Category: Event Host Blog
Award ceremony run of show: a template that keeps the night on time
An award ceremony run of show template that maps every minute of the evening, built from the ceremonies I have actually hosted, not a generic planning checklist.
What questions to ask when hiring an MC (before you book)
The right questions to ask when hiring an MC are about experience, preparation and what happens when something goes wrong, not just price and availability. Here is my own vetting checklist.
Corporate Christmas party entertainment: how to book the right act
Booking corporate Christmas party entertainment is mostly a logistics exercise: confirm your headcount, format, and date before you contact anyone. Book at least four to six months ahead of December. Interactive and hosted formats book up faster than most organisers expect. Get the deposit, cancellation terms, and public liability insurance confirmed in writing before you…
What is an awards host? Role, cost, and how to book one in the UK
An awards host does far more than read out winners: briefing every nominee, checking pronunciation, managing pacing, and handling whatever goes wrong live. Awards host fees are bespoke and not publicly listed anywhere in the industry, so treat the fee as an investment in how the evening feels rather than a line item to shave.…
Christmas party entertainment ideas: what works for UK corporate parties
Christmas party entertainment works best when guests are doing something, not just watching something: game shows, quizzes, and table-to-stage formats consistently outperform passive acts. Demand for entertainment has surged. Some suppliers report bookings running at roughly four times 2019 levels, so the good acts and dates go early. Non-drinkers are a bigger share of the…
Corporate Christmas party ideas: a UK planning guide for 2026
Good corporate Christmas party ideas start with three decisions: budget per head, format, and guest list, locked in before you contact a single venue. Book your venue 6 to 9 months ahead for a good choice of December dates, and no later than 4 to 6 months out even at the last resort. Popular Friday…
Awards ceremony entertainment ideas: how to keep the room engaged
Awards ceremony entertainment works best when it is built into the run of show, not bolted on between trophies as an afterthought. Energy dips at a predictable point: after the first three or four categories, once the novelty of winning has worn off for the room. Interactive, game-show style segments (Family Fortunes, The Generation Game,…
What is a corporate entertainer? What they do and how to book one in the UK
A corporate entertainer is a professional performer booked specifically for a business audience: staff, clients, or stakeholders, rather than a private party. UK corporate entertainer costs typically run from around £250 to £3,000+ per act, averaging roughly £500, with London prices running noticeably higher than the rest of the UK. “Corporate entertainer” and “corporate entertainment”…
How to plan an awards ceremony: a complete guide for UK event managers
How to plan an awards ceremony well requires more lead time than most organisers allow: 12 weeks minimum for a formal corporate event, 16 or more if you are booking specific talent or a larger venue. The three elements that determine whether an awards night succeeds are the host, the run of show, and the…
Wedding MC duties: the complete checklist for your master of ceremonies
Wedding MC duties centre on logistics and coordination: liaising with suppliers, managing the timeline, briefing speakers, and handling anything unexpected, not just making announcements. The MC acts as the single point of contact between the couple, the venue, the photographer, the band or DJ, and the catering team throughout the day. A written run sheet,…
Corporate entertainment ideas: what works at UK business events
The best corporate entertainment ideas share one quality: they fit the audience. What works at a sales conference for 500 does not automatically work at a senior leadership dinner for 40. Audience size, formality, and the event’s purpose should determine entertainment choices before any vendor conversations begin. The professional who hosts and links your entertainment…
Wedding MC script: how to structure introductions, speeches, and key moments
A wedding MC script is not a word-for-word transcript. It is a running order with fixed cue points (names, timings, transitions) and looser talking points for the parts that need to sound natural. The core sections are: welcome and housekeeping, wedding party and couple introductions, speeches and toasts, first dance and family dances, and a…
What is a compere? The UK term explained for corporate event planners
A compere is the professional who presents and links the various elements of a live event: introducing acts or speakers, keeping the programme moving, and managing the audience’s energy throughout. In UK events, “compere” and “MC” describe the same core function. “Compere” carries a distinctly British flavour, historically associated with variety entertainment, while “MC” carries…
What is a wedding MC? Master of ceremonies, emcee, and toastmaster explained
A wedding MC is the person who runs the reception’s running order: welcoming guests, introducing speeches, cueing the first dance and cake cutting, and keeping the evening moving without anyone noticing the effort behind it. “Wedding MC”, “wedding emcee”, and “wedding master of ceremonies” all describe the same role. The words are interchangeable; only the…
What is a master of ceremonies? Role, meaning, and UK guide
What is a master of ceremonies? The professional who officially presides over a formal event: opening proceedings, introducing speakers, managing the running order, and guiding the audience from one segment to the next. In UK events, “master of ceremonies” is typically abbreviated to MC. “Emcee” and “compere” describe the same core function under different names.…
Conference host vs MC: what’s the difference and which do you need?
The conference host vs MC question is one of the most common terminology confusions in corporate event planning. In a conference context, the two roles overlap significantly. The practical difference is in emphasis: an MC prioritises formal programme structure; a host prioritises audience energy and conversational flow. In UK events, “compere” is often used instead…
How to brief an event host: what your MC needs to know before the day
Knowing how to brief an event host is as important as choosing who to book. A weak brief produces a weak night, even from a strong professional. Your host needs five things before the day: a clear objective, a detailed run of show, speaker information, audience context, and a direct line of contact when things…
What does an event host do? Roles, responsibilities, and why it matters
An event host manages the complete flow of a live event: introductions, transitions, time-keeping, and audience energy, all running simultaneously. Most of the quality you notice on the night was built in the preparation beforehand. The host’s work starts weeks before the event. “Event host” and “MC” are often used interchangeably, but they describe slightly…
How to hire a charity auctioneer: what to look for before you book
In short A charity auctioneer does far more than call bids: they advise on lot selection, structure the programme, and manage the room’s energy across the full evening. The work that happens before the event night accounts for most of the final result. One person running both the hosting and the auction eliminates the handover…
How to choose an award ceremony host: the questions to ask before you book
An award ceremony host does four things: entertains the room, makes general announcements, calls winners, and keeps the programme on time. Not all ceremonies are the same. A host who suits a tight, high-volume evening may not be right for one that has space for entertainment. Look for preparation, poise under pressure, and the ability…