Is there a set formula for thanking a Guest Speaker at a function or event?
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While there is no set structure or “correct” way to do a Thank You Speech, there are plenty of wrong ways!
Sample Program Flow- Birthday - Free download as Word Doc (.doc /.docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. A basic program for a.
Thanking a Speaker is one of the important roles or duties of the Master of Ceremonies, although at some events the thanking of the Guest Speakers can be done by other people. Sometimes, if the Guest is a high profile VIP, the CEO or President may step in to share a bit of the limelight at the end, but usually it’s up to the MC.
So what are some of the important guidelines and pitfalls to avoid.
Thanking a Speaker – Keep it Short
Do you remember the first rule of being an MC?
It’s not about you!
Keep the “Thank You” short and to the point. Two or Three Minutes is usually more than enough time to say what you need to say.
Remember, a good speaker will have constructed their speech with a beginning, middle and end. If you jump up and waffle on repeating chunks of their speech and the main ideas, it in many ways breaks that structure and dilutes the impact of the presentation.
That being said, I do think it is a great idea to remark on a couple of points raised during the presentation in your Thank You Speech.
Thanking a Speaker – Remark on a Point
I always like to make a very brief comment on at least one point raised during the presentation. There’s a number of reasons for this.
Firstly, it shows you were paying attention and at that moment you are expressing the thoughts of the audience and organisers.
Secondly, you can link the speech back to the Theme of the event. Reinforce the “Why” that you established with your client.
Thirdly, you can link the speech back to the “Benefit” gained by the audience.
We discussed those last two points in our article on writing a Great Opening Speech, so your Thank You can really tie back into that.
For instance, you might remark on a surprising statistic or fact brought up by the speaker …
“Wow, I never knew there was so much waste in the industry.”
You could remark on an easy strategy that they mentioned …
“I’m not even an Accountant, but I’m going to try that next week when I get back to the office.”
Or relate it to the benefit for the audience …
“I think everyone has already got their moneys worth from the Tips & Tactics you just shared with us.”
There are plenty of suitable Quotes in the Expert MC Toolkit and Resource Manual that I often slip in at this point depending on the Topic and aim of the event.
Thanking a Speaker – Interesting Fact
I always like to browse the speakers website and/or have a chat to them before the speech. In this way you can be ready to spot any interesting facts that you can also use.
For instance they might tell you they have just flown in from somewhere interesting, that they are heading off somewhere, have just won a recent award or just published a new book. These things make a nice personal touch to mention.
The mention of their website is also a good “win win.” We will touch on this in a moment when we discuss Speaker Gifts, but often the most valuable thing you can give a speaker is recognition and traffic to their website.
They will usually mention their websites if that is one of their aims, but if you also mention it you can once again tie it into the theme of the event.
I might mention a downloadable resource, interesting article, video etc. I’ve often had speakers so pleased with all the extra attention that they give me their Speaker Gift, new book etc in thanks!
Keeping the Speaker Onstage
There are times that you may need to keep the speaker on stage a little longer, so paying attention to the presentation will also help you here.
For instance if the next speaker is running late or the speaker only did 20 minutes when you were expecting 60! These things happen.
Asking a few Questions, asking them to elaborate on a couple of points or opening it up to Questions from the floor are viable options at that point. If you are doing that, I always get a round of applause first to acknowledge the Presentation and then move into the next phase, thanking them officially at the very end.
If you haven’t already Downloaded our free Professional MC’s Cheat Sheet, do so now, as it gives over 25 Questions you can ask ANY speaker at a moments notice and has saved my life on a number of occasions.
Applause
Speaking of Applause, a couple of points here.
Firstly, if you are leading the applause, don’t clap too close to the microphone. It can be very loud!
Secondly, try not to talk over applause. As soon as you talk, people will stop applauding. Let it naturally start to fade and then start speaking.
Gifts
Are there going to be Gifts for each Speaker? Do all Speakers get them or only some?
These are the questions you need to ask early on.
If there are going to be gifts, what are they? Where are they going to be positioned?
Gifts for Speakers can range from Certificates, small Statues, Engraved Plaques, huge bouquets of Flowers, Bottles of Wine, fancy Gift Pens and hefty Books.
Knowing what you have to deal with is important. Can you hold it with one hand, microphone in the other? Do you bring it back on stage with you when you move up to thank the speaker or is it positioned onstage?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help at this point, especially if it is a larger gift. A nice way to do it is have someone else bring the gift up beside you as you are thanking the speaker, so you can focus on the words and then turn, take the gift and present it.
If you do have to move over to a back table or bend down behind the lectern to grab a gift, make sure you stop talking while you do it.
Handle with care! Even if the gift is a small cheap object, handle it as if it was a very expensive one.
