Here’s How to Spot a Truly Great Event Moderator

When you're planning an event; it could be a conference, a panel discussion, a corporate fireside chat, a mastermind dinner or a live virtual session you spend time curating speakers, perfecting the agenda and thinking about your audience. But there’s one key role that often gets overlooked or treated like an afterthought: the event moderator.

A great moderator is the glue that holds the entire event together because they are the bridge between your audience and your speakers. They bring the conversation to life, keep the energy flowing and ensure that your event delivers more than just talking heads on a stage. I’ve been moderating events across industries and across the world for years and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the right moderator can make or break your event.

So, what should you actually look for in a great event moderator? Here’s what I believe matters:

An Ability to Read the Room

Whether the room is physical or virtual, a strong event moderator knows how to read the energy in the spaces that they’re in. Are people engaged or distracted? Is the conversation too heavy or is there space for a little lightness? A skilled event moderator can shift gears on the spot. It’s not just about asking questions and reading bios it’s about knowing how and when to ask the right questions and when to step back and let a moment breathe. Making sure that the audience feels connected to speakers is crucial, a great event moderator isn’t just a fan speaking to a guest on stage they are willing to ask questions that audience members want answers to.

Preparation Meets Flexibility

Event moderators obviously need to do their homework which means researching the speakers, understanding the event’s goals and knowing the audience. But doing their homework doesn’t mean that they can’t be flexible. From my experience, not every panel goes exactly to plan and most event moderators know that even when things aren’t perfect they can make something special happen from those imperfections. A great event moderator can lean into that flow, guide it and still keep everything on track, hopefully with some fun, humour and personality.

A Voice That Carries With Purpose

Event moderation is about tone and presence as much as it is about content. Can the moderator hold the audience’s attention? Do they bring warmth, authority and personality? Your audience isn’t just listening they’re feeling the experience. A good event moderator makes people feel welcome, included and valued particularly in spaced where diversity and inclusion are paramount.

Confidence Without Taking the Spotlight

There’s a delicate balance in event moderation. You need someone confident enough to take control when necessary, but humble enough to know it’s not about them. The best moderators elevate everyone else on stage and shine the light on your speakers, draw out fresh insights and make sure no one voice dominates the conversation. It’s a delicate balance, almost an art form (OK maybe not quite like art) but it is an important point to highlight!

The Skill of Inclusion

As a Black woman event moderator, I’ve had the privilege of being part of conversations across race, gender, industry and culture. What I’ve learned is this: true inclusion doesn’t happen by accident you have to be intentional. A great moderator makes space for diverse voices, ensures balance in discussions and creates an atmosphere where everyone feels safe to speak. This is especially crucial in an era where audiences expect events to reflect real-world complexity, not just corporate talking points.

Timing and Flow

This may sound basic, but it’s one of the most overlooked skills in event moderation, keeping to time without making things feel rushed. A seasoned event moderator can sense when to wrap a point, when to go deeper and how to gracefully steer a conversation that’s gone off-topic back on course.

I’ve moderated events where everything went wrong, from delayed speakers to technical glitches but because I was prepared, calm and flexible, the audience may have noticed but didn’t feel lost or confused. I’ve also been part of events where the speaker line-up was brilliant but the lack of a strong moderator left things feeling flat.

If you’re planning an event, invest in your event moderation just as much as your headline talent. It’s not a “nice to have”—it’s essential to making your event feel seamless, intentional, and alive.

Whether you’re hosting a global summit or an intimate roundtable or a mastermind dinner, I bring not just my voice and energy but years of experience, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness and the confidence to create space where people feel seen and heard.

If you want an event that flows with purpose, connects deeply with your audience, and creates lasting impact, then I’d love to talk about how I can help bring it to life.