Event Emcee | Master of Ceremonies Funny Story
So here is a good one and probably an event emcee tip you wouldn’t have otherwise known unless you FIRST. . . did it WRONG.
Recently I was the Master of Ceremonies for the International EcoSummit. A large group of international scientists, policy makers, dignitaries and political folks of every ‘denomination’. They had gathered for a once-in-every-four-year convention to track (obviously) the ecological state of our world.
I was fortunate to have been asked to be the event host and master of ceremony for this great event. One of the speakers and participants was the President of the Republic of Iceland.
While he was backstage, I had a small chance to meet and speak with him. He was accompanied by Secret Service of course who for the most part stayed pretty clear of us while we confirmed his introduction, logistics, timing elements and mic’d him up.
It wasn’t until about ten minutes prior to the intro that the incident occurred . . . From the earpiece in my ear from the director was a quick call: “Jon, to be safe, we need to change the batteries in the President’s microphone. Someone is bringing them to you now.”
The important lesson I wish to share with all of you interested in being a Master of Ceremonies, event host or event emcee is this:
When YOU are going to reach INTO the suit jacket of the President (of ANY country) to change the batteries of their microphone pack – you will want to inform the Secret Service of your intentions prior to doing so.
Now, of course I asked the President if I could change his microphone batteries, and of course he said yes and to go ahead and do it. BUT, what that looks like to his security detail must look a bit different. Before I had that transmitter pack out of his inside coat pocket, I had three fairly significant armed men on top of me. (Not literally, they didn’t tackle me or anything). They were on my shoulders, on my arm and in my face in a very direct, yet VERY polite . . .”Can we help you with something?”
It was utterly amazing! They were so good at what they do and true gentlemen at the same time. While funny now, it was definitely an important lesson that I hope you find helpful. President Grimson graciously took a photo with me as we laughed about the incident. That was one for the books and I certainly thought one for the “Stories from the road” as an emcee | Master of Ceremonies.
Master of Ceremonies Jon Petz with President of Iceland at International EcoSummit