Innovation Workshop Facilitation: The Complete Supplies Checklist
So you can stop worrying about logistics and start facilitating.
By Tristan Kromer · Quick Answer: To facilitate an effective innovation workshop, we need to prepare across five key areas: office supplies (Sharpies, Post-Its, painter’s tape, paper, name badges, whiteboards), facilities (projector, adapters, wifi, IT contact info), food (light options like fruit and bagels—avoid heavy meals that cause afternoon slumps), tech setup for recorded sessions (dry runs and mic checks), and follow-up materials (slides, NPS surveys, attendee contact lists). Planning these logistics in advance lets facilitators focus on what matters: guiding the creative process.
Concept: Innovation Workshop Facilitation Goal: What supplies do you need to facilitate workshops? Checklist for Office Supplies
- Sharpies (at least one per workshop attendee)
- Post-Its (at least one pack per workshop attendee)
- Blue or White Painter’s Tape (at least one roll per group/table)
- Everyday Copy & Print Paper (one ream per day)
- Name Badge Tags (just in case people don’t know each other already)
- Whiteboards (for group discussions)
Checklist for Facilities
- Tables (for group exercises and discussions)
- Projector
- VGA Adapter for Macbooks
- Projector Screen (or a blank wall)
- Wifi & Internet (make sure everyone knows the password)
- Contact information for the IT/facilities administrator (even the Fortune 500 have broken projector screens)
- Directions for restrooms
- Backup computer equipment is optional
Checklist for Food and Beverages
- Workshops:
- Beverages (e.g., Coffee, Tea, Water)
- Food: (e.g., Fruit & Vegetable Platter, Bagels, Muffins)
- Lunch
- Avoid heavy food for longer workshops
- Brown Bags:
- Beverages (e.g., Coffee, Tea, Water)
- Lunch or dinner
Checklist for Recorded and/or Web-Hosted Workshops
- Dry run on webinar hosting for both the presenter’s laptop and the back-up laptop
- Test if microphone & speakers are working and calibrated
Checklist for Following Up After Innovation Workshop
- Workshop booklets and handouts
- Net Promotor Score Surveys
- Download link for workshop slides and/or webinar recording
- Contact information of both workshop attendees and facilitators
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies do I need to facilitate an innovation workshop?
At minimum, you need Sharpies (one per attendee), Post-It notes (one pack per attendee), painter’s tape (one roll per table), copy paper (one ream per day), name badges, and whiteboards. Beyond office supplies, we also need to plan for facilities like a projector with adapters, wifi access, and food to keep energy levels up throughout the session.
How should I set up the room for an innovation workshop?
Focus on group collaboration by arranging tables for group exercises and discussions. Ensure you have a projector with a screen (or blank wall), reliable wifi with the password readily available, and clear directions to restrooms. Always have the IT/facilities administrator’s contact information handy — even at Fortune 500 companies, equipment breaks at the worst moments.
What food should you serve at a workshop to keep people engaged?
Provide beverages like coffee, tea, and water throughout the day, along with lighter options like fruit and vegetable platters, bagels, or muffins. Plan for lunch if it’s a full-day session. We recommend avoiding heavy foods for longer workshops since they tend to make attendees sluggish and less productive in the afternoon.
What should I do after an innovation workshop to follow up with attendees?
Send out workshop booklets, handouts, and a download link for slides or webinar recordings. We also recommend distributing a Net Promoter Score survey to gauge how valuable attendees found the session. Share contact information for both facilitators and attendees so people can continue collaborating on ideas generated during the workshop.
How do I prepare for a virtual or recorded innovation workshop?
Do a full dry run of your webinar hosting platform on both your primary and backup laptops. Test that your microphone and speakers are working and properly calibrated before attendees join. Having backup computer equipment is optional but recommended — technical failures during a live session can derail the entire experience.
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