There is a moment at the beginning of every event that determines how the rest of the programme will unfold.
It lasts less than two minutes.
The Master of Ceremonies steps forward, microphone in hand, and says the first words of the day or evening. It seems routine. It is anything but.
In those first moments, the audience decides whether they will listen, engage, or mentally check out.
Having hosted and observed hundreds of events, I have come to a simple conclusion: most MCs lose the room before they even realise they had it.
Not because they lack potential. But because they underestimate the importance of the opening.
Here are three reasons why.
1. Weak opening
Many MCs begin with safe, predictable lines:
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen…”
“It’s a pleasure to be here…”
There is nothing inherently wrong with these phrases. The problem is that they do nothing to capture attention.
An opening is not a formality. It is a strategic moment.
The first sentence should create focus. It should signal confidence. It should give the audience a reason to listen.
A strong opening might acknowledge the significance of the event, connect with the audience’s expectations, or set a clear tone for what is to come.
Without that, the room remains scattered: physically present, but mentally disengaged.
And once attention is lost at the start, it is difficult to recover.
2. No authority
Authority is not about volume or arrogance. It is about presence and control.
In the early moments, the audience is subconsciously asking:
“Is this person in charge?”
If the MC appears unsure, overly casual, or hesitant, the answer becomes clear and not in their favour.
Authority is communicated through simple but powerful signals:
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A steady voice
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Clear pacing
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Intentional pauses
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Confident posture
It is also reflected in how the MC manages the room. Do they set expectations? Do they guide the audience? Do they take ownership of the programme?
Without authority, the event begins to drift. Speakers take liberties. Timing slips. Energy drops.
The MC’s role is not just to speak. It is to lead.
And leadership must be established early.
3. Low energy
Energy is the invisible force that shapes the experience of an event.
Too often, MCs start flat. Their tone is subdued. Their delivery lacks variation. Their presence fails to lift the room.
The result is immediate: the audience mirrors that energy.
An event does not build energy automatically. It is created and the MC is responsible for setting the initial level.
This does not mean shouting or overperforming. It means being intentional:
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Matching the tone of the event
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Using vocal variation effectively
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Engaging the audience from the outset
A well-calibrated energy level signals that something important is happening and that the audience should be part of it.
Final thought
The first two minutes of an event are not a warm-up.
They are a test.
A test of preparation, presence, and professionalism.
When handled well, they establish control, set expectations, and create momentum that carries the event forward.
When handled poorly, they create a deficit that the rest of the programme struggles to overcome.
For organisations investing significant time and resources into events, this should not be left to chance.
The opening must be designed. Rehearsed. Delivered with intention.
Because in events, as in many areas of leadership, how you begin often determines how you finish.
On cue
If your organisation hosts conferences, launches and stakeholder engagements, investing in how your team opens and runs those events can dramatically improve outcomes.
If you would like support training your team to host and manage events with confidence and precision, feel free to get in touch.
Stay on cue.
Kafui Dey is the author of How to MC Any Event
Phone/WhatsApp 233240299122
The post On Cue with Kafui DEY: Why most MCs lose the room in the first two minutes appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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