Likewise, don’t refer to it as a “small token of our appreciation” or a “small gift.” It’s a token or a gift.
Finally, the best thing you can give a speaker as a gift is your full attention. Do your homework before the event, get their name right, give them a good introduction, thank them well at the end, and inspire the audience to take action. If you do all these things well, the bottle of wine or small engraved plaque fade into insignificance.
Speaker Name
Always repeat the name of the Speaker when you thank them. At some events there may not be a program or agenda and the audience may not know who is speaking. They perhaps are not even interested in the speech at the start of the speech but then they want the info by the end, so state it clearly as you either thank them or as they leave the stage.
Click here for Tips on Pronouncing Names
Speaker Product
This factor could probably go into the “Housekeeping Article” but it’s something that happens quite a lot, so you should be aware of it. Many Speakers sell books and other merchandising directly after their speech. Sometimes they will ask you to mention it, hold the book up, explain where the sales table is etc. If they do ask, it is very important that you do it. Often Speakers will rely on the extra income to help cover their costs if they are not getting paid a fee to speak.
A nice way to handle this is to ask the speaker in the Thank You, “Do you have copies of your Book available?” and then let them do a quick sales pitch.
Script Structure of Thank You Speech
So now we have seen the type of things that you should include in your Thank You Speech, here is quick structure that works.
Quick Thanks
Comment
Final Thanks / Gift
If possible in your Comment, touch on the “Big Picture” and then also relate it to the individuals in the audience.
For some Tips on establishing what the “Big Picture” is, check out this Resource.
Example Script
Tony, on behalf everyone here today, thank you for taking the time to speak to us .
Your insights into Global Pollution and how it is impacting the lives of so many people was both fascinating and disturbing
but I particularly liked hearing about some the new initiatives being put into place in this country and learning those 5 simple steps we can all put into practice in our lives.
Once again, on behalf of the entire Financial Planners Association
… Thank You
“Handshake”
And would you please accept this Gift from all of us …
As they leave mention their full name again.
Thank You Words
Here are a few different example phrases to show you the type of thing that could be included in a Thank You Speech. There are plenty more in the Expert MC Toolkit & Resource Manual.
“Thank You for sharing Your Journey with us, so hopefully we can avoid some of the potholes on ours”
“Thanks for your Insights into this most important topic that I know affects all of us here.”
“People are like Tea -Bags. You don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.”
“Marcel Proust famously said … It’s not a matter of changing our landscape, but of changing our eyes. Thank You for changing the way we see …….”
“On behalf of everybody here ….. “
Recognition Day is the culmination of all hard work and a year of study. It is the day when we, students can say, “I’ve done it”.Today ladies and gentlemen mark another milestone in our life and in the history of our school Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School, as we gather and celebrate success on this 23rd Recognition Rites.Visitors, our dear parents, our unrelenting and dynamic mentors, Welcome to our Recognition Day Program of Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School.To our ever equal School Principal Dr. Eileen Irina O. Tayactac, our unrelenting and dynamic head teachers, we have Mrs. Evelyn Go, Mrs. Susan Enriquez. We have also with us our Master Teachers here; to our big hearted guest of honor and speakers in today’s event Mr.
(check on the program). To our highly competent and deeply motivated members of the faculty and staff; other officials of the Department of Education and Barangay officials of Basak Pardo and Basak San Nicolas present on this occasion; to the proud and loving parents; visitors, friends, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon.To formally start with today’s culmination, ladies and gentlemen let us all stand for the processional. Approaching the stage are the Honor students, special awardees, together with their loving and supportive parents,Grade 7 ClassGrade 8 ClassGrade 9 ClassGrade 10 Classthe school administration, faculty and staff.
May we all give them a resounding applause.Please remain standing for the doxology to be performed by the SPA dance artists and national anthem to be led by SPA musicians.You may now take your seats.I do believe that the secrets behind this significant event are not only teachers who have rendered their invaluable service by guiding these students to the right path, but also the parents who give them the support financially and love and encouragement in every activities in the school from Play ground demonstration to the success of Sinulog sa Kabataan. Now, soon these parents will walk up here feeling proud and successful to accompany their children to receive the fruit of success. Ladies and gentlemen on behalf of the parents here, let us all welcome and listen to one of the proud parents, our General PTCA President Mr. Jonathan Galarport Sr.At this moment, we believe that not only the students should be given recognition but also the parents who have worked so hard, gave their best to their children no matter how hard life is, they kept on working even if their chin touches the ground because of hard work.
Let us all take this chance and give a warm applause to our dear parents. Like their parents, our students who are at their best today aren’t just good in academics; they could also be good in other things! Let us see their other side. Please welcome SPA students to give us their electrifying special number. Thank you for that fabulous special number. There you have witnessed how intelligent our students are. Well, you hear it right.
