As a meeting planner, one of your responsibilities will be to choose translation services. After all, no international meeting will be successful without proper communications. The best way to ensure that all communications are handled properly will be to choose the right translation service. Here are the top eight important needs that you should consider when looking for an interpretation service. This will be a helpful checklist that you can use in order to ensure your meeting goes smoothly for communications.

1.  All systems and equipment should be supplied to you for proper simultaneous interpretations. This should include everything from microphones to wireless receivers in order to ensure that interpretations go smoothly.

1. The equipment should be handled and managed by experienced technicians. It should not fall on your shoulders to try to work equipment that you have never used before.

1. There should be enough microphones and headsets provided so that everyone in attendance will have the equipment needed. Preferably, there will be backups available as well, in case something malfunctions.

1. There should be available one interpreters' booth set up and equipped for each and every language that will need to be translated during your meeting or conference.

1. The booths should also be set up in the proper position. You should have help in setting up the booths in the right way so that the interpreters will have visual access to everything they need to see.

1. The interpreter booths should be compliant in all ways with the standards set forth by ISO.

1. The interpreter booths should have all of the proper equipment, including headphones, a microphone, a control panel and other needed tools for proper interpretations.

1. The booths should have enough lighting; a reading lamp for each of the interpreters would be the best method.

1. There should be an onsite manager to serve as the main point-of-contact between you and the interpretation team. Especially in larger events or multi-room meetings.

1. The company should coordinate with you to receive as much material (handouts and Powerpoints) from the speakers as possible so that the interpreters can prepare themselves adequately prior to the meeting.

It is your job as a meeting planner to ensure that all interpretations are properly managed. This means you need to choose the right interpretation company. When you are looking for that company, use this helpful checklist. You should only choose a interpretation services company that can provide these types of services and tools in order to ensure proper communication during your event. Instead of trying to guess at which service will be best, you will easily be able to narrow down your options using this list of must haves when it comes to services and equipments offered by the company that you are considering.