2 weeks ago, I had the incredible privilege of hosting The Banyan Group’s Dinner & Dance at the beautifully themed Mandai Rainforest Resort in Singapore. It was one of those nights where the energy was electric from start to finish – the kind of event that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with hosting 15 years ago.

Being trusted as the master of ceremonies for such a vibrant, dynamic organisation is something I never take for granted. The Banyan Group team brought their full spirit, enthusiasm and heart to the ballroom, and I’m genuinely grateful they chose me to be part of their celebration. Every cheer, every interaction, every spontaneous moment added magic to the night – and as an emcee, those moments fuel me more than anything else.

In this post, I wanted to share a little behind-the-scenes insight into how I maintain high energy throughout an entire evening, plus a few tips for new hosts, aspiring emcees, and anyone who wants to elevate their stage presence at corporate events and D&Ds.

1. High Energy Comes From Enjoying the Moment – Not Forcing It

The biggest misconception about being a “high-energy emcee” is that the energy must be manufactured.

But the truth is:
Real energy comes from genuinely enjoying the moment.

When you are present, having fun, and truly connecting with the audience, the crowd feels it immediately. At the Banyan Group event, every table was engaged, every game was lively, and every participant was willing to jump into the activities – and that made my job effortless.

When you enjoy the moment:

• Your smile becomes real, not rehearsed
• Your reactions become spontaneous instead of scripted
• Your jokes land naturally
• Your confidence grows because you’re feeding off the room

Hosting is not performance only – it’s a shared experience.

2. Pace Yourself, But Never Let the Momentum Drop

A full D&D program can run for hours. Dinner, speeches, games, performances, lucky draws, audience interactions… and as the emcee, you’re the one holding the momentum.

My approach is simple:

✔ Start strong
✔ Keep the energy steady
✔ End even stronger

Instead of peaking early, I built the energy progressively – layering interaction after interaction. Good hosting is like good DJ-ing: feeling the room, pushing when they’re ready, pulling back when they need a quick breather, and lifting again at the right moment.

3. Warm Up the Crowd Early

This is something many new hosts overlook.

Before the programme even begins, I always take a few moments to observe the audience:

• Are they introverted or extroverted?
• Are they rowdy or still warming up?
• Are they open to humour or more formal?
• Are they a younger crowd or more senior?

Knowing the vibe helps me tailor my opening tone. For Banyan Group, I could tell immediately that they were ready to have fun. That allowed me to start with a bolder, more playful style.

A warmed-up crowd = a smoother night for everyone.

4. Match Their Energy, Then Lead It

Energy is not something you impose – it’s something you match first, then guide.

If a crowd starts at Level 3, you start at Level 3.5, not 10.
Then you slowly bring them up to 6, 7, and eventually 9.

By the middle of the night at Banyan Group’s D&D, everyone was fully immersed – cheering, responding, and interacting with zero hesitation. When the whole room is on the same wavelength, hosting feels like a dance, not work.

5. Show Appreciation – It Fuels Better Engagement

One thing I’ve learned after thousands of events: people respond to sincerity.

When I thanked the Banyan Group team, acknowledged their milestones, praised their participation, and celebrated their colleagues – I wasn’t just being polite. I was strengthening the connection.

Appreciation creates rapport.
Rapport creates comfort.
Comfort creates energy.

To the entire Banyan Group family: thank you for trusting me with your D&D. Your spirit, laughter and participation made the atmosphere unforgettable. Hosting for you at Mandai Rainforest Resort was truly an honour, and I hope the memories stay with your team for a long time.

If you’re looking to elevate your next corporate event, or if you’re an aspiring emcee who wants to build confidence, presence and charisma – I hope this post gives you insight.

Enjoy the moment.
Connect with the crowd.
Guide their energy.
And the night will always be unforgettable.