What Makes A Great Host?
Ryan Seacrest recently took the helm of Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak stepped down following 41 seasons hosting the nightly television game show. Seeing Ryan Seacrest fill this role—just as he has done for many years hosting competition television programs, morning radio shows, New Year’s specials, and more—had me thinking about what makes a good host and how these positive skills translate to local events, not just national television.
The success of a host starts with connection. Much like what we do at HMA and what our clients do, our work is built on connections and the trust we’ve established through our relationships. The right host is an instant fit and they make sense for your event because they genuinely care about your message and/or have the expert knowledge on the topic to back up their presence and make their voice significant. Local media personalities can make perfect hosts for events, as they are adaptable and used to working on the go, accustomed to telling meaningful stories every day and are comfortable addressing a crowd or being on camera.
A great example of this was at the recent 2024 Copper Anvil Awards from PRSA Phoenix, where Arizona’s Family anchor Jaime Cerreta, a longtime public relations collaborator, emceed the ceremony. She honored projects, campaigns, individuals, and more work in Arizona. It felt like the perfect fit for a seasoned local storyteller and media mentor to the public relations community to recognize the impactful work from our industry.
A fitting host for your event or panel also bridges the gap between audiences, relating to everyone—whether they’re hosting an award ceremony, gala, panel, or another unique event. For Seacrest, this skill of bridging the gap is especially important as he takes on Wheel of Fortune, appealing to longtime fans while bringing his own style to the show.
And of course, we always stress the importance of authenticity as that’s what attracts audiences to a host in the first place.
Hosting is a critical part of the event planning process and sets the tone for an attendee’s experience. HMA is here to help you every step of the way, putting a plan into action to elevate your event. Find out how!
