency kit to help solve common technical problems:  - Laptop or tablet - Adapter cables for both Mac and PC laptops - Outlet adapters (ideally with USB ports included) - iPhone and Android phone chargers (or a USB with multiple heads) - Portable powerbanks (make sure they’re charged!) - Radios / Walkie-talkies - Headphones or Ear-buds - Thumb drive - Cable ties - Batteries (AA, AAA) for microphones or walkie-talkies - Extension power cord - HDMI cords - Portable WIFI hotspot device (this will save your valuable mobile data) - Light ring for phones (for more polished social media candids) - Camera Lens Adapters (for more fun social media candids) - Portable Bluetooth Speaker **Organization Necessities**As with event planning in general, organization is vital to hosting a successful meeting.  Ensuring guests know exactly where, when, and what is happening means no one misses any of your must-see content.  Eliminating any guesswork your attendees might have about your event schedule brings an extra layer of value to their experience and paints your brand as one who respects their time, and gets things done.  Here are some of the most common organization tools event planners should have with them on-site: - Event Agenda (both a physical copy and digital copy staff can access on-the-go) - Attendee, vendor, and sponsor lists - Venue map - Doorstop - Event paperwork (event management plan, event permit, volunteer manuals, etc.) - Contact information for pertinent staff (include venue staff, drivers, caterers,etc.) - Pens, pencils, Sharpies - Scissors - Paper, notebooks, or Post-It notes - Extra nametags - Clipboard - Label maker - Folders or binders - All-purpose cleansing and glass wipes - Superglue and scotch tape **Miscellaneous Event Survival Kit Items** As we mentioned earlier, event planners should always expect the unexpected.  Sometimes, random and unforeseen obstacles pop up that demand creative, on-the-fly solutions.  Here are some tools to help you mitigate even the most off-the-wall problems with ease: - Basic cleaning supplies (surface spray, wet wipes, [sign cleaning kits](https://meetingsigns.com/products/sign-cleaning-kit), etc.) - [Collapsible easel](https://meetingsigns.com/products/telescoping-sign-easel) - Business cards - Rope - Masking or Gaffer Tape - Cash/change - Local restaurant selections - Extra signage - Tape measure - Lighter - Flashlights - Zip ties - Small toolkit (hammer, multi-head screwdriver, wrench) - Extra generic signage (dry erase laminate or a versatile [SMARTlens sign](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/signs-and-graphics)) When it comes to hosting a memorable meeting, event planners wear a lot of hats, and "problem solver” is among the most important when you’re on-site.  A combination of careful preparation and learning from others and your own past experiences can make all the difference in elevating your events, adding to your credibility, and building your supporters’ trust in your brand!  If you think this seems lengthy, you’re right!  But that’s only because it’s better to be *over*-prepared than unequipped to deal with whatever your meeting might throw at you. We’ve included a PDF checklist of the above items for you to download for your own planning efforts.  Feel free to add whatever items you like to have by your side at events, and let us know your must-haves using the comment section below! [![Download Our Event Survival Kit PDF](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Download%20Our%20Event%20Survival%20Kit%20PDF.png?width=364&height=66&name=Download%20Our%20Event%20Survival%20Kit%20PDF.png)](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/Event%20Planner%20Survival%20Kit%20-%20Checklist_hl%20(1).pdf)[![Download Our Mobile-friendly PDF](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Download%20Our%20Mobile-friendly%20PDF.png?width=365&height=69&name=Download%20Our%20Mobile-friendly%20PDF.png)](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/Event%20Planner%20Survival%20Kit%20-%20Checklist%20-%20mobile_hl.pdf)   ![Zack Malpass](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/0-1.jpg) ##### Written by [Zack Malpass](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/author/zack-malpass) ### More Posts ## Let Us Help You With Your Next Meeting - [![Madison Avenue Inc.](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/hubfs/MDSN/gray-orange_logo.svg)](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/) - #### Contact Us [info@meetingsigns.com](mailto:info@meetingsigns.com) [301.470.1500](tel:301.470.1500) - [Blog](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/) - [About Us](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/contact-us) - [Meeting Signs](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/signs-and-graphics) - [Banners](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/banners) - [Displays](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/displays) - [Promo Products](https://meetingsigns.com/pages/promo-products) - Connect with Us! - - - - Subscribe to our eNewsletter for updates and more! © 2020 Madison Avenue, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  [Privacy](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/privacy) | [Legal](https://blog.meetingsigns.com/legal)