Sometimes we overlook how important an emcee is to your event. After attending a swanky gala event last Saturday night, I was reminded of this via a shocking experience.
Let me set the scene, there were about 200 people who attended this fundraising awards gala. Tickets were a premium, there was a silent auction, gourmet meal, wonderful decor and professional a/v. The awards were sponsored and three people were being recognized for their lifetime contributions to their industry.
The emcee is a household name and flew in for the event. It became appallingly apparent nobody had briefed her nor had she read the script before getting on stage. Other than the name of the event she didn't know how to pronounce the sponsoring organizations, the winner’s names nor their respective organizations. To be blunt she butchered the live event execution and at one point called to "roll the next video" 30 minutes too early. The video was to present the next lifetime achievement award...kind of critical to the program.
In all the hustle and bustle of getting an event out the door, we can't forget the most basic of details. The lesson learned? Your emcee can crash your event roll-out just as easily as your venue, a/v or food. However when your emcee crashes and burns at the podium…there is little you can do to recover. Spend the time to fully brief your emcee, especially if they are not from your industry.
Want to know the best punch line of the event? The final award recipient intentionally butchered the emcee's name several times calling her Shannon Tiegs...getting only half her name right.
Until next time,
Steve
Love the story Steve. Just beginning strategic planning for my Centennial students' event March 29th. Amazing how they are looking at all the 'big' stuff without taking a look at the tiny details--which in this case, isn't so tiny after all. Am forwarding this to them.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Steve. I had a similar disheartening experience when the uber-rated closing speaker started quoting a well known entrepreneur who had presented to the same audience the day before. I was shocked that such an anticipated speech was sunk because the speaker didn't do his homework on the organization or the conference. A simple review of the agenda would have saved his butt.
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