A great Master of Ceremonies or host is crucial to an event's success, and their role has become even more critical in virtual or hybrid events.
As events move completely, or partially, online making sure attendees are engaged and excited while keeping the event running to time and managing any technical mishaps along the way is a superhuman task. We have collated a list of some of the best hosts and MCs that we work with, some of whom already have experience and excelled in virtual events, to inspire your next event.
Holly Ransom - Global Strategist on Inter-Generational Leadership.
Holly Ransom is specialist in disruptive leadership, a private company director and advocate for social and economic inclusion, Holly Ransom is recognized globally for her super-human ability to synthesize and simplify complex issues, and create engaging, thought-provoking conversation.
Holly is also a highly sought after MC and content curator. She believes that the Master of Ceremonies should also be a Master of Content, helping you to weave together key messages, big ideas and divergent opinions to create palpable emotive responses from, and meaningful learning moments for, your audience. Holly believes that it is only when people have the tools to ask better questions, that better solutions will present themselves.
Holly is able to help research and curate the content for the event and then synthesize complex information in real-time, weaving together different voices and views to enable inclusive debate.
Ricardo Gonçalves - Presenter of SBS World News and Small Business Secrets.
Ricardo Gonçalves presents SBS World News Australia, is SBS Finance Editor and fronts SBS Small Business Secrets which shines a light on Australia’s diverse small business sector. He has also appeared on the Eurovision Song Contest, ABC News Breakfast and Have You Been Paying Attention?
He’s an accomplished MC, corporate speaker and conference facilitator fronting the Telstra Business Awards, Pitch@Palace, NSW Government Multicultural Awards and Sculpture by the Sea just to name a few.
Danielle Di-Masi - Expert in Digital Communications & Online Presence
Danielle Di-Masi is a popular and engaging emcee where she brings experience, business and digital expertise and humour to your event’s agenda. For over a decade she has hosted and been emcee at events and conferences across Australia, India, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore and USA.
Whatever industry, size and purpose of the event Danielle loves to bring her engaging personality to guide the audience through the schedule but to be there with insight, expertise, to help reinforce and contextualise crucial content and set the tone, pace and flow and to keep the inspiration and energy sky high in the room or online.
Arron Wood - Sustainable business expert and Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne
Arron Wood is a sustainable business expert who is also Deputy Lord Mayor, chairing the Finance and Governance portfolio for the City of Melbourne and is a News Ltd Telstra Micro Business Award winner.
Arron is a highly capable emcee and event facilitator. With Arron as the face of your event (virtual or face-to-face), you’ll rest assured that the event will be exciting, on schedule, high energy, deliver on your key event messages and generate excellent delegate feedback.
Kate Mills - Business journalist, thought leader, innovator and speaker.
Kate Mills is a highly experienced business journalist, thought leader, innovator and speaker. She has previously edited Business Review Weekly and CFO Magazine and during this period she interviewed hundreds of leaders, chief executives and chairmen-a rare opportunity that has given Kate a unique insight into what makes a successful business.
Kate’s secret gift is to be able to host the event, connect with the audience and pull together disparate themes and conversations during the event into punchy insights that the audience can take home with them. These skills are even more essential to an MC or event host in the virtual era!
Anna Daniels - Comedic journalist, presenter and author.
Anna Daniels is one of Australia’s best storytellers.
A natural public speaker and MC, Anna is as much at home on the stage in Sydney as she is in Stanthorpe!
With a great affinity and love for regional and rural Australia, Anna frequently champions country events and characters and has presented for Landline on ABC1, and ABC Radio Brisbane. Anna is also a frequent presenter for The Project, and her highly entertaining segments have consistently been a hit with both urban and rural audiences.
