Your questions answered.

Some clients are in the habit of using an internal person to emcee their conferences, awards or exhibitions. Perhaps that internal person is the right person to excite the audience, stoke participation, introduce speakers, synthesise points of view and lead panel discussions while keeping things to time.

Maybe they can handle disruptions, inject humour or give a serious moment its due. Or maybe they can’t.

Remarkably, many events charging thousands of dollars to attend share the hosting duties among the board members.

Not having a professional emcee immediately sends a message to your audience – this is not a fully professional event, we’re not focused on giving you the best experience possible and we’ll be muddling along somehow. Prospective attendees get that message long before they’ve registered. Or not registered.

Once you go professional you never go back. Emcees free up your internal alternative host’s time, allowing them to observe, network and take to the stage only when it suits them.

The right emcee becomes so much a part of the event that he or she becomes fundamental to the value proposition of the entire enterprise. Professional emcees can bring in fresh perspectives to your issues.

Is your caterer professional or are you saving some dosh by having the organizing committee bring a plate? Thought so. Now do the same with your emcee.

Your master of ceremonies should be familiar with you, your program, your issues and the broader political climate of your industry.

They should be asking you LOTS of questions.

An emcee should give you the benefit of their experience with suggestions for speakers, formats, timings and themes.

Your emcee should have a good grip on your audience.

Brett will want to know: Are they repeat customers? New to the sector? Worried about rumoured cutbacks? Confused about changes of legislation or ownership? Are they jaded conference veterans or newbies just excited to be out of the office? Are they likely to remain silent during Q&A or are they a curious lot? Who are the big players in the industry? Who are seen as the good and bad guys? What are the big issues that seem to go undealt with year after year?

A generous emcee may briefly speak with presenters on the day to familiarise them with the stage and perhaps update them on previous sessions or controversies. Many speakers ease their nerves with a trip on stage during a break and this should be encouraged.

If the emcee is chairing a panel discussion it’s common for them to talk with the panelists in the weeks leading up to your event. Brett likes to discuss the format of the session, get an idea of the specific issues each will discuss and clarify each speakers’ priorities. This helps Brett guide panelists speakers to their most pertinent material on the day. It also allows him to ask better questions,. Better questions equal better answers equals a better session.

Your emcee has zero responsibility around staging, audio / visual or Powerpoints.

On stage they need to command and direct attention, introduce speakers, topics and themes. They may provide an acknowledgement of country, an overview/ preview and promote various other happenings such as exhibitions, gala dinners and site visits.

They may need to acknowledge sponsors and explain how various aspects of the event work.

All this needs to be done to time – the clock stops for no one. They may need to make snap decisions about running a session a little over the scheduled finish time or cut a long running session short.

They will always start the Q&A session with a high quality question or two if the audience is slow.

They may need to keep a restless crowd focused or wake up a sleepy room.

If your emcee requests a script you should find another emcee. It’s that simple.

Brett never needs a script but always receives a runsheet from the organizer.

This will be a chronological rundown of the day.

The best runsheets are one single document – not a bunch of different attachments to emails spread out over months! The best runsheets:

• display times clearly;

• are generous with whitespace;

• include FULL names, titles and employers;

• include the proper session title;

• include a clear list of VIPs to acknowledge;

• include a clear list of sponsors and supporters;

• contain the bios of speakers with full name and title and employer in chronological order.

The best runsheets also carve out time for the emcee to do their stuff. That might mean that there is a three minute period left specifically for introductions before a session or to wrap up and give a gift to the speaker after a session.

This gives speakers a more realistic understanding of the amount of time they have at their disposal.

Over the course of a day those emcee moments may add up to 20 or 30 minutes. (This is why events routinely run over time.)

Cues such as “A video will play before speaker starts” or “Speaker will need assistance walking on to the stage.” or “Remind audience to evaluate the speaker before they leave for the break.” can be very helpful.

Depending on the cpomplexity f your event, you may provide th emcee with briefing doument providing important background or context.

Yes.

Other travel related costs such as transfers, accommodation are also your responsibility unless otherwise agreed.

Typically Brett books and pays for travel and is reimbursed later.

Depending on the finer details Brett may opt to travel to your location a day early to avoid any flight delay dramas.

Glad you asked.

A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to lock Brett in.

If you chose to cancel the booking, whatever* the reason, the deposit becomes a credit to any future booking. Brett charges no admin fees and your credit is eternal. (Try getting that deal from an airline.)

All travel costs will need to be refunded.

Brett has NEVER cancelled on a client in 25 years but if he does cancel his engagement with you he’ll refund your deposit in full.

*This includes war, famine, pandemics and “our new boss wants to change direction”.

Brett’s not a demanding performer.

A lapel microphone is ideal but he’ll work with a lectern or handheld microphone.

On stage he finds a lectern, small side table and some water will suffice.

The lectern needs to be well light.

If there are speaker gifts or awards to hand out they should be placed discretely but close to the action.

Brett doesn’t typically need a green room but he might commandeer a couple of seats in the front row or table.

If there are numerous speakers a countdown timer, visible to the stage is helpful.

Stages should be disability accessible.

Brett never uses his own laptop but many speakers do so be ready for some last minute connecyti n issues. If Brett has a presentation he’ll provide it to your A/V team.

Oh - a backstage petting zoo, hypnotherapist and sushi chef are mandatory as they help ease Brett’s pre-show nerves.