Connectivity and Contingencies

Adapters (Mac/PC, HDMI/VGA)

Hardware incompatibility is one of the most frequent logistical nightmares at in-person events.

A speaker may arrive with their perfectly configured laptop, only to discover that the venue's projector uses outdated or different cabling.

For example, many ultra-lightweight or brand-specific computers (such as those from Apple) use micro-HDMI or USB-C ports, while standard projection systems typically offer HDMI or VGA connections.

The professional solution is self-sufficiency: the speaker should carry his or her own universal adapter kit.

Experience dictates that having only one adapter is a risk; it is preferable to carry duplicates, as they are small items that are easy to lose or forget connected to the previous room's equipment.

Having an HDMI to VGA adapter and a dedicated port to HDMI adapter covers most possible scenarios, avoiding dependence on on-site technical equipment, which often does not have connectors for all computer models.

Plan B: What to do if the technology fails

Despite all preparation, technology is fallible. A projector can burn out, a computer can crash or a file can become corrupted.

The golden rule in contingency management is storage redundancy.

The presentation should be saved not only on the laptop's hard drive, but also on at least two external USB sticks and, ideally, in the cloud.

If catastrophic failure occurs and visual projection is not possible, the speaker must be prepared to execute "Plan B" without losing composure.

This implies having a printed script or cards with the key points that allow the talk to continue "a capella" or using a traditional whiteboard.

What is strictly forbidden is to stop the presentation to apologize profusely or blame the technique; the audience values the ability to resolve.

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