Fraser Orford - Curator for TEDxSydney & sought after MC, interviewer & facilitator
Fraser Orford is a sought-after MC, interviewer and panel facilitator. Since 2016 he has been a Curator for TEDxSydney where, in addition to their annual mainstage event, he also programs speakers and performers for TEDxSydney’s Pitch Nights, Salon and Youth events. Previously, Fraser has hosted sessions, interviews and moderated panels as part of TEDxYouth@Sydney 2017 and 2019 (Sydney Town Hall) as well as TEDxSydney 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Sydney Theatre, ICC Sydney).
Fraser is also the host of the podcast Let's Talk. Where he interviews some of the world's most prolific storytellers and thought-leaders. Find Let's Talk on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Brooke Boney - Gamilaroi Gomeroi Woman & TODAY, Entertainment Reporter
Brooke Boney is a proud Gamilaroi Gomeroi Woman & the TODAY Show Entertainment Reporter. Brooke's career in the Australian media is diverse and has taken her from the Tony Abbot and Kevin Rudd's campaign trails to the Triple J newsroom before landing the job as Today Show’s new entertainment reporter in a network shake-up of its breakfast staple.
Brooke is a highly sought-after host and MC for live, virtual and hybrid events around Australia. Her authenticity, professionalism and energy have shaped her to thrive high-pressure environments. She is superhuman when it comes to keeping an audience engaged and connected even in the online world.
Nick Bartlett - Energetic young MC and facilitator
Nick Bartlett is a professional Host, MC and facilitator who has worked across Australia, internationally and has now conquered the online world. Throughout his career he's Zumba’d with Dame Edna, cycled with Cadel Evans, made 10,000 friends at the Colour Run and hosted everything from conferences to awards nights to product launches for some of Australia's biggest brands.
From intimate interviews to multi-day conferences and sporting events, he is no stranger to crowds both great and small. His past clients include Westpac, Coca-Cola, La Prairie, Puma, Transitions Optical, Telstra, Dyson, Jenny Craig, Medibank and KFC, just to name a few.
Check out this video to see him in action.
Jessica Rowe AM - Popular Television Presenter & Media Personality
Jessica Rowe AM is an accomplished journalist, television presenter and three-time best selling author. Jessica’s credits include co-hosting Studio 10, Weekend Sunrise and the Today Show. She was also the anchor on Network Ten’s First at Five News for 10 years.
Jessica is a popular and polished choice as an MC and has already hosted multiple virtual events with outstanding feedback from clients.
Hamish MacDonald - Host of ABC's Q&A
Hamish Macdonald began his media career in regional radio and television before embarking on an international broadcasting career, first with UK's Channel 4 News, then Al-Jazeera English, before joining America’s ABC as International Affairs Correspondent.
Hamish is the new host of Q&A on ABC TV and presents Radio National Breakfast on Fridays. In addition, he regularly reports for Foreign Correspondent and appears on The Project on Network Ten.
A gifted facilitator Hamish is perfectly placed moderate discussions and debates both virtually and face-to-face.
Rae Johnston - Award-Winning STEM Journalist & first ever Science and Technology Editor for NITV
Rae Johnston is a multi-award-winning STEM journalist, proud Wiradjuri woman, mother, broadcaster, voice actor and MC. Rae is the first-ever Science and Technology Editor for NITV, host of That Startup Show and voices “Janali Banks” in the upcoming children’s animated series for ABC & Nine, Space Nova.
Rae's enthusiasm, professionalism and passion make her a truly gifted MC and she is an inspired choice for events around science, technology and the digital landscape.
Shelly Horton - TV Journalist, MC & Confidence Coach
Shelly Horton is the personification of confidence. She’s a journalist, TV presenter, MC and runs her own company ShellShocked Media where she teaches media and presentation training. She runs The Confidence Course where she helps people find their inner Beyoncé.
Shelly is the queen of presenting key client messages, weaving them into her own cheeky and honest delivery. She knows what it takes to be a great MC, both in-person and online, and has recently hosted many virtual events for Meetings & Events Australia, Business Chicks and Always Discreet, all to widespread praise.
If you're searching for a host or virtual MC for your next event, contact our expert team on 1300 799 823. Alternatively, you can enquire here or send us an email for more information.
