1. Decide whether or not to choose a theme.

While “Halloween” may certainly seem like theme enough, some hosts go the extra mile by suggesting a specific theme, such as superheroes, wrestling stars, movie/TV themes, cartoon characters, animals, colors (for example: come dressed as something red), etc. Choosing a theme can help people decide on a costume for your party, and may even encourage those who wouldn’t normally dress up to step out of their comfort zone.

2. Get creative with the food.

Halloween is truly a time to cut loose and step outside the norm. This is the one time of year when it’s OK to eat objects that resemble fingers, eyeballs, spiders and other gruesome goodies. FoodNetwork.com and FamilyFun.com offer some outstanding ideas for creative, tasty party snacks.

3. Add the magic of audiovisuals and decor.

To truly elevate your Halloween gathering, check out some ‘witchingly’ fun decorating ideas here. Why not add some A/V special effects to the party. A projector rental from Projector123.com allows you to showcase Halloween favorites from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” You can even have Halloween classics like “Psycho” showing in the background during the party. And with weekend (Fri. to Sun. night) rentals as low as $99, you’ll have time to enjoy big-screen movies or gaming for a day or two before or after your big bash.

The trick is to use your imagination to create a treat of an evening for you and your guests. And for quick, easy projector rentals (without any tricks or hassles whatsoever), just click here to rent a projector from Projector123.com today.

Enjoy and be sure to post your feedback!

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Presentation Planning Checklist

This presentation checklist will help you deliver successful presentation. This is adapted in part from Business Communications: A Cultural and Strategic Approach by Michael J. Rouse and Sandra Rouse.

Presentation:

* Does your introduction grab participant’s attention and explain your objectives?
* Do you follow this by clearly defining the points of the presentation?
* Are these main points in logical sequence?
* Do these flow well?
* Do the main points need support from visual aids?
* Does your closing summarize the presentation clearly and concisely?
* Is the conclusion strong?
* Have your tied the conclusion to the introduction?

Delivery:

* Are you knowledgeable about the topic covered in your presentation?
* Do you have your notes in order?
* Where and how will you present (indoors, outdoors, standing, sitting, etc.)?
* Have you visited the presentation site?
* Have you checked your visual aids to ensure they are working and you know how to use them?

Appearance:

* Make sure you are dressed and groomed appropriately and in keeping with the audience’s expectations.
* Practice your speech standing (or sitting, if applicable), paying close attention to your body language, even your posture, both of which will be assessed by the audience.

Visual Aids:

* Are the visual aids easy to read and easy to understand?
* Are they tied into the points you are trying to communicate?
* Can they be easily seen from all areas of the room?

Be sure to rent your projector from Projector123.com to ensure the highest quality visual presentation at affordable prices. Rent a projector today!

There’s no need to be afraid of adding audiovisual to an upcoming gathering, and these simple steps can help ensure that your A/V enhancements add value and impact to your event.

1. Less is more. Generally speaking, you don’t need more than 1 kind of A/V support at a time. For example, if you decide to rent a projector to showcase a video montage at an upcoming party, wedding or shower, be sure to turn off the party music before you start the video so the music isn’t competing with the show. And to maximize your value, you could create a simple photo montage that loops, and run that loop throughout the party.

2. Know your audience. Always try to plan your event from your guests’/participants’ perspective. What are people seeking? How can A/V enhance their overall experience, without detracting from the event or creating sensory overload? Consider that older audiences will have different needs than younger demographics.

3. Plan ahead. Do as much as you can ahead of time, so that all you have to do during the party or meeting is “press play.” During your event, you’ll have plenty of details to manage, and there’s no need to add A/V mishaps to the list. Set up early and test everything (sound, lighting, function, focus, remote, etc.) before guests/participants begin to arrive.

4. Push the envelope. Don’t settle for “simple” or what’s been done before — to truly wow your audience, push the limits of your capabilities (or better yet, ask a techie cohort for assistance). Add drama, effects, and more — but don’t go over the top or you’ll lose your audience.

5. Get a second opinion. Whether it’s your PowerPoint presentation, your handouts, your signage or your slide show/montage, it always pays to have a second set of eyes review your creation.

Got a great A/V tip we can use? Post it here as a comment or email us! And when you need to reserve a projector rental, be sure to visit us online at Projector123.com.