COMMUNICATIONS
Hiring Professional MCs For Successful Corporate Events
By Anthony Taiti
As a rule of thumb , never gamble with the choice of an MC for a corporate event . Here ’ s the elephant in the room : The prevalent practice of hiring celebrities as Master of Ceremonies ( MC ) for corporate events solely based on their popularity . To set the record straight , being a renowned comedian , actor , actress , or media personality does not automatically qualify someone as a professional MC . While it is true that some of these individuals have honed their skills in professional emceeing , particularly for corporate events , many still have a long way to go . An MC bears this title for a good reason ; it carries great responsibility . As an adjective , the word " Master " has various meanings , such as being in charge and being proficient . Interestingly , MCs are often referred to as “ Hosts ”, despite the fact that they are hired service providers . In essence , they are expected to own the event and ensure it is well executed , just as the owner ( host ) would desire .
The question arises : Who is a professional corporate MC ? Essentially , this is an individual with exceptional communication skills who ensures a seamless flow of an event by absorbing its objectives , breathing life into the day ' s program , effectively articulating the theme , connecting with the audience , and monitoring progress .
I conducted research to investigate how different organizations select an MC for their corporate events . Only seven of the twenty organizations surveyed hired professional MCs with gravitas . The remaining thirteen organizations simply considered one ’ s fame and went for wellknown personalities . I was curious to learn about their experience with these renowned personalities , and it was hardly surprising that only two organizations expressed contentment . The eleven others complained that they were arrogant and did not align with the fundamental essence and purpose of the event . I also conversed with a seasoned corporate MC who is also a renowned media personality . He stated that many of his peers who take on corporate emceeing jobs perform dismally because they lack professionalism . They believe that their status will take care of business .
Based on my experience as a professional MC and event organizer , I unequivocally assert that hiring a professional MC is one of the most certain ways to ensure the success of a corporate event . In fact , I firmly believe that an MC should be the first item on the budget . Unfortunately , some organizations fail to recognize the true importance of this role , often due to barebones budgets or ignorance . What they don ’ t realize is that a professional MC can transform a shoestring-budget event into a successful and memorable experience .
There is a common belief that an MC ’ s role is merely inviting speakers to the stage , making announcements , and cracking jokes . From my experience , MCs , particularly celebrities , who adopt such a mindset pose a big risk to the success of an event . They fail to prepare adequately because they mistakenly assume that tasks such as calling speakers to the stage and introducing activities are effortless . They also hold the misguided belief that they can always recycle the same jokes from a previous event - some of which fall awfully flat , leaving the audience uncomfortable and making their skin crawl .
On the other hand , professional MCs are always well-prepared . They achieve this by investing in extensive research on the various aspects of an event . They dedicate time to understanding the topic or theme of the event through thorough reading or consulting experts in the respective field . They internalize the important findings that are pertinent to the event , enabling them to maintain audience enthusiasm by articulating the theme effectively . Additionally , they study the characteristics and qualities of the anticipated audience , gaining insights into their behaviours , expectations , and interests . This way , they are able to tailor their engagement approach in ways that resonate with them . On this note , it is crucial to emphasize that not all events require audiences to participate in contrived engagements orchestrated by MCs who constantly ask them to interact with their fellow attendees .
Professional MCs conduct themselves with utmost professionalism . They respect their role as conduits for achieving the event ' s goals , unlike others who upstage an event to promote themselves . They remain alert , ready to take charge with poise in the event of any unforeseen circumstances , ensuring the smooth progression of the event .
While the allure of hiring celebrity MCs is undeniable , fame alone does not guarantee the requisite skills and expertise for a corporate event .
Hiring a professional MC should be regarded as a worthwhile investment . Ultimately , they reinforce a brand ’ s image , thereby making a substantial contribution to the overall success of an organization .
Anthony Taiti is Public Relations and Communication professional . He ’ s currently the Head of Corporate Affairs at Pan Africa Christian ( PAC ) University . You can connect with him via mail at : ATaiti09 @ gmail . com .
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