The Professional Event: Always invest in a solid Host for maximum returns.

Your event, no matter the size or the audience, demands a professional host at the helm to ensure nothing is left to chance.

When I host an event for a client, it is my job to be certain there is nothing left to chance, and everything moves with efficiency and precision. It's what I've been doing for more than 20 years and enjoying every moment.

Let’s face it: most meetings, conventions, and corporate events are about as exciting as watching paint dry—if that paint were mixed with molasses and given a sedative. We've all been there: you’re sitting in an uncomfortable chair, staring blankly at a PowerPoint presentation that was clearly designed to double as a sleep aid, and the person speaking is reading directly from the slides like they’re narrating a suspenseful thriller about quarterly earnings.

Riveting.

Now, imagine a different world. A world where every meeting, convention, and event is not just tolerable but, dare I say it, enjoyable. What’s the secret to this magical transformation?

Hiring a professional host. This is the unsung hero you didn’t know you needed to make every gathering not only survivable, but memorable.

There are 5 excellent reasons why you should always have a professional host at your event. These are from my years of experience and hosting hundreds of events of every size, so I believe they'll fit nicely into your thinking.

1. Say Goodbye to Awkward Transitions

Have you ever attended an event where the speakers finished their presentations, and then… nothing happened? A long, awkward pause ensued while someone in the back scrambled to figure out if it was time for coffee or another mind-numbing presentation. Maybe there’s an uncomfortable microphone hand-off, where one speaker nervously fumbles for words while the next one stares into the middle distance like they’re preparing for a slow-motion duel.

Now imagine all of that gone, replaced by smooth, witty transitions handled by a professional host. A good host can glide between segments of an event like butter melting on hot toast. They’ll throw in a joke, maybe even make fun of the IT guy who can’t seem to get the projector working, and suddenly, no one cares about the technical difficulties because they’re laughing too hard. It’s magic. It’s professional hosting magic.

2. Energy Management: Like a DJ, but for Human Emotions

A professional host is the emotional DJ of your event. It's my job to control the room’s energy, keeping it from dipping too low (think post-lunch coma) or getting too high (that one guy who asks too many questions and starts a debate no one asked for). I know when to amp up the excitement, when to cool things down, and when to throw in a well-timed joke to keep everyone’s spirits up.

Without a host, the energy of a typical event tends to roller-coaster wildly between boredom and confusion. One minute, you’re nodding off to a PowerPoint slide about supply chain logistics, and the next, you’re in the middle of an unscheduled argument about parking logistics for the company picnic. A host knows how to steer the emotional ship through these turbulent waters, ensuring smooth sailing from start to finish.

3. They Keep Things on Track (Because Someone Needs To)

Let’s be real: meetings and conventions have a natural tendency to spiral out of control. One speaker goes over their allotted time, the Q&A session turns into a therapy session, and suddenly, lunch is delayed, and people are starting to riot over cold sandwiches. A professional host is like a referee, except instead of blowing a whistle, they use humor and charm to herd people back on track. The sports analogy works for me, as I've spend a good part of my broadcast career in sports and learned from the best coaches in the business.

My task is to gently nudge speakers to wrap it up without making it awkward, handle that one guy who insists on turning every session into a TED Talk, and most importantly, ensure that the event doesn’t run two hours longer than advertised. It's all about being the one who has "time management" at the forefront of thinking.

4. They Know How to Engage the Audience (Even the Bored Ones)

We’ve all seen it: the glazed-over eyes, the surreptitious phone checking under the table, the silent prayers for a fire alarm to go off. It’s no secret that keeping people engaged during a meeting or convention is about as easy as herding cats—or convincing someone to eat a kale salad on purpose.

Enter the professional host. We have a bag of tricks to keep the audience’s attention, whether it’s a clever joke, a quick interactive game, or just calling out the guy in the back who’s clearly checked out and thinking about his fantasy football lineup. We know how to read the room and adjust their performance accordingly, making sure no one is too bored to function.

A host can even make the most boring subject (looking at you, expense reports) seem, if not thrilling, at least bearable. And let’s be honest, that’s all we’re really asking for here.

5. They Make You Look Like You Have Your Life Together

When you hire a professional host, you’re essentially saying, “Look at me, I’m a competent adult who knows how to put on a seamless event that people will actually enjoy.” The host does all the heavy lifting, making sure everything flows smoothly, and you get to take all the credit for organizing an event that wasn’t a dumpster fire. Win-win!

With a host, your event feels polished, professional, and dare I say it, fun. Attendees will walk away thinking, “Wow, that was actually a great event,” instead of, “Thank God it’s over.” And who doesn’t want to be known as the person who organizes great events?

Conclusion: A Professional Host is the Secret to Event Success

So there you have it: In my capacity as a professional host (and even adding in a guest speaking topic), this is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. I’ll turn your event from a slog through boring presentations and awkward transitions into a smoothly run, engaging, and enjoyable experience. Whether you’re planning a small team meeting, a giant corporate convention, or even just a birthday party for your dog (and I'll bring plenty of stories about our own fuzzy kids), having a host makes all the difference.

So, do yourself—and your attendees—a favor: Let's talk. Your event will be memorable, your audience will be engaged, and best of all, you won’t have to stand there with a microphone trying to figure out what to do next. Plus, you’ll look like an organizational genius.

Trust me, it’s worth every penny, and it also leads to more business closings and excellent reviews.

Ed Berliner is the veteran host of meetings, events and conventions around the world. An Emmy Award winning broadcaster, film actor and stage performer, Ed delivers his charm and wit in keeping every event in perfect motion, whether it's in-person or via his virtual studio. Contact Ed today and discuss your needs for every event, and let him help lead your efforts to a memorable occasion.