MC (Master of Ceremonies)

A chieving the accolade of being known as Australia’s Number One Business MC is not something that happens easily. Toby’s entire focus in his role as MC is to make you and your organisation not only look good, he’ll make you look great.

He brings his skills as a consultant, keynote speaker and facilitator into his role as an MC, and being well versed in a multitude of industries and with over 22 years of experience in business he’s more than just intros and housekeeping. He will capture and motivate audiences by ensuring that the key messages from each session are highlighted and linked with each other and with the theme of the conference, and that conference strategies and desired outcomes are consistently reinforced.

One of the main ways Toby prepares in his role as MC for a conference is in the many hours of research he does on the industry, the organisation and any products. He’ll have enough knowledge to make supportive comments or to challenge them in a panel discussion or interview. It’s about knowing the industry or product or company without passing himself off as an industry expert.

He’s also funny without being a comedian; he’s able to delve into the human psyche without being a psychologist; he can speak business without being an economist; interview without being a journalist; play a role without being an actor; and can provide knowledge and useful tools without being a professor (but he is a member of the Adjust Faculty at the Australian Graduate School of Management, UNSW).

MC Testimonials

"I have known and worked with Toby Travanner for a number of years. I consider Toby to be the best all round conference MC and facilitator in Australia today.

His business background combined with his years of experience in the conference and event industry ensures Toby is able to deliver a seamless and enjoyable experience, not only for the delegates but for the conference or event organisers as well. Toby is able to bring valuable advice and ideas as well as going above and beyond the role, should clients require it.

I could not recommend Toby more highly."

Carson White
ICMI Speakers & Entertainers

"A quick note to thank you for your excellent work at the Volvo Sales Conference. It was a pleasure to meet you, and you made an entertaining and effective contribution to the programme. I especially appreciated the way you concisely wrapped-up each presenter's content, to drive home the key messages."

Julie Skerman
Marketing Manager, Aftersales Commercial
Volvo Australia

"W ell, you certainly set a new benchmark for facilitators at conventions. As you can imagine being a large convention facility we witness many talented MCs of conventions, however in our opinion you stand out as the best.

The team at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre want to thank you for doing such a fabulous job. Your professional manner combined with your ability to stimulate interaction with the delegates is a rare talent."

Adrienne Readings
General Manager
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre

"W elcome Dinner MC, Conference MC and Facilitator, Team Building Guru and at times English teacher! Toby knew that his research was vital, communicating with seven groups where English was the second language, should have been a challenge but no. Toby created visuals, signs and interpreters where possible. They were fascinated and requested he be included in their offsite dinners.

All keynote speakers were from the Global IT company, some of whom had never presented to an audience of this size. Toby ensured that they had all the necessary tools to enable them to communicate, interacted with them when he saw them struggle and added Trainer to his list of tasks. Toby has an astounding level of energy that is hard to keep up with and even harder to fault.. The highlight of all the events was when Toby took to the floor and waltzed with the Asian President who had not danced in front of her peers before.

Being the professional that Toby timing is everything. When keynote speakers were on stage he was ensuring that the next presenter was in the wings and that the audio visual technician was fully prepared for each speakers requirements. Solution RED are qualified raving fans of both Toby and his company. He made us look good when we recommended him to our client and we will continue to use him internally for our sales coaching and customer service training."

Rhona Walker AFMEA
Managing Director, Solution Red

"A s a fellow speaker, I have had the privilege of working with Toby several times at conferences and on national corporate roadshows. Toby’s preparation as an MC is second to none. His attention to detail re introductions, content, overview of proceedings and his unique ability to support your professional needs, put you totally at ease and create partnership, are to be highly commended.

He displays enormous genuine enthusiasm, he’s articulate, appropriate, respectful, intelligent and creatively spontaneous Toby is also a wonderful facilitator. He is always “on top of” the theme, and brings rigour and his entertaining style to any inquiry/discussion…all the while, supporting participants 100% to look and be their best.

Every audience I’ve seen Toby with, adores him. He’s naturally “like-able” because he is the consummate professional, and confident without being egotistical. Toby has bucket loads of personality and enthusiasm which endears him to his audiences. You can’t help liking Toby! He recently became MC at a huge conference within a moments notice and had the 600 delegates in awe of his ability to step into this enormous responsibility so easily.

The most wonderful thing about working with Toby is that you just know that nothing can “go wrong”. Every unexpected thing that is thrown his way will immediately be handled with grace, dignity or humour. Recently at a conference, the Running Sheet was changed without any chance for consultation. I was now closing a conference that had already taken the audience to an incredible “High Point”. With one look at Toby we both instinctively knew that we had to “raise the bar” to a new “finishing high”. Toby glided onto the stage and moved a chair which had been accidently left in front of the lectern, I delivered the presentation (free to seize every opportunity to make this a bigger finish) and Toby rode on the wave of spontaneity, wrapping the conference up seamlessly without the audience even suspecting what was happening for us. I can count on and trust Toby 100%. That’s “golden” in our industry...and when you are running an event or conference."

Robyn Moore (Speaker)
(Considered by many as the most successful Female speaker in Australia)