Nervous about presenting in your exhibit? Worried that you'll make your audience as nervous as you are? Here are some simple rules of thumb that can help put you, and your audience, at ease.

• Avoid coffee and alcohol. Both affect your nervous system and can contribute to feelings of anxiety.

• Keep water handy. You may not need it, but it can be comforting to know you've got a glass nearby if your mouth gets dry or you get a frog in your throat.

• Make deliberate moves. As you prepare, choreograph small, deliberate moves into your presentation. If you're using visual aids, gesture to them appropriately. When calling on someone with a question, gently gesture in his or her direction. These small actions prevent you from freezing up on stage. They also help keep your body comfortable, which will make your audience more comfortable as well.

• Find a friendly face. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed as you give your presentation, take a short moment to scan the audience for a friendly face. This may be a supportive friend or co-worker, or someone in the audience with a warm presence. Let the sight of this person calm you down; then head into your next sentence.

• React to anything that happens during the course of your presentation. Acknowledge the bird that just flew in the window, the glass of water you just spilled, or the baby that just crawled to the platform. Being in touch with the situation humanizes you and makes you believable to the audience. It also allows you to deal directly with any situation that could develop into a larger distraction.