Intelligence is not just about academic, but also in arts and crafts in which our students might have one or more of these multiple intelligences. According to Howard Gardner that brain has evolved over millions of years to be responsive to different kinds of content in this world – language content, music content, numerical content and more. These things can be nurtured by the guidance of our teachers. In behalf of the faculty of the school to give us more insights about education and success, please welcome our motherly School principal, Dr. Eileen Irina O.
Let us all give her a resounding round of applause.Aside from our parents and teachers, our epitome of success happens because of the help of our stakeholders and community partnerswho are in one way or another support our school activities. Yolandito Cagang – Basak Pardo. Norman Navarro – Basak San NicolasThere you have listened to our respected representatives from Barangay, Parents and to our teachers and faculty. Because of their invaluable service in guiding you to the right path, you come here to receive your prize. Students, why don’t we thank them by giving them a big round of applause.Ladies and gentlemen to introduce to us our guest of honor and speaker on today’s affair, may we call on the ever vibrant and full of enthusiasm, Ladies and gentlemen let us all stand and welcome the man of the hour, a man dedicated to public service and a man with philanthropic attitude, let us all give an echoing applause to our beloved.We are very much honored to have here with us our very supportive and dynamic as he will inspire us with his inspirational message. Thank you very much sir for that stirring message. To break the monotony of the program ladies and gentlemen let us all welcome the selected students as they render their exciting special number.How about another round of applause?
Thank you for that wonderful number.(Quote from the speech) To start with the Grade 7, may we call on the year level chairman, Mrs. Marie Fe Barlisan, and to assist on the awarding of certificates to academic excellent students and special awardees of the Grade 7 class.Now, let us proceed to the awarding of the top 3 honor students with their special awards. To start with the Grade 7 students, may we call on the year level chairman, once againfor the giving of certificates. Let’s clap our hands once again for the Grade 7 honor students.To start with the Grade 8, may we call on the grade level leader, Mrs. Minerva Yngayo and to assist on the awarding of certificates to academic excellent students and special awardees of the Grade 8 class.
Now, let us proceed to the awarding of the top 3 honor students with their special awards. To start with the Grade 8 students, may we call on the year level chairman, once againfor the giving of certificates. Let’s clap our hands once again for the Grade 8 honor students.Let us move on to the next level.
The Grade 9 level top 3 honor students, to be awarded and called up onstage by no other than their year level leader Mrs. Maria Theresita Villacin. Moving on with their academic distinction and special awards.Let’s clap our hands, once again, to our fellow Grade 9 honor students. CongratulationsAt this moment, ladies and gentlemen, let us proceed to the awarding of Academic excellence to students of grade 10.To start with the grade 10, may we call on the grade level leader, Mrs.
Flor Concina, and to assist on the awarding of certificates to academic excellent awardees of the grade 10. Now, let us proceed to the awarding of the top 3 honor students. To start with the may we call on the year level chairman, once again, Mrs. Flor Concina for the giving of certificates.Let’s clap our hands once again for our grade 10 honor students. For the benefit to everyone, our school offers 4 kinds of program such as the Regular Class, Science Class, Special Program in the arts and SPFL (Special program in foreign Languages), so we’re giving awards of recognition to students who belong to these programs.Many wants being recognized, but a few are worthy of recognition. It is worth it because you guys work hard for that recognition.
Congratulations to all of successful students of this year 2015-2016.A recognition day is not just plainly for the awarding and giving certificates, from the root word, recognize, we can say that it is also a time, once in a year, that we take time to give credits to our mentors and that they are appreciated. Genuine praise is wonderful to receive and simple to give, but none of us do it enough. Today can also be the perfect day to say a ‘thank you’.
To show our gratitude for our teachers and to entertain them, let’s give them another intermission number to be performed by Alay Cultural Dance Troup.Let’s give them another resounding round of applause. Most of them will move up to senior high school, so we are going to miss them. Thank you for that wonderful number.This day is of giving praise for job well done of our students, teachers, parents, school and community, to recognize their kindness shown and to challenge us; Please welcome, Ladies and gentlemen, let’s lend our ears to our PSDS South District Mrs. Let’s give our dear supervisor a round of applause of warm appreciation.quote from the speechThank you very much for that stirring message. To give us a last intermission number, we have Special Program in the Arts student to sing for us. Let’s put our hands together for.“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it,” this was the line uttered by the late American President Dwight Eisenhower which have had helped us move on.
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At this point, let us pay attention, pin our ears to our leader no other than our endearing , for her official closing remarks.quote from the speaker.Thank you very much ma’am. We are so pleased and delighted to your words. As we end today’s affair, thank you so much for your participation and congratulations.
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