An MC who lifts the room - and keeps it there.
Professionalism, business credibility, humour, and the flexibility to ad lib anything that comes your way.
From 150 to 2,200+ attendees, on stages all over the world in a myriad of settings, stages, and configurations.
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The wrong MC can sink a great event.
You've spent months planning. The speakers are world-class, the venue is set, the programme is tight. Then a flat host kills the energy, mispronounces sponsor names, fumbles a panel, or freezes when the schedule slips.
Your audience won't remember the deck. They'll remember how the event felt. The MC sets that feeling.
More than a voice with a script.
A facilitator, business operator, and people-reader who keeps your event sharp, connected, and on time.
Business Knowledge
Two decades leading and advising organisations means I speak the language of the room - founders, entrepreneurs, executives, operators, and global teams.
Humour & Warmth
Events should feel alive. I bring genuine humour, energy, and human connection that makes audiences lean in rather than check their phones.
Flexibility & Ad Lib
Run-of-show changes, technical hiccups, surprise speakers - I roll with it. Sharp improvisation keeps the event flowing without missing a beat.
Psychometrics & People Insight
Accredited and proficient in a range of psychometric tools and insights. I read rooms, panellists, and audiences quickly - then tailor tone, pace, and questions in real time.
Entrepreneurial Edge
Founder, operator, investor, and family business succession expert. I add commercial flavour and credibility to any business event, from product launches to industry summits.
Leadership Experience
Years of facilitating boardrooms, peer forums, large-scale conferences, and leadership academies mean the stage is just another room I know how to lead.
I don't just host the event - I help it land.
I'm Stephen Shortt - facilitator, founder, and long-time MC for international business events. I've hosted everything from intimate leadership dinners of 150 to flagship conferences of 2,200+ across five continents.
My background blends entrepreneurship, leadership development, and a broad range of accredited psychometric tools and insights. That mix means I understand the business, read the room, and adapt instantly - whether I'm handing over to a Fortune 500 CEO or steering a panel back on track.
Clients keep rebooking because I don't just host the event - I help it land.
Business events with an audience, a programme, and high stakes.
If it's a business event with an audience, a programme, and high reputational stakes - I can hold it together and make it shine.
- Conferences & Industry Summits (150 - 2,200+ attendees)
- Awards Ceremonies & Gala Dinners
- Product Launches & Brand Activations
- Panel Moderation & Fireside Chats
- Internal Kick-Offs, Town Halls & Leadership Offsites
- Multi-day Festivals & Member Events
A partner, not just a performer.
Great events aren't built on the day - they're shaped in the weeks leading up to it. I work as a true collaborator with organisers to bring your vision to life.
Collaborative & Flexible
I plug into your team and your way of working. Run-of-show changes, last-minute pivots, evolving briefs - I roll with it and keep things moving.
Thoughtful Ideas
Drawing on years of hosting global events, I share what's worked (and what hasn't) - bringing fresh ideas for moments, segues, and audience engagement that lift the whole programme.
Shaping the Tone
From playful to polished, intimate to high-energy - we'll align on the right tone for your audience and brand, so every moment on stage feels intentional.
Long before the lights go up, I'm on calls with organisers - reviewing the agenda, sharpening transitions, and helping speakers and segments shine. I treat your event like my own.
"I always look forward to working with him." - Tamarin Gillwald Morell, Global GSEA Director
Trusted by event organisers
"Stephen is a phenomenal speaker, host and facilitator. He has that rare ability to instantly charm a room - with humour, warmth, and a keen sensitivity to the energy in the space. His content is always top-notch, and he delivers it in a way that feels both effortless and deeply engaging."
"On top of it all, he's a dream to work with - professional, prepared, and a true partner in making any event a success!"
On stage
Selected moments
Frequently asked questions
Everything you might want to know before we jump on a call.
How far in advance do you need to be briefed?
It depends on the event, but I'm flexible. I prefer to be engaged early and involved in shaping the day - but I've also stepped in with two days' notice and delivered without a hitch. The more lead time, the better the result.
What does your prep process look like?
It's led by you. Some teams want me deeply involved from the outset - reviewing the agenda, joining planning calls, shaping transitions. Others hand me the run of show closer to the day. I work with whatever level of involvement suits your team and your process.
Do you work from a script?
I prefer to ad lib around a structure rather than read from a script - it keeps things natural and responsive to the room. That said, if there are specific phrases, sponsor acknowledgements, or messages that need to land a particular way, I'll make sure they're nailed.
How do you handle last-minute changes?
Comfortably. Reordering the flow, swapping out segments, filling time when a speaker runs short or a technical gremlin strikes - it's all part of the job. A good MC makes changes invisible to the audience.
Do you travel internationally?
Yes - I've hosted events across five continents and am very comfortable on the road. My fee covers my time on stage and in prep; travel and accommodation are agreed separately.
Can you MC multi-day events?
Absolutely. Multi-day conferences, summits, and festivals are very much in scope.
Do you bring your own equipment?
Either works. I'm happy to work with the venue's AV setup - which is most common - or bring my own where it makes sense. We'll sort what's right for your event in advance.
Do you host hybrid or virtual events as well as in-person?
Yes, of course. In-person, hybrid, or fully virtual - the format changes, the approach to keeping an audience engaged doesn't.
How do you adapt your tone for different audiences?
I keep things friendly, warm, and professionally engaging regardless of the format - but I adjust the tempo and energy to suit the occasion. A gala dinner and a high-energy product launch call for very different rhythms, and reading that in the room in real time is one of the things I do best.
Can you also deliver a keynote or facilitate a session on the same day?
Yes - I have several topics that work well alongside MC duties depending on the nature of your event. It's worth a conversation to see if there's a fit.
Have you worked with simultaneous translation or multilingual audiences?
Many times. Pacing, clarity, and awareness of cultural nuance all matter more in these settings, and it's something I'm well practised in.
Do you work directly with event organisers or through an agency?
I prefer to work directly with event organisers. It keeps communication clear, decisions fast, and means you get me - not a version of me filtered through a third party.
What's the best way to check availability?
Jump on a call! Fifteen minutes is usually all it takes to confirm availability, talk through the event, and see if we're a good fit.
Do you have a showreel or footage we can share internally?
I'm currently pulling together highlight footage from recent events. In the meantime, I'm very happy to connect you directly with event organisers I've worked with - a conversation with someone who's been in the room is worth more than any reel.
Let's talk about your next event.
Tell me about the audience, the agenda, and the outcome you want. Fifteen minutes over a virtual coffee is usually enough to know if we're a fit.
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