Proof that sports stars make the best event MCs

Anyone who has been to their fair share of weddings knows that a great MC makes the difference between a nice evening and a truly memorable one. Exactly the same is true for corporate events and fundraisers.

Excellent MCs keep the night moving, they provide engaging introductions for other speakers, they get the amount and tone of humour just right and they are confident enough to think on the run and manage any issues that arise.

Many of the attributes that make great MCs are also shared by elite athletes and sports stars, and through Pickstar, you can find the perfect fit for your next event.

Here are some of the reasons sports stars are so effective as MCs:

• Sports stars have a huge amount of experience communicating with a wide variety of audiences and demographics
• Many elite athletes appear in media interviews and at press conferences regularly - a great experience for the role of MC
• Sports stars are often very outgoing, charismatic people who inspire those around them
• Athletes have a wealth of experience and anecdotes they can call on to keep audiences entertained
• Sports stars maximise engagement and maintain the attention of attendees

Many great sports star MCs have been booked recently through Pickstar.

Combating domestic violence is at the top of the agenda for developers like Halcyon and Mirvac, who have constructed and donated purpose-built transitional accommodation in South East Queensland designed to provide vulnerable families a safe and secure space free from the threat of reoccurring violence. While many contractors were generous during the build process, additional funds were needed to fit out and stock the accommodation.

So Halcyon community managers, alongside DVConnect Crisis Support QLD, created the DVConnect Gala Fundraising Ball to engage with local communities and raise much-needed funds through donations, raffles, and silent auctions.

They also understood a sports star MC would help boost the profile of the event and attract more attendees, so they came to Pickstar and booked Olympic gold medallist and media commentator Duncan Armstrong. Needless to say, Duncan was a hit as MC and the night was a huge success.

Minda Inc's annual Employee Rewards and Recognition Event, better known as their 'Night of Stars', is an extremely important event for everyone involved in the organisation.

This year, Minda wanted to give their 300 guests a night they'd never forget, so they provided a brief to Pickstar, who pitched the role to a shortlist of sporting talent from a range of different codes. The opportunity caught the attention of AFL media personality and former Port Power legend Kane Cornes, who quickly communicated his interest in the role.

Minda Inc instantly jumped on board, knowing that Kane's outgoing personality, professionalism, and media skills would be a great fit for the event. The night was a huge success, and award recipients were thrilled to receive their honours from Kane.

In March this year, the City of Whittlesea in Melbourne launched their inaugural 'This Girl Can' week with an event at the Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre. As this initiative is designed to encourage greater sporting involvement from women, the City of Whittlesea knew an AFLW sports star as MC would be the perfect way to engage their audience.

So, they booked Collingwood star and big personality Sharni Layton, who was thrilled with the opportunity to share her insights, announce winners of female participation grants, and thank local women who helped make a video to promote living active lifestyles. Read more about the event here.

When Infocus Design's client was preparing to open a new branch at Gepps Cross, South Australia, they knew booking a former South Australian footballer would boost attendance at the launch.

So, they came to Pickstar in search of a former Crows or Port Power player, who was preferably also an ex-captain, to MC the event. The PickStar team secured former Crows captain Mark Bickley, who, as an experienced professional MC, was perfect for the role. Mark successfully generated a high level of engagement in the branch opening, and thrilled fans with autographed footies, and photo opportunities.

You can now book these athletes for your next event at Pickstar.

With our new and improved filtering system, you can specifically search our marketplace of more than 1300 sports stars for athletes who make ideal MCs.

Pickstar is quick and easy. Simply submit a brief, a budget and a shortlist of stars. We'll take care of the rest! Get started now.

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