You’re back at work after the holiday break, and the conversations are instantly about this year’s goals. Perhaps your firm is looking to hold its first awards ceremony this year, or is looking to increase the attendees at its annual professional conference.
For most
businesses, hosting an event is
essential for marketing and knowledge purposes, but it can feel
overwhelming to think of ways to improve the experience year after year.
However, there is one tip that is guaranteed to make this year’s event run
smoother, have higher engagement, and be far more memorable than ever before.
If you are interested, read on for three reasons to hire an MC (Master of
Ceremonies) at this year’s event.
1. Many events require a professional MC.
Depending
on what industry you are operating in and how much experience you have
organizing events, you may not realize when it is (almost) essential that you
hire a professional presenter.
Generally, awards nights, conferences,
product launches, charity galas, dinners and other special events need an MC. The
role of the MC at these events will differ. For example, at an awards night,
you want someone to form an uplifting, celebratory tone while at a conference,
you will require someone who can keep the day moving with flawless facilitation
skills.
Frequently, MCs can be a huge draw for
people attending the conference or the event which is why, in these
scenarios, it is expected that there will be a professional there to create the
mood, and keep people entertained and engaged while also adding credibility to
the experience.
2. Having an MC gives you complete control over an event.
No matter
what type of event you are hosting, there is one thing that is for sure:
Nothing is going to go entirely to plan. This is where having an MC is a
blessing in disguise.
If you want to have some semblance of control over your event, you need to delegate one person to take the
lead who has the know-how for dealing with unexpected situations efficiently.
This is what an MC is trained in (after all, the role isn’t called Master of
Ceremonies for nothing).
If you want to reduce the risk of your event derailing or getting sidetracked
in the first couple of hours, then you want to have a professional MC who has experience in the field and who
knows what it takes to ensure your event goes to plan.
Because
here is the thing: There is a good chance that the slip-up at your event frequently happens at other
events as well
(timing issues, engagement issues,
technical issues, etc.) and therefore, a professional MC has already learned
how to deal with it.
While you are running around like a mad chicken, the professional MC will remain cool, calm and collected and crack
one more (appropriate) joke when necessary to keep the crowd engaged.
3. An MC just makes everything more memorable.
How many
events, conferences, and dinners have you been to that have no stand out
characteristics? Probably quite a few, which is a shame, considering how much
time and effort most likely went into producing the whole shebang.
Unfortunately, too many people focus all their time, energy and budget on
things such as invitations, table displays, fancy badges and the like.
Sometimes, the need to have an MC is a last-minute realization.
What that does mean for you is that by hiring a professional MC who is
well-equipped to handle and engage your specific audience, you are already more
likely to have an unforgettable event. This doesn’t just make you feel better
about the blood, sweat and tears that were poured into the event, but it also means that people are more likely to attend
your event again and even speak about their experience with others who
weren’t there (free marketing!).
What to Look For in a Professional MC
Now that you understand why it is vital to hire a professional presenter, it is time to help you recognize what to look for when searching for the right one.
Generally,
you want to be working with a professional MC in Dubai (or wherever your event is being held) who is
able to handle unplanned situations with
a calm demeanor, who shows up
prepared and ready to go, who is time-conscious,
and who has experience hosting the type
of event you are planning.
Remember, the more effortless an event seems, the more work has been put into
it before kick-off time. The more thoroughly you communicate with your MC, the
higher the probability that they are going to have the tools and understanding
necessary to do a fantastic job.
Have you ever hired a professional MC? If so, how did you feel it impacted the
event? If not, what is stopping you? Let us know your thoughts and experiences
regarding this topic in the comments below!
AUTHOR BIO
Hisham Wyne is an internationally recognised MC, broadcaster, presenter and
moderator who helps the world’s best-known brands create memorable occasions.
He regularly hosts conferences, panel sessions, gala dinners and award
ceremonies for some of the world’s best brands. With 150+ events under his
belt, Hisham is the professional speaker that brands and agencies turn to when
wanting to interview, engage and entertain government VVIPs and Hollywood
celebrities.