What you need for a business plan competition

A business plan competition needs more than a room and a projector. You will need a reliable presentation setup, a clear registration point, dedicated tables for the jury and buffet, and enough tableware for participants and guests. This shopping list covers the physical supplies to prepare before competition day. Check quantities against your confirmed participant, jury and audience numbers, and test every cable and adapter before presenters arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 70
Judges' table
Registration desk
Buffet tableqty 3
Stoolsqty 6

Equipment

Laptopqty 2
Projector
Projection screen
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Presentation clickerqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Mixer
HDMI cablesqty 3
HDMI adaptersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Charging cablesqty 6

Tableware

Glassesqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 70
Platesqty 80
Dessert platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 8
Coffee potsqty 4
Teapotsqty 3
Serving traysqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Chef's knivesqty 3
Small bowlsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Bottle openersqty 3

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Name card holdersqty 70
Directional signsqty 8
Balloonsqty 40
Balloon weightsqty 4
Buntingqty 3
Notice boardsqty 4
Clipboardsqty 8

Lighting

LED lampsqty 6
String lightsqty 3

Catering

Prizesqty 3
Certificate foldersqty 12
Ballot boxesqty 2
Ballot boxesqty 70
Presentation foldersqty 12
Pensqty 80
Notepadsqty 75
Wristbandsqty 70
Groceries
- Coffee beans - 2 kilograms
- Tea bags - 120 pieces
- Cocoa powder - 500 gram
- Sugar - 2 kilograms
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 10 bottles
- Still water - 10 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 48 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Rice - 3 kilograms
- Pasta - 3 kilograms
- Chicken breast - 5 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Ground beef - 3 kilograms
- Eggs - 30 pieces
- Chickpeas - 8 cans
- Lentils - 6 cans
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Vegetable stock - 2 boxes
- Chicken broth - 2 boxes
- Onions - 3 kilograms
- Garlic - 6 bulbs
- Carrots - 3 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 20 pieces
- Zucchini - 10 pieces
- Broccoli - 8 heads
- Green beans - 4 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 3 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Arugula - 1 kilogram
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Corn - 8 cans
- Olives - 4 jars
- Feta - 1,5 kilogram
- Grated cheese - 2 kilogram
- Parmesan cheese - 500 grams
- Yogurt - 3 kilograms
- Cooking cream - 4 liters
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Olive oil - 2 liters
- Sunflower oil - 1 liter
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Pasta sauce - 6 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Soy sauce - 1 bottle
- Salt - 500 grams
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Paprika powder - 100 grams
- Curry powder - 100 gram
- Italian herbs - 100 grams
- Cumin - 100 grams
- Chili powder - 100 gram
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Baguettes - 10 pieces
- Tortilla wraps - 60 pieces
- Hummus - 2 kilograms
- Butter - 1 kilogram
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Currant buns - 50 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Mixed olives - 3 jars
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Mandarins - 60 pieces
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mini muffins - 80 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Fresh mint - 6 bunches
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dishwasher tablets - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 6

Tips

Plan one registration desk with enough chairs or stools for the people checking participants in. Keep printed registration lists, name badges and spare pens there; these are often forgotten until the first guest arrives.
Reserve a separate judges’ table rather than placing the jury at the buffet or audience tables. Allow space for evaluation forms, laptops, water glasses and any presentation notes.
Test the laptop, projector, projection screen, speakers, mixer, wireless microphones and presentation clicker together at least one day before the event. Keep the correct HDMI cables, adapters, extension cords and power strips in the same equipment box.
Count tableware from the final catering numbers, then add a small buffer: roughly 10% extra glasses, coffee cups, plates and cutlery sets prevents a shortage when items are misplaced or used twice.
Prepare catering storage before delivery. Use coolers for chilled items and thermos flasks or coffee pots for drinks, with serving trays, serving spoons and dessert plates ready at the buffet table.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a business plan competition?: At minimum, prepare a laptop, projector, projection screen, presentation clicker and the required HDMI cables or adapters. For spoken presentations, plan wireless microphones, microphone stands, speakers and a mixer, plus extension cords and power strips.
How many chairs and tables do I need for a business plan competition?: Start with one seat for every confirmed participant, jury member and audience guest. Add a separate judges’ table, registration desk and buffet table, and keep at least 10% spare seating if attendance may change.
How much tableware should I buy for the competition?: Use the confirmed catering headcount as your base and add about 10% extra glasses, coffee cups, plates, dessert plates and cutlery sets. This covers replacements and guests taking more than one item during breaks.
When should I buy supplies for a business plan competition?: Buy or reserve non-perishable equipment and furniture at least one week beforehand. Check catering quantities, dietary requirements, prizes and certificates 48 hours before the event, and test the presentation setup no later than the day before.

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