14
Christmas Parties
Choosing the Perfect Host
Nick Gold, MD of Speakers Corner and incoming president of the
International Association of Speaker Bureaus, on the right tone of voice
he host for any party is the
fundamental starting point.
They create the right vibe,
set the atmosphere, and make sure
the peaks keep coming so that there
are no lulls in the proceedings.
It is essential to first understand
exactly what the role of the host is.
This should be mapped up from the
start, as it will massively influence
choosing the right person for the
role. Often, additional activities are
added in the lead up to the event for
the host to undertake. For any
professional with experience hosting
an event, this would be handled with
consummate ease. However, it
starts diluting the core reasons they
were chosen in the first place and
could mean they end up doing a
variety of things well rather than the
key things brilliantly.
The next step is understanding the
value placed on the profile of the
host. Does that bit of celebrity add
something to the event? Can the
budget secure the name?
Professional hosts are involved in
events throughout the year, so it can
be incredibly useful to tap into their
expertise. This includes learning
how the organiser can get the best
from the host, but also allowing the
host to offer any input they might
have in terms of set up and
planning. Accommodating the host’s
input can be a solid way of ensuring
energy is high, that the party is
inclusive, and receiving a fresh set
of eyes on the proceedings.
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Understanding and extracting real
value out of the host to deliver the
best experience possible requires
expert communication. Organisers
must make their requirements
crystal clear, which involves asking
the prospective host (or the bureau
booking the host) the right
questions. Pertinent questions can
make sure the profile, personality
and style of the proposed host fits
with the culture and values of the
event or organisation it is attached
to.
The perfect host can carry an
event from successful to
memorable. Selecting someone
whose profile, energy and style can
elevate the key messages of the
event is the secret to getting it right.