Whether you've planned one event or hundreds it's happened to you: someone runs up in a panic because they need _______ and they think you'll have it because you're the event planner. That's right, __blank__, they'll ask you for anything and everything and they need it NOW! Thumb tacks, scissors, glue, a hammer, needle and thread, batteries, or Tylenol - you name it and as far as they're concerned their crisis is far more important than anything you could be dealing with at the registration table or backstage. Well, after a few instances like this I decided to make sure the next "ask" would be met with an assuring "yes". So I created THE EVENT KIT. It's an emergency kit that has everything anyone could ever ask for while at an event. Exhibitors, performers, caterers, attendees, limo drivers, and volunteers - I'm ready for all their 9-1-1's.
This was the most fun I have had shopping in a long time. I went on a shopping frenzy to Staples, Home Depot, and a few other stores (spent about $1,000 in total) and prepared the most amazing emergency event kit that I've every seen. We're talkin' the grand daddy of event kits here. I started off with a Pelican Case because I wanted something durable (I also have a bit of gear envy and this was my way of trying to be cool like my photographer and A/V friends). I bought some small organizers to make sense out of the little bits, and then I tackled the extremely difficult task of making it all fit. Now, when I show up on event day I feel armed and prepared to help everyone with their mini-emergencies.
Someone asked me the other day if I got the idea from watching The Wedding Planner (Jennifer Lopez) and I laughed out loud right in their face. I felt bad. Nope, I didn't steal it from a movie. I don't really remember any sort of brain wave - inspiration didn't really come into play on this one. I've seen other planners with kits before but they've always been small tool boxes or sewing kits and I just wanted to take it over the top.
Here's what's inside my emergency event kit:
Electrical Supplies
15' Extension Cord
5-spot Power Strip
Cables
• Mac Book Power Extension
• Firewire
• Ethernet
• USB
• 1/8' to 1/4'
• 1/4' to 1/4'
• S-Video
• Phone
• RCA Dual to 1/4'
Adapters:
• iPod to Computer
• Mac Display Output; Various
• RCA to 1/4'
USB Splitter
USB Flash Drive
SD Memory Cad (16m)
Headphones
Flashlight
Laptop printer
Inkjet cartridges (B&W, colour)
Emergency Equipment
First Aid Kit; Including:
• Tylenol
• Benadryl
• Sunscreen SPF 45
• Visine Eye Drops
• Hand Sanitizer
• Hand Cream
• Wet Wipes
• Granola Bar
• Frisk Breath Mints
Stationary
Accordion File Folder
• Clip Boards (3)
• Receipt Book
• CD-R (2)
• Card Stock; Multi-colour (40)
• Note Pad (1)
• Lined Paper (10)
• File Folders (3)
• Stickers; 1" Dots
• Labels; #5160; Multi-colour (8)
Accordion Pouch
Envelopes
• 10"x14" Padded (1)
• 9"x12 Tyvek (2)
• Catalogue (3)
• CD Mailer (2)
• CD Mailer Padded (1)
• #10 (20)
• #8 (10)
Writing Utensils
Highlighters; Yellow (2)
Permanent Markers; Black (2)
Medium+Fine Point; Black (4)
Dry Ease Markers; (4)
Pens (15)
Mechanical Pencils (2)
HB2 Pencils (2)
Pencil Sharpener
Eraser
Correction Tape
6" Ruler
Stapler+Extra Staplers
Post-it Notes
Elastic Bands; Various Sizes (50)
Lens Cleaner
Name Badges; Clip (10), Lanyard+Sleeve (10), Cards (15)
Calculator
Fasters
Binder Clips; Various Sizes (30)
Push Pins (100)
#1 Paper Clips (100)
Velcro loops (3)
Velcro Peel Strips (6)
Adhesive Puddy
Glue Stick
String (100')
Zip Ties (8)
Bungee Cords (4)
Removable Double-Coated Tape
Magic Scotch Tape
Gaffer Tape; black, red (2)
Miscellaneous
Garbage Bags; Big (2), Small (2)
Zip-Lock Bags; Big (2); Med. (2)
Twist Ties
J-Clothes (2)
Rubber Gloves
Lint Roller
Tide-To-Go Stain Stick
Sewing Kit
Food Thermometer
Lighter
Razor Blade
Multi-bit Screwdriver
Hammer
Batteries
• 9-volt (2)
• Triple-A (4)
• Double-A (4)
Ticker Tape; Various Colours (2)
Scissors
Hands Stamps (5)
Click Counter
Digital Camera
Hole Punch; Single
Hole Punch; Full Sheet
Wrist Bands; Various (10)
Coat Check Tags (125)
Raffle Tickets (125)
**Set-Your-Own Master Lock (for the case)
**Stanley Organizers; various sizes
