Executive Travel

* Name: Thomas Leech

* Position: Presentation coach

* Company: Leech & Associates, San Diego

Business travelers who will be making presentations need to be especially careful to protect their equipment and materials. Leech coaches executives in presentation techniques and is author of “How to Prepare, Stage & Deliver Winning Presentations.” Here are some of his tips, acquired from experience: * Never check your visual aids with your luggage. Take them with you.

* Remember where those presentation materials are at each step in your trip--i.e., don’t leave slides in the overhead compartment.

* If you have large sizes or quantities, such as brochures or props, consider sending them separately in advance, confirming that they arrived in good shape ahead of time.

* Travel in such a way that you can appear in suitable business attire even if your luggage is lost.

* Don’t cut schedules too close. Cut stress and go the night before.

Do you have advice for fellow business travelers or a travel-related experience you would like to share? Please mail your typewritten contribution to Executive Travel, Los Angeles Times--Business News, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles CA 90053. Or fax it to (213) 237-7837. Or send it electronically to 3666973@mcimail.com on the Internet. Please be as detailed as possible and include your name, title, company and a daytime phone number.