By Anu Manocha, anchor & emcee in Delhi
Last updated:
A chief guest introduction should take 45 to 60 seconds. Say the guest's full name and correct designation, two or three facts that link them to this event, and one line on why they were invited. Then lead the applause and announce what happens next. Below are sample introductions for school, corporate, government and family events, with lines in Hindi.
What should a chief guest introduction include?
- The full name, said exactly as the guest prefers it (Dr, Prof, Shri, Smt, Col)
- The current designation and organisation
- Two or three facts that connect the guest to this event, not the whole CV
- One line on why the organisers invited them
- A clear call for applause, then the next step: floral welcome, lamp lighting or the guest's address
How long should a chief guest introduction be?
About 45 to 60 seconds, or 100 to 130 words. That is long enough to show respect and short enough that the guest is not left waiting at the side of the stage.
The welcome speech greets everyone in the room. The introduction is about one person. For the welcome itself, see the welcome speech for anchoring.
How do you get the right details?
- Ask the organiser for a short bio at least 7 days before the event.
- Confirm the exact designation, and how the name is written and pronounced. If you are unsure, ask the guest's office.
- Pick the two or three facts that matter to this audience. A school wants to hear about the guest's work with young people; a dealer meet wants to hear about the market.
- Write the introduction on a card in large type, and keep a printed copy with the running order.
- On the day, check whether anything has changed and whether the guest prefers a shorter introduction.
Sample introduction for a school annual function
It is now my privilege to introduce our chief guest for today's annual day.
[Name] is [designation] at [organisation]. For [number] years, [he/she] has [one line about their work, for example: helped set up science labs in schools across Delhi].
[He/She] is also [a second fact, for example: a former student of this school], so today is a homecoming in many ways.
Please join me in a warm round of applause as we welcome [name] to the stage.
The lamp lighting or floral welcome usually comes next. For the full running order, see the annual day anchoring script.
Sample introduction for a corporate event or conference
Our chief guest needs little introduction to anyone in this industry, but allow me a few lines.
[Name] is [designation] at [company]. Under [his/her] leadership, [the company or team] has [one fact with a number, for example: grown its partner network across North India].
[He/She] has also [a second fact, for example: led the move to digital ordering that many of you use every day].
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome [name].
At conferences, keep to facts the audience can check. Leave out big words like "visionary" unless the organiser asks for them.
Sample introduction for a government event or inauguration
It is an honour for all of us to have with us today our chief guest, [Hon'ble / Shri / Smt] [name], [designation, department].
[He/She] has served [the department / the people of the area] for [number] years and has [one fact, for example: led the district's water conservation programme].
May I request [sir/ma'am] to kindly come to the stage for the inauguration.
Government events follow a strict order of precedence. Confirm it in writing with the organiser and never change it on stage. Anu anchors protocol events as a government event anchor in Delhi NCR, in Hindi and English.
Sample introduction for a society or family function
Our chief guest tonight is someone many of you know from our own neighbourhood.
[Name] has [one fact, for example: been part of this society since it was built and started our first Diwali mela].
[He/She] is also [a second fact, for example: a retired principal who still teaches children in our park every Sunday].
Please give a big round of applause for [name]!
Chief guest introduction in Hindi
Many school, government and society events in Delhi want the introduction in Hindi. These are original lines written for this blog, and you are free to use them at your event.
आज के इस विशेष अवसर पर हमारे मुख्य अतिथि [नाम] जी का परिचय देना मेरे लिए सम्मान की बात है। [नाम] जी [पद, संस्था] हैं और पिछले [संख्या] वर्षों से [उनका कार्य] कर रहे हैं। आइए, तालियों के साथ उनका स्वागत करें।
Aaj ke is vishesh avsar par hamare mukhya atithi [naam] ji ka parichay dena mere liye samman ki baat hai. [Naam] ji [pad, sanstha] hain aur pichhle [sankhya] varshon se [unka kaarya] kar rahe hain. Aaiye, taaliyon ke saath unka swagat karein.
मैं आदरणीय [नाम] जी से निवेदन करती हूँ कि वे मंच पर पधारें और दीप प्रज्वलन कर कार्यक्रम का शुभारंभ करें।
Main aadarniya [naam] ji se nivedan karti hoon ki ve manch par padharein aur deep prajwalan kar karyakram ka shubharambh karein.
अनुभव की रोशनी से जो राह दिखाते हैं,
ऐसे मेहमान हर महफ़िल को ख़ास बनाते हैं।
Anubhav ki roshni se jo raah dikhaate hain, aise mehmaan har mehfil ko khaas banaate hain.
What happens after the introduction?
- A floral welcome or bouquet, usually from the head of the host organisation
- The lamp lighting, ribbon cutting or main ceremony
- The chief guest's address, if one is planned
- Felicitation with a memento, shawl or certificate
- A group photo, then the programme continues
Tell the chief guest this order before they come up, so nobody is left standing on stage, unsure what comes next.
Mistakes to avoid
- Reading the full CV. Two or three facts are enough.
- Getting the name, title or designation wrong. Check it twice.
- Calling the guest up before the person with the bouquet is ready.
- Too much praise. Say "respected" or "honourable" once and let the facts speak.
- Starting before the guest is seated and ready. Wait for the organiser's signal.
Need an anchor for a school function, conference or inauguration? See Anu's anchoring services in Delhi NCR.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a chief guest introduction be?
About 45 to 60 seconds, or 100 to 130 words. Cover the name, designation, two or three relevant facts and why the guest was invited. Anything longer keeps the guest waiting on stage and slows down the whole programme.
Should I read the introduction or say it from memory?
Read names, designations and figures from a card, because they must be exact. Learn the first and last lines by heart, so you can look at the audience and the guest while you speak.
What if the chief guest arrives late?
Keep a short filler ready, such as a performance, a video or a few lines about the event. When the guest arrives, give the organiser a minute to receive them, then do the introduction as planned. Never mention on stage that the guest was late.
Can the chief guest introduction be in Hindi?
Yes. Many school, government and society events in Delhi prefer Hindi or a mix of Hindi and English. Keep the same order: name, designation, two or three facts, and the invitation to the stage. Anu anchors in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
