Six Reasons to Hire an Emcee or Professional Moderator for Event Success
Events are critical strategic tools for networking, lead generation, knowledge sharing, fundraising, product launches, and more. Whether you’re hosting a business summit, industry expo, team-building seminar, or panel discussion, the decision to hire an emcee or professional moderator to lead the conversation can make all the difference. By doing so, organizations can create more impactful interactions, elevate their brand, and lay a solid foundation for growth.
Many organizations, however, choose to use in-house executives — often a CEO or president — as a way to cut costs and put a familiar face in front of the audience. While this may seem like a logical choice or the easiest option, hiring a professional can deliver a far more polished, engaging, and seamless experience for your audience.
Let’s explore six reasons why investing in a professional moderator is one of the best decisions you can make for your event.
1. Expertise in Steering the Conversation
Professional emcees or moderators do more than just lead a conversation; they possess specialized skills that allow them to navigate complex discussions and keep audiences engaged. Most moderators come with backgrounds in journalism, media, or academia—sectors where questioning, summarizing, and handling diverse viewpoints are second nature.
For instance, a moderator with a background in journalism is trained to ask incisive questions, drawing out the most compelling insights from speakers. They’re also skilled at keeping the conversation moving and on-topic—no awkward silences, no rambling diversions, and no uncomfortable pauses. This asset is often hard to replicate with internal staff, no matter how knowledgeable they may be in their field.
2. Objective Facilitation: Prioritizing Audience Engagement
One of the main advantages of hiring an external moderator is their objectivity. A professional moderator is not influenced by internal company politics or pre-determined agendas, which enables them to prioritize the audience’s interests. Studies have shown that this neutrality is crucial in fostering audience trust and engagement.
Internal moderators, particularly senior executives, may unconsciously steer the conversation toward company priorities, which can limit the scope and depth of the discussion. A professional moderator, on the other hand, balances audience expectations with event objectives, ensuring a dynamic and audience-focused conversation.
3. Boosting Event Credibility and Perception
The presence of a seasoned or high-profile emcee can significantly boost your event’s prestige. They bring credibility, not only because of their reputation but because their very involvement signals that your event is worth taking seriously.
Moreover, many professional moderators have their own followings and reputations. Hiring someone with a notable public profile can attract greater attendance and even create media buzz, further elevating the event’s visibility and your brand.
4. The Ability to Navigate the Unexpected
There’s an art to making an event feel seamless, and a professional emcee is a master at doing just that. They are skilled at handling unexpected challenges, such as technical glitches or schedule overruns, and keeping the agenda on track. They’ll also ensure smooth transitions between speakers or sessions, filling downtime with relevant content or humor and easing any tension without detracting from the event. This level of professionalism can turn a potentially awkward situation into a moment of levity or grace.
In contrast, internal moderators often lack the experience needed to handle these impromptu moments. No matter how polished a C-suite executive is, moderating or emceeing is not their primary skill and may find it difficult to maintain audience interest if an unforeseen issue arises.
The ability to manage events under the spotlights can turn potential upsets into opportunities that further engage the audience.
5. A Fresh Perspective With No Underlying Motives
Internal moderators, especially those in leadership roles, may be constrained by company messaging. This can limit the conversation’s breadth, as they may avoid tough questions or broader industry trends.
A professional moderator, however, brings a fresh perspective, unencumbered by internal politics, and is more willing to ask probing questions. This openness encourages speakers to provide more candid, insightful responses, leading to more meaningful conversations and more engaging, thought-provoking events.
This isn’t to say that using a president or CEO at your event is a bad idea. In fact, having leadership visible can be incredibly powerful. However, placing them in a keynote role or as part of a panel might be a better way to leverage their insights and leadership, while still leaving the moderation to someone with direct experience and an open, unbiased mind.
6. Versatility and Adaptation to Event Dynamics
A professional emcee or moderator is not just a “talking head” — they are skilled at reading a room and adjusting their tone and approach to match the event’s mood. Whether your event is a formal conference or a casual panel discussion, they can adapt seamlessly. This flexibility allows them to cater to different audiences, whether it’s an intimate roundtable of senior executives or a large global conference.
