Sydney Conference tips

Banish boredom at the awards night

Chase away those yawns and create an exciting, colourful atmosphere with just a few handy hints.

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Receiving an award in the presence of colleagues and industry peers can be one of the most memorable nights in any career. Getting it right on the night is often a challenge, however, as audiences become restless when the stream of thanks – to Mum, colleagues and deities – reduces the most tightly scripted running sheets to tatters.

MCs often face an uphill battle to retain attention when dinner and liquor are winning out. Therefore, the selection of MC is critical – if the choice is between a respected industry person and a TV star with a fragile ego, go with the safer option. Make sure there is a comprehensive pre-event briefing and a script that leaves nothing to chance.

Awards night specialist, BMA Events in Sydney, uses video clips to “tell the stories” behind the nominations, build excitement and maintain momentum. The company views an awards night as if it were live television, developing pace and energy throughout the evening. Formats are revised each year and use of video helps build a montage that provides context to nominations and creates a picture of the winners for the audience.

In a large industry, the major winners on an awards night might not be well known to the audience. With a well-scripted video rolling as the recipient approaches the stage, a career picture is created and the atmosphere re-energised.