| Probably only truly successful event organisers know | | | | way to completely suit the audience's mood and |
| just how important it is to have the correct Master | | | | desires. |
| of Ceremonies (MC) to host their event. The success | | | | * The MC should be an excellent listener, with specific |
| of an event is judged by the perception of the | | | | and relevant experience in the topics addressed in |
| audience. Thus the MC is in a unique position to | | | | order to effectively summarise each speaker. This |
| positively impact your event through flexibility, | | | | ensures a continuity and flow is maintained by adding |
| intuition and of course an innate ability to speak well | | | | a clear interpretation as part of the linking process. |
| themselves. | | | | * Sometimes it can be quite apparent that the |
| As you begin to imagine how successful your event | | | | audience is starting to mentally wander, paying scant |
| could be once you have clearly identified how you | | | | attention to the content of your conference. A good |
| want your audience to feel, one of the things you will | | | | MC will instantly pick up on this and bring your event |
| start to plan is the line-up of speakers. | | | | back on track. |
| Your theme should accurately address the needs and | | | | * An MC, who can ask intelligent, relevant and |
| desires of your audience. This means that all of your | | | | thought proving questions is a huge advantage, since |
| speakers should emphasise and reiterate the same | | | | questions and answer sessions enable participants to |
| central theme which in effect is the backbone of | | | | feel that they are involved in the event. The MC will |
| your whole event. | | | | also have the acuity to use this session to clarify |
| You are probably all too aware that the entire event | | | | relevant speaker points that he may have detected |
| is not purely about content. This is because people | | | | the audience had missed. |
| base their feelings on what they can actually hear, | | | | * Most speakers focus on their pitch and indeed they |
| see, feel, smell and taste. What this means is that | | | | will all have different styles, thus it is essential to |
| the location, ambience, service, food and drink are | | | | have an MC who is completely empathetic with the |
| also essential and that of course is why you are a | | | | audience to ensure a smooth communication flow is |
| successful event organiser. | | | | maintained. |
| It takes a lot for an event organiser to move away | | | | * In today's busy world many event organisers in a |
| from an excellent MC, since they like to work with | | | | competitive environment are seeking the golden |
| people they know and those that they feel will suit | | | | bullet that will ensure their event is well attended and |
| the audience in the room. In many cases the MC | | | | received. Very often the quality of the MC can make |
| they know may not be available or may not suit a | | | | or break an event's success. |
| different audience, so it is important to look for | | | | * All events and conferences have gaps and |
| qualities in the person you choose that you can feel | | | | unexpected things that just happen and to ensure |
| extremely comfortable and confident with. | | | | that your audience enjoy a fluid experience, it makes |
| So sooner or later once you have the logistics | | | | sense to have an MC who as Kipling says; "can fill the |
| underway and you do turn to content, here are | | | | unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of |
| some tips that you may wish to look at that could | | | | distance run". |
| just help your events be even better; | | | | * The MC should be so much more than just a host, |
| * First and foremost your audience must feel | | | | they should grab attention before and between your |
| delighted that they attended and that the whole | | | | presentations so your audiences listen, retaining the |
| event was worthwhile and excellent value in terms of | | | | key messages and information. They shouldn't just |
| time and money spent. | | | | introduce speakers; they should add real impact, |
| * Knowing exactly who should attend and what they | | | | influencing the mood of your audience with playful |
| will get out of the event is one of the most | | | | interaction to optimise the environment. |
| important steps in planning and marketing your event, | | | | * Some MCs just turn up on the day and expect |
| since getting the right messages to the right | | | | everything to be OK! Could you imagine how |
| audience in the right way is a simple rule for success | | | | powerful an impact the MC you hire could have, if |
| that many people seem to forget. | | | | they thoroughly researched your event and |
| * All events should inspire the attendees and have | | | | organisation as well as asked to see all of the pitches |
| them talking about it afterwards and energised. This | | | | from the other speakers? |
| means that they feel they can now really achieve | | | | The bottom line is that your events need to be |
| the goals they felt were important when they signed | | | | memorable, whether they are being run for a single |
| up to attend. | | | | company or as part of a larger organisation like a |
| * Feedback is the fuel for your next event's success. | | | | professional body or charity. |
| Glowing testimonials as well as suggestions for | | | | While content is king, how you package that content |
| improvement are a vital part of the event quality | | | | is imperative. You probably wouldn't buy someone a |
| control process. | | | | valuable cake and wrap it in a plastic bag. So maybe |
| * The audience should always be entertained and | | | | you might ensure that you wrap your content into a |
| motivated throughout the event. Sometimes a poor | | | | rich flowing, though provoking experience where the |
| speaker can seriously damage your event. To | | | | icing on the cake is a fluent, articulate and highly |
| mitigate against this, an engaging MC, can recover | | | | presentable Master of Ceremonies. |
| the situation by redelivering the salient points in a | | | | |