On the other hand, a homegrown moderator may feel more constrained by organizational culture and company messaging or may not be as adept at adapting to spontaneous changes in audience energy or reaction.
For example, a professional emcee can pivot quickly if an unexpected question arises from the audience, or they can skillfully weave humor into their narrative to lighten the mood when needed – all while keeping the core conversation moving forward.
These are subtleties that can greatly impact the flow and tone of an event. Versatility is especially important when dealing with diverse audiences, as it ensures that the event’s content remains relevant and engaging for all participants.
Invest in the Experience, Not Just the Event
So, while it might be tempting to rely on internal talent to moderate your next event, the value of hiring a professional moderator or emcee cannot be underestimated. Their expertise, objectivity, and ability to engage audiences can elevate your event from just good to truly exceptional.
By allowing a professional to take charge of the flow and energy of your event, you free up your internal leaders to focus on what they do best — contributing their own insights and engaging with stakeholders on a strategic level.
Remember, an event is an experience, and hiring an emcee or moderator to enhance that experience ensures your event’s success.
To find the perfect choice for your event, contact Worldwide Speakers Group. Your audience will thank you for it.
Here are some great examples of professional moderators from our stellar lineup of experienced speakers:
Peter Goodman
Peter S. Goodman is a leading voice on the intersection of economics and geopolitics. His in-depth reporting illuminates the real-world consequences of globalization, offering valuable insights for businesses and policymakers alike. Goodman’s ability to connect macroeconomic trends to the lived experiences of individuals makes him a sought-after speaker and commentator. In particular, his research on […]
Sara Fischer
Sara Fischer’s extensive experience as a media analyst and reporter has given her the ability to provide concise analysis of current events as they relate to an array of topics including corporate media, advertising and marketing, technology, social media, entertainment, media regulation, and more. As one of the nation’s most influential voices, Sara provides audiences […]
Mariana Atencio
Mariana Atencio took the world by storm in 2017 when her TEDx talk “What makes YOU special?” went viral. To date, it has over 17 million views and has been translated into 13 languages. Focused on the power of authenticity, her book “Perfectly You” was an Amazon Best Seller and selected by Audible and AppleBooks. […]
John Harwood
Award-winning journalist John Harwood is a widely-respected nonpartisan expert in presidential politics and an admired voice in American homes. He is renowned for his compelling explorations into headline-grabbing events in Washington and his must-see interviews with some of the most influential leaders shaping the future of our nation.
David Culver
The acclaimed and awarded reporting of David Culver has been an essential source of information for the public about life in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Culver’s first-hand experience is unmatched and his anecdotal speaking style will suit engagements of all kinds.
Mary Louise Kelly
Mary Louise Kelly is co-host of All Things Considered, NPR’s flagship evening newsmagazine. She has reported from around the world, including North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mary Louise’s memoir, It.Goes.So.Fast, was an instant New York Times best-seller.
Erica Hill
As a veteran of a cutthroat industry having held prestigious news anchor positions at multiple major media networks, Erica Hill knows her stuff. Erica currently serves as a lead anchor and national correspondent for CNN. She recently anchored HLN’s On the Story with Erica Hill, a daily, New York-based daytime news program.
Shannon Bream
Shannon Bream has been hooked on television journalism since her first anchor position in Charlotte, NC. Now, in addition to anchoring her own show on Fox News, Shannon has authored two books and hosts a podcast sharing inspirational stories, personal anecdotes, and an insider’s perspective on actions and rulings from the high court. Throughout her career […]
Katty Kay
For a world reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Washington-based BBC News anchor Katty Kay brings a sorely-needed fresh perspective on the state of American politics, the economy, and global affairs. Katty’s insights reflect a global mindset that is a natural offshoot of having grown up in the Middle East and her work […]
Geoff Colvin
Experience counts in serious times. For four decades at Fortune, Geoff Colvin has covered the economic, political, technological, and competitive forces disrupting business and how top leaders and companies adapt and transform to win in spite of them. The big takeaway, Geoff says, is that winning companies and leaders summon the courage to act – […]
Select the Perfect Event Moderator