MC script examples: ready-to-use host lines from doors to closing

Last updated: 3 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals

These MC script examples give you ready-made host lines for every part of an event, from the first house announcement to the final thank you. Swap in your own names and times, keep the lines short and adapt the tone to the room.

How to use these host script examples

Each line below uses placeholders in square brackets, such as [Name], [Company], [Event Name] and [Time]. Replace them with the real details and read every line out loud before the event; a line that looks fine on paper can be hard to say. Stage and technical cues are also in square brackets, in capitals, such as [WALK-ON MUSIC] or [VIDEO ROLLS], so the host knows when to pause.

If you are building a script from scratch, start with the structure in our guide on how to write an MC script and the timings in your run of show. The examples here fill in the words.

Doors and house announcements

House announcements, often made off-stage as a "voice of God", get people seated and set expectations. Keep each one under 30 seconds.

• "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to [Event Name]. Our programme begins in five minutes. Please make your way to your seats."
• "Please take a moment to switch your phones to silent. Emergency exits are at the back of the hall and on either side of the stage."
• "Today's sessions are being recorded and photographed. If you would prefer not to appear in photos, please speak to our team at registration."
• "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your host for today, [Name]." [WALK-ON MUSIC]

Opening and welcome

• "Good morning, everyone, and welcome to [Event Name]. I'm [Name], and I'll be your host today."
• "On behalf of [Company], thank you for joining us, whether you are here in [City] or watching online."
• "We have a full programme ahead: [Number] speakers, a panel discussion and plenty of time to meet each other at the breaks."
• "A quick note on timing: lunch is at [Time], and we'll finish at [Time], right on schedule."

If the organiser gives formal opening remarks, keep the host welcome short and hand over quickly. Our opening speech examples cover that part.

VIP acknowledgements

Confirm the list and the order with the client on the day, since guests arrive late or cancel. Follow protocol or seniority order, and say each name and title exactly as agreed.

• "We are honoured to be joined today by [VIP Name], [Title] of [Organisation]."
• "Please join me in welcoming our guests of honour: [VIP Name], [Title], and [VIP Name], [Title]."
• "A special thank you to our partners at [Sponsor Name], whose support made today possible."
• "We also welcome members of the press and our colleagues from [Location]."

Add phonetic spellings next to unfamiliar names, for example [Name] (pronounced [phonetic]), and ask the guest directly if in doubt.

Introducing a speaker and thanking them

A good introduction is three sentences: who the speaker is, why they matter to this audience, then their name. Ending on the name gives the room a clear cue to applaud.

Introductions

• "Our next speaker has spent [Number] years building [area of work] at [Company]. Today she'll show us [topic]. Please welcome [Speaker Name]."
• "To open our afternoon, we have someone many of you already know. He leads [Department] at [Company]. Ladies and gentlemen, [Speaker Name]."
• "To talk about [topic], please welcome to the stage [Speaker Name], [Title] at [Company]." [WALK-ON MUSIC]

Thank-yous and bridges

• "Thank you, [Speaker Name]. Let's have one more round of applause."
• "Thank you, [Speaker Name]. That point about [topic] leads us nicely into our next session."
• "[Speaker Name] will be in the networking area during the break if you'd like to continue the conversation."

Breaks, videos and performances

Break announcements

• "We'll now take a [Number]-minute coffee break. Refreshments are in the foyer. Please be back in your seats by [Time]."
• "Lunch is now served in [Room]. The afternoon programme starts at [Time] sharp."
• "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. We'll begin again in two minutes."

Video and performance transitions

• "Before our next speaker, let's look back at the year in pictures." [LIGHTS DOWN] [VIDEO ROLLS]
• "Tonight's entertainment comes all the way from [City]. Please put your hands together for [Performer Name]."
• "What a performance. Thank you, [Performer Name]."

Wait for the video to finish and the lights to come up before you speak again. The production desk will cue you.

Award presentations and closing

Awards

• "Our next award, sponsored by [Sponsor Name], recognises [criteria]. To present it, please welcome [Presenter Name]."
• "The nominees are: [Nominee 1], [Nominee 2] and [Nominee 3]."
• "And the winner is... [Winner Name]!" [WINNER MUSIC]

The award ceremony script guide covers winner cards and reveal order in more detail.

Closing and thanks

• "That brings us to the end of [Event Name]. Thank you all for being such a wonderful audience."
• "A big thank you to our speakers, our partners at [Sponsor Name] and the team at [Company] who put today together."
• "Slides and recordings will be shared by email next week. Drinks are now served in the foyer. Safe travels home."

Sample MC script for a 1-hour corporate conference

Here is a compact run-through showing how the lines fit together in a short morning programme:

Each row usually becomes one or two cue cards. Use the speech time calculator to check that the host lines fit their slots.

Turn your MC script into cue cards

Once you have adapted these lines in Word, upload the DOCX or paste the text into the free cue card maker. It splits the script into cards of about 80 to 120 words at natural pauses and highlights names, titles, numbers, times and stage cues in deep red. Turn highlights on or off, split, merge or reorder cards, and check the estimated speaking time per card and in total. Then print A5 cards or two A5 cards on A4 with a cut line, or export PDF, PPTX or DOCX. No account is needed.

Frequently asked questions

More guides

• How to make cue cards for a speech or event
• How to write an MC script that keeps your event on time
• Run of show template: how to plan an event programme minute by minute
• What is a cue card and when should you use one?
• Cue card template guide: sizes, fonts, margins and printing
• Moderator cue cards: how to run a panel discussion from your cards
• How to write an award ceremony script and winner reveal cards
• Event planning checklist: what to do and when, from one month out to show day
• How to edit cue cards when the script changes at the last minute
• Opening speech examples and a simple structure for welcome remarks

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