Galactic Activity 22

MCing an event is another form of managing a meeting but without any decision making. Your main tasks are to ensure that the event runs to time, explain the housekeeping procedures, introduce the speakers, provide entertaining and respectful segues between the various activities and to direct the participants regarding serving of food, etc.

Activity 22 – MC an event

Duration: depends on the event
Applicable Streams: Personal challenge, Leadership, Learning & Development, Workplace skills, Education, Meeting Skills, Inspiration/Motivation, Conference/events, Humour

Aim

In this activity you are aiming to:

Perform the role of MC at an event

Objectives

To do this, you will need to keep the following objectives in mind:

  1. Obtain a runsheet or indication of your roles and responsibilities for the event.
  2. Organise a run through or pre-event meeting with your contact people to ensure the runsheet is mutually understood
    including emergency procedures and time sensitive events.
  3. Introduce yourself to key people at the event if not already known.
  4. MC a successful event.

The Why…

MCing an event is a role that often comes up in life – and the better prepared and experienced you are, the better!

Where do I start?

Finding an event to MC may be something that needs to come to you rather than you looking for it – having said that, let it be known in your circles that you’re happy to MC events and take any offers that come your way!

The How

Specific guidelines on how to tackle this activity.

It may be a challenge for members to find an event to MC, so keep this activity up your sleeve should such an opportunity arise. If all else fails, you can offer to MC at your workplace or organisation (sports club, volunteer organisation etc)

Not everyone will have the opportunity to do this activity.

Variations:

  1. Report back to club on what you learnt about MCing
  2. Attach this to another activity – build a workshop around how to be an MC – or create a stand up comedy stint about what wrong (or what was challenging) on the day

Tips and traps

TRAPS:

  • Not knowing your audience or the tone that will be appropriate for the event.
  • Not knowing who to contact if there’s an issue at the event.
  • Enjoying yourself so much you lose track of the time and miss important events.
  • Getting straight into the business without introducing yourself.
  • Running through the events in bullet style fashion without any humour, banter or interaction with the attendees.

TIPS:

  • Be informed and prepared! Know who your audience is, what tone will be appropriate and ask the event organiser if there’s anything you need to know before the event for example evacuation procedures or specific timing that needs to be adhered to.
  • Make sure you have a list of people to contact in the event of an emergency or if something goes awry during the event.
  • Remember being the MC is a full time job at the event and your focus should be on working through the list of timed inclusions and adjusting where necessary with the assistance of the event organiser.
  • Stay on your toes and don’t get carried away with the fun of the event!
  • Make sure you introduce yourself and why you were chosen to MC this event – if possible, make it humorous and ensure people know they can approach you if there are any issues throughout the event.
  • Interact with the audience as much as possible – it’s not just about running through a list of items in bullet style fashion, but sensing what is going on in the room, making reference to what’s happening and making people feel at ease. Have fun with it!

Guidelines for Program Director:

  • Not everyone will want or be able to do every activity and this activity may be one that is taken up less often.
  • Keep in mind that needs will be driven by the members rather than the Program Director – notwithstanding, Program Directors still need to stretch members to try different activities where feasible.