Moderator Guides: What they are and why we need them
We all want to produce the best event possible and one way to kick your event up a notch is to hire a professional moderator.
What is a moderator?
A professional moderator is a master of ceremonies of sorts. Their role at your event is to make sure participants get the most out of the day or session. A moderator introduces speakers, keeps tasks running on schedule and helps transition from one segment to the other seamlessly.
Why do we need moderators?
We have all attended events that seem awkward, disjointed, disconnected and just plain dull. Running a large, or even a small, event without some professional know-how can be a daunting job even for the most organized person.
A good moderator will help keep the attendees engaged in the event. When you can avoid the awkward “dead zones” by having your event flow seamlessly from one conversation to the next the audience is less likely to lose interest and resort to scrolling their phone for entertainment.
Moderators are the ultimate time managers. He or she will keep the event, and the participants, focused on key points and are able to direct the conversations back to focus with strategic questions and well placed comments and observations. Things can go awry quickly if conversations veer too far off topic and soon you have lost control of not only the chosen dialogue but of your timeline as well.
A good moderator will build a relationship with the attendees and the hosts in order for everyone to have the best possible experience. Some moderators will start building that relationship in advance to maximize the connection between host, speaker and guest. This is priceless when it comes to a successful event! When the level of comfort is established beforehand the rewards will be unparalleled!
Consider a moderator as an investment that will boost your event to the next level and leave the attendees wanting more.
In summary, the moderators main objective is to keep your event moving ahead at the desired pace, engaging the attendees with strategic conversation and questions, bringing a level of comfort and ease between hosts, speakers and attendees and generally being the “glue” that holds the event together to guarantee success!!
Delegating these responsibilities to a professional moderator will not only ease some of the stress but will ensure that your event is entertaining, satisfying and unforgettable in the most positive way!
