As the overall Program Director and Moderator for an issue-based event, you are not just there to provide pauses between sessions. It is much more than that. The responsibility is enormous. You carry it with grace, and grit and guard it for the future.
You will be inundated with numerous requests, protocol matters, and sometimes curve balls you must deal with. You should be prepared for these unexpected changes.
As an award winning business news anchor and journalist, an experienced media and communication advisor, these skillsets have been a value add. Much so a blessing.
Your public speaking prowess comes into play - the tone and style should befit the occasion and with clarity and confidence.
You must establish yourself as a force for good, consensus, and change to achieve the objectives. It gets tricky when dealing with overzealous handlers of high-profile personalities. Sometimes, a clash of egos.
Your patience and kindness can be tested to the limit. You must be adept or at least try to be a judge of situations requiring restraint and diplomacy. You radiate a calm confidence. It is easy when you get involved at the planning stage where your input is valued. It helps a great deal.
A chat with the subject matter specialists coupled with topic research, and immersion to glean insights with data does wonders. Collaborating, and coordinating with the event planners, and managers, and taking note of a person's temperament is an added advantage.
It would help if you created an impact with ‘feel-good’ moments that allow your audience(s) to be part of or feel part of the event. You will encounter indifference. You will need the social skills to cajole the reluctant into the walk up the hill kind of ask.
A bit of humor here and some commentary there as part of a light relief for the audience.
You hone a special pitch for those in the audience uninterested in what you ask them to do. You make or break depending on how you deal with everything else that is happening. Be and behave the part.
Proper attire is an investment. Lock it in with a good suit. You will gain some favor. Trust me! All eyes are on you.