Can you hear me in the back? What your AV Tech wants you to know:

For anybody that has attended a conference, or meeting, you've likely noticed the guy or girl in black, sitting behind a table covered in equipment. This person is an Audio Visual technician or AV tech for short. Their main function is to make sure the technical side of the event runs smoothly. The AV Tech(s) controls the sound, lighting and video. If you are an event presenter, you want to introduce yourself to this individual.

Here are 5 things you can do as a presenter to ensure your presentation goes smoothly.

1. Show up early and assume nothing

Show up with content (PowerPoint, videos) early to be able to check through it. Don't rely on the fact that you emailed your PowerPoint to the organizers two weeks prior. Too often, things get lost and don't make it to the AV Tech. When you show up early, you can go through your presentation with the AV Tech. If you run into issues, you can fix them ahead of time. No AV tech wants to go to screen with a presentation that they haven't seen yet. This time also allows you to familiarize yourself with all the technology available including the device that cues the slides so you're not on stage fumbling.

Knowledge is power.

2. Come prepared

Although most of us have 16:9 televisions you will still find many conferences using either 16:9 or 4:3 screens. This means that if your presentation isn't in the same format as the screens, you will not be able to go full screen. To avoid this, arrive with your presentation in both 4:3 and 16:9 formats. If your presentation contains videos and special fonts make sure you have copies of those as well. If you plan on presenting from your own laptop, test it and bring the power cable. The AV Tech will think you're a rock star.

3. Dress for Success

Knowing that you're going to be wearing a microphone, dress accordingly. This goes out to the ladies especially. Your outfit should allow for a LAV microphone to be attached to your clothing located centrally on your chest under your chin. Also, the mic's transmitter pack needs to be attached. A one piece dress falls under the "LAV unfriendly" category. Avoid checkered patterns or pin stripes on clothing. These cause video interference and look bad on video. Solid colours work best.

You're presenting too loudly: said no AV Tech ever

Too many presenters get up on stage and proceed to "low talk" for their entire presentation. A presentation is not a private conversation. When you "low talk" you make it very difficult for the AV Tech to get your voice loud enough to be heard properly by the audience. What you have to say is important, or you wouldn't have been invited to speak so make sure you talk with authority. It's never difficult for your AV Tech to turn your microphone down if you're loud. Never ask "can you hear me in the back?". There are people who's job it is to ensure they can. You asking the audience, says that you don't trust your technical team, which ultimately reflects poorly on the person or group that invited you to speak.

Vanz Zinn is the owner of Multi Tech Audio Visual and has been working in the corporate audio visual industry for over 25 years. Visit his website at mtav.ca for more great tips.