Pulpits and lecterns: Product Overview

Adding a lectern or pulpit to a conference room, stage, or auditorium can help presenters in several ways. Most directly, it provides a place for a speaker to rest their notes, water, and other props. In lecture halls and auditoriums, podiums can be used to house controls for audio/visual equipment and lights, microphones, and other equipment.

A pulpit can even give a reserved speaker a boost of confidence. A professional-looking structure can add an air of authority to presenters who are shy or intimidated by public speaking.

In common use, the terms "lectern" and "pulpit" are interchangeable. Try to avoid using the word "podium" to mean the same thing, though: a podium is really the raised floor at the front of a hall or stage, not a piece of furniture.

Keep aesthetics in mind as you're shopping, too. Pulpits can lend a serious appearance to any meeting, so buying one that has a clean, professional look is important. You can choose designs that range from fairly plain, more academic-looking lecterns, to very sleek, contemporary models.

Portable freestanding lecterns are the most common for auditoriums and stages. In smaller conference rooms, desktop lecterns can save space by sitting on the table in front of the speaker, instead of on the floor. In lecture halls and other locations where the lectern is a permanent fixture, larger, heavier pieces are more common.

Some features to consider as you shop for a lectern or pulpit:

• Caster wheels for easy movement
• Lockable storage space for computers, electronics or other valuable supplies
• Keyboard trays to store and hold computer keyboards and mice when they're not in use
• Vented multimedia compartments to prevent electronics from overheating
• Adjustable height to accommodate different speakers
• Built-in lights on flexible stems allow for precise lighting of notes or equipment
• Built-in microphones eliminate the need for external wiring

If you intend to use your lectern for audio-visual control, be sure to look for a model that can work with the controls you've got in mind. Some low-end pulpits and speaker stands are too small to hold the electronics.

BuyerZone is the leading online marketplace for business purchasing.

• Founded in 1992
• 2 mil+ registered users
• 5 mil+ requests processed
• 8,500+ active suppliers