In short: An MC introduces and links the whole event and keeps it on time. A compère is the UK word for much the same role, often with more personality. A host is the front person for an occasion such as an awards evening. A moderator guides a panel without giving their own view. A facilitator helps a group reach its own decision. Name the job you need in the brief before you book.
An MC, a host, a moderator and a facilitator all run part of an event. Each has a different job, so name the one you need before you choose anyone.
The five roles, briefly
- MC (Master of Ceremonies), or emcee. Introduces and links the elements of an event, guides the audience from start to finish and keeps to the agenda. Often used formally, and more often in international settings.
- Compère. The UK term for much the same role. The compère often has a strong personality and is quick on their feet, and the term is common in variety, music and television.
- Host. The front person for an occasion, such as an awards ceremony or a celebration. The host's presence and sense of occasion matter more than the detail of the agenda.
- Moderator. Presides over a panel discussion, or a similar session. Guides the debate, moves between topics, takes audience questions and stays neutral between panellists.
- Facilitator. Helps a group make decisions and reach shared conclusions. Oversees the process without contributing to the outcome, and usually needs detailed knowledge of the subject.
Alastair Greener, who works as an MC, host, moderator and facilitator, notes that moderators and facilitators are not normally mediators or arbitrators. They do not settle a dispute. They run the room.
What to brief, whichever job it is
- The event, the date and the room. Include whether the event is live, online or hybrid.
- The audience. Who is in the room, and why they came.
- The run of show. Every item, its length and who speaks.
- The tone the organiser wants. Formal, warm, lively or measured.
- What the person must not do. For example, no political comment, or no selling from the stage.
Alastair's advice on introductions is to write your own intro for the MC: who you are, what you will cover for this audience, why you are the right person, the title and your name. Send it ahead and bring a spare copy on the day.
Which job for which event
- A conference with speakers handing over one to another: an MC.
- An awards evening or a gala: a host, with an MC if the running order is long.
- A panel debate on a contested topic: a moderator who knows the subject and can stay neutral.
- A workshop where a group must agree a plan: a facilitator.
A worked example
A regional business network holds a half-day event with four speakers, a panel and a networking break. The organiser books one person to run the whole day. The brief names the job as MC, with a moderator for the panel. The MC keeps time and links the speakers. The moderator runs the panel and takes the audience questions. That split works because each person knows what they are not there to do.
Common mistakes
- Booking a host for a panel, so the debate turns into a set of performances.
- Asking a moderator to give their own view.
- A brief with no run of show, so the MC is left to guess the timings.
- Assuming a compère and an MC need different skills. The overlap is large.
- Leaving the introductions until the morning of the event.
Keeping time is usually the MC's hardest job. Linking speakers and keeping time covers the mechanics, and the MC's checklist lists the questions to ask the organiser. For a filmed event, our live events, vision mixing and streaming page explains how the production side fits around the person on the stage.
The picture at the top of this page is an illustration, not a photograph of a client or a real job.
Questions we get asked
What is the difference between an MC and a host?
An MC introduces and links every part of an event and keeps the agenda on track. A host is the face of an occasion, often an awards evening, where personality and presence matter most. Many people do both, but the brief should name the main job.
What does a moderator do on a panel?
A moderator guides the discussion between panellists, moves it from one topic to the next, and handles questions from the audience. A good moderator stays neutral and does not give their own view as a panellist.
Is a facilitator the same as a moderator?
No. A moderator guides a discussion. A facilitator helps a group reach its own shared decisions and oversees the process, but does not contribute to the outcome. A facilitator usually needs detailed knowledge of the subject as well.
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