Who should facilitate your next corporate or business conference? A familiar face that knows your organisation inside out or a professional that will also charge you for attending?
There are pros and cons with both, and despite the costs, there are times when investing in an external professional conference facilitator or moderator can be worthwhile.
Keep on reading to find out what an professional conference facilitator is and how they differ from an in-house conference host:
In-house or Professional Conference Facilitator
In-House Conference Facilitator – Pros and Cons
Let’s start with the benefits and risks of using an in-house staff member.
Cost – In theory, staff members’ services are free, but remember that this will take them away from their day jobs. In one instance, a learning and development lead became so side-tracked by leading the conference that the critical rollout of a whole staff regulatory training programme slipped by six months, putting the organisation into non-compliance!
Familiarity – Knowing the organisation’s names and personalities is beneficial. Less helpful is when internal politics raises its ugly head. Your most confident staff likely suffer from the ‘Marmite factor’ internally. Preconceptions will work in favour and against the internal conference facilitator, influencing the entire event.
Knowledge – Internal conference hosts will undoubtedly know more about the company than someone from outside. That can lead to the assumption that every delegate is equally well-informed. Invariably, there are new joiners in attendance who won’t get in-jokes and company jargon.
Confidence – Standing before any audience, especially those who know us well, is daunting. Employees often put themselves forward to host the conference, only to feel underprepared, with their reputation and career on the line when the lights go up. Alternatively, it can become an unsubtle self-promotion opportunity, with everyone except the internal conference facilitator feeling somewhat awkward as they stride across the stage.
Some of these risks could also be levelled at a professional conference host. Unlike inviting someone internal you can follow an interview process and filter out the big egos and any risky personalities. It’s much harder to drop an internal candidate.
Professional Conference Facilitator – Pros and Cons
So, what are the benefits of bringing in a professional conference facilitator?
Bias – As outsiders, they will be unbiased, so they can ask any question, challenge institutional thinking, and create a safe environment for creative discussion.
Knowledge – Having worked with numerous other organisations, they bring a broad perspective so can reference other complementary industries.
Experience – Their vast experience of live events means they can anticipate issues and head off problems.
Variety – There is a wide choice of professional conference facilitators, from TV news presenters and established business leaders to sports personalities.
Skill – Professional conference facilitators can read the room and adjust tone and energy to maintain pace and delegates’ attention.
Seniority – As senior players in their field, they are not intimidated by executives and can operate on their level with mutual respect This is especially useful when the CEO needs to shorten their presentation.
Professionalism – This is their day job, so they remain calm and focussed when faced with unexpected.
External – Finally, if the worst happens and the event flops, they can take the blame away from the conference organiser.
If you are hiring a professional conference host, here are 8 questions to ask at your first meeting to get a real feel for if they are the right fit for your organisations meeting or conference:
- Do they ask questions or tell you about themselves?
- Are they organised and punctual?
- Are they well presented and authentic, not scruffy or too sharp suited?
- Do they actively listen or do they like to voice their own opinions and interrupt?
- Are they diplomatic and or direct?
- Do they acknowledge their imperfections or present themselves as faultless?
- Do they demonstrate appropriate charm and respect junior staff?
- How do they make you feel?
If you have an event coming up that might benefit from professional facilitation, we’d be delighted to spend 30 minutes sharing some more approaches you might want to adopt. You can reach us here at mail@freshtracks.co.uk
