An often-overlooked role at corporate events is the MC. You may know the MC by another name – master of ceremonies, emcee or simply, host.

Choosing an MC might seem like a trivial decision in the grand scheme of all that you are planning, but it really is important.

His or her job is to engage the audience. They are responsible for the overall flow of the entire event, keeping calm at the front of the house even if backstage there is utter chaos.

Here are the top five tips to see how your MC stacks up before you hand over that microphone and they hop onto the stage:

1.) If you have done your homework and hired the right person for the job, they will hit the right note with your audience. Bring in an MC whose message is aligned with the event’s overall theme. For example, if your corporate event is about inspiring employees to maximize their potential, look at hiring an MC who is renowned for having a positive attitude and motivational message.

2.) Their role is to be interesting and entertaining, but should never be confused with the entertainment. They should complement rather than compete or detract from any other aspect on the schedule.

3.) They must be capable of creating a seamless transition from one event to the next or from one speaker to the next. Ensure they have a strong grasp on the topics of discussion at the event so they can fill in the white space between acts, speakers or events. Their job is to create a great flow throughout the event. If they are simply introducing one act to the next, the overall effect will seem disjointed.

4.) Make sure they have that schedule memorized frontwards and backwards. Since they are in charge of the flow of the day onstage, knowing what is happening next and down the road is essential. Similarly, prior to the event, they should learn the names and the proper pronunciation of each person before attempting it for the first time onstage. Make sure they make a point of meeting the people who will be introduced throughout the day before the event starts. That way, if someone they are about to introduce is not at the stage waiting to come up, the MC can fill in space until that person arrives. If the MC does not know who they are introducing, they can’t do that.

5.) One of the best choices you can make when choosing an MC is to ensure they have great energy and are not easily shaken. No doubt you can recall the type of person I am talking about. They exude vitality and you want to be around them. When something unexpected comes up, they will be able to fill in the gaps effortlessly with humor and their quick, improvisational skills. This energy will be felt by the entire room and sets the tone for a successful event.

When you are thoughtful about who you bring in to fill this role, it takes the pressure off you so you can attend to the hundreds of other tasks on your checklist.

It really does go a long way in making your event a success.

When the audience knows they are in good hands, they can feel it. Then there is nothing left for your guests to do, but sit back and enjoy the day!

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