Most workshop activities will require some kind of supplies, so have them ready at your disposal. Different materials serve different goals: to simplify activities, inspire creativity, or create artifacts.

Here's a list of the essential materials for a workshop facilitator's toolbox:

• Sticky notes and permanent markers to write on them
• Dry-erase markers and an eraser for the whiteboard
• Pencils and pens for fast sketches in notebooks and penciling in dates on calendars
• Dot stickers in various colors for visualizing votes

Some other nice-to-haves are:

• A projector with connectors to review documents, visit websites, or share web tools with participants
• A USB flash drive for situations when you lose connection during a meeting and need to swap files quickly
• Tape to help stick sticky notes that fall off
• Yarn for making grids on whiteboards or for dividing up walls in sections